Chefs at Hong Kong's T'ang Court, which keeps its three-star listing in the 2017 Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macao. CHINA DAILY

The stars were out on Wednesday as Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macao 2017 announced the winners of stars in the prestigious French dining guide. All of the eight three-starred restaurants from last year's guide preserved their ranking, and the newly starred restaurants were generally applauded without the hailstorm of controversy that followed last year's announcements. Three-star honorees in Hong Kong are Bo Innovation, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Lung King Heen, 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo－Bombana, Sushi Shikon and T'ang Court; three-star winners in Macao are Robuchon au Dome and The Eight.

"Our craft has been recognized on a global scale of the highest standard in the culinary world," says Kwong Wai Keung, the Langham Hong Kong hotel's executive chef for Chinese cuisine, who has been with the restaurant since it opened in 1988. "Cooking is a labor of love and we look forward to welcoming our guests to taste the delicate intricacies of quality Cantonese cuisine." T'ang Court is one of four Cantonese restaurants in the world to receive three Michelin stars.

The Hong Kong/Macao guide has abandoned, at least for now, its listings for street food, which last year generated positive buzz for Michelin's cultural savvy－and jeers from critics who cherish the guide's white-tablecloth aura.

Surprises on the list include Amber's continuing rank at two stars, despite an array of other awards and its perennial high ranking on S.Pellegrino's list of the 50 Best. "What does Richard Ekkebus have to do to get his third star?" asks Time Out Hong Kong. "When will they recognize thehuge impact he's had on our dining scene?" Meanwhile, Spoon by Alain Ducasse disappeared from the list entirely after slipping from two stars to one last year.

The 2017 guide features a total of 238 restaurants, including 80 starred restaurants－61 in Hong Kong and 19 Macao. Fourteen Hong Kong and five Macao restaurants scored two Michelin stars; 41 Hong Kong and 12 Macao eateries grabbed a single star.

New to the Hong Kong list: Beefbar, Epure, Im Teppanyaki & Wine, Spring Moon, Sushi Tokami, VEA Restaurant & Lounge and Yat Tung Heen (Jordan location). Macao's new one-starred spots include Lai Heen, Pearl Dragon and Ying.