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So you’re caught up in the big Michelin news. San Francisco’s Dominique Crenn just became the first female chef in the country to garner three stars for her restaurant. And the Bay Area tops New York in the number of three-star honorees; we’ve got eight and they’ve got five.
Your next question may be … what’s this going to cost me?
The adage “if you have to ask …” may apply here. Or not. Maybe you won’t be surprised by the prices of high-end dining if you’ve already been paying $50 for steaks, $18 for burgers with fries and $13 for cocktails in Bay Area restaurants.
Here is the prix fixe range (that’s French for fixed-price menu) for the Bay Area’s big star-holders. A prix fixe menu at a high-end Michelin restaurant will include several courses, from appetizer to dessert. Wine pairings are extra.
Luxe ingredients may also cost more. For example, at The French Laundry, the surcharge for a caviar appetizer on the $325 tasting menu is $60; for a terrine made with foie gras, $30; and if you want shavings of those rare white truffles from Italy’s Alba region with risotto or cavatelli, that supplement is $175.
Want to pay a bit less? A few of these offer cheaper fixed-price menus in the bar. Or check out a Michelin one-star or two-star restaurant.
Or pay a lot less? Head straight for Michelin’s list of Bib Gourmand restaurants, which offer what the Michelin inspectors rate as very good food at affordable prices.
Also remember: Advance reservations are mandatory. Many of these restaurants fully book weeks in advance. Also, you will likely be required to pay the full cost or a non-refundable deposit when making your reservation. (As SingleThread reminds diners: “Just like a sporting event, concert, or theater booking, all bookings are final and cannot be canceled or rescheduled.”)
ATELIER CRENN: $335 for the tasting menu. Chef Dominique Crenn’s restaurant is located in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, 3127 Fillmore St. Reservations: www.ateliercrenn.com
BENU: $295 for the tasting menu. Chef Corey Lee’s flagship restaurant is located at 22 Hawthorne St., San Francisco. Reservations: www.benusf.com
THE FRENCH LAUNDRY: $325 for the tasting menu. Chef Thomas Keller’s restaurant is located at 6640 Washington St. in Yountville. Reservations: www.thomaskeller.com
MANRESA: $275 for the tasting menu. David Kinch’s restaurant is located at 320 Village Lane, Los Gatos. Reservations: www.manresarestaurant.com
QUINCE: $275 for the tasting menu. Chef Michael Tusk’s restaurant is at 470 Pacific Ave., San Francisco. Reservations: www.quincerestaurant.com
THE RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD: $285 for the tasting menu. (A lighter three-course menu is available in the bar for $125.) Chef Christopher Kostow’s restaurant is at 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena. Restaurants: www.therestaurantatmeadowood.com
SAISON: $298 for the tasting menu. (A smaller five-course menu is available in the bar for $148.) Chef Joshua Skenes’ restaurant is located at 178 Townsend St., San Francisco. Reservations: www.saisonsf.com
SINGLETHREAD: $275 for the tasting menu. The Connaughtons’ restaurant (chef Kyle and farmer Katina) is located at 131 North St., Healdsburg. www.singlethreadfarms.com
