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
Stark Insider TV – Michelin-rated Chefs
Appearance by Michelin-rated Chefs on Stark Insider TV:
Mathew Accarrino – SPQR
(at 7:18)
Peter Armellino – Plumed Horse
(at 0:38)
Ken Frank – La Toque
Nancy Oakes – Boulevard
(at 1:35)
Dominique Crenn – Atelier Crenn
at SF Chefs
