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LA restaurants Providence, Somni become city's 1st ever 3 Michelin-star eateries

time6 days ago

  • Business

LA restaurants Providence, Somni become city's 1st ever 3 Michelin-star eateries

Los Angeles has long been home to world-class restaurants, but this week, it officially joins the ranks of the global Michelin elite. For the first time ever, the Michelin Guide awarded its highest distinction of three stars to two LA restaurants: Providence, led by chef and co-owner Michael Cimarusti, and Somni, led by chef and owner Aitor Zabala. The 2025 Michelin Guide California, unveiled Wednesday night, recognizes the state's top restaurants using its iconic star system: one star means "high-quality cooking, worth a stop"; two stars is for "excellent cuisine, worth a detour"; and three stars signals "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." 2 LA restaurants make history with city's 1st-ever 3 Michelin-star honors With its focus on sustainable, wild-caught seafood and a tasting menu known for precision and artistry, Providence has long been a leader in LA's fine dining scene since chef Cirmusti and partner Donato Poto opened the doors in 2005. Providence first earned a Michelin star in 2008 and the following year graduated to two stars. Since the guide's return to California in 2019, Providence consistently held its two stars and earned a Green Star in 2023 for sustainability. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Cirmusti and the team at Providence have reached what Michelin described as an "inflection point." The guide called the restaurant "a perfect example of purity and precision," in a press release, adding that Cimarusti's recent work has shown "a distinct personality and level of technical expertise that makes it one of the best restaurants in the world." With his restaurant, the New Jersey native fondly honors the place where he has deep roots, having spent much of his childhood summers fishing and cooking with his grandparents in Providence, Rhode Island -- an influence, not just for the moniker of his now three-starred restaurant, but as a leader in sustainable seafood. Cimarusti's passion for seafood conservation and sustainable practices extends well beyond the walls of his kitchens. He works closely with small fisheries and purveyors to source only sustainable, wild-caught seafood, and he has been a longtime collaborator with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program. Joining Providence in the newly minted three-star tier is Somni, the highly anticipated West Hollywood revival from chef Zabala that translates from Catalan to "dream." Somni reopened in late 2023 with a reimagined, immersive tasting experience, now featuring a 14-seat chef's counter and a multistage progression that begins with a patio reception. Michelin inspectors praised Somni's "cutting-edge, highly personal cuisine," noting the restaurant delivers "a theatrical, unforgettable dining experience." The Barcelona-born chef, who was previously awarded two stars with the original Somni, has returned to the top with a vision and a bold statement, wearing a shirt at the ceremony that read "Immigrants feed America." Michelin California 2025 Awards: Golden night for restaurants "Tonight marked a momentous evening for California and its culinary community," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said. Also holding three stars in the state are The French Laundry, Benu, Quince, SingleThread, Addison and Atelier Crenn, making Providence and Somni the first restaurants in Los Angeles to join that elite global group. The Michelin Guide also awarded two new Two Stars to Sonoma's Enclos and San Francisco's Kiln, five new One Stars, and two Green Stars awarded to Enclos and Sons & Daughters, which brings the total number of Green Stars to 17. California, unsurprisingly is the single largest holder of Green Stars in North America.

Providence Was Just Awarded Three Michelin Stars
Providence Was Just Awarded Three Michelin Stars

Eater

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • Eater

Providence Was Just Awarded Three Michelin Stars

Chef Michael Cimarusti's tasting menu restaurant, Providence, received three Michelin stars at the 2025 Michelin Guide California ceremony, held June 25 in Sacramento, making it one of two restaurants in Los Angeles with the prestigious designation. The only other restaurant in Los Angeles with three stars is Somni, which also received a three-star designation at the 2025 Michelin ceremony. Cimarusti first opened Providence with business partner Donato Poto in 2005, serving a tasting menu of standard-bearing seafood. It received its first Michelin star when the guide first arrived to Los Angeles in 2008 and was upgraded to two stars in 2009. For decades, Providence has defined upscale dining in Los Angeles, garnering widespread acclaim, earning the top spot on 'Jonathan Gold's 101 Best Restaurants' in the Los Angeles Times, and receiving James Beard award for Best New Restaurant in 2006. Cimarusti has also been nominated for multiple James Beard Best Chef Awards, which he won in 2019. Providence's seafood-heavy menu has remained relevant for more than 20 years, impressing diners through decades. The restaurant offers fine dining in its truest form: sleek dining rooms, which were redesigned in 2023; white tablecloths; and service that anticipates needs before they are even voiced. Ciramusti's menu weaves through a star-studded list of seafood dishes, like Pacific oysters with dongchimi and lime, red abalone with egg sabayon, and Hokkaido scallop. Providence's uni egg — an egg shell filled with sea urchin, Champagne beurre blanc, and brioche croutons — has become a recognizable signature of the restaurant. Providence's three Michelin stars are a nod to its impact in Los Angeles, and Ciramusti's definitive role as one of Los Angeles's greatest cooks. See More:

Michelin awards new stars to four L.A. restaurants for 2025—including the city's first-ever three-star eateries
Michelin awards new stars to four L.A. restaurants for 2025—including the city's first-ever three-star eateries

Time Out

time7 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Time Out

Michelin awards new stars to four L.A. restaurants for 2025—including the city's first-ever three-star eateries

Tonight, Michelin announced its list of starred California restaurants for 2025 at an awards ceremony in Sacramento, and the results for Los Angeles are now in: Two all-new one-star additions; three Michelin stars (the city's first) awarded for Somni, the most expensive restaurant in Los Angeles; and a highly coveted third star for Providence, Michael Cimarusti's longtime Hollywood fine dining institution, which has held two stars every year that Michelin has rated L.A. restaurants since 2009. (The guide left L.A. for a decade, returning in 2019.) One of the world's most famous dining guides (as well as a multinational French tire company), Michelin decides what it considers worth visiting by sending anonymous inspectors all over a given city, state, region or country. In North America, the guide's overall bias towards Japanese omakase and French fine-dining restaurants is well-known, though it also includes a variety of unstarred restaurants in terms of cuisine and price point within each edition of the guide. This year in L.A. was largely no different. The two newest one-starred L.A. restaurants for 2025 are Restaurant Ki, a modern Korean tasting menu in Little Tokyo run by eponymous chef Ki Kim (who also earned Michelin's Young Chef Award) and Mori Nozomi, a standout, female-led omakase experience in West L.A. by eponymous chef and Osaka native Nozomi Mori. Almost every other two-star and one-star eatery in L.A. maintained its standing except for West Hollywood's Sushi Ginza Onodera, which has closed. Up in Santa Barbara, Silvers Omakase earned a brand-new star designation; the restaurant is run by Lennon Silvers Lee, the brother of Pasta|Bar's Phillip Frankland Lee, whose Encino strip mall eatery also maintained its Michelin star. On the Bib Gourmand front, three new L.A. area restaurants earned recognition in the tire company's more budget-friendly restaurant rating category: Komal, a masa-centric lunch counter in Mercado Paloma run by two Holbox alums; Rasarumah, chef Johnny Lee's trendy Malaysian spot in Historic Filipinotown; and Vin Folk in Hermosa Beach, which Time Out recently wrote about as a destination-worthy bistro in the South Bay. In order to be considered for the more affordable category of the French tire company's world-renowned dining guide, Bib Gourmand restaurants must offer a full menu that makes it possible to order two courses and drink or dessert for under $49 (sans tax and gratuity). For ease of use, we've detailed L.A.'s newest Michelin stars and Bib Gourmands, as well as the eateries that lost Michelin stars, in alphabetical order (and will soon update our list of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants). All restaurants are within the city of L.A. unless noted in parentheses. Any links reflect previous coverage here at Time Out —and we've included call-outs of our own starred ratings in brackets (out of 5) if you'd like a more locally informed perspective than the concise description offered by Michelin. Time Out Los Angeles sends congratulations to all of L.A.'s newly (and not-so-newly) Michelin-starred restaurants and Bib Gourmands. L.A.'s newest three-star Michelin restaurants: Providence [5 stars] Somni (West Hollywood) [5 stars] L.A.'s new one-star Michelin restaurants: Mori Nozomi [5 stars] Restaurant Ki [4 stars] L.A.'s new Bib Gourmands: Komal [4 stars] Rasarumah [3 stars] Vin Folk (Hermosa Beach) [4 stars] L.A. restaurants that lost stars: Sushi Ginza Onodera (West Hollywood) — now closed

California raises the bar with two Three Starred restaurants joining 2025 selection
California raises the bar with two Three Starred restaurants joining 2025 selection

Yahoo

time7 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

California raises the bar with two Three Starred restaurants joining 2025 selection

This year's MICHELIN Guide California ceremony was full of celebration as the selection was revealed. The 2025 selection raised the bar with two new Three Starred restaurants. Providence in Hollywood was promoted from Two Stars and Somni in West Hollywood enters the selection with Three Stars SACRAMENTO, Calif, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Providence and Somni earn Three MICHELIN Stars Two restaurants earn Two MICHELIN Stars and five earn One MICHELIN Star Selection boasts two new Green Stars and six new Bib Gourmands SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 25, 2025 — This year's MICHELIN Guide California ceremony was full of celebration as the selection was revealed. The 2025 selection raised the bar with two new Three Starred restaurants. Providence in Hollywood was promoted from Two Stars and Somni in West Hollywood enters the selection with Three Stars. The excitement continued with Enclos in Sonoma entering the selection with Two Stars and and Kiln in San Francisco being promoted from One Star to Two Stars. The 2025 selection also welcomed five new One Starred restaurants bringing the state's total to 65. Additionally, two new MICHELIN Green Stars were awarded to Enclos and Sons & Daughters in San Francisco for their efforts in sustainable gastronomy. The full selection, including Bib Gourmands and recommended restaurants, totals 548 eateries spanning 55 cuisine types. 'Tonight marked a momentous evening for California and its culinary community,' said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. 'Our anonymous Inspectors discovered extraordinary culinary gems to highlight in this year's selection, including two new Three Star restaurants, Providence and Somni. Congratulations to all of the chefs and restaurant teams awarded tonight. We are proud to welcome you all into the MICHELIN Guide family.' Here are the new MICHELIN Star restaurants, with Inspector notes from each (Inspectors' comments in full on the MICHELIN Guide website and mobile app): Three MICHELIN Stars Providence (Hollywood; Seafood cuisine) As has been the case since opening in 2005, purity and precision are the underpinnings of Chef Michael Cimarusti's California cooking; and his cuisine has grown even more impressive over the years. The tasting menu blends classic technique with a modern sensibility, global inspiration, and sources the freshest and most sustainable seafood, often wild-caught from American waters. At no point during the meal will you doubt its impeccable quality, especially while savoring dishes such as a tart of lobster mousse and box crab set in a crab beurre blanc, or roasted monkfish with cauliflower and shaved black truffles. Longstanding signatures like the soft-poached egg with uni and breadcrumbs or salt-roasted Santa Barbara spot prawns make for luxurious add-ons. Somni (West Hollywood; Contemporary cuisine) Chef Aitor Zabala and his dedicated team have awakened Somni, or "dream" from a long sleep and have fashioned this revamped iteration as a distinctly personal and unique dining experience. Tucked away just off Santa Monica Ave., the dining room's soothing, creamy palette with light wood and glass is marked by a colorful bull's head from the original spot, hinting at the Spanish-inflected cuisine. A procession of small bites is meticulously arranged and endlessly creative, sating diners with an abundance of rich flavors and textural interplay (think mussel escabeche, gazpacho, or the iconic shiso tartare tempura). All the while, the kitchen and service teams are in lockstep as they create and serve these arresting dishes. Two MICHELIN Stars Enclos (Sonoma; Contemporary cuisine) Concealed inside an 1880 Victorian on the Stone Edge Farm Winery property, once inside this glittering workshop, guests enter a rarified realm. An opulent tasting menu marries global flavors, refined technique, and exceptional ingredients, including produce sourced from their two farms, all shot through with subtle nods to Chef Brian Limoges's New England roots. Take, for example, a clever "lobster roll" croustade made up of spiny lobster tartare in a crisp shell, or a clam chawanmushi that subtly evokes the flavor of chowder. The fireworks continue through to dessert, where a breathtaking sorrel ice cream is decorated with edible leaves flavored with makrut lime and pomegranate. All the while, diners will find the staff effortlessly charming, making the experience all the more magical. Kiln (San Francisco; Contemporary cuisine) Industry veterans Chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang have combined their talents at Kiln, where the warehouse space is warmed by personable service and the kitchen delivers artful creations. The tasting menu leans Nordic, highlighting preservation techniques like curing, drying and fermentation in dishes whose simplicity is belied by intricate techniques and compelling flavor combinations. The creative energy is consistent throughout the meal, offering plenty to impress guests. Opening snacks like a crispy curlicue of puffed beef tendon captures this ethos, while others, like a squab breast lacquered with burnt honey and served with a truffled jus, display a classical bent. One MICHELIN Star Lilo (Carlsbad; Californian cuisine) Good things often come in small packages, and it's certainly true of Lilo, where guests are welcomed to a moveable feast beginning on the heated patio with an array of small bites before moving into the petite dining room. Chef Eric Bost and his team take clear pride in providing an extra level of care in their dishes, evidenced in plates like dry-aged Japanese kinmedai paired with a ragout of geoduck and bone marrow or 40-day dry-aged beef ribeye with preserved gurumelo mushrooms, seaweed, and bordelaise. Halfway through, the dishes shift from savory to sweet for a one-off orgeat ice cream topped with celery root bushi and Ossetra cavia, and later concludes with a myriad of desserts like sweet cream gelato topped with hoja santa and finger lime. Mori Nozomi (Los Angeles; Sushi/Japanese cuisine) Chef Nozomi Mori's sushi counter stands apart from the pack, both for its excellent sushi and for its hospitable staff in the front and back of house. Plan in advance to visit this special spot, where there are just eight seats at the wood counter. While the fish is flown in several times a week from Japan, local, seasonal produce is worked into nearly every dish. Even the smallest details matter here, as evidenced by the Japanese ice imported for use in their five-course tea pairing. Begin with a number of dishes, like chawanmushi with gingko nuts, before enjoying the well-executed nigiri. Mochi accompanied by matcha prepared by the chef herself is an elegant final act. Restaurant Ki (Los Angelese; Korean Contemporary cuisine) You'll need to read the instructions sent ahead of time to find the entrance to Chef Ki Kim's restaurant, but any navigation woes are quickly put to rest once you're inside this ten-seat spot. The contemporary Korean tasting menu pulls in global influences, and meals begin with a few bites such as shirako gimbap, a shell filled with truffle rice and diced kimchi, or crispy, tender octopus in a creamy sauce with octopus head and gochujang. Charred sugar snap peas with stillhead trout roe and tuna or creamy pasta made with perilla seed and topped with fresh winter truffle display a creative flair. Main dishes include the likes of barbecue roasted squab with foie gras sauce, and 45-day dry- aged dairy cow with golden beet jus and Korean bone broth. A mushroom ice cream sandwich seals the deal. Silvers Omakase (Santa Barbara; Sushi/Japanese cuisine) With just a handful of seats and a small staff, this omakase from Chef Lennon Silvers Lee is ever-changing. Some things change daily, while others change weekly, but one thing you can always expect is well-executed dishes made with rice from Japan that is milled in house, and fish that is sourced both locally and from Japan and then dry aged. Arrive early and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before being called in, as all guests are seated and served at the same time. Enjoy one or two small dishes before a parade of nigiri, which may include hamachi, shima aji, as well as bluefin tuna. Their uni rice is deliciously mixed with wasabi and topped with masago arare for a bit of crunch, marking the end of the savory dishes before a dessert of sorbet made in house. Sun Moon Studio (Oakland; Californian cuisine) A slightly clandestine air still prevails outside this inconspicuous little spot, but the secret is out: the handful of seats inside are hotly in demand. Chefs Alan Hsu and Sarah Cooper have both worked in some of the country's most celebrated kitchens, but here channel their talents on a more intimate scale. Their shared vision emerges in a mercurial seasonal tasting menu that dutifully celebrates the wealth of Californian ingredients, spanning squab to rockfish and wild mushrooms to citrus. The style is pared down and technically precise, letting products shine while adding a spark of personality, as in Dungeness crab with yuzu kosho butter, perched over silken tofu. Baked items like savory egg tarts with salmon roe, or steamed brioche buns enclosing Taiwanese sausage, are highlights. MICHELIN Green Star Enclos (Sonoma; Contemporary cuisine) Initiatives: locally sourced organic produce via nearby culinary gardens; sustainable/regenerative practices in garden; carbon negative and energy independent operations; fallen trees repurposed into chopsticks and serving trays; waste is minimized through preservation and fermentation. Sons & Daughters (San Francisco; Contemporary cuisine) Initiatives: food sourced through local eco-conscious farmers, fisherman and ranchers; in-house dairy program resulting in their own butter, creme fraiche, fresh cheese and yogurt; source aprons, plates and woodwork from local ceramicists and artisans. Bib Gourmand The MICHELIN Guide Inspectors gave 123 restaurants the Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value. The full list can be found Special Awards In addition to the Bib Gourmands and Stars, the Guide announced four Special Awards: The MICHELIN Guide Ceremony is presented with the support of Capital One. Hotels The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay in California and throughout the world. Each hotel in the selection has been chosen by MICHELIN Guide experts for its extraordinary style, service and personality — with options for all budgets — and each can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selection for California features the state's most spectacular hotels, including Canyon Ranch Woodside (three MICHELIN Keys) nestled among giant redwoods on the San Francisco Peninsula, the Bernadus Lodge & Spa (two MICHELIN Keys) located in Carmel Valley and home to its own vineyard, or the Georgian (one MICHELIN Key), a rare piece of Old Hollywood glamour in modern Santa Monica. The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now it's setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel. The 2025 MICHELIN Guide California selection: The MICHELIN Guide in North America Michelin announced its first North American Guide in 2005 for New York. Guides have also been added in Chicago (2011); Washington, D.C. (2017); California (San Francisco in 2007, statewide 2019); Florida (Greater Miami, Orlando and Tampa in 2022, adding Greater Fort Lauderdale, The Palm Beaches and St. Pete-Clearwater in 2025, statewide in 2026); Toronto (2022); Vancouver (2022); Colorado (2023); Atlanta (2023), Mexico (2024), Texas (2024), Québec (2024), the American South (2025), Boston (2025) and Philadelphia (2025). About the MICHELIN Guide Recognized globally for excellence and quality, the MICHELIN Guide offers a selection of world-class restaurants. The famous one, two and three MICHELIN Stars identify establishments serving exceptional cuisine that's rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef. The Bib Gourmand is a designation given to select restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value – often known as personal favorites among the Inspectors when dining on their own time. The MICHELIN Green Star honors restaurants that are pioneers in sustainable Recommended restaurants and special professional awards are also highlighted by the MICHELIN Guide The MICHELIN Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveler seeking an unforgettable meal and hospitality experience. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage the development of car mobility as well as tire sales by giving practical advice to motorists. Progressively, the Guide has specialized in restaurant and hotel recommendations. Michelin's Inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by the Inspectors in the very beginning. The restaurant selections join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay around the world. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an amazing hotel. Thanks to the rigorous MICHELIN Guide selection process that is applied independently and consistently in more than 50 destinations, the MICHELIN Guide has become an international benchmark in fine dining. All restaurants in the Guide are recommended by Michelin's anonymous Inspectors, who are trained to apply the same time-tested methods used by Michelin Inspectors for many decades throughout the world. This ensures a uniform, international standard of excellence. As a further guarantee of complete objectivity, Michelin Inspectors pay all their bills in full, and only the quality of the cuisine is evaluated. To fully assess the quality of a restaurant, the Inspectors apply five criteria defined by Michelin: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu. These criteria guarantee a consistent and fair selection so a Starred restaurant has the same value regardless of whether it is in Paris, New York or anywhere else in the world. About Michelin North America, Inc. Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high- quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States ( and Canada ( About Capital One At Capital One we're on a mission for our customers – bringing them best-in-class products, rewards, service, and experiences. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation, and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment, we provide our rewards cardholders with access to unforgettable experiences in the areas they're passionate about, including dining, music and sports. Learn more at and For more information, contact: Carly GrieffMichelin North America CONTACT: Name: Carly Grieff Email: Job Title: Public Relations ManagerError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

These two L.A. restaurants are the city's first-ever to receive three Michelin stars
These two L.A. restaurants are the city's first-ever to receive three Michelin stars

Los Angeles Times

time7 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Los Angeles Times

These two L.A. restaurants are the city's first-ever to receive three Michelin stars

Wednesday night's Michelin Guide announcement was a historic one for Los Angeles: For the first time in the guide's history, the global dining compendium awarded three stars — the highest rating possible — to an L.A. restaurant. In fact, it awarded three stars to two L.A. restaurants. Michelin's California Guide is published each year, highlighting the state's best restaurants according to the company's team of anonymous inspectors. Michelin stars, awarded on a scale from one to three, are widely regarded as one of the highest accolades a restaurant can garner. One star signifies 'high-quality cooking, worth a stop,' two stars recognize 'excellent cuisine, worth a detour,' and three stars translate to 'exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.' Multiple restaurants in Los Angeles have been awarded two stars, but this year previous star holders Providence and Somni crossed the threshold into three-star status — the only two restaurants in California to newly earn the accolade in 2025. Los Angeles chef Ki Kim of Little Tokyo's Restaurant Ki won the Michelin Young Chef Award, in addition to his restaurant earning a single star. Kim battled mental health difficulties during the closure of his first restaurant, Kinn, but returned with a new modern Korean tasting menu last year. At the ceremony, held in Sacramento at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, Kim was praised for his 'exhibited leadership and dedication to the craft.' The 2025 statewide guide also recognized 123 restaurants with its 'bib gourmand' awards, indicating 'good food at a moderate price.' It also awarded green stars, denoting sustainability practices. Providence owners Michael Cimarusti and Donato Poto appeared stunned as they headed to the stage to accept their award, hugging the puffy white mascot Michelin Man. Somni chef Aitor Zabala removed his suit jacket onstage, immediately changing into chef's whites. He promptly hugged every three-star chef standing on stage, then posed for a photo revealing his shirt: 'Immigrants feed America.' According to the Michelin website, restaurants are rated by 'quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef in the cuisine, harmony of flavors, and consistency between visits.' Providence, in Hollywood, has a long history in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant — a destination for sustainable seafood by way of an artful tasting menu — turned 20 this month. In its third year in operation, it earned one Michelin star. The following year, it gained a second. Michelin Guide would leave L.A. for a decade, but when it returned in 2019, Providence again earned two stars. Notwithstanding Michelin Guide's 2020 pause in ratings due to the pandemic and wildfires, Providence held two stars every year since the guide's return to L.A. In 2023 the restaurant also earned the green star, commending its sustainability practices. 'Providence is a wonderful example of consistency and evolution,' Michelin Guide's anonymous chief inspector of North America told The Times via email. Cimarusti 'is very passionate, serious and focused as he has been doing wonderful work over the years, recently reaching an inflection point which was made evident in our meals this year,' they continued. 'When you get to the three stars level, it's about a distinct personality and level of technical expertise that makes it one of the best restaurants in the world.' Somni also previously held Michelin stars; but the original restaurant — a collaboration between chefs José Andrés and Aitor Zabala — closed in 2020 after two years inside the SLS Hotel in Beverly Grove. It earned two stars in 2019. Then, in late November, Zabala — with Andrés' blessing but not his business partnership — reopened Somni in a new West Hollywood home. The new tasting menu includes new dishes, 14 seats overlooking a chefs counter, and a progressive, multi-structure experience that involves a patio reception. 'We've had plenty of experience at Somni in its first iteration and were sad to see that it closed,' the anonymous chief inspector of North America told The Times. 'We're very excited that it has re-emerged in such an impressive state. Chef Zabala has a singular vision and has guided his team to produce a culinary experience that is hands down stunning. The new restaurant iteration is an even more impactful representation of the original.' There are now eight three-star restaurants in the state of California: Providence, Somni, San Diego's Addison, and Northern California's Atelier Crenn, the French Laundry, Benu, Quince and Single Thread. Two restaurants freshly earned two stars in the 2025 guide — San Francisco's Kiln and Sonoma's Enclos — while five restaurants newly earned one-star ratings, including two in Los Angeles. Ki Kim's modern Korean tasting menu in Little Tokyo, Ki, now holds a star, as does Nozomi Mori's Sawtelle sushi omakase, Mori Nozomi, which is helmed by an all-female staff. Other new one-star awardees are Carlsbad's Lilo, Santa Barbara's Silvers Omakase and Oakland's Sun Moon Studio. Other new L.A.-area accolades include most of the year's new bib gourmand additions: Komal in Historic South-Central, Rasarumah in Historic Filipinotown, Vin Folk in Hermosa Beach and West Adams' temporarily closed Bee Taqueria, home to some of the best tacos in the city. 'This is huge for us,' Komal chef and co-founder Fátima Juárez told The Times last month when she learned her restaurant would be included in the California guide in some manner, though she was not sure what its recognition would be. 'I'm grateful,' she said in June. 'I never say, 'Oh, I'm cooking for [awards] or I'm cooking for this.' You know, I'm cooking because I love cooking, and I love my kitchen.' Hayato, Mélisse and Vespertine al maintained their two-star ratings from 2024. L.A.-area one-star awardees who retained their 2024 rating include 715, Camphor, Citrin, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, Gwen, Heritage, Holbox, Kali, Kato, Meteora, Morihiro, n/naka, Nozawa Bar, Orsa & Winston, Osteria Mozza, Pasta Bar, Rebel Omakase, Shibumi, Shin Sushi, Sushi I-naba, Sushi Kaneyoshi and Uka. Near Los Angeles, so did Bell's in Los Alamos, Caruso's in Montecito, Valle in Oceanside, Knife Pleat in Costa Mesa, Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad and Soichi in San Diego. Sushi Ginza Onodera in West Hollywood did not retain its star, nor did Hana re Sushi in Costa Mesa. Michelin's full list of 2025 California Guide awardees can be found here.

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