The toque at La Toque

The “MICHELIN Guide San Francisco, Bay Area, & Wine Country 2012” came out this week, awarding the 2012 Michelin Stars, confirming there is an abundance of fine dining choices in the Napa and Sonoma regions.

The three Michelin star restaurants this year (which Michelin defines as “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”) are once again The French Laundry (6640 Washington Street, Yountville, 707-944-2380) and Restaurant at Meadowood (900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, 707-963-3646), both in Napa Valley.

The only two star restaurant in wine country (“excellent cuisine, worth a detour”) is Cyrus, in Sonoma County (29 North Street, Healdsburg, 707-433-3311), once again the same result as last year.

There are still nineteen one star restaurants in wine country (“a very good restaurant in its category”), the same as 2011’s Guide but with a minor change.  Mirepoix, which has closed, is no longer on the list and Terrapin Creek is a 2012 addition.  Here are the one star restaurants for 2012:

Napa County 2012 Michelin Star Restaurants

Auberge du Soleil – 180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, 707-963-1211

Bouchon – 6534 Washington Street, Yountville, 707-944-8037

étoile – 1 California Drive, Yountville, 707-944-8844

La Toque – 1314 McKinstry Street, Napa, 707-257-5157

Redd – 6480 Washington Street, Yountville, 707-944-2222

Solbar – 755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, 707-226-0850

Terra – 1345 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena, 707-963-8931

Ubuntu – 1140 Main Street, Napa, 707-251-5656

Sonoma County Selections

Applewood Inn & Restaurant – 13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093

Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant – 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-3300

Madrona Manor – 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 800-258-4003

Santé – 100 Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma, 707-938-9000

Terrapin Creek – 1580 Eastshore Road, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2700

The new member of this Michelin Star list is Terrapin Creek, which opened in 2008 as a neighborhood cafe focusing on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.  Currently, they take reservations for dinner but not for lunch.