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The Michelin Guide has unveiled its 2021 selection for California with the addition of 22 new one-starred restaurants in the state.
After a year and a half of restaurant closures and pandemic crises, which saw the Michelin Guide skip its star selections in California completely, the red book is back, and has handed out new stars to 22 restaurants, as well as elevating five restaurants to two-star status, while all the state’s three-star restaurants maintained their position.
Addison in San Diego, Birdsong in San Francisco, Hayato in Los Angeles, Mélisse in Santa Monica, and Harbor House Inn in Mendocino County were promoted to the two-star category.
“Since the beginning of the global pandemic, inspectors have been sensitive to each market in the U.S. and are in close contact with restaurants to stay informed on openings and closures, new menu changes, etcetera. Inspectors gradually returned to visits when it seemed appropriate based on the individual establishment and their circumstances,” said Michelin’s anonymous chief inspector about who the assessments were made.
“The pandemic has impacted each of us as former employees of the hotel and restaurant industry, of which we still feel part of. We approached this selection with every intent to show appreciation and recognition for all the work that’s being done during this time. For most chefs, cooking is an art. If chefs are unable to host diners at their restaurants, they find another way to express their creativity. Restaurants are still opening, and there are new establishments to be discovered. The landscape is still interesting and dynamic.”
Three Stars
Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Benu, San Francisco
The French Laundry, Yountville
Manresa, Los Gatos
Quince, San Francisco
SingleThread, Healdsburg
Two Stars
Acquerello, San Francisco
Addison, San Diego (new)
Birdsong, San Francisco (new)
Californios, San Francisco
Campton Place, San Francisco
Coi, San Francisco
Commis, Oakland
Hayato, Los Angeles (new)
Harbor House, Mendocino County (new)
Mélisse, Santa Monica (new)
Lazy Bear, San Francisco
n/naka, Los Angeles
Providence, Los Angeles
Saison, San Francisco
Sushi Ginza Onodera, Los Angeles
Vespertine, Los Angeles
One Star
Adega, San Jose (new)
Al’s Place, San Francisco
Angler SF, San Francisco
Auberge du Soleil, Napa
Aubergine, Central Coast
Avery, San Francisco (new)
Bar Crenn, San Francisco
Barndiva, Sonoma (new)
Bell’s Restaurant, Los Alamos (new)
Bistro Na’s, Los Angeles
Chez TJ, Mountain View
CUT, Los Angeles
Gary Danko, San Francisco
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, Los Angeles (new)
Hana Re, Orange County
Jeune et Jolie, San Diego (new)
Jū-Ni, San Francisco
Kali, Los Angeles
Kato, Los Angeles
Kenzo, Napa
Kin Khao, San Francisco (new)
The Kitchen, Sacramento
Knife Pleat, Costa Mesa (new)
La Toque, Napa
Le Comptoir, Los Angeles
Madcap, Marin
Madera, Menlo Park
Marlena, San Francisco (new)
Maude, Los Angeles
Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco
Mori Sushi, Los Angeles
Morihiro, Los Angeles (new)
Mourad, San Francisco
Niku Steakhouse, San Francisco (new)
Nozawa Bar, Los Angeles
O' by Claude Le Tohic, San Francisco (new)
Omakase, San Francisco
Orsa & Winston, Los Angeles
Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles
Pasjoli, Santa Monica (new)
Pasta | Bar, Los Angeles (new)
Phenakite, Los Angeles (new)
Plumed Horse, South Bay
The Progress, San Francisco
Protégé, Palo Alto
Q Sushi, Los Angeles
Rasa, Peninsula
Rustic Canyon, Los Angeles
Selby’s, Atherton (new)
Shibumi, Los Angeles
Shin Sushi, Los Angeles
Six Test Kitchen, Paso Robles (new)
Soichi, San Diego (new)
Sons & Daughters, San Francisco
Sorrel, San Francisco
SPQR, San Francisco
Spruce, San Francisco
State Bird Provisions, San Francisco
Sushi | Bar Montecito, Santa Barbara (new)
Sushi I-Naba, Los Angeles (new)
Sushi Shin, Redwood City (new)
Sushi Tadokoro, San Diego (new)
The Shota, San Francisco (new)
Sushi Yoshizumi, Peninsula
Taco María, Orange County
The Village Pub, Peninsula
Wako, San Francisco
Wakuriya, Peninsula
