Last year was the first annual Michelin Guide for Chicago restaurants and for the South Loop not much has changed in 2012.
Everest at 440 S. Franklin (which is just North of the Sloop according to us), was the only restaurant in the neighborhood to garner a star from the guide in 2012. The guide is considered by many to be the last word on dining.
To be on the list means the restaurant is doing something right judging by the other restaurants on the list. Alinea in Lincoln Park is the only Chicago restaurant to get the three star rating (last year L20 received the award as well). We've never been to Everest, maybe some day.
A restaurant we have been to and like a lot is Opart Thai House (1906 S. State) also received recognition in 2012 from Michelin. You may remember that Opart received the Bib Gourmand rating from Michelin last year from an old Sloopin post. Bib Gourmand rating:
...is given to restaurants that offer "good cuisine at a reasonable value." Diners must be able to get two courses and either dessert or a glass of wine for $40 or less (not including tax and tip) to qualify for a rating.
Congrats to both places.
Maybe Acadia, the new restaurant at 1639 South Wabash, could be in the running next year? We will have to wait and see if it lives up to the hype.