Slightly dampening my interest in what stars the 2010 Michelin Guide may soon bestow on Bay Area restaurants on Oct. 20, the company has done an early announcement of 62 Bib Gourmand dining establishments -- places that "inspectors" call "good values" under $40 per person. There are few new surprises...Wine Country picks for The 2010 Michelin San Francisco Bib Gourmand List :
The only restaurant to fall off last year's Bib Gourmand List is Willi's Seafood in Healdsburg, but newcomer Monti's keeps the Starks' restaurant empire in high stead.
- Angèle (new this year), Napa
- BarBersQ, Napa
- Cena Luna, Healdsburg
- Cook St. Helena, St. Helena
- Cucina Paradiso (BiteClub Top 25 Honorable Mention)
- K & L Bistro (BiteClub Top 25)
- Market, St. Helena
- Mirepoix (BiteClub Top 25)
- Monti's Rotisserie (new this year)
- Risibisi
- the girl & the fig (BiteClub Top 25)
- Willi's Wine Bar (BiteClub Top 25)
- zazu (BiteClub Top 25)
So why am I not happy? Like so many other frustrated folks,
the list seems incomplete and in places out of touch with the current
dining scene. The list (though expanded this year), registered only
three newcomers and only five of the restaurants made BiteClub's Top 25 List for 2009.
Which isn't to diss those who are on the list. There are few clinkers, but where are restaurants like Rosso, Underwood, Scopa, Zin, Syrah, Bistro Des Copains, Rosso, Hana and Mosaic (all among my Top 25) who also deserve the love.
It's a mad sort categorization giving a tip of the hat to a small selection of moderately-priced restaurants, then launching into the stratosphere to bequeath deep-pocket experiences like Boulevard and Gary Danko (locally Madrona Manor, Farmhouse Inn) a single star, two stars to haute-dining spots like Cyrus & Michael Mina and the coveted three stars only to the French Laundry.
Ugh. Seems to be a layer or two missing here.
One interesting non-inclusion in the Bib Gourmand list: Restaurant Eloise, which I suspect may get a star this year -- though competition is stiff, its' a newcomer deserving of consideration.
Stay tuned.
Which isn't to diss those who are on the list. There are few clinkers, but where are restaurants like Rosso, Underwood, Scopa, Zin, Syrah, Bistro Des Copains, Rosso, Hana and Mosaic (all among my Top 25) who also deserve the love.
It's a mad sort categorization giving a tip of the hat to a small selection of moderately-priced restaurants, then launching into the stratosphere to bequeath deep-pocket experiences like Boulevard and Gary Danko (locally Madrona Manor, Farmhouse Inn) a single star, two stars to haute-dining spots like Cyrus & Michael Mina and the coveted three stars only to the French Laundry.
Ugh. Seems to be a layer or two missing here.
One interesting non-inclusion in the Bib Gourmand list: Restaurant Eloise, which I suspect may get a star this year -- though competition is stiff, its' a newcomer deserving of consideration.
Stay tuned.
We are honored to even be mentioned in the same
sentence as these great spots. This just makes us want to work harder with our farmers and wine fans. Thank you, Go Sonoma County a cooks paridise
Kevin Cronin
Wow, what a terrible list!
There's only six I would give this to: Rosso, Hana, Madrona Manor, Angèle, K&L Bistro and, perhaps, Restaurant Eloise.
Four of their choices I cannot recommend at all. My, how their standards have fallen.
I'm not sold on Michelin being a relevant guide to the American food scene. Zagat does it better and more authentically.
Think you misunderstood my intent. Not comparing these spots to anything aside from the other bib gourmand choices
Clearly Michelin has a niche carved out in luxe dining picks. But if you're going to include more everyday eats then I think you need to really know the scene. That list seems unaware of a lot of great restos in the region
Rosso, Underwood, Scopa, Zin, Syrah, Bistro Des Copains, Rosso, Hana and Mosaic are nice neighborhood places. and that's about it.
Does that make them bad? no! but none of these are on the level of the guide in New York, France or other guide locations.
I'm not even sure if some that made the list belong there.
This is good for Eliose and others!