By J.P. Anderson By J.P. Anderson | November 7, 2023 | Food & Drink, Feature,
Chicago’s top-tier restaurant scene just welcomed four new stars.
The Michelin Guide has released its official Star awards for 2023, and things have changed. There’s a total of 21 restaurants, down from 23 in 2022 (Claudia and Elizabeth have since closed, and North Pond and Goosefoot have both lost their star), including three restaurants who welcome their first-ever star—as well as the city’s second three-star restaurant among only 13 in the U.S.
From the fabulous fine dining of Smyth to the creative American flavors of Atelier (whose chef, Christian Hunter, also snagged the Michelin Award for Young Chef)—as well as the city’s first Green Star, which recognizes a restaurant at the forefront of the industry's sustainability efforts—this new school of cool dining destinations has something to please every palate.
Get to know each of the new Michelin Star restaurants in Chicago, and check the full updated list of starred restaurants for Chicago here.
See also: Every Michelin-Star Restaurant in Chicago: 2023
Three Stars
177 N. Ada St. / Website
The biggest Chicago news from the Michelin team by a long shot this year is the elevation of West Loop destination Smyth from two stars to three. Says the guide of chefs John Shields’ and Karen Urie Shields’ cuisine, “Their cooking is bold and often pushes boundaries, all the while impressing. Sheer creativity is applied to seasonal produce, some of which comes from their garden.”
One Star
4835 N. Western Ave. / Website
If some restaurant locations are cursed (prime example: 1952 N. Damen Ave., which since the early aughts has housed Stephanie Izard’s Scylla, Takashi, Dixie, Stone Flower, and the recently departed, Michelin-starred-but-gone-too-soon Claudia), then perhaps some are blessed with culinary mojo. That’s certainly the case with Atelier, which occupies the former Lincoln Square home of Michelin-starred Elizabeth and has been making waves since opening in February—and now finds itself the proud owner of a Michelin star itself. Sayeth the Michelin judges: “In full view of the dining room, chef Christian Hunter and his team chart new waters, ever determined to make their own mark on this intimate space. Working quietly and seamlessly, the kitchen delivers a carefully calibrated tasting menu supported by nearby farms and packed with flavor and originality. Familiar dishes like marinated beets, pimento cheese and Caesar salad arrive remodeled and refined, astutely seasoned, and never a leaf or morsel out of place.”
217 W. Huron St. / Website
We called this contemporary Indian spot from chef Sujan Sarkar one of River North’s most exciting new restaurants—and Michelin clearly agrees, bestowing it with its first Michelin star and in particular calling out its tasting menu, “where Sarkar delivers an original, modern vision of Indian cuisine. His food may look like pieces of art but taste like familiar favorites pulled from across his vibrant homeland. At times showcasing a hint of French sensibility, pani puris, chats and curries arrive deftly spiced and elegantly presented. The kitchen is quick, and the overall effect is impressive refinement.”
Green Star
2375 N. Milwaukee Ave. / Website
Logan Square fave Daisies is Chicago's first restaurant to be recognized with Michelin’s Green Star for its sustainability practices. Says Michelin, "As our new Green Star restaurant in Chicago, we wanted to hear from [Daisies'] team directly about their sustainable practices: 'Our program starts with my brother’s farm, over 30 acres located 70 miles from Chicago. First and foremost, we use everything we can from this one location; and additionally, fruit is sourced from nearby. We have a dedicated fermentation program so we can best utilize all this product in the winter months and limit waste. Our compost program returns discarded produce back to the farm for use as fertilizer and chicken feed.'”
See also: 5 Chicago Restaurants Named New Michelin Bib Gourmands For 2023
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