Michelin Reveals Chicago's 'Bib Gourmand' Restaurants for 2012

CHICAGO, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Michelin is offering a sneak peek at what's in store from MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2012 — the Bib Gourmand selections, which are restaurants serving two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included). Michelin will announce all selections for its second edition MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2012 on Nov. 15, with copies going on sale Wednesday, Nov. 16, at $18.99.  

Fifty-six Chicago-area restaurants have earned Bib Gourmand status in the latest edition of the MICHELIN Guide. The inspectors in Chicago found an excellent and diverse selection of restaurants meeting the criteria for the Bib Gourmand across the city and in a few of the closer suburbs.

The Bib Gourmand selection represents 21 types of cuisine, including Afghan, barbecue, Mexican and vegetarian. Introduced in the 1997 editions of the MICHELIN Guides in Europe, Bib Gourmand restaurants are identified in the guide by a red symbol depicting the head of Bibendum, the Michelin Man.

Michelin's anonymous, professional inspectors are unidentified U.S. Michelin employees who eat lunch and dinner in restaurants daily. Michelin inspectors apply the same working methods in all countries, which ensures a uniform, international standard. Inspectors pay all their bills in full, which guarantees an objective experience and report.

The following 56 restaurants are the 2012 Bib Gourmand selections for Chicago:

Readers can start enjoying the MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmands in advance of the Nov. 16 on-sale date. The Chicago Bib Gourmand selections can be found online at www.michelinguide. Michelin inspectors also share insider secrets via Twitter at @MichelinGuideCH.

Enhancing mobility is not only the mission of the MICHELIN Group but also of the MICHELIN Guide, which was created to assist travellers — and motorists in particular — by making their journeys more enjoyable. Now representing 23 countries and three continents, the collection of 27 MICHELIN Guides includes more than 45,000 addresses. In North America, MICHELIN Guides are available for New York City, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area & Wine Country.  For more information, visit www.michelinguide.com.

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.

SOURCE Michelin