scenes in the world. Californian chefs are mixing their exacting cooking techniques with superb local ingredients and culinary influences from all parts of the globe. The result is a rich, dynamic and unique dining scene.”
NO STARS IN LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles, meanwhile, remains off Michelin’s radar after it famously axed its guide after just two years in 2009, with former director Jean-Luc Naret claiming that there was no real appreciation of food in the city.
It’s sad to see that Michelin’s lack of recognition of LA’s thriving food scene continues despite many of its chefs and restaurants – including Nancy Silverton, Alma, and Bestia – having won national plaudits.
A number of LA chefs have expressed dismay at Michelin’s absence, including Josiah Citrin, whose restaurant Mélisse in Santa Monica, held two stars in the LA guide. He said: “I wish Michelin would come back; I don’t understand why they left. We had more one- and two-star restaurants than Chicago. Instead of just doing the Bay Area, they should do a California guide – it would make sense.”
Curtis Stone (pictured), chef proprietor of Maude in Beverly Hills, added that it’s “a real shame” that the guide is no longer in LA. “Michelin is brilliant in its consistency, which is why they have the credibility that a lot of the other guides lack,” he said.
“A lot of young chefs spend their lives revolving around that guide. For me working at the Oak Room when it had three stars was the pinnacle of my life at the time. Maybe we chefs get too caught up in it so perhaps it’s a good thing not to have the pressure of having Michelin here. But I’d really love it if they came back.”
Here’s the full list of starred restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area & Wine County for 2015:
T
HREE STARS:
Benu (new)
The French Laundry
The Restaurant at Meadowood
Saison (new)
TWO STARS:
Acquerello (new)
Atelier Crenn
Baumé
Coi
Manresa
Quince
ONE STAR:
All Spice, Ame, Auberge du Soleil, Aziza, Bouchon, Boulevard, Campton Place, Chez TJ, Commis, Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, Gary Danko, Keiko à Nob Hill, Kusakabe (new), La Folie, La Toque, Luce, Madera, Madrona Manor, Maruya (new), Michael Mina, Plumed Horse, Solbar, Sons & Daughters, SPQR, Spruce, State Bird Provisions, Terra, Terrapin Creek, The Village Pub, Wakuriya.
Kerstin Kühn is a freelance food and travel writer, specialising in restaurant and chef stories. The
former restaurant editor of
Caterer and Hotelkeeper, she relocated from London to Los Angeles last summer, where she lives with her husband and two cats. With a vast network of chefs from around the world, Kerstin has profiled the likes of Michel Roux, Heston Blumenthal, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, the Roca brothers and Massimo Bottura. She has been a contributor to publications including
FOUR Magazine, the
Evening Standard Food and Travel Magazine,
M&C Report,
Design Week,
Frame Magazine and
City and
Canary Wharf Magazines and also writes her own blog,
La Goulue. You can follow Kerstin on Twitter @LaGoulue _
