The Michelin Guide has announced its 2015 crop of stars for its annual San Francisco and Bay Area restaurant edition. And this year, there is significant news.

Benu and Saison have been awarded three stars, up from their prior respective two star designations. They join the Bay Area’s other two three-star restaurants atop the pedestal: the French Laundry (Yountville) and the Restaurant at Meadowood (St. Helena).

Both Corey Lee (Benu) and Joshua Skenes (Saison) carry French training, but incorporate strong Asian influences in their cooking, making for unique brands of cuisines that are distinctly their own.

It is the first time in history that San Francisco proper has housed one three-star Michelin restaurant, let alone a pair.

According to Michelin’s international director of the guides, Michael Ellis, the new three-star restaurants “really affirm that the San Francisco Bay Area is becoming one of the most exciting and dynamic culinary zones in the world today.” He says that anonymous inspectors from the Bay Are, Europe and Asia visited Benu and Saison “three to four times” this year.

Other notable tidbits from this year’s list (in full below):

Acquerello is elevated from one star to two stars, making chef/owner Suzette Gresham the second female chef in the Bay Area to reach two-star Michelin status, along with Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn . Should be a pretty nice gift for Acquerello’s 25th anniversary .

Acquerello’s 25th anniversary Manresa held onto its two stars, despite a big fire that has left it closed since July. Ellis says there was a “vigorous debate internally” about whether or not the restaurant should be included in this year’s guide. Given Manresa’s track record and chef-owner David Kinch’s diligent updates on the rebuilding process, Michelin kept it in.

held onto its two stars, despite a big fire that has left it closed since July. Ellis says there was a “vigorous debate internally” about whether or not the restaurant should be included in this year’s guide. Given Manresa’s track record and chef-owner David Kinch’s diligent updates on the rebuilding process, Michelin kept it in. The starting price points for the quartet of three-star restaurants: Benu, $195; the French Laundry, $295; the Restaurant at Meadowood, $225; Saison, $248.

for the quartet of three-star restaurants: Benu, $195; the French Laundry, $295; the Restaurant at Meadowood, $225; Saison, $248. Surprise: No restaurant lost a star from last year’s edition.

There are two new restaurants to the one-star ranks, and they are both sushi restaurants in San Francisco: Kusakabe and Maruya. (Oddly enough, earlier today, we reported that Maruya’s stellar chefs have left.)

and (Oddly enough, earlier today, we reported that Maruya’s stellar chefs have left.) Which local restaurants still deserve stars? Cases can certainly be made for places like Commonwealth, Sir & Star, Rich Table, One Market, AQ, Parallel 37, and the star-less elephant in the room, Chez Panisse, among others. Share your thoughts in the comments.

The full list:

THREE STARS

Benu, San Francisco

French Laundry (The), Yountville

Restaurant at Meadowood (The), St. Helena

Saison, San Francisco

TWO STARS

Acquerello, San Francisco

Atelier Crenn, San Francisco

Baumé, Palo Alto

Coi, San Francisco

Manresa, Los Gatos

Quince, San Francisco

ONE STAR

All Spice, San Mateo

Ame, San Francisco

Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford

Aziza, San Francisco

Bouchon, Yountville

Boulevard, San Francisco

Campton Place, San Francisco

Chez TJ, Mountain View

Commis, Oakland

Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant, Forestville

Gary Danko, San Francisco

Keiko à Nob Hill, San Francisco

Kusakabe, San Francisco

La Folie, San Francisco

La Toque, Napa

Luce, San Francisco

Madera, Menlo Park

Madrona Manor, Healdsburg

Maruya, San Francisco

Michael Mina, San Francisco

Plumed Horse, Saratoga

Solbar, Calistoga

Sons & Daughters, San Francisco

SPQR, San Francisco

Spruce,San Francisco

State Bird Provisions, San Francisco

Terra, St. Helena

Terrapin Creek, Bodega Bay

Village Pub (The), Woodside

Wakuriya, San Mateo