Aphotic was also honoured with a Michelin Green Star, which recognised the establishment for its commitment to sustainability
Michelin Guide California 2023 awards, that were held last week, featured numerous restaurants from San Francisco, which already is home to a majority of recognised culinary eateries in California.
In a press statement, San Francisco Tourism says that the awards made one thing clear, that ‘San Francisco remains the culinary capital of the Golden State’. The statement adds that the City by the Bay boasts 27 Michelin-starred restaurants, and the San Francisco Bay Area is now home to 50 of the 87 California restaurants awarded Michelin stars.
Nari, a Thai restaurant, earned their first Michelin stars
In the Michelin Guide California 2023, two San Francisco restaurants, Aphotic, specialised in sustainable and dry-aged seafood, and Nari, a Thai restaurant, earned their first Michelin stars, and all of the city’s previously awarded two-star and three-star restaurants retained their honours.
The statement adds that Aphotic was also honoured with a Michelin Green Star, which recognised the establishment for its commitment to sustainability. Altogether, San Francisco is now home to half of the state’s three-star Michelin restaurants and five of its 12 two-star establishments, plus three of its 15 Green Star restaurants.
The statement adds that Michelin also recognised the city’s rising culinary talent for the second year in a row. Chef Harrison Cheney, the executive chef at Sons & Daughters, received the Michelin Young Chef Award, which was awarded to Chef David Yoshimura of San Francisco’s Nisei last year.
Joe D’Alessandro
“For a small city only seven-by-seven square miles, San Francisco is one of the world’s great gastronomic hubs. We are thrilled to see the city’s incredible culinary scene recognized again by Michelin,” says Joe D’Alessandro, President and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association.
Laurie Thomas
‘‘This year’s new Michelin Guide highlights the diversity and quality of our San Francisco restaurant community. With our access to the highest quality local ingredients, regional wines and highly dedicated chefs, our local culinary scene continues to be a highlight for locals and tourists alike,’’ says Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and CEO of Nice Ventures.
The statement adds that the wider San Francisco Bay Area also shined with new stars. Calistoga’s Auro and Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Chez Noir each earned one Michelin Star, while Pomet in Oakland was honoured with a Green Star.
John Schafer of Healdsburg’s SingleThread bagged the Michelin Outstanding Service Award, and John Haffey of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Aubergine was presented with the Michelin Sommelier Award.
Earlier this month, Michelin added four Bay Area restaurants to its Bib Gourmand roster, which recognises restaurants with great food at an affordable price point.
Sixteen San Francisco restaurants are designated Bib Gourmands, and 70 are featured as Michelin Selects in the Michelin Guide California 2023.
