Napa Valley Restaurant Among 18 Newest California Michelin Guide Stars

NAPA VALLEY, CA — A Napa Valley restaurant is among 18 new Michelin Stars joining the 2022 Michelin Guide California.

Press, which serves up American cuisine at 587 St. Helena Street in St. Helena, joins the Michelin roster with one star.

"This modern American dining room exudes all the Wine Country vibes, and just so happens to boast the largest collection of Napa wines in the world. Chef Philip Tessier is equally inspired by the location, delivering contemporary, Californian dishes such as Kusshi oysters with whipped horseradish."

Here's what else the Michelin Guide had to say about Press.

One other North Bay restaurant, Cyrus in Sonoma County, joined the 2022 Michelin Guide California — also with one star.

Cyrus serves Californian cuisine at 275 State Highway 128 in Geyserville.

"Dinner here is an ebullient experience. Farm-fresh crudité to be dipped in umeboshi emulsion; Sonoma duck with turnips and hoisin; and black sesame financier with shaved plums are just a few examples of the impressive, globally accented cuisine."

Here's the complete Michelin Guide entry about Cyrus.

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.

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

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." One-star restaurants offer “high quality cooking, worth a stop.”

Fine Dining Lovers reports that ambience, service and other factors are not considered in the awarding of stars.

See the full list of the 18 newest California restaurants bestowed with at least one Michelin star.