Culver City Restaurant Earns 2 Michelin Stars

CULVER CITY, CA — The Hayden Tract's contemporary restaurant Vespertine was bestowed with a coveted honor this week when it was named the recipient of two Michelin stars.

The eatery is among 10 new restaurants added to Michelin's California Guide. Three other Los Angeles County restaurants also made the cut.

Vespertine also earned a green star, which is awarded to restaurants at the forefront of the industry when it comes to sustainable practices.

"California continues to shine bright as we see the culinary scene evolve and highlight emerging talent and cuisines," said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides. "This year we are thrilled to welcome 10 new restaurants to the family of Michelin-starred restaurants, in addition to one new green star."

The 2024 guide spotlights 577 restaurants across the state and lists 85 California restaurants with stars.

Earning a Michelin star is the gold standard for restaurants. Only one Southern California restaurant has attained three stars, which means "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey," according to the guide. Four have obtained two stars, denoting "excellent cooking, worth a detour," and 30 have secured one star, meaning "high-quality cooking, worth a stop."

Here's what the Michelin Guide has to say about Vespertine:

"Beginning a new chapter, Chef Jordan Kahn's singular operation emerges from a lengthy hiatus with a renewed creative vision. Situated inside a strikingly futuristic edifice of red steel ("the Waffle"), diners enjoy a tasting menu that is likewise out of the ordinary, moving between floors as the meal progresses. Each dish is visually stunning, with cuisine that is not only daringly inventive (at times downright whimsical), but also marshals finely honed technique and impeccably balanced flavors. as in an artful dish of scallop with passionfruit, ají amarillo, and petals of horseradish tuile, or an "obsidian mirror" of smoked mussel cream with salted plum. The meal ends as strong as it begins, with a mesmerizing dessert that features kaleidoscopic flavors. Together with their sister restaurants, Vespertine works to ensure all ingredients are used in their entirety."

Also awarded stars this week were Meteora and Uka, both in Hollywood, and Holbox in Historic South Central.