Michelin stars awarded to 25 Chicago restaurants

For the 10th consecutive year, Alinea received three Michelin stars. | Sun-Times File

Michelin stars, the most sought-after honor in the restaurant industry, were bestowed on 25 Chicago restaurants, it was announced Thursday.

Among the 2020 list are five newbies, each earning one coveted star: Kikko (chef de cuisine Mariya Russell), Mako (chef B.K. Park), Next (chefs Edgar Tinoco and Grant Achatz), Yugen (executive chef Mari Katsumura), and Omakase Yume (chef Sangtae Park), all in the West Loop, and three of the five specializing in omakase (the “chef’s choice” tasting menus).

“Our inspectors are especially impressed by the high-end Japanese cuisine available in the West Loop,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, via statement.

The exquisite fare at Yugen earned the tony West Loop eatery one Michelin star.

In addition, Achatz and company’s Alinea retained its three stars honor (the highest number bestowed) for the 10th year in a row for the world-renowned Lincoln Park eatery.

The 2020 Michelin Guide Chicago (which goes on sale Sept. 30 at retailers) also includes more than 100 restaurants with the Plate symbol, a “recommended” designation “for a good meal with fresh ingredients and capable preparation.”

Here’s the list of the 2020 Michelin star recipients:

THREE STARS (exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey):
Alinea

TWO STARS (“excellent cuisine, worth a detour):

• Acadia (Chinatown & South)
• Oriole (West Loop)
• Smyth (West Loop)

ONE STAR (high quality cooking, worth a stop):

• Band of Bohemia (Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown)
• Blackbird (West Loop)
• Boka (Lincoln Park & Old Town)
• EL Ideas (Pilsen, University Village & Bridgeport)
• Elizabeth (Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown)
• Elske (West Loop)
• Entente (Lakeview & Wrigleyville)
• Everest (Loop)
• Goosefoot (Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown)
• Kikkō (West Loop)
• Mako (West Loop)
• Next (West Loop)
• North Pond (Lincoln Park & Old Town)
• Omakase Yume (West Loop)
• Parachute (Humboldt Park & Logan Square)
• Schwa (Bucktown & Wicker Park)
• Sepia (West Loop)
• Spiaggia (Gold Coast)
• Temporis (Bucktown & Wicker Park)
• Topolobampo (River North)
• Yūgen (West Loop)

Indian, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines pepper the menu at Entente, which received one Michelin star on Thursday. Pictured is the Berkshire Pork Belly.