Bay Area restaurants win Michelin honor
The Michelin Guide released the 2018 Bib Gourmand winners for the Bay Area on Thursday, with only four newcomers: Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, Pausa in San Mateo, Playa in Marin and Royal Feast in Millbrae.
The list highlights “reasonably priced restaurants” — which Michelin defines as places where two courses and a glass of wine or dessert cost $40 or less, before tax and tip.
Tanya Holland’s Brown Sugar Kitchen might be the most notable new addition, and is one of several Oakland restaurants to make the list, including Michel Bistro, Millennium and Wood Tavern. The Bib Gourmand nod for Holland just adds to a year that’s already seen a bevy of moves for her, including opening new locations in Uptown Oakland and the Ferry Building.
Overall, 67 restaurants made the cut, eight fewer than last year. Each will be listed in the upcoming 2018 Michelin Guide, with the caveat that achieving Bib Gourmand status means the restaurant is ineligible for a Michelin Star.
This makes the names not on the list equally intriguing: Rich Table in Hayes Valley made the list last year, but is absent this year; could it be in contention for a coveted star?
Other restaurants that got cut are Bistro Jeanty, Evvia, La Costanera, Le Garage and several restaurants that closed, such as Bar Tartine, Mamacita and Mason Pacific.