Del Mar’s Addison Becomes First, Only Michelin Star-rated Restaurant in San Diego

Courtesy of Addison

Being a part of the prestigious class of Michelin star-rated restaurants is the ultimate goal of many fine dining chefs. For Director and Executive Chef William Bradley of Addison in Del Mar, the first tier of the elite group has been reached.

Michelin announced the inaugural Michelin Guide California list on Monday, and Addison was chosen as the sole restaurant in San Diego County to earn a star. Throughout the state, 90 restaurants were awarded one, two or three stars.

“We are honored to be recognized by Michelin during this seminal year in California,” said William Bradley, director and executive chef, via email. “Since opening Addison in 2006, we have devoted ourselves to the pursuit of excellence and will continue to find inspiration from that relentless commitment, offering each guest a superlative, personalized dining experience.”

Addison is a French restaurant located in the Fairmont Grand Del Mar luxury resort. Led by Bradley, the team also consists of Chef de cuisine Stefani de Palma, Director of Wine & Beverage Rafael Sanchez and Maitre D’ Sean McGinness.

The restaurant’s name comes from architect Addison Mizner. Architectural elements like the 22-karat gold doorway decor, limestone fireplaces and Venetian plaster walls reflect his work. Addison’s servers present diners with 1o courses of contemporary French cuisine and an exquisite wine list.

Michelin Star Lengthens Chef Bradley’s List of Honors

Bradley previously worked at Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician and Vu in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Azzura Point in Coronado.

San Diego Union-Tribune’s picked him as the chef of the year in 2014. He also won the Robb Report’s Culinary Masters Competition in 2014. He has been nominated for a James Beard Award four times and is part of the exclusive group of 160 chefs throughout the world to hold the title of Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef.

Addison has also received five stars from Forbes Travel Guide a five-diamond rating from AAA. Despite receiving this honor in the 2019 guide, Bradley said he doesn’t plan to rest on his laurels.

“Michelin’s acknowledgment of our team’s dedication to service and our craft is humbling, and we look forward to championing and aspiring toward the high standards the Guide represents in the year ahead,” Bradley said.

Michelin Guide a First for California

This year marks the first time Michelin has released a complete guide for the state of California.

“California’s trendsetting, laid-back and health-conscious culinary scene continues to boom, and as a result is an amazing showcase for the great local produce,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides.

The release follows a $600,000 investment from Visit California, the state’s tourism board.

“The diversity and abundance of dining opportunities here, including an unparalleled array of ethnic dining, women chefs and limitless agricultural bounty, sets California apart from any other destination in the world,” said Caroline Beteta, Visit California president & CEO.

Monday’s star announcements follows less than a week after the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants for California were released. Michelin reviewers picked eight restaurants as affordable, “hidden gems” throughout the county.

This story was first published in Times of San Diego on June 5, 2019. To see the article in its original form, visit the link here.