Atelier Crenn, the whimsical, fine French restaurant run by star Chef Dominque Crenn, received a promotion in this year’s edition of the Michelin Guide. Crenn was bumped to two stars, joining a prestigious group that includes repeats Baume (Palo Alto), Benu (San Francisco), Coi (San Francisco), Manresa (Los Gatos), and Saison (San Francisco). Jump to bottom of this post for the complete list of 2013 winners.

Not surprisingly, heading to Napa is a pretty good bet if you want to experience the region’s culinary best.

Chef Thomas Keller’s French Laundry and Christopher Kostow’s Restaurant at Meadowood retained their top-rated three Michelin star (restaurants “worth a special journey”) status for 2013.

A total of 34 restaurants round out the Michelin list for the San Francisco Bay Area, each receiving one star. It was good to see Restaurant Gary Danko represented. I recently dined at Danko and enjoyed an exemplary experience (Review of Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco).

[Also: Wine Harvest News: Napa, Sonoma tonnage could be up 15-20%]

At a recent food competition in San Francisco, I caught up the vivacious Chef Atelier Crenn who brings passion and intensity to any event she attends (SF Chefs was another one of her energetic appearances on Stark Insider TV). You can see Crenn in action in this video and interview here:

In addition to San Francisco, Chicago and New York also receive special city editions of the famed Michelin Guide, which is widely regarded as the preeminent word on excellence in cuisine. A total of 539 restaurants are included in the San Francisco edition which also covers the East Bay, Wine Country, Marin, South Bay and the Peninsula. Yes, for culinary delights, indeed you could do worse.

San Francisco MICHELIN Guide 2013

Starred establishments

Three stars (2)

Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
Wine Country Napa Valley The French Laundry Thomas Keller Wine Country Napa Valley The Restaurant at Meadowood Christopher Kostow

Two stars (6)

Excellent cuisine, worth a detour
San Francisco Marina Atelier Crenn South Bay Palo Alto Baume San Francisco SoMa Benu San Francisco North Beach Coi South Bay Los Gatos Manresa San Francisco Mission Saison

One star (21)

A very good restaurant in its category

San Francisco Nob Hill Acquerello South Bay Cupertino Alexander's Steakhouse (South Bay) Peninsula San Mateo All Spice San Francisco SoMa Ame Wine Country Napa Valley Auberge du Soleil San Francisco Richmond & Sunset Aziza Wine Country Napa Valley Bouchon San Francisco SoMa Boulevard San Francisco SoMa Campton Place South Bay Mountain View Chez TJ East Bay Oakland Commis Wine Country Sonoma County Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant San Francisco Castro Frances San Francisco North Beach Gary Danko San Francisco Nob Hill Keiko à Nob Hill Peninsula Montara La Costanera San Francisco Nob Hill La Folie Wine Country Napa Valley La Toque San Francisco SoMa Luce Peninsula Menlo Park Madera Wine Country Sonoma County Madrona Manor San Francisco Nob Hill Masa's San Francisco Financial District Michael Mina South Bay Saratoga Plumed Horse San Francisco North Beach Quince Wine Country Napa Valley Redd Wine Country Napa Valley Solbar San Francisco Nob Hill Sons & Daughters San Francisco Marina SPQR San Francisco Marina Spruce Wine Country Napa Valley Terra Wine Country Sonoma County Terrapin Creek Peninsula Woodside The Village Pub Peninsula San Mateo Wakuriya