The Michelin Guide is extending its reach into China with a new edition ranking dining destinations in Hong Kong and Macau for the first time, the company said yesterday.

The French bible of gastronomy featuring 251 restaurants and hotels in the two Chinese cities is Michelin's second guide outside Europe and the United States. The debut Tokyo edition was published in November 2007, with eight restaurants receiving Michelin's highest three-star rating.

Michelin awarded 40 stars to 28 restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau, and two venues got the top ranking.

Lung King Heen in Hong Kong's luxurious Four Seasons Hotel received three stars, while the hotel's French eatery Caprice won two stars.

Inspectors also decided Robuchon a Galera at Macau's Lisboa Hotel, owned by casino mogul Stanley Ho, was worthy of Michelin's highest award.

The team of 12 undercover inspectors, including two Chinese, have been in Hong Kong and Macau testing about 1,200 establishments since late 2007, according to Michelin Guides Director Jean-Luc Naret.

Michelin plans to expand the guide into other parts of China, Naret said.

Hong Kong is known for its gourmet Chinese and Western food, while Macau is known for the Portuguese cuisine inherited from its former colonial rulers.

The guide will go on sale on Friday, published in both Chinese and English.

(Shanghai Daily December 3, 2008)