Page 41 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

be seen and those unseen farmers and field
laborers who actually do all the dirty work
necessary to put food on tables. Over one
thousand farmers markets and CSA’s thrive
here, more than in any other state.
Sustainability is the keyword in all
things agriculture, and we can tip our hat to
the Monterey Bay Aquarium for its
impactful Seafood Watch program that
helps diners make informed choices at
places like Cindy’s Waterfront and Passion-
fish (Pacific Grove).
Sonoma and Marin counties have
become cheese tourism havens and apple
lovers can pick their fill in Sebastopol and
El Dorado’s Apple Hill.
Coastside, berry farms (Swanton) and
pumpkin patches (Arata’s, Half Moon Bay)
beckon: visit Harley Farms for adorable
goats and exquisite cheese (Pescadero).
Many restaurants have on-site gardens,
including The Restaurant at Wente (Liver-
more), Chez TJ (Mountain View) and Zazu
Kitchen (The Barlow, Sebastopol).
California’s olive oil production is
booming, with Stella Cadente (Fort Bragg),
Olivina (Livermore) and Olea (Paso Robles)
all producing decadent flavor-infusions.
LA & Environs
Trendy LA area dining spots include Craft,
Dialogue, Fundamental DTLA, Good
Measure, Great White, ink.well, Jour-
neymen, L’Opera, Mh Zh, Oriel, Otium,
Paley, Providence, The Stalking Horse, Tin-
torera, Umi by Hamasaku and Uovo,
renowned for its fresh pasta. République,
French bakery, café and ice creamery, is the
popular creation of Margarita and Walter
Manke, who previously opened three
restaurants in Carmel, including L’Auberge
Carmel. Plant Food + Wine speaks to vegans.
BREAKFAST ON THE PATIO at LA’s
historic Original Farmers Market, right.
LA Restaurants that earned Michelin
stars prior to 2010 include Asanebo, Cut,
Mélisse, Osteria Mozza, Patina, Spago,
Sushi Zo, Valentino and Water Grill.
San Diego
San Diego’s food scene is currently buzzing
over Addison, Café Gratitude, Campfire,
Crack Shack, Cucina Urbana, George’s Cali-
fornia Modern, Herb & Wood, Juniper and
Ivy, Kettner Exchange, Lionfish, Mister A’s,
The Hake, Searsucker, Solare, Tender
Greens, Truluks and Trust.
San Francisco Bay Area
Aglow with 55 coveted Michelin stars for
2017, the region claimed five more over last
year. Benu, Coi (new), French Laundry,
Meadowood, Manresa, Quince and Saison
currently all have 3, while Acquerello,
Atelier Crenn, Baumé, Californios (new, and
the first restaurant serving Mexican cuisine
to be so honored), Commis, Lazy Bear and
Single Thread Farms (new) each sport two.
Controversy rages over why fabled
Dominique Crenn has yet to become the
first female chef to achieve three-star status.
New one-star establishments include In
Situ, Kenzo, Kinjo and Rich Table.
Silicon Valley
Terrain Garden Café is the new darling at
Stanford, while ASA tops the charts in Los
Altos. In Campbell, Flights joins Orchard
City Kitchen (helmed by Michelin starred
Chef Jeffrey Stout). Luxe dining divas Chez
TJ, The Plumed Horse and The Village Pub
all boast Michelin stars. The Village Bakery
is Bacchus Management’s new destination
in Woodside. Vino Cruz boasts the best col-
lection of Santa Cruz Mountains wines
paired with superb cuisine.
Seacoast Stars
Think Mendocino for romantic, sometimes
hidden coastal dining stars, like Chef Marc
Dym’s Little River Inn and Chef Nicolas
Petti’s Mendo Bistro. Chef Peg Davis of
Brewery Gulch Inn makes it a gourmand’s
delight and The Wild Fish in Albion sets
new standards for seaside dining. The
Madrones in Anderson Valley offers cen-
tralized wine tasting, gourmet food and
posh accommodations, and Mendocino’s
beautifully preserved Joshua Grindle Inn
offers rest and respite.
Carmel & Monterey
Newly re-opened Ventana and Pacific-
perched Sierra Mar at Post Ranch beckon in
Big Sur, while Michelin-starred Aubergine
tops the list in Carmel, joined by Cantinetta
Luca, La Balena, Seventh & Dolores, Anton &
Michel and Andre’s Bouchée. Carmel Valley
boasts Lucia at Bernardus Lodge, helmed by
esteemed Chef Cal Stamenov, along with
Café Rustica and Roux. Monterey’s 1833 is
historic chic while in Pacific Grove, Passion-
fish serves up heavenly seafood and
Fandango oozes Old World charm.
» FIND YOUR
NEXT MEAL
Mouthwatering News
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2018 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A 39