The wait for the annual fall Michelin awards can be grueling for restaurateurs, so the restaurant guidebook dangles a few carrots in the months before, including “discoveries” under consideration for a star or Bib Gourmand.
Healdsburg’s Matheson restaurant was one of 17 recently-opened restaurants in California tapped for the honor this week and featured on guide.michelin.com. The Matheson, a years-in-the-making project from Chef Dustin Valette, opened in fall 2021 with a fine-dining restaurant, a private mezzanine and an upstairs lounge called Roof 106.
![Dustin Valette, co-owner and chef at Valette and The Matheson in Healdsburg. (Courtesy of Michael Woolsey)](https://www.sonomamag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dustin-Valette-The-Matheson-Healdsburg-michael-woolsey-1024x683.jpg)
“Chef Dustin Valette’s latest venture is in a soaring complex, but that never takes the focus away from the menu that weaves seasonal products with California flair and Mediterranean elements,” said the Guide’s “Famously Anonymous” inspectors in a press release. This is the first nod for Chef Valette, whose namesake restaurant, Valette, has never been awarded a Michelin star despite its popularity and creative, locally-sourced menu.
Highlighting notable new restaurants enables food lovers to “enjoy new discoveries” and note “culinary gems,” according to writers of the California Michelin Guide. It’s also a chance for curious diners to avoid the mobs after restaurants are starred.
The Matheson is at 106 Matheson St. in Healdsburg, thematheson.com. Reservations are highly recommended.
![Kona Kampachi Ceviche with avocado, kohlrabi, citrus kosho from The Matheson in Healdsburg. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)](https://www.sonomamag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/H7UhfbZ0qfiPrPMtYXA9hGwN0ww-1024x724.jpg)
Also included in the “new discoveries” list of California restaurants (with Inspectors’ notes) are:
Abacá, San Francisco: Chef Francis Ang, together with wife and co-owner Dian, have produced this ode to Filipino cooking in the lush Kimpton Alton Hotel.
Be.Stéak.Ă, Campbell: An elegant ambience complements an elevated menu of exceptional steaks and an array of dishes at Chef Jeffrey Stout’s newest restaurant.
Birch & Rye, San Francisco: At this cozy nook, Chef Anya El-Wattar combines her upbringing and restaurant chops to offer a unique, ingredient-focused interpretation of Russian cuisine that is in equal measure indulgent and fresh.
Dela Curo, Oakland: Located in Swan’s Market in downtown Oakland, this order-at-the-counter style of spot is brought to diners by Chikara Ono.
![Donaji in San Francisco. (Courtesy of Stephanie Pass)](https://www.sonomamag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Donaji-2_credit-Stephanie_Pass.jpg)
Donaji, San Francisco: Chef Isai Cuevas, who earned a reputation selling his excellent tamales at farmers markets across the city, now has a cheerful, neighborhood brick-and-mortar.
Ernest, San Francisco: Chef Brandon Rice’s hip, irreverent cooking style sets the vibe, exemplified in fancy-meets-comforting combos like Kaluga caviar with crème fraîche and tater tots.
Good Good Culture Club, San Francisco: The vibrantly flavorful cooking here highlights Southeast Asian flavors and unique Californian expressions in dishes like a signature adobo-glazed fried chicken wing stuffed with garlic rice.
Hawks, Granite Bay: The straightforward menu reflects the seasons, offering a small selection of familiar plates heightened with a touch of oomph.
![Lane 33 Café in Napa. (Courtesy of Jose Calderon)](https://www.sonomamag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Lane_33_Cafe-2_credit-Jose_Calderon.png)
Lane 33 Café, Napa: In the category of bowling alley eats, mole and quesadillas aren’t likely to spring to mind, but Chef Alex Soto’s skillful, flavor-packed Mexican cooking served Wednesday-Sunday will change your outlook.
Le Fantastique, San Francisco: Creativity and finesse are part and parcel of the cooking, and the too-cool vibe and vinyl soundtrack are matched by gracious hospitality.
Miller & Lux, San Francisco: Fine dining may seem an unlikely find in the shadow of the hulking Chase Center arena, but this stunning harborage from Chef Tyler Florence is worth a splurge.
Nisei, San Francisco: ”Nisei” refers to the American-born children of Japanese immigrants, which Chef David Yoshimura is; the synthesis of that heritage forms the basis of his cuisine.
![San Ho Won in San Francisco. (Courtesy of Eric Wolfinger)](https://www.sonomamag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/San_Ho_Won_5-year_DoenjangClamJjigae_ChungjangGlazedPorkRibs_WesternMushrooms_credit-Eric_Wolfinger-1024x485.jpg)
San Ho Won, San Francisco: Combining the talents of Chefs Corey Lee and protégé Jeong-In Hwang, here it’s safe to expect the exceptional. The kitchen’s refined technique deftly combines traditional Korean tastes with a sense of novelty.
Sato Omakase, San Francisco : This stylish counter offers an ambience of restful tranquility, but more importantly, it serves up an indulgent tasting that highlights painstakingly sourced ingredients.
Sorella, San Francisco: The spirited younger sister to grande dame Acquerello; the family resemblance is nonetheless apparent in the thoughtful cuisine, which runs Californian by way of Northern Italy.
Stokes Adobe, Monterey: The small, ingredient-driven menu draws upon French and Italian elements, seen in hearty, satisfying dishes like the maltagliati pasta in prosciutto-parmesan broth.