Manresa Awarded Four Stars By Michael Bauer Of The San Francisco Chronicle

Manresa Awarded Four Stars by Michael Bauer of The San Francisco Chronicle

Los Gatos, CA (September 11, 2005)-Manresa has been awarded four stars by Michael Bauer, restaurant critic of The San Francisco Chronicle. For the first time in its three-year history, the Los Gatos restaurant has achieved the highest rating from The San Francisco Chronicle. Chef David Kinch, and his restaurant Manresa, earned their fourth star in Bauer's review of the seven top Bay Area restaurants, "The Magnificent Seven," published in the September 4, 2005 issue of The San Francisco Chronicle Magazine.

This marks the most impressive promotion, from three to four stars, of any of the top-rated restaurants reviewed, including The French Laundry in Yountville; Chez Panisse in Berkeley; Campton Place, Fleur de Lys, La Folie, and The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, all in San Francisco. Since last reviewed in 2002, Manresa has steadily raised the bar on food, service, and atmosphereall three criteria that determine a star rating. The newly acquired fourth star reflects the emphasis Manresa has placed on achieving world-class distinction.

Bauer gives high praise for Kinch's contemporary American cuisine with modern French and Catalan influences. "David Kinch is an innovative chef who dazzles diners by combining seeming incongruous flavors - foie gras and broccoli; black olives in sweet madeleines; abalone and pig trotters; turnips, plums and vanilla," says Bauer. And describing the multiple courses of the spontaneously inspired tasting menu, Bauer continues, "Kinch knows how to orchestrate a brilliant succession of flavors on his tasting menu."

Kinch's culinary career began with training at Johnson and Wales, and he quickly ascended to high-profile kitchens across Europe and the United States, notably New York's Quilted Giraffe; Schweizer Stuben in Wertheim, Germany; L'Espirance in St-Phre-sous-Vizelay, France; Akelarre in San Sebastian, Spain; and Ernie's in San Francisco. Kinch opened Manresa in July 2002, after seven successful years as chef-proprietor of the nationally acclaimed Sent Sovi in Saratoga.

Sharing the honor is General Manager Michael Kean, who joined Kinch as a partner in March 2004 and refined the exemplary service to become one of the most highly regarded in the Bay Area. "General Manager Michael Kean is a consummate professional whose experience is reflected in the well-trained staff," writes Bauer.

Kinch, who was named a Chronicle Rising Star Chef in 1996, is pleased to have his restaurant receive this special recognition. "It is a great honor, not only for Michael and myself, but for the entire team at Manresa. It is a privilege to be included in such elite company. We will do our best to uphold and improve upon the level of quality that customers have come to expect from us."

Since its debut, Manresa has garnered critical acclaim from Gourmet, The London Observer, and The San Francisco Chronicle. Manresa was named The Chronicle's Top 10 of 2002, and has become a perennial Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant. In April 2005, Manresa was voted one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants by more than 600 international restaurateurs, chefs, critics, and journalists for the prestigious awards presented by Restaurant magazine in London.

Located in Los Gatos, a charming town nestled against the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Manresa is 50 miles south of San Francisco and only minutes away from San Jose. Manresa is tucked away on a quiet side street at 320 Village Lane, between North Santa Cruz and University Avenues. Manresa welcomes guests, Wednesday through Sunday, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. For reservations call 408-354-4330, or visit www.manresarestaurant.com.

Manresa
David Kinch, Chef-Proprietor
320 Village Lane, Los Gatos, California 95030
408-354-4330
http://www.manresarestauran