In the latest Michelin Guide for Chicago, its inspectors identified a total of 298 restaurants worth visiting, 26 of which were awarded stars. Chicago’s star chef Grant Achatz was given his fourth star, while the food critics increased the number of two-star eateries from three to five this year.
In the most exclusive circle, three-starred restaurants, Achatz’s Alinea maintained its ranking. Curtis Duffy’s eatery Grace also remained at three stars this year.
Another Achatz owned restaurant, Roister, was awarded its first Michelin star in the 2017 edition, bringing the chef’s total star count to four. Led by chef Andrew Brochu, Roister uses open-fire cooking and employs what Michelin inspectors termed “a technical expertise in cuisine that is both primal and delicately refined.”
Inspectors gave second stars to Tru, already a popular dining destination in the city, and newcomer Oriole from rising chef Noah Sandoval—promotions that elevate the restaurants within America’s culinary landscape and will likely lengthen wait lists. “Despite his relative youth, the Michelin inspectors were impressed by chef Sandoval’s creativity, consistency, and ability to combine different cooking styles and products in his cuisine,” commented Michael Ellis, the International Director of the Michelin Guide.
Oriole was opened this year by the husband and wife team Noah and Cara Sandoval and serves up fine dining New American fare in a tasting menu that features dishes like bone broth with Vietnamese coriander, cinnamon, and lemongrass, and lamb belly with huckleberry, rapini, and chermoula.
Under the direction of chef Anthony Martin, Tru also unlocked its second star for its fresh and contemporary cooking and “deep and elegant flavor,” said Ellis.
With this year’s list, the official star count for Chicago is two three-star restaurants and five two-star ones (two of which are new). The guide book also gave one star to four new places, bringing the city’s total to 19. The Michelin Guide Chicago 2017 goes on sale December 7, 2016, at a price of $18.99.—additional reporting by Relaxnews
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