The History of the Top 100 List

The Top 100 list, well-regarded yet often debated among readers, was last updated in 2018 following the departure of former restaurant critic Michael Bauer. Initially curated annually since 1996, the list provided an essential overview of the Bay Area’s diverse dining landscape, featuring everything from established fine dining to hidden gems.

In the wake of Bauer’s retirement, efforts to update the list were hindered by the pandemic, leaving a noticeable gap in the Chronicle’s culinary evaluations and causing newer establishments to navigate their own visibility without the paper’s authoritative guidance.

The New Approach

Citing the extensive and varied food culture of the Bay Area, the Chronicle has decided to expand its focus. This time, critics MacKenzie Chung Fegan and Cesar Hernandez will take the lead in curating the list, which aims to balance well-known establishments with lesser-known, yet deserving, eateries.

MacKenzie Chong Fegan has expressed her reservations about the limitations of smaller lists, noting that a Top 25 is “a minuscule number of slots for such a big region” and vowing that the updated Top 100 will be ranked rather than organized alphabetically, as was the previous tradition.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Releases

The much-anticipated unveiling will occur in stages, with the restaurants ranked from 51 to 100 set to be announced on March 31, followed by the Top 50 the following week. The Chronicle plans to hold an event to celebrate the list, though details on ticket sales are yet to be disclosed.

Chung Fegan and Hernandez are expected to provide context and insights with the release, acknowledging the complexities involved in curating such a list and the necessity of omitting some beloved restaurants, while also emphasizing the vibrant options available throughout the Bay Area.

Impact and Reception

This reintroduction of the Top 100 aims to serve not only as a guide for diners but also as a means of recognition for restaurants that may have been overshadowed in recent years. Whether old favorites like Chez Panisse and the French Laundry will retain their spots or if new and innovative establishments will take center stage remains to be seen.