Alinea and Grace Are Still Chicago’s Only Three-Michelin Starred Restaurants

For the fourth year in a row, Alinea and Grace remain Chicago’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurants. Michelin announced the stars for its 2018 guide to Chicago today and, once again, two restaurants have earned the highest honor the dining guide offers. Four restaurants have two stars and 19 Chicago restaurants have one star.

Alinea debuted with three stars in the first Michelin guide to Chicago, and has held onto those stars since. Grace, chef Curtis Duffy’s tasting menu restaurant, joined Alinea in the coveted three-star tier in the 2015 Michelin guide.

There was some question as to whether or not the the avant-garde restaurant from Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas would retain all three after a renovation and menu revamp last year, but inspectors for that guide said they “didn’t feel it had been weakened or deconstructed to a point where [they] couldn’t justify not giving three stars.”

This year, the guide offers few surprises. Farm-to-table restaurant Smyth gained a star this year, and casual fine dining spot Entente and Eater Best New Restaurant Elske have joined the list with one star. Tru and 42 Grams, both two-star restaurants on last year’s list, closed, keeping the the total number of restaurants with Michelin stars in Chicago at a steady 25.

Head to Eater Chicago for the full list of Chicago’s Michelin stars.

• Here Are Chicago’s New Michelin Starred Restaurants for 2018 [ECHI]