Show Me Chicago

Michelin has just announced their 2021 star and Bib Gourmand winners. 24 star Chicago restaurants and 58 Bib Gourmand restaurants made the cut.

New Bib Gourmands include two 2-star restaurants and one new 1-star restaurant, listed here.

Ever (West Loop 2-Stars)

1340 W. Fulton

Chef Curtis Duffy and Michael Muser have triumphantly returned, and now preside over a bespoke room where the chef’s vision of fine dining enchants palates with complex flavors, stirring textures and visual fireworks.

Moody Tongue (South Loop 2-Stars)

2515 S. Wabash Ave.

Chef Jared Wentworth offers a tasting menu concept housed in the Moody Tongue brewery building. Each course of the seasonal, ingredient-driven menu is paired with an equally creative beer of their own design, seamlessly woven into the kitchen’s compositions.

Porto (1-Star)

1600 W. Chicago

Porto’s young chef Marcos Campos’ style is anchored by his Spanish heritage and explores the Atlantic coast of Spain and Portugal through its conservas, seafood and specialty rice dishes.

Alinea (3-Stars)

1723 N. Halsted

Alinea returns again in 2021 as Chivagos only 3-star Restaurant with Chef Grant Achatz at the helm drawing draws foodies with his New American tasting menus featuring highly creative plates.

Michelin Stars for 2021

1-Stars

Parachute, Topolobampo, Entente, Boka, North Pond, Next, Sepia, Elske, EL Ideas, Porto, Schwa, Temporis and Spiaggia.

2-Stars

Yūgen, Ever NEW!, Smyth, Oriole, Acadia and Moody Tongue (NEW).

3-Stars

Alinea

Bib Gourmand Winners

“MICHELIN Guide inspectors continue to be impressed by Chicago’s dynamic and diverse community of cuisine,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the MICHELIN Guides. “This year’s Bib Gourmand selection provides food lovers with more than 20 cuisine types

Although Michelin is best known for their star awards, I am a big fan of the Bib Gourmand awards where you typically get more bang for your buck, I also think they capture the essence of Chicago’s dining landscape from ethnic neighborhood spots to pizza.

The Bib Gourmand showcase restaurants with outstanding food at moderate price. Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a full menu of a starter, main course and dessert, making it possible to order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for around $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included).

Out of this years 58 winners, 10 listed below, are new to the list.

Here’s the list of new Bib Gourmands, with inspector notes from each restaurant:

Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar

(Bucktown)  2165 N Western Ave.

Owner Jason Vincent is responsible for this wonderful and enjoyable An electic drink menu offers “a drink for ever mood”–served at the unique round bar or tables. Although cocktails are front an d center, the food is definitey not forgotten.

Here’s what the inspectors say:

Specialities includeChinese American throwback where nostalgia is at the forefront of this concise menu.

Ciccio Mio

226 W Kinzie (River North)

The menu offers bold flavors and hearty portions. Pastas are made in-house, and first timers will want to sample the lasagna Bolognese rotolo.

Joe’s Imports

813 W Fulton Market, (West Loop)

This Italian kitchen highlights ingredients and textures in comforting plates such as cacio e pepe finished with Sichuan peppercorns and lemon rind.

Kasama

(Ukrainian Village)1001 N. Winchester Avenue

Chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, both formerly of Oriole, offer a contemporary restaurant dedicated to Filipino cuisine and spectacular pastries.

Mama Delia

1711 W Division St

The kitchen team is focused on cooking that is both ingenious and satisfying. Pulpo canario is served with confit baby potatoes and chicharrón-infused olive oil.

Munno Pizzeria & Bistro

4656 N. Clark St.

Munno’s Neapolitan-inspired pizza may not be made in the traditional wood-burning oven, but those electric deck ovens still manage to turn out deliciously puffy and lightly charred crusts.

Perilla

401 N. Milwaukee(West Loop)

Chef Andrew Lim’s forte lies in his contemporary take on familiar Korean food. Here you will find tables spread with delicious banchan, tailed by Waygu beef tartare accented with Asian pear.

Soulé

1941 W. Chicago

Chef/owner Bridgette Flagg’s excellent version of fried chicken is crisp, juicy and well-seasoned.

Tzuco

720 N. St. (River North)

Chef Carlos Gaytán and his team at Tzuco’s craft creative Mexican dishes that at once feel traditional and inspired.

Vajra

1329 W. Chicago (West Town)

The Nepal-born executive chef, Min B. Thapa, is no stranger to the Chicago dining scene. His cooking is replete with wonderfully rich flavors and unique methods.

Bib Gourmand 2021 winners

County Barbecue, Flat & Point, Avlí Taverna, Vajra, Jam, Kai Zan, Lonesome Rose, Proxi, HaiSous Herb, Mi Tocaya, The Purple Pig, DeCOLORES, The Duck Inn, Mango Pickle, Smoque BBQ, Sol de Mexico, Pleasant House, Pub Table, Donkey and Stick, Ceres’ Table, Chilam Balam, Frontera Grill, Gilt Bar, mfk, GT Fish & Oyster, Untitled, Supper Club, Avec, Girl & The Goat, Marisol, Pizzeria Bebu, Mott St., Daisies, Daguan Noodle, Longman & Eagle, Lula Cafe, Dos Urban Cantina Giant Cabra Munno Pizzeria & Bistro Kie-Gol-Lanee Cira Tzuco, Funkenhausen, etta, Virtue, Nella Pizza e Pasta, Ghin Khao, Birrieria, Zaragoza, Ina Mae, Perilla. Joe’s Imports, Ciccio, Mio Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, Kasama, Soulé, Mama Delia, La Josie and San Soo Gab San.