CUISINE
Dining Out
ALFRESCO DINING
All up and down the state dining in the open air is popular, as it is here in Pasadena, above. Los Angeles is known for its wide variety of exquisite restaurants, and its cousin to the north, San Francisco, has more restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city.
The results are in
and it’s official: the Bay Area of the Golden State has finally bested New York for the greatest number of Michelin three-starred restaurants, with seven now, compared to five in New York City and two in Chicago. For those who have made Star-bagging an official bucket list thing, this makes California an even more compelling destination for haute cuisine.
While LA has long been known for its wide variety of exquisite and diverse restaurants, San Francisco boasts more restaurants per capita than any other U.S. city. It comes as no surprise that of the 166 Michelin-starred restaurants nationwide for 2019, a full third of them are San Francisco establishments.
Old standards that have been around for decades, like Tadich Grill, established in 1849 and the oldest in California, along with Sam’s Grill, est. 1867, still hold their own against innovative newcomers. SF’S Mission district has become a foodie haven and surrounding communities from Berkeley to Palo Alto to Napa and Sonoma all bring fine food to the table.
Like everything else in California from politics to entertainment, food is a celebrity-driven business, to wit, SOMA darling International Smoke, a collaboration between Michael Mina and Ayesha Curry (wife of NBA superstar Steph). But star power inspires, and many have followed the lead of garden-to-table pioneer Alice Waters.
As the birthplace of the farm-to-table movement that took the country by storm, the culinary scene here is a mix of where to
be seen and those unseen farmers and field laborers who actually do all the dirty work necessary to put food on tables. Over one thousand farmers markets and CSA’S thrive here, more than in any other state.
Sustainability is the keyword in all things agriculture, and we can tip our hat to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for its impactful Seafood Watch program that helps diners make informed choices at places like Cindy’s Waterfront and Passionfish (Pacific Grove).
Sonoma and Marin counties have become cheese tourism havens and apple lovers can pick their fill in Sebastopol and El Dorado’s Apple Hill.
Coastside, berry farms (Swanton) and pumpkin patches (Arata’s, Half Moon Bay) beckon: visit Harley Farms for adorable goats and exquisite cheese (Pescadero).
Many restaurants have on-site gardens, including The Restaurant at Wente (Livermore), Chez TJ (Mountain View) and Cielo Verde, one of LA’S most impressive urban greenhouses.
California’s olive oil production is booming, with Stella Cadente (Fort Bragg), Olivina (Livermore) and Olea (Paso Robles) all producing decadent flavor-infusions.
LA & Environs
Trendy LA area dining spots include American Beauty, Bon Temps, Clark Street, Craft, Dialogue, Eszett, Found Oyster, ink.well, Journeymen, L’opera, Onda, Otium, Pasjoli, Providence, The Stalking Horse, Umi by Hamasaku and Uovo, renowned for its fresh pasta. République, French bakery, café and ice creamery, is the popular creation of Margarita and Walter Manke, who previously opened three restaurants in Carmel, including L’auberge Carmel. Plant Food + Wine speaks to vegans.
LA restaurants that earned Michelin stars prior to 2010 include Asanebo, Cut, Mélisse,
Osteria Mozza, Patina, Spago, Sushi Zo, Valentino and Water Grill.
San Diego
San Diego’s food scene is currently buzzing over Addison, Born & Raised, Barbusa, Barleymash, Candor, Chiko, Cucina Urbana, Din Tai Fung, George’s at the Cove, Herb & Wood, Hidden Fish, Il Dandy, Juniper and Ivy, Lionfish, Mister A’s, Puesto, Rare Society, Royale, Searsucker, Siamo Napoli and Soichi Sushi.
San Francisco Bay Area
Aglow with 6o Michelin star restaurants for 2020, the region maintains its dominance over New York City as the epicenter of the U.S. culinary realm for the third year in a row. Dominique Crenn at last became the first female chef to achieve three-star status for Atelier Crenn, celebrating with Single Thread Farms (Healdsburg) as triple-star winners. She was also awarded one star for Bar Crenn, joining other one-star newcomers Birdsong, Madcap, Nico and Protégé. Other Bay Area three-star establishments now boast Benu, Coi, French Laundry, Meadowood, Manresa, Quince and Single Thread, while Acquerello, Baumé, Californios, Commis and Lazy Bear sport two Michelin stars. Make your reservations now!
Silicon Valley
Selby's in Atherton is the latest classic from Bacchus Group (Village Pub, Spruce), while Protégé in Palo Alto stars French Laundry alums. ASA Los Gatos and Sidecar Modern Tavern join Nick’s as new local favorites. Luxe dining divas Chez TJ, The Plumed Horse and The Village Pub all boast Michelin stars. Madera at Rosewood Sand Hill boasts Wine Spectator’s Grand Award. Vino Cruz offers the best collection of Santa Cruz Mountains wines paired with creative cuisine.
Seacoast Stars
Think Mendocino for romantic, sometimes hidden coastal dining stars, like Chef Marc Dym’s Little River Inn, Chef Nicolas Petti’s Mendo Bistro, and Michelin-starred Chef Matt Kemerer’s Harbor House in Elk. Brewery Gulch Inn is a gourmand’s delight and The Wild Fish in Albion sets new standards for seaside dining. The Madrones in Anderson Valley offers centralized wine tasting, gourmet food and posh accommodations, and Mendocino’s beautifully preserved Joshua Grindle Inn offers rest and respite.
Carmel & Monterey
Newly re-opened Ventana and Pacificperched Sierra Mar at Post Ranch beckon in Big Sur, while Michelin-starred Aubergine tops the list in Carmel, joined by Il Grillo, La Balena, Seventh & Dolores, Anton & Michel and recently reopened Carmel Bouchée. Carmel Valley boasts Lucia at Bernardus Lodge, helmed by esteemed Chef Cal Stamenov, along with Café Rustica, Carmel Valley Chophouse and Roux. Feast on the freshest local catches at Wild Fish in Pacific Grove, where Monterey coastal cuisine is front and center at Poppy Hall, and Fandango’s incomparable Old World charm continues to impress.