Michelin Stars Shine on Chicago for 2012

CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelin today unveiled its second edition MICHELIN Guide Chicago, showcasing the finest restaurants and hotels in the city. The MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2012 offers a selection of 432 restaurants – 21 earning stars – and represents 45 types of cuisine. The guide goes on sale Wednesday, Nov. 16 for $18.99 in area bookstores and online outlets.

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On Nov. 9, Michelin announced the list of 56 Bib Gourmand restaurants in the Chicago selection. Bib Gourmands are restaurants that serve two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (excluding tax and gratuity). Fifty-six Chicago restaurants earned the Bib Gourmand designation. Bib Gourmand restaurants are identified in the guide by a red symbol depicting the head of Bibendum, the Michelin Man. The full list of stars and Bib Gourmands follows.

In this edition, Alinea maintained its three star rating, a global recognition of exceptional dining; only 101 restaurants worldwide currently hold three Michelin stars. Two restaurants earned two stars: Charlie Trotter's and Ria. Eighteen restaurants earned a single star. The full list of star recipients follows.

The star ratings are as follows:

• One star indicates "a very good restaurant in its category," a place offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard.
• Two stars denote "excellent cooking, worth a detour," skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality.
• Three stars reward "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." One always eats extremely well here, often superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients.

Starred restaurants and Bib Gourmands are only two of the multiple categories within the MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2012. Others include the popular "Under $25" category, restaurants that serve brunch and those that stay open for late dining. In addition, restaurants with notable wine, sake and cocktail lists feature symbols for easy reference.

Michelin has done as much to enhance mobility as any company in the world. The company patented the pneumatic, or air-filled, automobile tire in the late 1800s. This was a milestone moment in mobility; it permitted automobile owners to travel at great length in a single journey. Then, in an effort to prompt travelers to enjoy their newfound mobility, the company created guides – and detailed maps – to steer travelers on their way. More than 1 million copies are sold each year.

Thanks to the rigorous MICHELIN Guide selection process that is applied independently and consistently worldwide, the MICHELIN Guide has become an international benchmark in gourmet dining. Twenty-seven MICHELIN Guides cover 23 countries and three continents, and feature more than 45,000 addresses. The selection is made by anonymous, professional inspectors who are Michelin employees. Inspectors pay all their bills in full. To find out more about the MICHELIN Guide inspectors and the history of the MICHELIN Guide, visit www.michelinguide.com.

Michelin inspectors also share insider secrets on Twitter at @MichelinGuideCH.

See following for 2012 MICHELIN Guide listing of starred establishments and Bib Gourmand restaurants.

Chicago MICHELIN guide 2012
Starred establishments

Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey

Excellent cuisine, worth a detour

A very good restaurant in its category

Chicago MICHELIN guide 2012

Bib Gourmands =

SOURCE Michelin