Michelin Honors Five San Diego Restaurants as New Discoveries

The Michelin Guide, which decided to skip publishing a California edition this year and not award any stars, Bib Gourmand ratings, or Plate recommendations because of the toll that the pandemic and the California wildfires has taken on the region’s restaurant industry, instead hosted a virtual event called California Family Meal. Streamed online this afternoon, it raised funds for the California Food Bank Association and featured commentary and discussion about the future of fine dining and awarded sustainability distinctions to famous chefs including Alice Waters, Dominique Crenn, and Thomas Keller.

In lieu of handing out stars or awards, the organization instead chose to highlight 20 California restaurants that their inspectors deemed as inspiring new discoveries. Among the group were five eateries from the San Diego area: Dija Mara in Oceanside, Little Italy’s Morning Glory, Tuetano Taqueria in San Ysidro, and two standout local sushi bars, Soichi Suchi and Sushi Tadokoro.

Soichi Sushi co-owner Raechel Kadoya said, “We are very honored and grateful to be recognized amongst other amazing restaurants in California. We strive to offer our best service, food and traditional Japanese hospitality to create an exquisite dining experience for our guests.”