The stars come out

The famous French Michelin guide announced the first ever stars for the San Francisco Bay Area today. (The guide will be available for purchase starting Wednesday.) Some surprises? Decide for yourselves. There was only 1 3-star (as if you need a drum roll)...The French Laundry.

I myself am surprised that a restaurant like Range is judged to be on par with The Dining Room. Part of me really likes that democratic approach and the recognition that good food is good food, even if it's not shi-shi; part of me is aghast simply because I had a crap meal at Range. And Bushi-tei? I have heard mixed things, mostly bad, so that's a big surprise to me, too.  And where is Delfina? As for Rubicon, obviously no one at Michelin cares about dessert...I went a few weeks back and had some of the most ho-hum desserts I have ever had. I am, however, overjoyed to see Manresa get 2-stars, and Bistro Jeanty get 1-star.

Congratulations to all the chefs and staffs whose restaurants made it onto the list. 

3-star
The French Laundry

2-star
Aqua
Cyrus
Manresa
Michael Mina

1-star
Acquerello
Auberge du Soleil
Bistro Jeanty
Bouchon
Boulevard
Bushi-Tei
Chez Panisse
Chez TJ
Dry Creek Kitchen
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
Fifth Floor
Fleur de Lys
Gary Danko
K & L Bistro
La Folie
La Toque
Masa’s
Quince
Range
Ritz-Carlton Dining Room
Rubicon
Sushi-Ran
Terra

Comments

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

Gary Danko got only one star? I'm truly shocked. That Danko is in the same category as Quince, Terra, and Range is grievous, in my opinion. Danko is definitely on par - I think better than - Aqua.

[NS]

The fact that Michael Mina and Aqua are at 2-stars while The Dining Room and Masa's are relegated to 1-star is criminal. I think that Manresa and The Dining Room should actually have been at 3-stars, while Aqua and Michael Mina (particularly the former) should have been at 1-star at most. Lots of other notable omissions and questionable inclusions -- enough for several posts, I'm sure!

[sam]

Both bad and good experiences can be had in most of these places and I imagine none of us have experienced the full gamet. The more high end a place in, I imagine the better equipped they are to manage consistency in terms of food and service. If an inspector had the same unforgiveable service experience I had at Quince, Quince would be lucky to make it to the book, let alone receive a star.

I like Range, but agree that it doesn't in particular shine above comparable style restaurants like Zuni, Delfina and Coco500 in my experience.

I so could not care less about the Michelin guide.