Michelin Announces 2014 Stars for Chicago

After announcing the Bib Gourmands last week, Michelin has revealed its 2014 Michelin Guide for Chicago. As previously leaked, chef Grant Achatz's restaurant Alinea remains the city's only three-star restaurant, while there are two new two stars: the less than year-old Grace from chef Curtis Duffy and Sixteen, which under the leadership of chef Thomas Lents is up from one star last year.

The grand star total in Chicago is now up to 25 from 19 last year. There is one 3-star, four two-stars, and 20 one-stars, five of which are new this year. The newly-minted one-stars are: El Ideas, Elizabeth, North Pond, Senza, and The Lobby.

Interestingly, news of Graham Elliot keeping its two stars follows on the heels of its namesake chef announcing his plans to shutter the restaurant at the end of the year. The guide's director tells Eater Chicago that the book was "closed" before Michelin learned of the announcement. On why Achatz' Next didn't make the cut, the director says "it's hard to get in there and it hasn't been open long" and also suggests the restaurant isn't always consistent. He adds: "it's only a matter of time before Chicago has another three-star [restaurant]." Below, the full list:

Three Stars
Alinea

Two Stars
Grace (N)
Graham Elliot
L2O
Sixteen*

One Star
Acadia
Blackbird
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

(N) new addition
* denotes change

· 2014 Michelin Guide Chicago Star Ratings Unleashed [Eater Chicago]
· All Michelin Coverage on Eater [-E-]