Page 51 - 2020 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 Cielo
Verde, one of LA’s most impressive urban
greenhouses.
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 Amer-
ican Beauty, Bon Temps, Clark Street, Craft,
Dialogue, Eszett, Found Oyster, ink.well,
Journeymen, L’Opera, Onda, Otium, Pasjoli,
Providence, The Stalking Horse, Umi by
Hamasaku and Uovo, renowned for its fresh
pasta. République, French bakery, café and
ice creamery, is the popular creation of Mar-
garita 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, Mélisse,
KITCHEN CREW working at
Valette, Healdsburg, right.
Osteria Mozza, Patina, Spago, Sushi Zo,
Valentino and Water Grill.
San Diego
San Diego’s food scene is currently buzzing
over Addison, Born & Raised, Barbusa, Bar-
leymash, Candor, Chiko, Cucina Urbana,
Din Tai Fung, George’s at the Cove, Herb
& Wood, Hidden Fish, Il Dandy, Juniper
and Ivy, Lionfish, Mister A’s, Puesto, Rare
Society, Royale, Searsucker, Siamo Napoli
and Soichi Sushi.
San Francisco Bay Area
Aglow with 6o Michelin star restaurants for
2020, the region maintains its dominance
over New York City as the epicenter of the
U.S. culinary realm for the third 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 triple-star
winners. She was also awarded one star for
Bar Crenn, joining other one-star new-
comers Birdsong, Madcap, Nico and
Protégé. Other Bay Area three-star establish-
ments now boast Benu, Coi, French
Laundry, Meadowood, Manresa, Quince and
Single Thread, while Acquerello, Baumé,
Californios, Commis and Lazy Bear sport
two Michelin stars. Make your reservations
now!
Silicon Valley
Selby's in Atherton is the latest classic from
Bacchus Group (Village Pub, Spruce), while
Protégé in Palo Alto stars French Laundry
alums. ASA Los Gatos and Sidecar Modern
Tavern join Nick’s as new local favorites. Luxe
dining divas Chez TJ, The Plumed Horse and
The Village Pub all boast Michelin stars.
Madera at Rosewood Sand Hill boasts Wine
Spectator’s Grand Award. Vino Cruz offers the
best collection of Santa Cruz Mountains
wines paired with creative cuisine.
Seacoast Stars
Think Mendocino for romantic, sometimes
hidden coastal dining stars, like Chef Marc
Dym’s Little River Inn, Chef Nicolas Petti’s
Mendo Bistro, and Michelin-starred Chef
Matt Kemerer’s Harbor House in Elk. Brewery
Gulch Inn is a gourmand’s delight and The
Wild Fish in Albion sets new standards for
seaside dining. The Madrones in Anderson
Valley offers centralized 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 recently 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.
» FIND YOUR
NEXT MEAL
Mouthwatering News
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2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 49