I think we can all agree that the Chron’s star system doesn’t always feel in tune with the text, and this being hippie San Francisco, many even take offense to notions of grades and rankings at all. Mr. Bauer can explain them all he wants, but someone will always object, and we ourselves are confused when places like Saison score the same as Zero Zero, but we digress.This is what we’ve got folks, and those playing insider baseball in S.F.’s food world still hang on Bauer’s every three-star rave and two-star semi-rave and two-and-a-half-star almost-but-not-quite rave. The Scoop has broken it all down, and here’s how it shakes out.
Of the 50 new restaurants reviewed this year, nineteen (or 38%) received 2.5 stars, and an impressive fourteen (or 28%) landed 3 stars. The only 4-star review of the year went to a not-new restaurant, Meadowood, but that is actually Bauer’s m.o. — restaurants only receive four stars after being open at least a year or two, and after they’ve likely garnered 3.5 in the past.
Below, the ratings as they were, with links to our summaries of the reviews.
3.5 stars
Michael Mina, Benu, Prospect
3 stars
Frances, Oenotri, Baker & Banker, Barbacco, Marlowe, Bistro Aix, Saison, Morimoto Napa, Ippuku, Zero Zero, Bar Agricole, Commonwealth, Plum, Bourbon Steak
2.5 stars
Nombe, Boot & Shoe, Vik’s Chaat Cafe, Ristobar, Sons & Daughters, OTD Bush, Garibaldis, Marzano, Manzanita, Gather, Baumé, Jackson’s, Public House, Santi, Heirloom Café, L’Appart, Brick & Bottle, Wayfare Tavern, Another Monkey
2 stars
Comstock Saloon, La Costanera, Delarosa, Lokal, Hog & Rocks, Gracias Madre, Encuentro, Spoonbar, 25 Lusk
1.5 stars :-(
Lafitte, Farmstead, Credo, Café Des Amis
1 star
Mijita
For some graphs comparing 2009 to 2010, see Paolo’s number-crunching on the Scoop.
