COSTA MESA, Calif. (June 4, 2019)– During a special revelation event on June 3, 2019, with MICHELIN Guide representatives and Visit California, two Costa Mesa restaurants and their chefs were awarded a MICHELIN Star and the coveted chef's coat – Hana Reand Chef Atsushi Yokoyama along with Taco Maríaand Chef Carlos Salgado were selected amongst 90 restaurants in California, and were the only two selected from the 34 cities in Orange County.

“Costa Mesa is proud to be home to both Hana Re and Taco María, and we congratulate them and their staff for earning this distinguished recognition,” said Travel Costa Mesa'sPresident, Paulette Lombardi-Fries. “Costa Mesa offers one of the most diverse, highest-quality selections of restaurants in Southern California, and the MICHELIN Star designation truly highlights an important part of the culinary experience Costa Mesa offers to visitors to our city.”

According to the MICHELIN Guide representatives, Hana Re provides supreme quality in its sushi offerings, and Taco María delivers a deeply flavorful and memorable meal setting the tone for an amazing experience. A MICHELIN Star indicates the restaurant and chef provide a consistent, high-quality experience that bring patrons back again and again for the dining experience.

Hana Refocuses on an omakase format in an intimate dining experience where there are just two dining tables and one chef's table for 10. Hana Re's Chef Atsushi Yokoyama was also recognized as Chef of the Year by the Orange County Registerwhen he opened in 2016.

Taco Maríais known for the house-made heirloom masa tortilla and a la carte lunch, which includes a selection of tacos. A four-course, prix-fixe dinner menu is offered five nights a week featuring a seasonal selection of locally sourced prime meats, fresh seafood and unique desserts all prepared meticulously in an open kitchen in this cozy corner restaurant at SOCO and The OC Mix.  Chef Carlos Salgado is a three-time semifinalist for the coveted James Beard Award, and in 2018, Taco María was named Restaurant of the Year by the Los Angeles Times.

Costa Mesa has more than 150 restaurants, offering cuisine from all regions of the world and an extensive guide to restaurants, culinary accolades and chef spotlightscan be found at TravelCostaMesa.com.

The 2019 MICHELIN Guide Californiais the first-ever statewide MICHELIN Guide, expanding upon the restaurant selection announced in the 2019 MICHELIN Guide San Francisco. California is now home to 657 restaurants distinguished in the Guide.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jenny Wedge, Public Relations Manager

Travel Costa Mesa 

714.786.8579

jwedge@travelcostamesa.com

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Located in the heart of Orange County in Southern California with a population of approximately 113,000, Costa Mesa is situated next to the cities of Irvine and Newport Beach. Travel Costa Mesa was established in 1995. The organization's primary goal is to promote tourism to the city and to fund programs and activities that benefit the hotel and motel businesses within the city of Costa Mesa. For more information on travel to the city of Costa Mesa, visit www.travelcostamesa.com or follow @travelcostamesa on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Travel Costa Mesa is a 501(c)(6).