Now that we have a blog, I'm supposed to be writing about things the minute they happen—or at least within 24 hours. Which brings me to Michael Bauer’s annual “Top 100” that came out yesterday in the Chronicle. But I’m having a hard time stoking the fire within me to care who made the cut and who did not. (i.e. The Matterhorn is in it again! The horror! Sebo is not. The horror!) Certainly I have my opinion—much of which doesn't jive with Bauer's. But honestly, if I ended any statement with an exclamation point in reference to the Top 100, I’d be faking it. I feel similarly about the Michelin guide, and Zagat's for that matter.

Maybe this is because 100 is a lot and Santa Rosa is far from where I live in Bernal Heights. Or maybe it’s because I don’t believe that an entire metropolitan area can look to one person to tell them where to go eat any more—particularly the same person who’s been a critic for 20-plus years. In an age where the rapid-fire culture of the Internet has created a form of media made of a million different, and often fresh and interesting, voices (admittedly a cacophony at times), I’m not sure that a singular critic is as relevant right now—particularly to an area as massive as the Bay Area. Or maybe I’m just 20-plus years tired. Am I the only person who feels like this?

But here for the sake of being responsible are 2009's outs and ins. Let me know what you think!! Someone's got to get fired up here.

The newcomers:
Bar Jules
Beretta
Bottega, Yountville
Camino, Oakland
Chez Papa Resto
Corso, Berkeley
Cortez
Gialina
Gitane
House of Prime Rib
Jack Falstaff
Madrona Manor, Healdsburg
Marzano, Oakland
Meadowood, St. Helena
Moss Room
Murray Circle at Cavallo Point, Sausalito
Nettie's Crab Shack
Nopalito
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton
Sea Salt, Berkeley
Willi's Wine Bar, Santa Rosa

The ousted:
A Cote, Oakland
Bar Crudo
Bistro Jeanty, Yountville
Bo's Barbecue, Walnut Creek
Cafe Majestic
Cav
Cucina, San Anselmo
Ducca
Jai Yun
Junnoon, Palo Alto
Laiola
O Izakaya
Oliveto, Oakland
Plumed Horse, Saratoga
Poleng Lounge
Shanghai 1930
Silks
Slow Club
Tartine Bakery
Terzo