3 Santa Monica Restaurants Earn Michelin Nods As Among CA’s Best

SANTA MONICA, 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. Melisse in Santa Monica made the list with two stars. Pasjoli and Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica earned one star.

Melisse

Melisse, an offering from Chef Josiah Citrin, is "an intimate 14 seat restaurant with Chef de Cuisine Ian Scaramuzza at the helm. Chefs and sommeliers guide guests through a culinary adventure, where the kitchen and dining are one. Working with California farmers from San Diego to Napa Valley, Chef Josiah sources the most unique and best ingredients available. The five-canapes, nine-course tasting menu showcases modern and classic techniques, using flavors from around the world."

Melisse is located at 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica.

Pasjoli

French bistro Pasjoli, which translates to 'not pretty' in French, has become a new hotspot on Main Street with both inside and outside seating, along with their private back patio perfect for family-style dining.

The chic Parisian bistro is from "award-winning chef Dave Beran. The restaurant pays homage to French cuisine utilizing the bounty of produce available in Southern California. Rooted in classic French cuisine and inspired by the Parisian markets, Pasjoli reflects Beran’s thoughtful cooking style, showcasing his creative touches on bistro fare."

Pasjoli is located at 2732 Main Street, Santa Monica.

Rustic Canyon

Rustic Canyon is known for its incredible wine and seasonal offerings — and roots to Santa Monica. It all started in 2006 with a series of outdoor dinners in the Santa Monica Mountains.

"We’re a Michelin-starred, neighborhood restaurant where friends near and far can come together and celebrate the best things in life: great food, great wine, and great people," according to the restaurant website.

Rustic Canyon has an evolving menu of farmers’ market-inspired dishes with the best ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen with sustainable practices

"Executive Chef Andy Doubrava and James Beard-nominated Chef/Owner Jeremy Fox bring their vision of seasonality, simplicity and quality to our kitchen," according to the restaurant. "All of the food we make and plate with sharing in mind, so you can order for the table and taste different dishes. Come with an open mind and an empty stomach, knowing you’re getting food of the highest quality and imagination."

Rustic Canyon is located at 1119 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica.

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.

3-Star Michelin Restaurants

• Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
• Benu, San Francisco
• The French Laundry, Yountville
• Manresa, Los Gatos
• Quince, San Francisco
• Single Thread, Healdsburg

2-Star Michelin Restaurants

• Acquerello, San Francisco
• Addison, San Diego
• Birdsong, San Francisco
• Californios, San Francisco
• Campton Place, San Francisco
• Coi, San Francisco
• Commis, Oakland
• Harbor House, Elk
• Hayato, Los Angeles
• Lazy Bear, San Francisco
• Melisse, Santa Monica
• N/naka, Los Angeles
• Providence, Los Angeles
• Saison, San Francisco
• Sushi Ginza Onodera, West Hollywood
• Vespertine, Culver City

1-Star Michelin Restaurants

• Adega, San Jose
• Al’s Place, San Francisco
• Angler SF, San Francisco
• Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford
• Aubergine, Carmel-By-The-Sea
• Avery, San Francisco
• Bar Crenn, San Francisco
• Barndiva, Healdsburg
• Bell’s, Los Alamos
• Bistro Na’s, Temple City
• Chez TJ, Mountain View
• CUT, Beverly Hills
• Gary Danko, San Francisco
• Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, Beverly Hills
• Hana Re, Costa Mesa
• Jeune et Jolie, Carlsbad
• Ju-ni, San Francisco
• Kali, Los Angeles
• Kato, Los Angeles
• Kenzo, Napa
• Kin Khao, San Francisco
• The Kitchen, Sacramento
• Knife Pleat, Costa Mesa
• La Toque, Napa
• Le Comptoir, Los Angeles
• Madcap, San Anselmo
• Madera, Menlo Park
• Marlena, San Francisco
• Maude, Beverly Hills
• Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco
• Mori Sushi, Los Angeles
• Morihiro, Los Angeles
• Mourad, San Francisco
• Niku Steakhouse, San Francisco
• Nozawa Bar, Beverly Hills
• O’ by Claude le Tohic, San Francisco
• Omakase, San Francisco
• Orsa & Winston, Los Angeles
• Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles
• Pasjoli, Santa Monica
• Pasta | Bar, Los Angeles
• Phenakite, Los Angeles
• Plumed Horse, Saratoga
• The Progress, San Francisco
• Protégé, Palo Alto
• Q Sushi, Los Angeles
• Rasa, Burlingame
• Rustic Canyon, Santa Monica
• Selby’s, Redwood City
• Shibumi, Los Angeles
• Shin Sushi, Encino
• The Shota, San Francisco
• Six Test Kitchen, Paso Robles
• Soichi, San Diego
• Sons & Daughters, San Francisco
• Sorrel, San Francisco
• SPQR, San Francisco
• Spruce, San Francisco
• State Bird Provisions, San Francisco
• Sushi | Bar Montecito, Santa Barbara
• Sushi l-Naba, Manhattan Beach
• Sushi Shin, Redwood City
• Sushi Takodoro, San Diego
• Sushi Yoshizumi, San Mateo
• Taco Maria, Costa Mesa
• The Village Pub, Woodside
• Wako, San Francisco
• Wakuriya, San Mateo