In the world of fine dining, there may be no honor higher than a Michelin star. Or, to be specific, three Michelin stars. Currently, just 14 restaurants in North America have three stars and, as of last month, only one is in Chicago.
What does it take to get on this exclusive list? And what about Chicago’s other restaurants with Michelin distinctions? The Tribune’s food critic Louisa Chu joins today’s podcast to break it all down.
Chicago’s Newest Michelin Stars
Michelin awards stars based on ingredient quality; mastery of flavor and technique; the chef's personality; harmony of flavors; and consistency.
Feld, a “relationship-to-table” restaurant in Ukrainian Village, recently earned its first Michelin star while Kasama, the Filipino crowd favorite in West Town, earned its second star. The move put Feld on the international map and marked another triumph for Kasama, which became the world's first starred Filipino restaurant in 2022.
Meanwhile, one famed Chicago eatery lost a star: Alinea.
The Alinea Downgrade
Twenty years ago, Alinea burst onto the Chicago scene with experiential dishes served through immersive spectacle (think edible balloons). For almost as long, it was a celebrated fine dining staple. But the tide may be shifting.
In November, Alinea lost one of its three Michelin stars. And Chu told City Cast Chicago she understands why, calling the menu on her recent visit “wildly uneven.”
“There were some dishes that were so salty, so sweet, and so much black truffle. And, I know, it's like tiny violins playing, right?” Chu said. But, at the same time, she emphasized that there shouldn’t be such repetition of flavors. Especially for about $500 a head.
Alinea’s demotion leaves Smyth, in Fulton Market, as the city’s sole three-star spot.
Other Michelin Distinctions
In total, 20 Chicago restaurants have at least one Michelin star. But if, like me, you can't afford to try those, Michelin recognizes restaurants without stars, too.
Michelin’s Bib Gourmand highlights restaurants that offer quality cooking at a good value. (Aka at least moderately affordable.) Currently, there are 33 Bib Gourmand restaurants in Chicago. Personally, I like Sol de Mexico in Belmont Cragin, and I know City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran lovesDaisies and Giant in Logan Square.
Additionally, Michelin recommends some local restaurants that don’t have star or Bib Gourmand status. Explore them here.
