Michelin Red Guide Chicago, 2011: Restaurants & Hotels

For the first time ever, Chicago has joined the MICHELIN Guide collection, offering objective reviews of 342 restaurants and 39 hotels to travelers and locals alike. The guide was two years in the making--two years of extensive research into Chicago restaurants and hotels by Michelin's team of famously anonymous inspectors, resulting in consistent, reliable recommendations. The guide covers various price and comfort categories and 42 different types of cuisine. Foodies, take note. 23 Chicago area restaurants earned one or more stars, awarded strictly for culinary excellence. 18 have one star; three reached two stars; and two restaurants attained the three-star level--the highest honor the MICHELIN Guide can bestow. Only 93 restaurants around the world hold three stars today. But the guide is not just about the stars, since starred restaurants represent only 10% of the guide's content. Every restaurant and hotel included in the guide is a recommendation. Budget-conscious diners will find plenty of choices in the guide. 46 restaurants were highlighted as Inspector Favorites for Good Value, known as Bib Gourmand restaurants, serving two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for less than $40 (tax and tip not included). Another 109 Chicago restaurants are in the Under $25 category. Those who like to get the day off to a good start will really appreciate the MICHELIN Guide Chicago where inspectors have highlighted their favorite restaurants with standout breakfast preparations. Chicago is the only city where Michelin inspectors have considered breakfast as a meal. Other user-friendly indexes include restaurant listings for types of cuisine, brunch and late dining, as well as starred, Bib Gourmand and Under $25 restaurants. Reviews are grouped by neighborhood for easy, spur-of-the-moment decision-making. For travelers to orient themselves, or for locals to (re)discover their own area, introductions to each neighborhood describe local specialty spots, food-related sights and food & wine events. Time-tested Michelin symbols are used for quick reference, while city and neighborhood maps pinpoint location. MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2011 offers its readers the best places to eat and stay in Chicago.