Manresa - Michelin Guide 2016

Welcome San Jose.

Michelin Guide today revealed its esteemed 2016 stars. See below for the full list of Michelin rated restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Not only are Michelin stars revered as the ultimate recognition of culinary excellence, they can also translate into a nice revenue stream for restaurateurs. No wonder each year all eyes all across the land are on who is receiving, or losing a star.

For San Francisco Bay Area dining fans, there’s a cavalcade of good news.

First, thanks to Chefs Jessica Carreira and David Costa, San Jose has its first ever Michelin-rated restaurant. Earning a Michelin star, also means Adega is the first West Coast Portuguese restaurant to receive the honor.

More good news out of San Francisco. Quince received an extra star this year, and with three Michelin stars can now count some fine company including Benu, The French Laundry, Manresa, The Restaurant at Meadowood, and Saison. Not too shabby at all.

According to Eater SF, San Francisco is now tied with New York with six restaurants rated three Michelin stars. Though one dubious point of distinction remains: U.S. Michelin still has no three star female chefs. Dominque Crenn looks to be the leading candidate. But her famed restaurant Atelier Crenn was awarded two stars once again for 2016. If we know Crenn’s fighting spirit expect that to change, and soon.

The Mercury News noted that “the Michelin Guides honored 54 Bay Area and Wine Country restaurants with star ratings, up from 50 last year.” New York still leads, however, with 75 total Michelin stars, with Chicago (22) and Washington (12) coming in third and fourth respectively.

Essentially, for fans of gastronomy the San Francisco Bay Area is a good place to be.

Congratulations to all the hard working Chefs and their teams who earned a Michelin star, or two, or three.

Stark Insider Food & Wine news, photos, videos2016 Michelin Guide: San Francisco Bay Area Stars

3 MICHELIN STARS

Benu (San Francisco)
The French Laundry (Yountville)
Manresa (Los Gatos) – The Stark Insider Experience

Manresa-Review-Stark-Insider-7266

David Kinch gives Loni Stark a tour of the kitchen at Manresa.
Chef David Kinch in the kitchen at Manresa (Los Gatos, California).

Quince (San Francisco) – The Stark Insider Interview with Chef Michael Tusk (Video)

Michael Tusk - Quince - San Francisco
Chef Michael Tusk (Quince) chats with Loni Stark during the Napa Truffle Festival.

The Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena)
Saison (San Francisco)

2 MICHELIN STARS

Acquerello (San Francisco)
Atelier Crenn (San Francisco)

Chef Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn) competing at an event in San Francisco.
Chef Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn) competing at an event in San Francisco.

1 MICHELIN STAR

Adega (San Jose)
Al’s Place (San Francisco)
Aster (San Francisco)
Auberge du Soleil (Rutherford)
Aziza (San Francisco)
Bouchon (Yountville)
Californios (San Francisco)
Chez TJ (Mountain View)
Commonwealth (San Francisco)
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant (Forestville)
Gary Danko (San Francisco) – The Stark Insider Experience

Ahi Tuna, whimsically plated as a butterfly.
Gary Danko: Ahi Tuna, whimsically plated as a butterfly.

Hashiri (San Francisco)
Ju-Ni (San Francisco)
Keiko a Nob Hill (San Francisco)
Kin Khao (San Francisco)
La Toque (Napa) – The Stark Insider Interview: Chef Ken Frank (Video)

First Course: Dungeness Crab and Firefly Squid White Bean Salad (La Toque, Chef Ken Frank) paired with Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay 2008. This was my favorite course.
First Course: Dungeness Crab and Firefly Squid White Bean Salad (La Toque, Chef Ken Frank) paired with Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay 2008.

Lord Stanley (San Francisco)
Luce (San Francisco)
Madera (Menlo Park)
Madrona Manor (Healdsburg)
Michael Mina (San Francisco)
Mister Jiu’s (San Francisco)
Mosu (San Francisco)
Mourad (San Francisco)
Nico (San Francisco)
Octavia (San Francisco)
Omakase (San Francisco)
Plumed Horse (Saratoga) – The Stark Insider Interview with Chef Peter Armellino (Video)

The Progress (San Francisco)
Rasa (Burlingame)
Solbar (Calistoga)
Sons & Daughters (San Francisco)
SPQR (San Francisco)
Spruce (San Francisco)
State Bird Provisions (San Francisco)
Sushi Yoshizumi (San Mateo)
Terra (St. Helena)
Terrapin Creek (Bodega Bay)
The Village Pub (Woodside)
Wako (San Francisco)
Wakuriya (San Mateo)

WATCH: Chef Michael Tusk (Quince) talks with Loni Stark about cooking with truffles

WATCH: Michelin 3-star Chef David Kinch (Manresa) chats with Loni Stark

With Loni Stark in San Francisco, California.