Today is a celebratory event in our family. The announcements for the 2018 Michelin star restaurants in the Bay Area had been delayed because of the terrible fires in the Napa/Sonoma region. Sarah and Evan were on tenterhooks because Rich Table had been dropped from Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list from last year. That meant they were either going to get a star or they were going to get nothing. Originally the stars were to be announced one week after the Bib Gourmands, but on the eve of the announcement. Michelin decided to delay. That was a good decision because some of the restaurants were threatened by the fires, and those that weren’t were cooking food for the fire victims. Sarah already had experience with that. In 2001, she worked at Bouley in Lower Manhattan a short way from the World Trade Center. The restaurant was closed for months after 9/11, and each day for weeks she helped cook meals and then transport them to the site.
Back in San Francisco, there was no further notice about when the list would be released until yesterday. The wait was agonizing, and the silence, of course, stimulated social media gossip including one person who allowed it would be March before the announcements came. No way! Michelin has books to sell.
All morning long I checked my cell phone. Nothing. Until I got a text message from Sarah that burst into a flurry of stars. There were no words, but the message was clear.
It’s official: Rich Table has been awarded one Michelin star. That matches Michael Mina where Sarah worked as sous chef. As well, Coi, where Evan worked as chef de cuisine, has gained its third and ultimate star.
I know that Sarah and Evan plan to celebrate this evening. We are also going to have our own little celebration.
From the Family Table 
What a nice post. Thank you, Dad. On my way to celebrate now! 🎉
Enjoy!
Complimenti a tutti! This must be a great event for you. I still think Michelin doesn’t really understand American cooking, but to break through its armor and earn a star is indeed cause for celebration.
Thank you, Tom. I agree with your formulation. It is exciting for hard-working restaurateurs to get the recognition.
Congrats!!
GREAT NEWS! CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks, KC.
Wow HUGE congratulations! I know those stars are very hard to come by.
Congratulations to Sarah and Evan and the family. Such a proud moment for you all 🙂
Yes. Thank you so much. I have become a fellow Angelino, so you must guide me to good Goan food – outside of your great recipes, of course.
Oh wow, welcome to La!!! I do know there is a restaurant somewhere in El Segundo that has a Goan chef. He called for some goan spices. Will look up yelp and get you the info. There is one more either in Culver city or Santa Monica since I moved out of the west side 5 years back I haven’t been around.
Thanks for your suggestions. I will definitely look into them.