Carte: Pollan sisters at Spinster Sisters (w/video)

BAY AREA: Michelin expands 3-star honors

The nail-biting is over for Bay Area chefs who’ve spent the past several weeks waiting for the call from the reviewers at Michelin. Last week, the 2015 Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country announced the 2015 “starred” restaurants.

The biggest surprise leaked even before the results were officially released: San Francisco’s Benu and Saison both received a coveted three stars, moving up from their two-star positions last year. The restaurants join the French Laundry and The Restaurant at Meadowood in the three-star category, making for an unprecedented four three-star restaurants in the Bay Area.

None of the restaurants from 2014 lost a star, making for a pretty static list. Two restaurants earned their first star, Kusakabe and Maruya in San Francisco.

The European dining guides began giving their hard-won stars, long considered among the most prestigious accolades in chefdom, to restaurants around San Francisco nine years ago based on the input of “famously anonymous” reviewers.

Local restaurants that earned three stars: the French Laundry, Yountville; the Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena.

Local restaurants that earned two stars: Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford; Bouchon, Yountville; Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, Forestville; Madrona Manor, Healdsburg; Terra, St. Helena; Terrapin Creek, Bodega Bay.

SANTA ROSA: Pollan sisters at Spinster Sisters

Guess who’s coming to dinner?

Bestselling author Michael Pollan’s foodie sisters will be at the Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa Sunday night to talk about their new book, “The Pollan Family Table: The Best Recipes and Kitchen Wisdom for Delicious, Healthy Family Meals.” The authors are Corky, Lori, Dana and Tracy Pollan. Michael Pollan wrote the foreword. His bestselling books have changed the food culture, with the most thought-provoking “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.” It was named one of the 10 best books of 2006 by both the New York Times and the Washington Post. It also won the James Beard Award, the California Book Award, the Northern California Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

In “The Pollan Family Table,” Michael Pollan writes about how the family meals he ate growing up shaped his world view. Tickets are $95 each, and include a meal and a signed book. The restaurant is at 401 S. A. St. To reserve a ticket, visit www.book passage.com/events.

SONOMA COUNTY: Food & Wine Affair this weekend

A Food & Wine Affair is Saturday and Sunday, an event that appeals to wine enthusiasts and foodies in equal measure. About 110 wineries throughout Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys will be pouring from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, and each will prepare a favorite winery recipe for guests to pair with wine. Tickets can be purchased online via www.wineroad.com. Ticket holders will receive a Wine Road calendar, tasting glass and wristband when they check in at any of the participating wineries. Tickets are $70 for a weekend pass, and $50 for Sunday only. For more information call 433-4335 or email debbie@wineroad.com.

SEBASTOPOL: Halloween bash at the Barlow

Looking for an artisan Halloween bash? The Barlow Street Fair: A Spirited Edition is Thursday, and guests are encouraged to come costumed, even the four-legged ones. There will be live music from The Fabulous Luv Rustlers, a rock rhythm and blues bland, and organizers expect 300-plus to come. Mobile food venders, as well as the regular artisan venders will be on hand. The free event, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., will include a costume contest, a scarecrow building contest, pumpkin decorating, and face painting. For more information, call 824-5600 or email info@thebarlow.net. The Barlow is at 6770 McKinley St., Sebastopol.

SONOMA VALLEY: Hiking, sipping at Kunde Winery

Up for a hike in the vineyards at Kunde Winery? Sonoma Valley docent Bill Myers will take guests on a hike through the winery’s 1,850-acre estate Nov 8. The three-hour hike, which winds through sustainable winegrowing areas and distinct ecosystems, ends in the tasting room where hikers can sample Kunde wines. The hike is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the price is $30. For more information, visit www.kunde.com or call 282-1531. The winery is at 9825 Sonoma Hwy., Kenwood.

NAPA: La Taberna offers Spanish fare, drinks

This week, La Taberna - a modern take on a classic Spanish tavern - opened in Napa. The group behind the venture is the ZuZu Tapas crew in Napa. The new restaurant was inspired by the pintxo bars of northern Spain. Here you can have a quick bite and a cocktail or enjoy a full meal with a bottle of wine. The menu is as focused on drinks as it is on food. Look for regularly highlighted cocktails, as well as Latin-infused, specialty entrees. La Taberna is at 815 Main St. in downtown Napa. It will be open seven days a week from 2 to 11 p.m. No reservations will be taken. For more information, visit www.latabernanapa.com.

NAPA VALLEY: A 5-day feast at Flavor Napa Valley

The fourth annual Flavor Napa Valley, a five-day feast, is Nov. 19-23. The festivities feature culinary notables like Michael Chiarello, Masaharu Morimoto and Charlie Palmer. The five-course kickoff dinner will be curated by chef Palmer, prepared by five chefs. The string of events include hands-on experiences, wine-tasting seminars, culinary demonstrations and specialty dinners. Tickets begin at $75, with packages up to $1,400. For more information, visit www.flavornapavalley.com.