The Michelin Guide has announced its closely watched food awards for 2021, and several Orange County restaurants were among those honored in Southern California, highlighting the efforts that local restauranteurs took to adapt and thrive during a period unlike any other for the industry.
Knife Pleat, helmed by Chef Tony Esnault and restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi, has earned a Michelin star—a rare feat for an OC restaurant.
Located at South Coast Plaza’s Penthouse, Knife Pleat has been presenting modern interpretations of classic French cuisine since July 2019.
The husband-and-wife team is regarded as a powerful force in Southern California’s culinary scene, having earned a Bib Gourmand designation by the Michelin Guide at their former Los Angeles-based French restaurant, Church & State.
Esnault has previously earned a combined five Michelin stars as executive chef at Alain Ducasse at the Essex House and Adour at the St. Regis in New York City.
South Coast Plaza “is elated that Knife Pleat has been recognized with a Michelin star, the ultimate designation of culinary excellence,” says Debra Gunn Downing, executive director of marketing for South Coast Plaza.
It’s the first star awarded to a restaurant at the Costa Mesa shopping center.
Bib Gourmand
Several OC restaurants were selected for the Bib Gourmand honor, which signifies a restaurant delivering a high-quality dining experience at a reasonable price.
Recipients include CHAAK Kitchen in Tustin (cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula), Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano, Oliver’s Osteria Mare e Monti in Laguna Beach, Pho 79 in Garden Grove, Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen in Fullerton, and Fable & Spirit in Newport Beach, where the Business Journal’s Chef of the Year for 2020, David Shofner, is pleasing palates with elevated pub fare including the must-have Guinness brown bread and the mussels bathed in a thyme butter.
“This is my biggest achievement thus far. I truly can’t ask for more than this recognition, as it is among the highest caliber of restaurant ratings. I am absolutely humbled to be named alongside these tremendous chefs that I’ve looked up to since the beginning of my culinary career,” said Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen Chef Imran “Ali” Mookhi.
“When we first opened as the first high-end Pakistani restaurant in Southern California, we weren’t sure what the response would be. And then we were immediately impacted by the COVID pandemic. As a team, to overcome those challenges and be awarded with a Bib Gourmand is a reflection of the team’s hard work and a fulfillment of my personal dream, to have my name and Khan Saab attached to this prestigious list.”
“Knowing that our restaurant has fulfilled our vision of being a platform for people, especially those from our culture, to be excited and proud about high-end Pakistani cuisine means everything to us,” he said.
For more information on the Michelin awards, visit guide.michelin.com/en.
