As Monsieur Bauer and many food blogs are reporting today, SF's showing in the new Michelin Guide is a little less stellar than last year. Many foodies would trust the much sought-after Michelin ratings more than, say, Zagat, and this year there are a number of new one-star recipients, and several local joints that lost stars. The new additions in SF proper are: Aziza; Luce at the InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco; and Quince, which regained its star after losing it last year. Also of note, are new one-star winners Commis in Oakland and artful vegetarian haven Ubuntu in Napa. For the fourth year since Michelin began publishing an SF guide, The French Laundry remains the only Bay Area restaurant to earn three stars -- a distinction earned by 5 restaurants in NYC, but only ever earned by 71 restaurants total, worldwide. more ›

The bay area Michelin Guide 2008 is out, and there’s not much changed from last year: the French Laundry is the only place with 3 stars (the most) in the wider bay area. Aqua and Michael Mina are the only 2 stars in the city. Those Michelin guys are so stingy with stars, Chez Panisse’s Alice Waters still clutches her lonely one. Jean-Luc Naret, the director of the Michelin guide, was handing out press copie this morning at a brunch at Bloomingdale’s. He was ebullient. We asked him about last year belly dancers controversy, and he was like, but they were there, the inspector saw them! It was “a writing error,” he added, “not a rating error.” We do writing errors all the time too! We can totally relate. more ›

">Bay Area's Top 100 Restaurants a little moot, but our plucky Chron is soldiering on, ramping up its food coverage. Bay Area Bites has some insight into the Chron's list, Confessions of a Restaurant Whore considers the list in relation to the Michelin Guide and Bacon Press casts his porcine eye to the future and speculates on who Michelin will love or snub. Meanwhile, Ellen is just looking for a little love from Diablo magazine. more ›