Page 51 - 2019 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.
LA Restaurants that earned Michelin
stars prior to 2010 include Asanebo, Cut,
BREAKFAST ON THE PATIO at LA’s
historic Original Farmers Market, right.
Mélisse, Osteria Mozza, Patina, Spago,
Sushi Zo, Valentino and Water Grill.
San Diego
San Diego’s food scene is currently buzzing
over Addison, Born & Raised (new), Bar-
busa, Barleymash, Campfire, Crack Shack,
Cucina Urbana, Din Tai Fung, George’s at
the Cove, Herb & Wood, Herringbone,
Juniper and Ivy, Lionfish, Mister A’s, Puesto,
Royale (new), Searsucker, Solare, Tender
Greens, Truluks and Whisknladle.
San Francisco Bay Area
Aglow with 6o Michelin star restaurants for
2019, the region maintains its dominance
over New York City as the epicenter of the
U.S. culinary realm for the second year in a
row. Dominique Crenn at last became the
first female chef to achieve three-star status
for Atelier Crenn, celebrating with Single
Thread Farms (Healdsburg) as the new
triple-star winners. She was also awarded
one star for Bar Crenn, joining other one-
star newcomers Birdsong, Madcap, Nico
and Protégé. The Bay Area’s three-star estab-
lishments now boast Benu, Coi, French
Laundry, Meadowood, Manresa, Quince and
Saison, while Acquerello, Baumé, Cali-
fornios, Commis and Lazy Bear sport two
Michelin stars. Make your reservations now!
Silicon Valley
Oak + Violet is the new dining destination
in Menlo Park, 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. Madera at Rose-
wood Sand Hill earned Wine Spectator’s
Grand Award this year. Vino Cruz boasts the
best collection 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 Il Grillo, La
Balena, Seventh & Dolores, Anton & Michel
and newly reopened Carmel Bouchée.
Carmel Valley boasts Lucia at Bernardus
Lodge, helmed by esteemed Chef Cal Sta-
menov, along with Café Rustica, Carmel
Valley Chophouse and Roux. Feast on the
freshest local catches at Wild Fish in Pacific
Grove, where Monterey coastal cuisine is
front and center at Poppy Hall, and Fan-
dango’s incomparable Old World charm
continues to impress.
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2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 49