If only the Oscars™ were released with this little fanfare each year, we might all get on with our lives a bit easier. The second edition of the Michelin Guide to San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country for 2008 was released yesterday, offering a revised judgment of the top dining destinations in San Francisco and the surrounding area.
Now that we’re into the second year of the guide and everyone has gotten over the initial controversy that accompanies Michelin’s initial foray into any market, the gossip and discussion will inevitably rest upon the changing fates of those included (or not) in the new version of the guide. Who got upgraded, who got downgraded, and who got dropped?
The French Laundry remains the only three-star restaurant in the Bay Area. Disappointingly, it was not joined by Manresa this year, which continues to be rated two stars as it was last year.
Two additional restaurants received new two-star ratings this year: the recently relaunched restaurant at Meadowood and Chez TJ, a long-standing favorite in Mountain View.
There are several new one-star designated restaurants (see the list below), and a couple of downgrades (Bushi-Tei in San Francisco and Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg lost their one-star status).
For your reference, here’s the new list (with new status indicated in boldface).
THREE STARS
The French Laundry
TWO STARS
Aqua
Chez TJ
Cyrus
Manresa
Meadowood
Michael Mina
ONE STAR
Acquerello
Ame
Auberge du Soleil
Bistro Jeanty
Boulevard
Chez Panisse
Coi
Cortez
Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton,
Farmhouse Inn
Fifth Floor
Fleur de Lys
Gary Danko
K & L Bistro
La Folie
La Toque
Madrona Manor
Martini House
Masa’s
One Market
Quince
Range
Redd
Rubicon
Sushi-Ran
Terra
In addition to the star ratings, Michelin publishes a group of more casual restaurants noted as “Bib Gourmand” here’s that list:
BIB GOURMAND (Under $40)
A 16
Annalin
Bar Tartine
BarBersQ
Bay Wolf
Betelnut Pejiu Wu
Café Gibraltar
Celadon
Clementine
Cook St. Helena
Cucina Paradiso
Delfina
Gaylord
Hong Kong Flower Lounge
Insalata’s
Junnoon
Kokkari Estiatorio
Koo
Le Charm
Mamacita
Mirepoix
Namu
Nopa
Olivia
Osake
Perbacco
Poleng
Pres A Vi
Rin’s Thai
Risibisi
RNM
Sauce
Scott Howard
Slanted Door (The)
Slow Club
Sociale
South Park Café
Tablespoon
Tamarindo
Tokyo Go Go
Tommaso’s
TWO
2223
Universal Café
Vanessa’s Bistro
Venticello
Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar
Willi’s Wine Bar
Yank Sing
Zuzu
