Michelin Bib Gourmand 2014: Kurah and Mercat a la Planxa in; City Tavern Out

Kurah (1355 S. Michigan)

The 2014 edition of the Michelin Bib Gourmand winners is out and two local restaurants are smiling wide.  Mercat a la Planxa (638 S. Michigan) and Kurah (1355 S. Michigan) have been named to the well regarded list this year.

They join an elite list of restaurants around the city to be recognized such as Girl & the Goat (West Loop), Publican (West Loop) and Nightwood (Pilsen) to name a few.

For those of you not familiar with Bib Gourmand rating (via Chicago Tribune):

The Bib Gourmands, named after the tire company's symbol, Bibendum (aka the Michelin Man), are awarded to those restaurants that Michelin's anonymous inspectors deem to represent good value. Bib Gourmand recipients are recommended restaurants that also deliver good value, at which a two-course meal with a glass of wine or dessert can be had for $40 or less.

Last year, City Tavern was included in the list, but given the shakeup with their chefs it not surprising that they fell off.  However, in their defense the food is still pretty solid if you ask us.

Of interest, Opart Thai's sister restaurant (in Lincoln Square) was named to the list again.  They're pretty much the exact same restaurant so we like to give them the benefit of the doubt and claim they're on the list.

Two Chinatown restaurants were also included on the list - Lao Sze Chuan (2171 S. Archer) and Lao Hunan (2230 S. Wentworth).  Both are delicious.

The Bib Gourmands precede the highly anticipated Michelin Stars, which will be announced next week on November 13th.  Last year Acadia (1639 S. Wabash) was awarded one star - an impressive feat for a brand new restaurant.

Anyway, back to the Bib.  Congrats to the peeps at Kurah and Mercat!  Glad to have you in the Sloop and job well done!

(Hat tip:  RH, EM & AM!)