Chicago 2013 Michelin Bib Gourmands: List, links and map

Chicago 2013 Michelin Bib Gourmands: List, links and map

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Welcome WBEZ at Nightwood, Michelin Bib Gourmand Chicago 2013 (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

This is not an election. This is a notoriously secretive selection.

Michelin released its Chicago 2013 Bib Gourmands Wednesday with 64 restaurants, up from 56 last year, including 19 additions but 11 subtractions as well. Yes, math again.

What is a Bib Gourmand? “Defined as ‘Inspectors’ Favorites for Good Value,’” says Michelin, “Bib Gourmand restaurants offer two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included), and are often of most value to a city’s residents, who regularly dine in neighborhood restaurants.”

“Most importantly, these are places that Michelin’s esteemed inspectors would frequent themselves.”

But, dare I say, it’s not as simple as math. Even Nate Silver once attempted to analyze Chicago food with The Burrito Bracket when he lived in Wicker Park. I say à chacun son goût, but I also understand the need for lists.

Crispy pig ears at Nightwood WBEZ Member event (WBEZ/Louisa Chu)

I’m puzzled to see Avec on the Bib list again, which means they won’t receive a star for yet another year. Avec was not listed in the first Michelin Chicago edition in 2011 at all, reportedly due to the restaurant’s temporary closure due to the fatal fire in 2010, but was recognized only as a Bib last year as well.

I’m surprised to see off the list Arami, HopleafLula (home of the face-hugging soft-shell crab sandwich) and Perennial Virant — but again this may mean they’ll receive a star or stars instead.

A few geographical notes to the Michelin Chicago inspectors about the Bib list: Han 202, Kai Zan, La Petite Folie, Nana, Smak-Tak and Sol de Mexico are not in the suburbs, but actually in Chicago.

Next Wednesday, the complete Michelin Guide Chicago 2013 goes on sale, revealing the coveted Michelin stars. I’ve cooked in three Michelin three-star restaurants and yes, Bib or stars, it’s a thrilling day. Until then, here’s the complete list of the Chicago 2013 Bib Gourmands, with links and a map.

Ada St. [new]

Ann Sather

Antique Taco [new]

Au Cheval [new]

Avec

Balena [new]

Belly Shack

Bistronomic

Bristol (The)

Browntrout

Ceres’ Table

Chilam Balam [new]

City Tavern [new]

Cumin

De Cero

deca [Warning: autoplay music!]

DeCOLORES

Frontera Grill

Gemini Bistro

Gilt Bar [Warning: autoplay music!]

Girl & The Goat

Green Zebra

GT Fish & Oyster

Han 202

Jaipur [Warning: autoplay music!]

Jam [new]

Jin Thai

Kabul House

Kai Zan [new]

La Petite Folie

Lao Hunan [new]

Lao Sze Chuan

Los Nopales

Maison [new]

Marion Street Cheese Market [new]

Maude’s Liquor Bar [Warning: autoplay music!]

Mixteco Grill

Nana

Nightwood

Opart Thai House

Owen & Engine

Paramount Room

Publican (The)

Pump Room [new]

Purple Pig (The)

Q BBQ [new]

Raj Darbar

Riccardo Trattoria

Savoy (The)

Sen

Slurping Turtle [new]

Smak-Tak

Smoque BBQ

Sol de Mexico

Spacca Napoli

Storefront Company [new]

Twin Anchors

Untitled

Urban Belly

Urban Union [new]

West Town Tavern

Wood [new]

Xni-Pec de Yucatan

Yolo