Michelin Chicago 2014

via

Results are out. N denotes new to list and asterics indicate an increase in the number of stars awarded. The list has increased from a total of 19 to 25 restaurants. And the Bib Gourmand list. "Budget dining" as Michelin looks at it. They define as two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less. Up 69 from 64 last year.

 

 Linked up a few of my favorite  personal experiences so that you can add some restaurants to your to-do list!
 

Three Stars:
Alinea

Two Stars:
Grace (N)
Graham Elliot
L2O
Sixteen*

One Star:
Acadia
Blackbird-post to come!
Boka
El Ideas (N)
Elizabeth (N)
Everest
Goosefoot
Longman & Eagle
Mexique
Moto
NAHA
North Pond (N)
Schwa
Senza (N)
Sepia
Spiaggia
Takashi
The Lobby (N)
Topolobampo
Tru

Bib Gourmand
Ada St.
Antique Taco
*Arami
*ATK
Au Cheval
*Autre Monde
Avec
Balena
Belly Shack
*bellyQ
Browntrout
Ceres' Table
Chilam Balam
*County
Cumin
Deca
DeCOLORES
*Fat Rice
*Found
Frontera Grill
*Gather
Gemini Bistro
Gilt Bar
Girl & The Goat
Green Zebra
GT Fish & Oyster
Han 202
*Homestyle Taste
*Hopleaf
Jaipur
Jam
Jin Thai
*Juno
Kabul House
Kai Zan
*Kama Indian Bistro
*Kurah
Lao Hunan
Lao Sze Chuan
*Libertad
*Lula Café
*Mana Food Bar
Marion Street Cheese Market
Maude's Liquor Bar
*Mercat a la Planxa
Mixteco Grill
*Mott St.
*Nabuki
Nana
Nightwood
Opart Thai House
Owen & Engine
Paramount Room
The Publican
Pump Room
The Purple Pig
Q BBQ
Riccardo Trattoria
Sen
Slurping Turtle
Smak-Tak
Smoque BBQ
Sol de Mexico
Spacca Napoli
*Sushi Dokku
*TAC Quick
Urban Belly
Wood
Yolo 
 
XOXO, in love with Chicago 

Doughnut Vault

Seriously the best donuts that I have ever had in my life. Best. If you don't feel like waiting in line, get there well before the 9:30am opening time on Saturday's or else you WILL wait in line.

You know I'm cute

XOXO, IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO

MCA First Fridays

Jeff Wall In front of a nightclub, 2006

Alexander Calder

Stan Shellabarger & Dutes Miller

Had lots of fun last Friday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art's First Fridays. Music by the former Das Racist, Himanshu Suri (Heems) and Ashok Kondabolu (Dapwell), and Chicago artists Traxman and Supreme Cuts. 

The event occurs every first Friday of every month (shocker) and all tickets include museum admission, artist projects, and live performance. Doors are open from 6 to 10 pm with a cash bar and food for purchase. Love this city!

XOXO, IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO

Noodle Time

I am a BIG soup fan. Surprised? For as much as I love eating big meals with lots of substance, there really is nothing that replaces the comfort of soup and noodles. I feel as though this applies to so many different cultures. You've got ramen, wonton soup, chicken noodle soup, matzah ball soup. See, we're all just the same =) and the list goes on and on. And it's getting cold out so what better time?

Recently I've paid visits to Oiistar, the Bucktown newbie, Cocoro Sushi, the loop spot frequented by Japanese businessmen, Arami, West Town's favorite sushi spot and last, but not least Michelin winner Takashi's Slurping Turtle, which started as a Sunday noodle dinner special at his restaurant Takashi and is now a full blown River North ramen hot spot.

Slurp up!

 

The interior at Oiistar

Katsu bun

The "Oiimen" ramen

The menu at Cocoro

Champon, a Nagasaki-region special seafood noodle

One of my besties from out of town enjoys Arami

XOXO, IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO