Michelin Releases 2018 Bib Gourmands, & Some Restaurants Lost Out On A Star
By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 13, 2017 2:54PM
A dish at Giant, one of the Bib Gourmand recipients this year.
Every year, in the lead up to Michelin fever, we get a little preview the week before the stars come out: The Bib Gourmands. Allegedly Michelin's list of "best affordable restaurants," it's really more like the "honorable mentions" list, as well as Michelin's holding pen for neighborhood and ethnic restaurants. It came out this morning, and the news is good for some, not so much for others.
The full list, courtesy of the Tribune, is below. Newcomers to the list this year include Pleasant House Pub, True Food Kitchen, Mi Tocaya, Mango Pickle and HaiSous, all solid spots that will be a huge surprise to no one.
On the other hand, it seems like kind of a short list, given the amazing openings of 2016/early 2017. Did Michelin just not dine out all that much last year? I'm a little surprised not to see El Che Bar, Forbidden Root, Lena Brava, The Loyalist, and a bunch of other places on the list.
The (potentially disappointing) surprises? Giant is on the list this year, and I thought they might have a crack at a star. Same with Quiote, though the chances that Michelin would like that restaurant seemed low, I was still pulling for them.
The biggest shocker? Longman & Eagle got a bib. Why is that a shocker? It means they no longer have a star, and they were among the very first Chicago spots to get a Michelin star. Get ready for a bad year, Michelin-heads; between L&E losing it, Sixteen changing chefs and Tru and 42 Grams closing, Chicago may be in for a bit of a slaughter.
Who got knocked out? Mostly places that have closed, plus Riccardo Trattoria and TAC Quick.
Here's the full list:
The Angry Crab
Arami
Au Cheval
Avec
bellyQ
Bohemian House
The Bristol
Ceres’ Table
Chilam Balam
Cumin
DeColores
Dos Urban Cantina
Dove’s Luncheonette
The Duck Inn
Fat Rice
Frontera Grill
Giant
Gilt Bar
Girl & the Goat
Green Zebra
GT Fish & Oyster
HaiSous
Han 202
Herb
Hopleaf
Jaipur
Jam
Jin Thai
Kai Zan
Longman & Eagle
Luella's Southern Kitchen
Lula Cafe
Mana Food Bar
Mango Pickle
Maude's Liquor Bar
mfk
Mi Tocaya
MingHin
Mott St.
Nana
Pleasant House Pub
The Publican
The Purple Pig
Quiote
Sabri Nihari
San Soo Gab San
Smoque BBQ
Sol de Mexico
Sushi Dokku
Table, Donkey & Stick
True Food Kitchen
TWO
Untitled Supper Club
Wood