Tuesday night, while Israeli chef Eyal Shani judged the "MasterChef" finale in Israel, his New York restaurant, Shmoné, retained the prestigious Michelin star it first earned in 2023 – one of the highest symbols of recognition in the culinary world.
Shmoné operates under Shani's Good People Group and is led by chef Orianne Shapira. Its menu is defined as Neo-Levantine, a contemporary Middle Eastern style based on intuition, seasonality, and exceptionally fresh ingredients – an approach that has made Shani one of the chefs most identified with Israeli cuisine worldwide.
The restaurant earned excellent reviews from its opening, and the first star it received in 2023 marked a significant milestone. Maintaining the star this year proves it continues to meet the Michelin Guide's highest standards.
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In a post on the restaurant's social media, the caption read, "We're proud to share that Shmoné has retained our Michelin Star. his recognition reflects the heart, craft, and intuition that guide us every night, carried by our team that pours magic into every moment shared at the restaurant. Thank you to the Michelin Guide for the honor, to our guests who trust us with their evenings, and our dedicated staff. We're grateful, inspired, and excited for what's ahead. Congratulations to all the other restaurants in the Northeast honored this year, we're in great company!"
The achievement comes after a particularly complex year for Shani and his restaurant group, which faced protests and demonstrations in several countries. Some protests targeted Shani as an Israeli amid the Gaza war, while others focused on his partner Shahar Segal's connections to the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The protests included delays in opening new restaurants, vandalism attempts, and incidents in which businesses in the group had to increase security.
Despite everything, winning the Michelin star refocuses attention on what has driven Shani for years – food, creativity, and genuine love for cuisine. Shmoné, considered one of Manhattan's most talked-about restaurants, proves it is not just part of a global Israeli trend but a culinary institution in its own right.
