The San Francisco Bay Area Michelin Guide for 2018 was announced this morning. The awards were held off due to the fires in Napa and Sonoma. “America’s wine country has experienced an extraordinary tragedy and our decision to delay the 2018 selections was made with deepest concern for those affected,” said Claire Dorland-Clauzel, Michelin Group executive vice president of brands, external relations and the Michelin Guide. “This community is strong and resilient. We hope that publishing the Michelin Guide selections will contribute to the region’s recovery by encouraging travelers to visit some of the best restaurants in the country that are found here.”
Currently, with the addition of Coi as a three star restaurant, San Francisco has the most three Michelin starred restaurants in the United States.
Have you wondered what the stars denote? According to the Michelin Guide, Three stars denotes exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey. Their “highest award is given for the superlative cooking of chefs at the peak of their profession. The ingredients are exemplary, the cooking is elevated to an art form and their dishes are often destined to become classics.” This compares to the one star restaurants, which are “High quality cooking, worth a stop!” They use “use quality ingredients and serve carefully prepared dishes with distinct flavors.”
Congratulations to the following restaurants who have received these coveted awards.
Three Stars
Benu
Coi (New)
The French Laundry
Manresa
Quince
The Restaurant at Meadowood
Saison
Two Stars
Acquerello
Atelier Crenn
Baumé
Californios (New)
Commis
Lazy Bear
SingleThread (New)
One Star
Adega
Al’s Place
Aster
Auberge du Soleil
Bouchon
Campton Place
Chez TJ
Commonwealth
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
Gary Danko
Hashiri
In Situ (New)
jū-ni
Keiko à Nob Hill
Kenzo (New)
Kin Khao
Kinjo (New)
La Toque
Lord Stanley
Luce
Madera
Madrona Manor
Michael Mina
Mister Jiu’s
Octavia
Omakase
Plumed Horse
Progress (The)
Rasa
Rich Table (New)
Sons & Daughters
SPQR
Spruce
State Bird Provisions
Sushi Yoshizumi
Terra
Terrapin Creek
The Village Pub
Wako
Wakuriya