Consolidated "Michelin Restaurants" thread
Jan 22, 2018, 7:14 pm
#1066
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Planning a trip to Chicago, and just saw that Grace has abruptly closed?! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/d...t-closing.html
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
So yeah...I got nothin' for you. But the mid-tier dining options I have had are quite excellent...so I have no doubt you'll find something tasty
Jan 22, 2018, 7:34 pm
#1067
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Planning a trip to Chicago, and just saw that Grace has abruptly closed?! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/d...t-closing.html
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
Jan 23, 2018, 7:30 am
#1068
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 427
Thanks! I feel like as a first timer in Chicago, Alinea is kinda mandatory. 
I would love to hear your recommendations for mid-tier spots as well! We'll be there for 4 nights, so will have plenty of time to sample all kinds of stuff.
I actually found both Grace and Alinea to be overrated. Alinea is a lot of fun from a presentation standpoint, but the food wasn't mindblowing. Grace was just a disappointment overall - but the way things ended there certainly didn't go well. The only other fine dining I have had is Tru, which is fantastic but is also closing.
So yeah...I got nothin' for you. But the mid-tier dining options I have had are quite excellent...so I have no doubt you'll find something tasty
So yeah...I got nothin' for you. But the mid-tier dining options I have had are quite excellent...so I have no doubt you'll find something tasty
Jan 23, 2018, 8:20 am
#1069
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Unfortunately, our only fine dining in Chicago includes Alinea and now-closed L20. I can’t give you recommendations other than to suggest other Michelin 1 stars and whatever specialty restaurants that interest you. The restaurants that most interest me for my next visit are Everest, Blackbird, the Girl and the Goat. Edit: I forgot to include Next, too!
Last edited by bhrubin; Jan 23, 2018 at 6:26 pm
Jan 23, 2018, 6:19 pm
#1070
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Wisconsin
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta PM
Posts: 323
I am a giant fan (and season ticket holder) of Next in Chicago....Chef Jenner has really elevated their cuisine. He's doing french food for the first half of the year, and that's his wheelhouse.
Jan 23, 2018, 7:05 pm
#1071
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
I was very disappointed by Grace this past summer. Girl and the Goat was good but I don't get all the hype. I preferred Duck Duck Goat. I know neither of those has a star.
For one starred venues in Chicago, I heartily recommend Topolobampo if you like Mexican food!
For one starred venues in Chicago, I heartily recommend Topolobampo if you like Mexican food!
Jan 24, 2018, 10:26 pm
#1073
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,036
Unfortunately, our only fine dining in Chicago includes Alinea and now-closed L20. I can’t give you recommendations other than to suggest other Michelin 1 stars and whatever specialty restaurants that interest you. The restaurants that most interest me for my next visit are Everest, Blackbird, the Girl and the Goat. Edit: I forgot to include Next, too!
Jan 25, 2018, 12:27 pm
#1074
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
And finally, plan your next trip once you realize Chicago has some of the best (but not necessarily famous) restaurants in the country, and there are 50 more you didn't get to try.
Jan 26, 2018, 4:52 am
#1075
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Green River is another example of a very good mid-tier restaurant. The Bar Manager is one of the best in the country and the food has been recognized with a (surprise?) Michelin Star. Really excellent.
Jan 26, 2018, 6:34 am
#1076
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,036
We ate at 2 star Smyth in Chicago last night. We had the 12 course tasting menu with wine pairing. The food and wine were fantastic and the service was just wonderful. Everyone we met in the service team was incredibly friendly and “read” us to give us just the type of service we wanted. I highly recommend it.
Jan 26, 2018, 3:36 pm
#1077
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 68
Heading to Modena this July and want to make sure I snag a reservation at Osteria Francescana. Has anyone had success using the concierge service through their Platinum Amex to book this reservation?
Jan 26, 2018, 4:58 pm
#1078
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,222
I've been there twice but booked direct both times. Keep in mind that a lunch reservation may be easier to get than dinner.
Jan 26, 2018, 6:12 pm
#1079
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Great news about Smyth! It and Oriole are very much on my radar for my next Chicago visit.
I've tried multiple times to book Osteria Francescana but it's always been fully booked.
I'll be at The Fat Duck in a few weeks and am very excited! I was just sent a questionnaire to be filled out for me and my guests. Questions are about childhood memories and the like. I've been informed there are three levels of wine pairings, £155, £285, and a whopping £950!!! Each have 6 wines and one sake, though the wines stretch through multiple courses. The £950 pairing includes Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet and Domaine de la Romanee Conti Grands-Echezeaux. I am tempted, though it seems silly to spend that much. Will report back!
I've tried multiple times to book Osteria Francescana but it's always been fully booked.
I'll be at The Fat Duck in a few weeks and am very excited! I was just sent a questionnaire to be filled out for me and my guests. Questions are about childhood memories and the like. I've been informed there are three levels of wine pairings, £155, £285, and a whopping £950!!! Each have 6 wines and one sake, though the wines stretch through multiple courses. The £950 pairing includes Domaine Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet and Domaine de la Romanee Conti Grands-Echezeaux. I am tempted, though it seems silly to spend that much. Will report back!
Jan 26, 2018, 6:34 pm
#1080
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,036
We ate at 1 star Roister tonight. It was superb. One of the dishes we had was the # 5 wagyu steak which was mind bendingly good but really it all was. We sat at the counter by the kitchen. Very positive experience.