Several years delayed because of the Pandemic (2022 was the last one), The New 2024 Michelin Guide California was released on 8/5/2024. It now covers all of California, not just San Francisco.
Browsing Tag
Michelin Guide
Boulevard, San Francisco
Posted on January 1, 2024They’re back!
We have been coming here for years to Boulevard San Francisco Restaurant near the Ferry Building in the Embarcadero waterfront area. It is one of our favorite places as it is pretty consistent.. Always a candidate for the short list of best restaurants. It earned One Michelin Stars last in 2015. Nancy Oakes open Boulevard, a New American/French comfort food restaurant way back in 1993. She opened nearby Prospect in 2010. Alumni Ravi Kapor now runs Liholiho Yacht Club.
Michelin Guide San Francisco 2022 Review and Critique
Posted on December 26, 2022
Several years delayed because of the Pandemic (2021 was the last one), The New 2022 Michelin Guide California was released on 12/5/2022. It now covers all of California, not just San Francisco.
Village Pub Review, Woodside
Posted on February 17, 2022
Village Pub is a fine dining establishment in the small town of Woodside. We have passed by many times, on our way back from hiking or biking, and felt it was time to try it. They have received One Michelin star starting from 2009. They use lots of seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. They have a sister restaurant Spruce, in San Francisco.
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2021 Review and Critique
Posted on October 3, 2021
Several years delayed because of the Pandemic (2019 was the last one), The New 2021 Michelin Guide California was released on 9/28/2021. It now covers all of California, not just San Francisco.
The French Laundry Restaurant Review, Yountville
Posted on August 7, 2021French Laundry Books at Amazon
With French Laundry it’s more than just a meal, it’s the whole experience. Beautiful atmosphere in the middle of the wine country, superb service, and of course great food. You could argue that this restaurant or that restaurant has a better beef course or appetizer, but few have the exquisite combination of everything.
T’ang Court Restaurant Review, Hong Kong
Posted on January 25, 2020
3 Star Hong Kong Restaurant with no wait. T’ang Court is a 3 Michelin star restaurant in the ritzy Langham Hotel in Hong Kong’s touristy Tsim Sha Tsui district. It got upgraded from 2 to 3 stars in 2016. Our last visit was in 2020 for dim sum lunch when we stayed upstairs and could just walk right in. (Protests worried visitors.) We previously ate there in 2011.
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, Hong Kong
Posted on January 12, 2020
SPQR Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on June 19, 2019
SPQR is an Italian osteria, located in Pacific Heights, that serves wine and more casual food than their popular sister restaurant A16 in the Marina district. According to Wikipedia, “SPQR is an initialism from a Latin phrase, Senatus Populusque Romanus (“The Senate and the People of Rome” or “The Senate and Roman People”), referring to the government of the ancient Roman Republic”. Executive Chef, Matthew Accarrino, prepares “sophisticated, yet soulful, Italian cuisine using the best local ingredients, traditional and modern cooking techniques delivered in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.” Our last visit for take-out
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2020 Commentary
Posted on June 11, 2019
New 2020 Foodie bible Michelin San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country Restaurants 2020 was released on 6/3/2019.
Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco Review
Posted on February 13, 2019Foodnut returns to Gary Danko!
Restaurant Gary Danko is one of the top restaurants in San Francisco, they serve contemporary American cuisine. Open in 1999 and located near Ghiradelli Square, it has been at the top of the Zagat Guide and Yelp for years.
Spruce Review, San Francisco
Posted on May 22, 2018
Elegant old school favorite. Why did we dine here? – Spruce is a popular American restaurant in San Francisco’s upper crust Laurel Heights neighborhood. This restaurant has one Michelin star and has been packed ever since it opened. This is our fourth visit, with our last meal here several years ago. The chef Mark Sullivan also oversees Village Pub in Woodside. We recently had one of the best duck dishes there, in a long time. Our last Visit was in 2018.
Lung King Heen Review, Hong Kong
Posted on April 10, 2018We return to the first 3 Michelin star Chinese Restaurant in the world…
Upscale IFC Shopping Center – Glitzier than any USA Mall
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2018 Critique
Posted on October 25, 2017Quince, San Francisco
Posted on June 19, 2017
Plumed Horse, Saratoga – One Michelin Star
Posted on January 1, 2017Where do well heeled Silicon Valley people eat?
Why did we dine here? – Plumed Horse is a long standing (1952) restaurant located in Saratoga, not far from the Montalvo winery. This location used to be a stable, hence the name. Peter Armellino (Jardiniere, Aqua SF, Village Pub) is the chef.
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2017 Critique
Posted on October 25, 2016
New 2017 Foodie bible Michelin San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country Restaurants 2016 was released on 10/25/2016. This sells for $14 at Amazon.
Saison Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on September 1, 2014
Saison (French for “season”) is a Michelin starred restaurant in San Francisco that focuses on a singular 8 course prix fixe meal each evening using local, specifically identified, and sustainable ingredients.
This style considers different elements of the ingredients, incorporating influences from its native environment and leveraging primitive techniques like ember and ash cooking. They earned two Michelin stars in 2014.
Cuisine Cuisine, Hong Kong
Posted on December 9, 2013.jpg)
Why did we dine here? – Cuisine Cuisine is a One Michelin star restaurant in the posh Hotel Mira (They had 2 Michelin stars in the past), which is renowned for having Edward Snowden, the US whistleblower, stay. Executive Chef Lee Yuk Lam has a ton of experience cooking fine Chinese fare. This hotel is conveniently located in the middle of the main Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui tourist district. Other parts of our party were dining upstairs at the Whisk Sunday Brunch Buffet. This restaurant has received many accolades and also has a branch in the swanky IFC shopping center on Hong Kong Island. The IFC branch looks exquisite and is full of financial types on an given day. Cuisine Cuisine is owned and operated by the Miramar Group, which runs many fine establishments. A Beijing location opened in 2011.
Bo Innovation Restaurant Review, Hong Kong
Posted on December 4, 2013
Why did we dine here? – Bo Innovation is a molecular gastronomy Chinese restaurant in Hong Kong’s Wanchai District hidden away down an alley and upstairs. They were featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations TV show way back in 2008. Bo received two Michelin Stars in the latest edition of the Hong Kong Michelin guide, previously had one star. Chef Alvin Leung Jr, is a bit of a renegade and has attracted a lot of attention world wide. He was not in the kitchen on our visit.
Keiko a Nob Hill Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on June 10, 2013
Why did we dine here? – Keiko is a one Michelin Star restaurant at the ground floor of a posh apartment building a top San Francisco’s Nob Hill. The chef, Keiko Takahashi, previously cooked at places such as El Paseo before Tyler Florence took it over. This 28 seat clubby restaurant makes you feel like you’ve entered a private room, one that feels like you are in New York City. Unlike most other high end restaurants in the City, Keiko lays almost under the radar.
Fifth Floor Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on May 27, 2013
Fifth floor is a restaurant in the SF Downtown Hotel Palomar, and has been around for ages and seen many a top chef come and move on. (George Morrone, Melissa Perrello, etc) We haven’t been back in many years, so it was time to refresh our memory. Our last visit was in April 2013.
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2013
Posted on October 24, 2012
New 2013 Foodie bible Michelin San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country Restaurants 2013 was just released. Less than $12 at Amazon.
Farmhouse Restaurant Review, Forestville
Posted on October 17, 2012
Farmhouse is a One Michelin Star restaurant and Inn located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, Forestville. We have never ventured into this region and came here for dinner after a long day of playing in the River at Guerneville. This restaurant and inn are located on beautiful grounds full of plants and other vegetation.
Ristorante Quadri Review, Venice, Italy
Posted on October 10, 2012
Why did we dine here? – Quadri is a popular restaurant that overlooks St. Marks Square in Venice, Italy. We chose this relatively new restaurant because of its convenient location and the fact that it had one Michelin star. This restaurant has stunning decor which blends Italian style with modern sensibility. With a view of St. Marks square, you can watch all the action while dining on some of the best food in Venice. Our focus was on seafood, as Venice is known for fresh food from the sea. Considering the amount of water around here… This restaurant was a major splurge! It was our only meal in Venice.
Tantris Restaurant Review, Munich
Posted on October 3, 2012
Why did we dine here? – Tantris was designed to be exotic and different. This restaurant has two Michelin stars (the only one in Munich) and stands out from the crowd with its crazy decor. We wanted to eat here as a fine dining contrast to all the meaty and loud restaurants we ate at. Check out our other Munich restaurant reviews.
The Restaurant at Meadowood Restaurant Review, St. Helena
Posted on September 19, 2012
The Restaurant at Meadowood is the other 3 Michelin Star restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. Everybody knows about French Laundry. This restaurant has long been at the top of our Must Visit list. We finally found a good excuse, a special occasion nonetheless, so we blocked off an evening to drive up to this lovely location.
La Pergola Restaurant Review, Rome
Posted on September 12, 2012
Wakuriya Restaurant Review, San Mateo
Posted on September 3, 2012
Wakuriya is a Michelin Starred Restaurant in a San Mateo strip mall. They’ve been around for several years and have established themselves as one of the finest Japanese restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. The owner and chef Katsuhiro Yamasaki used to work at Kaygetsu (a now closed Japanese Fine dining restaurant). His wife also helps to run this tiny restaurant. You need to book roughly one month in advance as this restaurant only has 4 tables and a small counter.
Providence LA Restaurant Review, Los Angeles
Posted on May 21, 2012
Why did we dine here? – Providence is a seafood restaurant run by chef, Michael Cimarusti. It has been top rated and focuses on seafood in its purest and simplest form. Located in Patina’s formerly digs, this restaurant was our fine dining destination on our recent trip to LA.
The modern decor features an ocean theme with barnacles and fins hugging the walls. 2 Michelin Stars in 2009.
Aziza Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on April 4, 2012
Aziza is a one Michelin star restaurant in San Francisco’s sleepy Richmond district run by executive chef Mourad Lahlou. They focus on organic, local, and sustainable ingredients. His modern reinventions of traditional Moroccan dishes has garnered him much acclaim. Pastry chef Melissa Chou is also legendary.
Sons and Daughters Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on March 21, 2012
Sons and Daughters is a One Michelin star restaurant run by young chef/owners Matt McNamara and Teague Moriarty. (Gregoire) They have a 1 acre garden in Los Gatos that yields fresh produce and herbs.
Atelier Crenn Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on March 12, 2012
Atelier Crenn is a one Michelin star French restaurant from Dominique Crenn (Formerly of Luce) located in San Francisco’s Marina District. (Atelier means workshop in French.) As she puts it, “An expression of taste, scent, and vision.” Seasonal and sustainable cuisine. We have been debating whether to dine here for a while. Our worries were whether this place was more style or substance. Some of the pictures of the dishes here looked too beautiful to eat!
La Costanera Restaurant Review, Montara
Posted on January 25, 2012
Why did we dine here? – La Costanera received One Michelin Star for 2012, raising the restaurant’s profile and putting it on our hit list. They focus on Peruvian cuisine and are located above the beach in Montara in a nice multi level building that housed The Chart House.
Joël Robuchon Restaurant Review, Las Vegas
Posted on January 18, 2012
Joël Robuchon is a Haute Cuisine French Restaurant located in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was opened in 2006 and is the US outlet for most Michelin Starred Restaurateur in the word, Joël Robuchon. This Las Vegas location received 3 Michelin Stars in 2008 and 2009. A separate review is available for the lower cost restaurant next door, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.
Manresa Restaurant Review, Los Gatos
Posted on December 14, 2011
Manresa is a legendary 2 Michelin Star restaurant from David Kinch. We were last here about five years ago, so it was time for a re-visit. They recently remodeled and the entire restaurant looks far more modern and classy than in the past.
They focus on local and sustainable ingredients, including many items from Love Apple Farms in the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. Manresa is famous for their multi-course tasting menu where only ingredients are listed on the menu.
A meal can take up to 4 hours, but we asked for a shorter time span of about 2 hours.
Terra Restaurant Review, St. Helena
Posted on November 23, 2011
Terra is a one Michelin star restaurant in the heart of the Napa wine country, St. Helena. The owners also run Ame in San Francisco. Earlier in 2011, they added Bar Terra next door which serves more informal items.
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2012
Posted on October 26, 2011
New 2012 Foodie bible Michelin San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country Restaurants 2012 was just released. $12 at Amazon.
Luce Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on August 1, 2011
Why did we dine here? – Luce is a one Michelin star restaurant in the Intercontinental San Francisco hotel. We’ve debated dining here for a while. The previous chef left to open Atelier Crenn, so we wondered how Luce would rate now. The reviews on yelp are decidedly mixed.
Daniel Corey (Pelican Bay resort) worked under chef Crenn, and is now the chef de cuisine and has put his stamp on the food.
Fleur de lys Restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on July 18, 2011
Fleur de lys is a long-standing French restaurant from Hubert Keller, who also owns Burger Bar and is featured on a PBS television show. They received one Michelin star in 2011. The last time we were here, perhaps 8 years ago, we were very impressed, so we had high expectations.
Madera Restaurant Review, Menlo Park
Posted on June 27, 2011
Madera Restaurant is located in the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel, just across the way from venture capital central. This is a high-end hotel that opened up just a couple years ago. Chef Peter Rudolph used to work at Campton place in San Francisco. He uses a wood-burning grill and explores artfully-crafted, market-driven cuisine of bold flavors. Sustainably harvested and produced seafood and meats. Madera means wood in Spanish.
Din Tai Fung Restaurant Review, Hong Kong
Posted on May 20, 2011
Din Tai Fung is a popular Hong Kong dumpling restaurant with locations in Bellevue, Los Angeles, Taipei, Japan, China, Singapore, and several other countries. We had previously dined at Din Tai Fung in Shanghai’s touristy Xintiandi. The Los Angeles location is in Arcadia with Yelp reviews unfortunately indicating it is a step down from the ones abroad.
Ming Court Restaurant Review, Hong Kong
Posted on May 14, 2011
We recently visited Hong Kong and dined on excellent Cantonese Chinese food and more. Hong Kong is a modern city like New York, that is progressive, packed with energy, and filled with top-notch restaurants.
Loaf On Restaurant Review, Sai Kung Hong Kong
Posted on May 10, 2011We recently visited Hong Kong and dined on excellent Cantonese Chinese food and more. Hong Kong is a modern city like New York, that is progressive, packed with energy, and filled with top-notch restaurants.
Buffets: Conrad Nicolini’s Sunday Brunch Buffet, Harbourside Buffet,, JW Marriott Hong Kong, Tiffen Buffet Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
New Michelin Guide San Francisco 2011
Posted on October 26, 2010
benu restaurant Review, San Francisco
Posted on August 27, 2010
benu is the long awaited new restaurant in SF from French Laundry Alum and James Beard Award-winning chef Corey Lee. His old boss Thomas Keller is a partner in this new venture and has a wine locker by the front door. benu is housed where Hawthorne Lane used to be. We dined early on, during their 3rd week of operation. benu is a small product driven restaurant focused on contemporary American cuisine. benu is an Egyptian word and that stands for the phoenix, a symbol of something constantly renewing. benu received Two Michelin stars for 2012. The 17 course fixed price menu now costs $180. A la carte is offered Tuesday through Thursday.
Yan Toh Heen Restaurant Review, Hong Kong
Posted on August 25, 2010
Yan Toh Heen – 欣圖軒 is located on the water at the InterContinental Hong Kong. The name means ‘breathtaking view elegant dining establishment’. They received One Michelin Star in the 2010 Michelin Guide.
2010 Hong Kong Mini Restaurant Reviews
Posted on August 24, 2010We recently finished up our latest culinary tour of China in the Summer of 2010. Hong Kong is a world class city full of great food. Most of the Chinese food was superior to that in the San Francisco Bay Area and even Vancouver, BC Canada.
Here are some quick mini reviews of places we ate at, so you can understand how Hong Kong food compares, and so you select the best places on your visit. We have full reviews for places we deemed important enough;