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Here Are The 2015 Chicago Michelin Star Winners

By Melissa McEwen in Food on Nov 11, 2014 9:45PM

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Turnip, apple, lemon, tarragon at Grace (via Facebook)

Michelin announced its Chicago 2015 star ratings this afternoon. The most exciting change is that Grace now has three stars, which is Michelin's highest rating. The only other Chicago restaurant with that rating is Alinea, which has had that rating for five straight years.

The other exciting addition is 42 Grams, the tiny yet innovative BYOB 18-seat restaurant in Uptown, which earned two stars. None of the restaurants that lost Bib Gourmand status moved up to one star. And Mexique, which had moved up from Bib Gourmand status last year, lost their star.

L2O, which is closing at the end of the year, also maintained two stars. (The guide went to press before they announced their closing.)

Over the past few years, it seems like Michelin has made more of an effort to include restaurants representative of the idiosyncratic and innovative style of Chicago fine dining rooted in underground supper clubs such as 42 Grams, El Ideas, and Elizabeth. But much of the list still remains downtown fine-dining standbys that many who cover Chicago dining frankly find a bit boring, but maybe that's a sign they prioritize service over buzzworthiness. Still it's hard not to notice the absence of restaurants like Sumi Robata Bar , Embeya and Ruxbin.

Three Stars
Alinea
Grace

Two Stars
42 Grams
L2O
Sixteen

One Star
Acadia
Blackbird
Boka
EL Ideas
Elizabeth
Everest
Goosefoot
The Lobby (at the Peninsula Chicago)
Longman & Eagle
Moto
NAHA
North Pond
Schwa
Senza
Sepia
Spiaggia
Takashi
Topolobampo
Tru