Michelin Upgrades Rating Of San Francisco Area Restaurants

Michelin has announced its star rating for the ninth edition of the MICHELIN Guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country, and a number of restaurants were given an additional star when compared to their grade in 2014, while a few new eateries made this year's one-, two-, and three-star lists.

Benu, where chef Corey Lee combines French technique with American and various Asian flavors, was given a third star on top of its previous two-star rating. Chef Joshua Skenes and Saison, which offers fresh, seasonal seafood via a Japanese-leaning, rotating menu, were upgraded to three stars as well. The French Laundry and The Restaurant at Meadowood maintained their three-star ranking. "With two new three star restaurants recognized, this 2015 edition reflects Northern California's remarkable gastronomic energy," said Michael Ellis, the international director of the Michelin Guides.

The restaurant Acquerello was promoted from a one-star rating to two, making its chef, Suzette Gresham the third female chef in the country to be given this rating. With this addition, Northern California and is now home to six two-star restaurants. Two sushi restaurants, Kusakabe and Maruya, were added to the one star category, bringing the total count of one-star restaurants in the Bay Area to 30.

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco Bay Area & Wine country 2015, listing a total of 874 restaurants, goes on sale today.

Kate Kolenda is the Restaurant and City Guide Editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @BeefWerky and @theconversant.