The publishers of the 2001 Mobil Travel Guide will announce today the winners of the coveted four- and five-star restaurant awards. Once again, Cincinnati's Maisonette will be on the list of five-star winners.

Co-owner Nat Comisar, maitre d' Brad Anderson, co-owner Michael E. Comisar and executive chef Jean-Robert de Cavel raise a glass to their stars. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        While many restaurants can be good for awhile, maintaining consistent high quality is difficult. That's what makes the Maisonette's five stars so remarkable. It is the 37th consecutive year that the French restaurant on Sixth Street has won Mobil's highest rating. No restaurant anywhere can match that record.

        Several times in recent years, the list has changed dramatically. In 2000, for instance, restaurants such as Everest in Chicago, Le Bec-Fin in Philadelphia and Les Celebrites and Chanterelle in New York lost their five-star status, making room for newer restaurants such as the French Laundry in California's Napa Valley and Daniel in New York.

        Through all the changes, Maisonette has maintained its luster in the eyes of the inspectors Mobil sends to make evaluations. Five-star locations are, in the words of the guide, “restaurants that offer a rare and unique dining experience on a consistent basis.”

        Maisonette, founded in 1949 by Nathan Comisar, is owned and operated by his grandsons, Nat and Michael E. Comisar. Neither was able to comment on the latest rating Monday, before today's official announcement.

        The Mobil Travel Guide series, including America's Best Hotels and Restaurants, is published by Fodor and will be available in bookstores this week.

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