California Michelin Guide drops two San Diego restaurants
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Two San Diego restaurants lost Michelin honors, and none earned new stars in the 2024 California Michelin Guide unveiled this week.
Why it matters: The snub by the prestigious food critic is a blow to the growing local food scene that's been gaining national recognition.
Zoom in: Sushi Tadokoro in Old Town lost the star it's had since 2021.
- Solare Ristorante at Liberty Station lost its Bib Gourmand, which is awarded to restaurants with "good food at reasonable prices."
- The county's other Michelin star restaurants, including Addison in Carmel Valley, Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, Soichi Sushi in University Heights and Valle in Oceanside kept their marks.
Driving the news: Restaurants across the state that achieved, maintained and lost stars were announced at a ceremony in Half Moon Bay on Monday.
- California now has seven new Michelin-starred restaurants with some in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Between the lines: It's unclear why Sushi Tadokoro and Solare lost their honors but, one of Michelin's anonymous inspectors told the Union-Tribune why stars and other awards are withdrawn.
- Every year, restaurants are secretly re-evaluated based on the quality of ingredients, mastery of culinary techniques, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef in the dishes, and consistency throughout the menu and during multiple visits, per the U-T.
- "If a restaurant's culinary standards are observed to no longer be aligned with its current distinction, this could impact their retention the following year," the inspector told the U-T.
- "In reference to Solare, Bib Gourmands are awarded for good quality and good value and if neither of those meet (the standards), the restaurant is no longer valid for the distinction."
Catch up quick: The California guide was first released in 2019 and only five San Diego County restaurants have earned Michelin stars.
- Nine local restaurants currently have Bib Gourmand honors and 29 eateries are recognized, including the recently recognized Ambrogio by Acquerello.
Fun fact: The Michelin Guide recently recognized restaurants in Mexico for the first time ever, including Carmelita Molino y Cocina just across the border in Tijuana.
The intrigue: Fine-dining establishment Addison is the only restaurant in Southern California with three stars – the guide's highest honor. It's one of one of only six in the state and among the 13 in the U.S.
- Stefani de Palma, a former chef at Addison, recently won the Bocuse d'Or Americas selection — considered the world's "most rigorous culinary competition."