Michelin Bib Gourmands and Stars

[2013, announced in 2012]

2013 Bib Gourmands Chicago (* denotes new addition)

Ada Street *
Ann Sather
Antique Taco *
Au Cheval *
Avec
Balena *
Belly Shack
Bistronomic
The Bristol
Browntrout
Ceres’ Table
Chilam Balam *
City Tavern *
Cumin
Deca
De Cero
De Colores
Frontera Grill
Gemini Bistro
Gilt Bar
Girl & the Goat
Green Zebra
GT Fish & Oyster
Han 202
Jaipur
Jam *
Jin Thai
Kabul House
Kai Zan *
Lao Hunan *
Lao Sze Chuan
La Petite Folie
Los Nopales
Maison *
Marion Street Cheese Market *
Maude’s Liquor Bar
Mixteco Grill
Nana
Nightwood
Opart Thai
Owen & Engine
Paramount Room
The Publican
The Pump Room *
Purple Pig
Q BBQ *
Raj Darbar
Riccardo Trattoria
The Savoy *
Sen
Slurping Turtle *
Smak-Tak
Smoque BBQ
Sol de Mexico
Spacca Napoli
The Storefront Company *
Twin Anchors
Untitled *
Urban Belly
Urban Union *
West Town Tavern
Wood *
Xni-Pec de Yucatan
Yolo

Removed from list:
Arami
Fogon
Hopleaf
La Creperie
Lula Café
Mexique
M. Henry
Mundial
Cocina Mestiza
Perennial Virant
Taste of Peru
Thai Village

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/ ... 5188.story

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases ... 48241.html

I am really scratching my head on some of the choices and non-choices. Was shocked Mexique was removed; doubt they are getting Michelin starred but I felt they were among the best of the Bib Gourmands - perhaps they were deemed to be just a tad too expensive to qualify. Perennial Virant I presume was removed because they are receiving a Michelin Star. I cannot comprehend how Ann Sathers was ever awarded Bib Gourmand status and am shocked it continues to be on the list; there are hundreds of better venues in Chicago within the Bib Gourmand price point. There were several venues I was really hoping would be added; the most deserving of those that were omitted is Socca IMHO. Peasantry, Hearty, Sola and Home Bistro I also was hoping would receive Bib Gourmand recognition.

No Pleasant House Bakery?

List is invalid.

TCK wrote:No Pleasant House Bakery?

List is invalid.

Agreed. I just added the pr release to the original post, which seems to have Bridgeport's Han 202 located somewhere in the south or western suburbs. Ah, well, they're Frenchmen, they can't necessarily be expected to know where Bridgeport is.

List is invalid for many reasons -- multiple places on bib list should receive 1 star, multiple places on bib list shouldn't be on bib list, multiple admissions from bib list from deserving spots, etc.

My guess is Lula and PV "move up" and get 1 star each. Sliver of a silver lining is horrid Thai Village is finally off the bib list after being on there for two years.

In conclusion, hope the bib list is a 24-hour blip on the screen and we all don't speak of it again -- until next year.

I wrote Michelin off after their first Chicago issue. It's a cute list but not very meaningful, unless you use it as an address book.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:I wrote Michelin off after their first Chicago issue. It's a cute list but not very meaningful, unless you use it as an address book.

=R=

Though it probably has some value to the winning restaurants, in drawing tourists to their establishments, particularly French tourists.

Tom wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:I wrote Michelin off after their first Chicago issue. It's a cute list but not very meaningful, unless you use it as an address book.

=R=

Though it probably has some value to the winning restaurants, in drawing tourists to their establishments, particularly French tourists.

I imagine it does, though, looking at this list, it would often lead to disappointment. For anyone who really knows the lay of the land here, it's fairly useless.

=R=

Any thoughts as to how exactly the Bib Gourmands are chosen? To my jaundiced Chicago eye, the only reason I can imagine that Ann Sather's was chosen as a representative Scandinavian restaurant over Tre Kronor is that one is owned by an alderman and the other isn't. Or am I being cynical?

It is what it is. They have a certain target audience and they know them.
I'd never say it's a list of the best places to eat because if you use it that way you'll miss places like Cemitas Pueblas, Edzo's, Calumet fisheries, and dozens of other places. The thing is that people who take the guide seriously would never eat at any of those places to begin with.
As I said, they have a target audience and they know them.

ronnie_suburban wrote:I wrote Michelin off after their first Chicago issue. It's a cute list but not very meaningful, unless you use it as an address book.

=R=

I like the tires.

Tom wrote:Any thoughts as to how exactly the Bib Gourmands are chosen? To my jaundiced Chicago eye, the only reason I can imagine that Ann Sather's was chosen as a representative Scandinavian restaurant over Tre Kronor is that one is owned by an alderman and the other isn't. Or am I being cynical?

That thought crossed my mind, but I'd like to think it is not a factor.

Isn't the alderman's name Tom?

ronnie_suburban wrote:I wrote Michelin off after their first Chicago issue. It's a cute list but not very meaningful, unless you use it as an address book.

=R=

And I wrote off Michelin on a global basis after reading their Chicago recommendations. If the recs are so off here, why should I assume they'd be better elsewhere. Personally, I think awards/reviews of this nature may be simply past their prime. With the abundance of information available to diners these days, particularly on the internet, the need to rely upon a single reviewer (particularly one with whom you greatly disagree) is eliminated.

Gonzo70 wrote:

Tom wrote:Any thoughts as to how exactly the Bib Gourmands are chosen? To my jaundiced Chicago eye, the only reason I can imagine that Ann Sather's was chosen as a representative Scandinavian restaurant over Tre Kronor is that one is owned by an alderman and the other isn't. Or am I being cynical?

That thought crossed my mind, but I'd like to think it is not a factor.

Isn't the alderman's name Tom?

Yep, I've even had the pleasure of meeting Alderman Tunney, who, surprisingly, was riding the Red Line subway with me early in his tenure at City Hall. But, while he owns a Swedish restaurant, I'm actually ethnically Swedish.

Chilam Bilam it's a bit of bad timing, with the chef having just left.

JoelF wrote:Chilam Bilam it's a bit of bad timing, with the chef having just left.

The facts that Chilam Balam had not been a Bib previously and that Chuy's been gone for 7+ months could mean that Michelin likes what chef Oswald is cooking.

Twin Anchors? Seriously? Is pork jello popular in France?

ld111134 wrote:Twin Anchors? Seriously? Is pork jello popular in France?

+1 on this! I didn't want to be the first to bring it up, because I know TA has a very loyal following, but this may be one of my least favorite restaurants in Chicago.

Especially given the inclusion of other barbecue joints that actually smoke their meats, putting TA on the same list is an insult to those that know barbecue. And their laminated table tents advertising "Prohibition Sauce" make my blood boil! If they wanted to include a bar that serves actual barbecue, Sheffield's is better by three fold in every imaginable way.

Tom wrote:Any thoughts as to how exactly the Bib Gourmands are chosen? To my jaundiced Chicago eye, the only reason I can imagine that Ann Sather's was chosen as a representative Scandinavian restaurant over Tre Kronor is that one is owned by an alderman and the other isn't. Or am I being cynical?

Ann Sather isn't any better or worse than the thousands of greasy spoons around the country. And by that I mean that Ann Sather is pretty bad food. If you are stuck in a small town and had to choose between the McDonald's at the highway exit or the greasy spoon, you might appreciate the latter. But in Chicago there are many more far better places, many within walking distance of Ann Sather.

But, Ann Sather is famous. I don't know why. But I can't believe how many out of towners know the place and include it on their trip to Chicago. When I tell people I live in Andersonville, a lot say they know the neighborhood because of Ann Sather. Go figure. I'd hope that a serious restaurant list would cut through the hype, but in this case apparently not.

Tom, you aren't being cynical. There certainly is a lot of behind the scenes lobbying going on. I have no idea if that happened in this case or, if it did, what form it took.

I too am amazed at the inclusion of Twin Anchors and the removal of Hop Leaf and Taste of Peru. Oh well, I don't pay much heed to Michelin. I just hate to think some euro-visitors might pass up a great meal at TOP for meat jello and a side of bones. The steaks used to be a pretty good deal at Twin Anchors, but they have gotten expensive, and I suspect they are frozen. I imagine it is the Frank Sinatra link that keeps Twin Anchors on the list. It is an "authentic" Chicago experience. It is just too bad that "authentic" Chicago ribs suck.

Is there any evidence that visitors from Europe put a disproportionate amount of weight on the Michelin guides (especially when travelling to the US)? I mean, I'm sure that was true 10 years ago, but now? They do have the internet in Europe.

d4v3 wrote:I too am amazed at the inclusion of Twin Anchors and the removal of Hop Leaf and Taste of Peru. Oh well, I don't pay much heed to Michelin. I just hate to think some euro-visitors might pass up a great meal at TOP for meat jello and a side of bones. The steaks used to be a pretty good deal at Twin Anchors, but they have gotten expensive, and I suspect they are frozen. I imagine it is the Frank Sinatra link that keeps Twin Anchors on the list. It is an "authentic" Chicago experience. It is just too bad that "authentic" Chicago ribs suck.

You are doubtless right on the institution status / Sinatra connection on Twin Anchors as rationale over the food. They do make my favorite classic onion rings, and I am in awe of the atmosphere that room generates. There should be a trademarked color for the glow: light filtered through 70 years of grime, decomposing wood, and pork particles.

2014 list:

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2013/ ... vealed.php

The new additions (full list in link, haven't parsed for removals yet):

*Arami
*ATK
*Autre Monde
*bellyQ
*County
*Fat Rice
*Found
*Gather
*Homestyle Taste
*Hopleaf
*Juno
*Kama Indian Bistro
*Kurah
*Libertad
*Lula Café
*Mana Food Bar
*Mercat a la Planxa
*Mott St.
*Nabuki
*Sushi Dokku
*TAC Quick

* = added to the 2014 list

Good for my neighbors Autre Monde. I'm also glad Mercat got the nod, and am delighted and surprised Homestyle Taste is on there, with a suspicion some of our intrepid LTH explorers helped bring attention to that one.

Homestyle Taste! Love it!

Always such an odd list.

Teresa wrote:Homestyle Taste! Love it!

Always such an odd list.

Yep. Same as always. Some deserving stuff and some crap. Such is life.

=R=

I actually like Mercat a lot but do they really fit in the inexpensive meal realm? (or do I order too much when there?!)

The 2015 Michelin Bib Gourmands article in the Eater. http://chicago.eater.com/2014/11/5/7158 ... -gourmands

Arami
A10 *
Au Cheval
Avec
Azzurra EnoTavola *
Balena
Beatrix *
bellyQ
Belly Shack
Browntrout
Carriage House *
Ceres' Table
Chilam Balam
County
Cumin
The Dawson *
DeCOLORES
Dusek's (Board & Beer) *
Fat Rice
Frontera Grill
Gather
Gilt Bar
Girl & The Goat
Green Zebra
GT Fish & Oyster
Han 202
Herb *
Homestyle Taste
Hopleaf
Jaipur
Jam
Jin Thai
Kai Zan
Kurah
Lao Hunan
Lao Sze Chuan
Lula Café
Mana Food Bar
Maude's Liquor Bar
Mixteco Grill
Mott St.
Nana
Nightwood
Parachute *
Paramount Room
The Publican
Pump Room
The Purple Pig
Riccardo Trattoria
Slurping Turtle
Smoque BBQ
Sol de Mexico
Spacca Napoli
Sushi Dokku
Table, Donkey and Stick *
TAC Quick
Untitled *
TWO *
Wood
* = added to the 2015 list

The article also states -

Some major players also dropped off the list. Mercat a la Planxa, Found, Ada Street, Urban Belly, Juno (which was closed for nearly eight months due to a fire), Antique Taco, Autre Monde, Owen & Engine, Libertad, Gemini Bistro, Q BBQ (in La Grange) and Marion Street Cheese Market were all removed.

The possibility always exists that restaurants were left off the Bib Gourmand list because they were bumped up to star status.

It must be very nerve wracking to wonder whether you are getting a star, or losing a bib. I sure hope Found gets a star.

Who knew that the 5400 block of Broadway was such a hotbed? Jin Thai at 5458 N Broadway is joined this year by Herb at 5424 N Broadway.

I didn't realize that Smak-Tak fell off last year. That's too bad.

The number of Bib Gourmand recipients in the 2016 Michelin Guide Chicago is down from 59 last year and 69 the year before.

The complete list (* denotes newcomer):

The Angry Crab*

Arami

A10

Au Cheval

Avec

Balena

Beatrix

BellyQ

Belly Shack

Bohemian House*

Carriage House

Ceres' Table

Chilam Balam

County

Cumin

The Dawson

DeColores

Dove's Luncheonette*

The Duck Inn*

Fat Rice

Frontera Grill

Gilt Bar

Girl & the Goat

Green Zebra

GT Fish & Oyster

Han 202

Herb

Hopleaf

Jaipur

Jam

Jin Thai

Kai Zan

Lao Sze Chuan

Luella's Southern Kitchen*

Lula Cafe

Mana Food Bar

Maude's Liquor Bar

MFK*

MingHin*

Mott St.

Nana

The Publican

Pump Room

The Purple Pig

Riccardo Trattoria

Sabri Nihari*

Slurping Turtle

Smoque BBQ

Sol de Mexico

Spacca Napoli

Sushi Dokku

Table, Donkey and Stick

TAC Quick

Two

Untitled Supper Club

Via Lima*

Wood

Yusho*

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html