The Michelin Guide Chicago 2016 star selections were released this morning, with a few newcomers and some changes to the 2015 list. Unsurprisingly, L2O, Senza and Takashi were dropped from the list, all having closed within the last year. The Lobby was also dropped from the one star list.
Parachute won their well-deserved star after a year of continual accolades for the Avondale Korean-American restaurant from Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, including making Bon Appetit's "Hot 10" list, which named it one of the best ten new restaurants in the country, and being a finalist for the "Best New Restaurant" James Beard Award category (and given four stars by Time Out). Dusek's Board and Beer was also awarded one star for the first time.
Acadia, helmed by chef and owner Ryan McCaskey, was upgraded to two stars, replacing L2O on the two star list with 42 Grams and Sixteen. Grant Achatz's Alinea, which will be closing for renovations on January 1 and followed by a series of pop-ups in Spain and Miami, and Curtis Duffy's Grace continue to top the list with three stars each.
Moto also retained their star, with chef Chris Anderson taking residence and continuing operation of the restaurant following the death of chef and owner Homaro Cantu.
Last week, the Michelin Guide announced its 2016 Bib Gourmand list, adding ten new restaurants and dropping 11 others, including Parachute and Dusek's.
Two Stars:
Acadia (upgraded from one star in 2015)
42 Grams
Sixteen
One Star:
Blackbird
Boka
Dusek's (new)
Elizabeth
El Ideas
Everest
Goosefoot
Longman & Eagle
Moto
Naha
North Pond
Parachute (new)
Schwa
Sepia
Spiaggia
Topolobampo
Tru