The Michelin stars were awarded Tuesday to California restaurants, with 11 of the Bay Area’s top-tier restaurants judged as performing at their three-star or two-star level. A Mendocino County restaurant, Elk, also retained its two stars. Of the six restaurants in the state that joined the ranks of the one-star honorees, two are in San Francisco, one is in Calistoga and one (Chez Noir) is just outside the Bay Area, in Carmel. The ceremony was held inside the Chabot planetarium in Oakland.

Here’s the star-studded list:

THREE STARS (Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey)

Atelier Crenn, San Francisco

Benu, San Francisco

The French Laundry, Yountville

Quince, San Francisco

SingleThread, Healdsburg

TWO STARS (Excellent cuisine, worth a detour)

Acquerello, San Francisco

Birdsong, San Francisco

Californios, San Francisco

Commis, Oakland

Lazy Bear, San Francisco

Saison, San Francisco

ONE STAR (A very good restaurant in its category)

Angler SF, San Francisco

Aphotic, San Francisco (new)

Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford

Auro, Calistoga (new)

Avery, San Francisco

Barndiva, Healdsburg

Chez TJ, Mountain View

Cyrus, Geyserville

Gary Danko, San Francisco

Kenzo, Napa

Kin Khao, San Francisco

Le Comptoir at Bar Crenn, San Francisco

Madcap, San Anselmo

Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco

Nari, San Francisco (new)

Niku Steakhouse, San Francisco

Nisei, San Francisco

O’ by Claude Le Tohic, San Francisco

Osito, San Francisco

Plumed Horse, Saratoga

Press, St. Helena

The Progress, San Francisco

Protégé, Palo Alto

San Ho Won, San Francisco

Selby’s, Atherton/Redwood City

The Shota, San Francisco

Sons & Daughters, San Francisco

Sorrel, San Francisco

Ssal, San Francisco

State Bird Provisions, San Francisco

Sushi Shin, Redwood City

Sushi Yoshizumi, San Mateo

Village Pub, Woodside

Wakuriya, San Mateo

Source: www.mercurynews.com