Michelin Guide Chicago: Bib Gourmand 2019

 

The first part of the highly anticipated, somewhat hyped, and always attention-grabbing Michelin Guide for Chicago has been released (along with DC - New York and San Francisco coming in the next couple months).

Bib Gourmand restaurants are selected by Michelin's inspectors because they serve high-quality food while making it possible to order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included).

Stay tuned for the full announcements coming soon for the 1,2 and 3 star designations.

2019 Chicago Bib Gourmand List

The Angry Crab
Arami
Au Cheval
Avec

bellyQ*
Bohemian House
The Bristol
Ceres' Table*
Chilam Balam
Cumin
Daguan Noodle (NEW)
Daisies (NEW)
DeCOLORES
Dos Urban Cantina*
Dove's Luncheonette
The Duck Inn
Fat Rice
Frontera Grill*
Giant
Gilt Bar
Girl & The Goat
GT Fish & Oyster*
HaiSous
Han 202
Herb
Hopleaf
Jade Court (NEW)
Jam
Jin Thai
Kai Zan
Lonesome Rose (NEW)
Longman & Eagle

Lula Café
Mana Food Bar
Mango Pickle
Marisol (NEW)
mfk.
Mi Tocaya
MingHin
Mott St.
Nana
Pacific Standard Time (NEW)
Passerotto (NEW)
Pizzeria Bebu (NEW)
Pleasant House Pub
Proxi (NEW)
The Purple Pig*
Quiote
Sabri Nihari
San Soo Gab San
Smoque BBQ*
Sol de Mexico
Sushi Dokku
Table, Donkey and Stick
True Food Kitchen*
TWO
Untitled Supper Club
Wood

Bold italic are favorites | * tried and very good | italics are shortlisted to try soon

Reading List: Cocktail Books

While we have visited some of the top bars in the world, have gotten to know people in the industry, and even started to experiment with our own home bar there is still an incredible amount to learn and taste in the ever-changing world of cocktails. In an effort to keep up our cocktail knowledge we keep an eye out for new bar openings, trends in drinks & bars, and industry favorite / classic books.

Here’s a few books we’re reading, have read, or have in our Amazon cart for future reading.

Meehan’s Bartender Manual: “Meehan’s Bartender Manual is acclaimed mixologist Jim Meehan’s magnum opus—and the first book to explain the ins and outs of the modern bar industry. This groundbreaking work chronicles Meehan’s storied career in the bar business through practical, enlightening chapters that mix history with professional insight. Meehan’s deep dive covers the essential topics, including the history of cocktails and bartending, service, hospitality, menu development, bar design, spirits production, drink mixing technique, and the tools you’ll need to create a well-stocked bar—all brought to life in over 150 black- and-white illustrations by artist Gianmarco Magnani.”

The Dead Rabbit Drinks Manual: Dead Rabbit Grocery & Grog in Lower Manhattan has dominated the bar industry, receiving award after award including World's Best Bar, World’s Best Cocktail Menu, World’s Best Drink Selection, and Best American Cocktail Bar. Now, the critically acclaimed bar has its first cocktail book, The Dead Rabbit Drinks Manual, which, along with its inventive recipes, also details founder Sean Muldoon and bar manager Jack McGarry’s inspiring rags-to-riches story that began in Ireland and has brought them to the top of the cocktail world.”

The Savoy Cocktail Book: Harry Craddock was a United States citizen who left during Prohibition and joined the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, London, in 1920. Craddock was one of the most famous cocktail barmen of the 1920s and 1930s. Craddock's "The Savoy Cocktail Book" was published in 1930, and is still in print today. Craddock invented a number of classic cocktails, including the famous Corpse Reviver #2 and possibly including the White Lady, and popularised the Dry Martini. Lavishly illustrated with all illustrations reproduced in color.”

Running List of Favorites

We like to maintain and regularly update our favorites list from our travels. Eventually we'll get around to describing each but trust us, each one is well worth a trip. Maybe we'll even come up with a system to indicate restaurant type or fanciness level...only time will tell. 

Best Pasta: Truffle and asparagus Spaghetti @ Il Cavaliere - Castello Di Gabbiano Tuscany, Italy 

Best Pasta: Truffle and asparagus Spaghetti @ Il Cavaliere - Castello Di Gabbiano Tuscany, Italy 

  • Roister - Chicago, IL
  • Hopleaf - Chicago, IL
  • Castello Di Gabbiano - Tuscany, Italy 
  • Bao SoHo - London, England
  • City Mouse - Chicago, IL
  • Avec - Chicago, IL
  • Rosenberg's Bagels - Denver, CO
  • Zeppelin Station - Denver, CO
  • The Publican - Chicago, IL
  • Momotaro - Chicago, IL 
  • Green Street Meats - Chicago, IL
  • Zero Zero - San Francisco, CA
  • Marea - New York, NY 
  • GILT Bar & Bavettes - Chicago, IL 
  • Bat 17 - Evanston, IL 
  • GT Prime - Chicago, IL 
  • Stubby's - Milwaukee, WI
  • Volare - Chicago, IL 
  • Hakkasan - London, England
  • Duck Duck Goat - Chicago, IL 
  • 90 Miles Cuban - Chicago, IL
  • Big & Littles - Chicago, IL 
  • Comet Cafe - Milwaukee, WI
  • Merriment Social - Milwaukee, WI
  • Smoking Goat - London, England
  • Brown Bottle - Milwaukee, WI
  • Chicken King - Multiple Locations, MI
  • Malek Al Kabob - Allen Park, MI
  • Bavette La Boucherie - Milwaukee, WI

On Our To-Do List

While we enjoy cooking at home, traveling and trying new places is basically what we base our vacations around. Here's our ongoing list of top spots to go try, both near and far. Plenty more out there but we'll continue to add to the list. 

Restaurants 

  • State Bird Provisions - SF, CA
  • Play Provisions - Playa Del Rey, CA
  • Osteria Francescana - Modena, Italy 
  • Arlo Grey - Austin, TX
  • INK - Los Angeles, CA
  • Monteverde - Chicago, IL
  • Alinea - Chicago, IL
  • Juniper & Ivy - San Diego, CA
  • [Any] Joël Robuchon Restaurant
  • Pacific Standard Time - Chicago, IL
  • 11 Madison Park - New York, NY
  • Noma - Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Longman & Eagle - Chicago, IL
  • L'Etoile - Madison, WI
  • Kiln - London, England
  • Aba - Chicago, IL
  • Giant - Chicago, IL

Chicago Favorites: Fancy, Not Too Fancy, Neighborhood Favorites

We find ourselves a constant source of information for our friends on where to go and for what in Chicago, so might as well share it here. In true journalistic spirit feel free to do you own research on each or ask around - but we think they're pretty good (Eater, Michelin, and others do too...). 

Fancy

  • Blackbird
  • Les Nomad
  • Goosefoot
  • GT Prime
  • Maple & Ash 

Vibe [Her]: Heels (with how casual everything else is, wear the best ones you have, it's a good excuse to do so). Vibe [Him]: Oxfords, Loafers, Drivers (without socks in the summer) - basically match the vibe of your better half here.

High-End, But Not Too Fancy

  • Roister 
  • Parachute
  • Momotaro 
  • Avec
  • Girl & The Goat
  • Fulton Market Kitchen
  • City Mouse
  • Tango Sur
  • GILT Bar
  • RM Champagne Salon

Vibe [Her]: Flats, casual heels. Vibe [Him]: Nicer sneakers (aka clean, minimal, and not a gym shoe), loafers.  

Neighborhood Spots

  • Big Star (Tacos) - Wicker Park
  • Jake Melnicks (Wings)  - Magnificent Mile Area
  • Duck Duck Goat (Asian) - Fulton Market 
  • Cruz Blanca (Tacos) - Fulton Market / West Loop 
  • Volare (Italian) - Streeterville
  • 90 Miles Cuban (Cuban, BYOB) - West Bucktown
  • Hopleaf (Bistro, Craft Beer) - Andersonville
  • Big & Littles (Tacos, Seafood) - Near North 
  • Xoco (Mexican) - River North
  • Bat 17 (Large Portion American) - Evanston
  • Left Coast (Healthy, Juices, Acai Bowls, etc.)  - Lincoln Park 
  • DoRite Donuts (Donuts, Fried Chicken Sammies) - Multiple Locations
  • Jet's Pizza - All over. If you aren't from Michigan or have experienced "Detroit Style Pizza" heck it out

Vibe [Both] : Sneakers,  Flip-Flops or whatever you want mostly.