Palo Alto Restaurant Earns Michelin Nod As One Of CA’s Best

PALO ALTO, CA — The 2021 Michelin Guide California was published Tuesday, with one to three stars awarded to 90 restaurants that it deemed the best in the state. Protégé in Palo Alto made the list with one star.

According to Michelin, Protégé has "cooking with a suave and edgy panache" and an "envious pedigree" of chefs.

Michelin stars are considered the top culinary award for restaurants around the world, introduced nearly a century ago. The original guide, without the stars, has been published since 1900.

A three-star rating is reserved for restaurants with "exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey." Two stars are bestowed on restaurants that have "excellent cooking that is worth a detour." A single star offers “high quality cooking, worth a stop.”

Michelin stars are awarded by undercover food experts who dine anonymously at the restaurant multiple times, and then confer with other judges about the awarding of stars. All judges focus on taste, the quality of ingredients and cooking techniques.

While a charming ambience and stellar service make a restaurant visit more enjoyable, they are not considered in the awarding of stars, according to Fine Dining Lovers.

The treasured list is carefully scrutinized. Bloomberg pointed out that Los Angeles gained more restaurants on the list, while San Francisco lost a dozen establishments.

One three-star eatery, Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, was destroyed by the Glass Fire in 2020.

Forbes noted the importance of these stars after restaurants have struggled to stay afloat through the pandemic.

“Since the beginning of the global pandemic, inspectors have been sensitive to each market in the U.S. and are in close contact with restaurants to stay informed on openings and closures, new menu changes, etcetera. Inspectors gradually returned to visits when it seemed appropriate based on the individual establishment and their circumstances,” Michelin’s anonymous chief inspector said of this year’s judging process. “The pandemic has impacted each of us as former employees of the hotel and restaurant industry, of which we still feel part of. We approached this selection with every intent to show appreciation and recognition for all the work that’s being done during this time. For most chefs, cooking is an art. If chefs are unable to host diners at their restaurants, they find another way to express their creativity. Restaurants are still opening, and there are new establishments to be discovered. The landscape is still interesting and dynamic.”

California is the only state that has its own Michelin Guide. Last week, Michelin released its Bib Gourmand list of top affordable eateries.