Next week, Michelin's anonymous inspectors will award some of New York's most accomplished and expensive restaurants with the the Red Guide's coveted stars. But today, Michelin has awarded Oiji, Mu Ramen, Untitled, and a slew of other excellent and affordable establishments with something called a Bib Gourmand – a cartoon drawing of the Michelin Man licking his chops. Restaurants receiving this cheap eats award will not receive a star next week, a fact that reminds me of the time I asked my father, while very young, what type of medal an Olympic athlete receives when finishing fourth. "The aluminum foil medal," he deadpanned.

Make no mistake: The Bibs, as much as they deserve credit for putting great neighborhood spots on everyone's radar, can at times feel like a scattershot list of aluminum foil medals. And as much as they're an ode to establishments large and small that cut diners a break, the Bibs can take on the appearance of consolation prizes.

To drive that point home, consider the following: When Pok Pok Ny deservingly "graduated" to the starred list last year, it was removed from the Bibs, depriving that group of one of its strongest members. In fact any restaurant on the starred list won't receive a Bib, no matter how affordable. Like I said — consolation prizes. So while Michelin defines the Bibs as serving "two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less," perhaps the better definition would be "a list of cheap eats venues that happens to be devoid of certain low-cost joints that are good enough to earn stars."

Sure, one can disagree with Michelin's individual starred selections – remember how many years Gordon Ramsay's snoozer of an establishment held two sparklers? – or omissions – was it really necessary to drop Annisa? – but that overall list is, among other things, a reasonably comprehensive group of the city's best high-end establishments. The Bib Gourmand list, by contrast, doesn't quite have its finger on the pulse of New York's more accessible venues. To explain why, and to read the tea leaves on next week's starred selections, here are 10 things you need to know about who was included (or excluded) from this year's Bibs, followed by the full list of "winners."

1. Among the year's more high profile openings to receive a Bib are the Korean-themed Oiji, the Italian-hued Faro, the vegetable-heavy Untitled, the Southeast-Asian Kiin Thai, and the noodle soup emporium Mu Ramen. They won't receive stars next week.

2. Any relevant discussion of cheap eats in New York has to include the burgeoning fine-casual movement, where upscale chefs attempt to do ambitious and creative things for $15-or-less, making those takeout-heavy concepts cheaper than restaurants but pricier than fast food outlets. So the fact that Fuku, Superiority Burger, Shake Shack, or Empellon al Pastor are not included in the Bibs means that list is overlooking not just certain individual restaurants but a larger trend that's reshaping how many Americans are experiencing elevated food for the first time. Not impressive.

3. Lupulo, a Midtown tapas bar by George Mendes, is left off the list. It certainly has the pricing to qualify for a Bib; half a chicken, shrimp turnovers, and a glass of vinho verde will run you $36. And it was well-reviewed. Will it receive a star, like Mendes' sister spot Aldea? It should.

4. The inclusion of Danny Meyer's (very good) Untitled on the Bibs highlights the omission of Meyer's affordable Marta, one of the best-reviewed pizza restaurants of the year. It would be troublesome indeed if Marta makes neither the starred nor the Bib ranks.

5. Hometown, one of the city's finest emporiums of smoked beef, is a new addition to the Bibs, but its inclusion serves an unfortunate reminder that not a single barbecue restaurant, one of our country's signature (and most rigorously-reviewed) cuisines, holds a Michelin star.

6. Here's a monumentally absurd fact: Ed's Lobster Bar has a Bib Gourmand. Red Hook Lobster Pound, considered by many to serve one of the city's top lobster roll (not to mention a fine burger), doesn't.

7. On the poultry front: Hill Country Fried Chicken and Marcus Samuelsson's Street Bird Rotisserie both received Bibs. Root & Bone didn't. Discuss.

8. It's hard to believe that Michelin hasn't yet found an excuse to include Dominique Ansel Kitchen or Bakery, the work of one of the world's most heralded pastry chefs, in its Bibs or starred ranks.

9. Zabb Elee in Jackson Heights was demoted to the Bibs; it won't retain the star it gained in 2015. Somtum Der, which dropped off the Bibs this year, would be a compelling candidate to replace it.

10. Here are a few of the restaurants on last year's Bib list that were dropped for the 2016 edition: Battersby, Dirt Candy, Northern Spy, Perry St. Were they overlooked? Or will they receive stars? We'll find out next week.

Michelin's 2016 Bib Gourmands

ABC Cocina

al Bustan

Aroma Kitchen & Wine Bar

Baci & Abbracci

Baker & Co.

Bar Primi

Basil Brick Oven Pizza

Beyoglu

Bianca

Biáng!

Boqueria

Bread & Tulips

bún-ker

Buttermilk Channel

Casa del Chef Bistro

Chavela's

Cho Dang Gol

Ciccio

Congee Village

Coppelia

Crispo

DBGB Kitchen & Bar

Dim Sum Go Go

Diner

Do or Dine (closed)

Don Antonio by Starita

Donostia

East Harbor Seafood Palace

Ed's Lobster Bar

Egg

Elberta

El Parador

Enoteca Maria

Falansai

Faro

Frankies 457 Spuntino

Ganso Ramen

General Greene

Gladys

Good Fork

Gran Eléctrica

Gregory's 26 Corner Taverna

Hahm Ji Bach

HanGawi

Havana Café

Hecho en Dumbo

Hide-Chan Ramen

Hill Country Chicken

HinoMaru Ramen

Hometown Bar-B-Que

Hunan House

Hunan Kitchen of Grand Sichuan

Il Buco Alimentari e Vineria

Il Poeta

J.G. Melon

Jin Ramen

John Brown Smokehouse

J. Restaurant Chez Asta

Katz's

Kesté Pizza & Vino

Khe-Yo

Kiin Thai

Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen

Land of Plenty

Larb Ubol

Laut

Lea

Lil' Frankie's

Little Pepper

Lulu & Po

Lupa

Mapo Tofu

Marlow & Sons

Mexicosina

Mile End

Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Momofuku Ssäm Bar

Momokawa

Mu Ramen

New Malaysia

Nom Wah Tea Parlor

Nyonya

Oiji

Paet Rio

Paulie Gee's

Pearl & Ash

Phoenix Garden

Pippali

Porsena

Prime Meats

Prova

Prune

Purple Yam

Roberta's

Rubirosa

Runner & Stone

Russ & Daughters Cafe

Rye

Salt & Fat

San Matteo

San Rasa

Shalom Japan

Shanghai Café

Snack

Soba-Ya

Sottocasa

Speedy Romeo

Streetbird Rotisserie

Supper

Sweet Yummy House

Szechuan Gourmet

Tanoreen

Tertulia

Thelma on Clinton

Tong Sam Gyup Goo Yi

Tra Di Noi

Traif

Turkish Kitchen

Umi NOM

Uncle Zhou

Untitled

Uva

Venturo Osteria & Wine Bar

Vida

Vinegar Hill House

Wild Edibles

Xixa

Yunnan Kitchen

Zabb Elee

zero otto nove

Zizi Limona

Zoma