It's quite amazing how apathetic I've been about the prestigious Michelin ratings that were unveiled on Monday. I'm actually ok with the fact that five french dudes didn't enjoy Bay Area food as much as I do. More for me. Yet, most restaurateurs and people who make their living off of the Bay Area culinary scene are either going through the twelve steps of grief, or shrugging their shoulders like a misunderstood rock star as if to say "they just don't get the Bay Area." I think the most intelligent discussion of this subject has been on KQED's Forum. And the most important point that Michael Krasny and his guests make is that guides like Michelin and Zagat should be used just as that....a guide. We have all been to a highly rated restaurant that we thought was nar nar, or a dirty scummy hole in the wall that was divine. The fact that the Michelin doesn't agree with us just makes it all the more fun to discuss! So everybody take a deep breath...and chill.
Having said that- I know you want to see the list- so here it is....
THREE STARS
The French Laundry
TWO STARS
Aqua
Cyrus
Manresa
Michael Mina
ONE STAR
Fleur de Lys
Rubicon
Bushi-Tei
Quince
Range
Acquerello
La Folie
Masa's
Ritz-Carlton Dining Room
Gary Danko
Boulevard
Fifth Floor
Chez Panisse
Sushi-Ran
Chez TJ
Auberge du Soleil
Bistro Jeanty
Bouchon
La Toque
Terra
Dry Creek Kitchen
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant
K & L Bistro
Wine Spectator recently (this month?) did a feature on San Francisco restaurants. Many of the places listed above were featured.
I remember when you were 16, somebody (mayby Bon Appetit?) put together a list of the best 100 restaurants in the country and you decided you wanted to eat at all of them. I think we even went to Boulevard for your birthday that year. How many of the above restaurants have you been to?
Posted by: Sarah Worth | October 06, 2006 at 07:42 AM
Hehe, I haven't heard of most of these restaurants (except the French Laundry)
Hmmm... maybe I'll try that idea, if I make it big and don't spend the rest of my life paying off student loans.
Oooh, oooh, do the Thespian Society BBQ! I saw a buncha people taking pictures of it ^_^
Posted by: Andrew Nizamian | October 06, 2006 at 07:57 PM