The new Michelin Guide rankings are out for the San Francisco Bay area and there are two surprises.
One is that The French Laundry finally has company in the three-star bracket with The Restaurant at Meadowood also making it into that hallowed rank. Congrats to Chef Christopher Kostow and his innovative cuisine. The other is that Chez Panisse in Berkeley has been demoted from one star to none. Michelin director Jean-Luc Naret told the San Francisco Chronicle it was a matter of consistency. Read more of his comments here.
I’m happy to say I’ve eaten at Meadowood a few times. Closest I’ve gotten to French Laundry are the appetizers Chef Thomas Keller hands out at the annual Napa Valley wine auction. (They’re excellent, though!)
Here are the official results from the Michelin Guide press release (I love their descriptions of what the rankings connote. Very proper. (N) means new, naturellement)
Three Michelin stars mean exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey One always eats here extremely well, sometimes superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients.
French Laundry (The)
Restaurant at Meadowood (The) (N)
Two Michelin stars mean excellent cuisine, worth a detour Skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality.
Coi
Cyrus
Manresa
One Michelin star means a very good restaurant in its category A place offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard.
Acquerello
Alexander’s Steakhouse (N)
Ame
Applewood (N)
Auberge de Soleil
AzizaBaumé (N)
Bouchon
Boulevard
Campton Place (N)
Chez TJ
Commis
Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton (The)
Dio Deka (N)
étoile
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
Fleur de LysFrances (N)
Gary Danko
La Folie
La Toque
Luce
Madera (N)
Madrona Manor
Masa’s
Mirepoix (N)
Murray Circle
One Market
Plumed Horse
Quince
Redd
Saison (N)
Santé
Solbar
Spruce (N)
Terra
Ubuntu
Village Pub (The)
Wakuriya (N)
Bon appetit!