San Diego restaurants gain and lose Michelin stars
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A beef dish on the 12-course tasting menu at Lucien. Photo: Kimberly Motos, Courtesy of Michelin
San Diego's fine dining scene has a new Michelin-starred restaurant — Lucien in La Jolla — while Oceanside's Valle lost its star.
Why it matters: San Diego hosted California's Michelin Guide ceremony for the first time Wednesday, bringing together the state's top chefs and restaurateurs to see who would win the prestigious food awards.
- Hosting the event gave our food scene some much-deserved credit.
Dig in: Lucien, an intimate fine dining restaurant in La Plaza La Jolla, opened less than a year ago and earned its first Michelin star after being added to the guide in May.
- Chef Elijah Arizmendi's 12-course seasonal tasting menu experience ($360 per person) features California-inspired dishes with ingredients from local farms and fishermen.
- There's also a six-course "Essence" tasting menu on weekdays for $240.
"I've dreamed about moments like this since I first started working in restaurants as a teenager, but what makes this recognition so meaningful is the people behind it," Arizmendi said in a statement to Axios.
What they're saying: "Whether it's California-raised Iberico pork or locally caught fish, the region's bounty is celebrated on a menu that reflects French and Japanese influences," Michelin's anonymous inspectors wrote of Lucien.
- "A meal could begin with canapes like tempura-fried sweet potato topped with caviar; yellowtail in a crispy nori tube; and a rose meringue with beets and green yogurt, before moving into impressive dishes like crisp-skinned ocean tilefish with petite fennel and pomegranate, or poussin with a chicken mousse and truffle stuffing."
- "Desserts are creative, as in the cinnamon caramel-braised pineapple roasted over the live-fire hearth for hours," inspectors wrote.
The other side: Valle, a contemporary Mexican restaurant by chef Roberto Alcocer, lost its one-star designation three years after earning it.
- The downtown Oceanside eatery is still on the guide as a Michelin selection.
🌟 The big picture: San Diego County is home to five Michelin-starred restaurants and 43 with Michelin recognition.
- Addison by William Bradley in Del Mar held onto its three Michelin stars, keeping it the highest-rated restaurant locally.
- Jeune et Jolie and Lilo in Carlsbad renewed their one-star ratings.
- Soichi in North Park also held onto its star.
🍷 Lilo's sommelier, Savannah Riedler, was honored with Michelin's Sommelier Award for excellent wine service.
What's next: Make a reservation!