Michelin just announced the winners of this year’s stars in Chicago. Alinea retained its three stars and is now the only restaurant to hold the guide’s highest rating in the city. L2O lost two stars, dropping to one. Charlie Trotter’s and RIA retained their two stars. Moto, finally won at least one star; eighteen restaurants total received one-star.

In a surprising upset, Next did not receive any stars.

L2O lost their French superstar opening chef Laurent Gras last year and recently promoted Matthew Kirkley from Chef de Cuisine to Executive Chef.

Last year’s two-star Avenues closed and will not re-open; Chef Curtis Duffy left to open his own restaurant, currently under construction.

RIA lost Chef Jason McLeod, but sister restaurant Balsan’s chef Danny Grant—and team—kept both their stars.

Outlier Courtwright’s in Willow Springs also won one-star, under French chef Jerome Bacle, and second-generation owner William Courtwright and wife, Rebecca.

Dropping off the one-star list, and this year’s Michelin’s lists completely, are Crofton on Wells; Sixteen, which lost chef Frank Brunacci; and NoMI, which changed to the casual NoMI Kitchen.

One-star Seasons also just changed from fine to casual dining days ago.

This is only the second year Michelin has published a Chicago guide, which actually includes hotels too.

In addition to the stars and Bib Gourmands, there’s also an “Under $25” category. For that list we’ll have to read the book, which goes on sale tomorrow.

The Michelin Guide Chicago Restaurants 2012

Three Stars

Alinea

Two Stars

Charlie Trotter’s

RIA

One Star

Blackbird

Boka

Bonsoiree

Courtwright’s

Everest

Graham Elliot

Longman & Eagle

L2O

Moto

Naha

Schwa

Seasons

Sepia

Spiaggia

Takashi

Topolobampo

Tru

Vie

Bib Gourmands

Ann Sather

Arami

Avec

Belly Shack

Bistronomic

Bristol (The)

Browntrout

Ceres’ Table

Cumin

De Cero

deca

DeCOLORES

Fogon

Frontera Grill

Gemini Bistro

Gilt Bar

Girl & The Goat

Green Zebra

GT Fish & Oyster

Han 202

Hopleaf

Jaipur

Jin Thai

Kabul House

La Creperie

La Petite Folie

Lao Sze Chuan

Los Nopales

Lula Café

M. Henry

Maude’s Liquor Bar

Mexique

Mixteco Grill

Mundial Cocina Mestiza

Nana

Nightwood

Opart Thai House

Owen & Engine

Paramount Room

Perennial Virant

Publican (The)

Purple Pig (The)

Raj Darbar

Riccardo Trattoria

Sen

Smak-Tak

Smoque BBQ

Sol de Mexico

Spacca Napoli

Taste of Peru

Thai Village

Twin Anchors

Urban Belly

West Town Tavern

Xni-Pec de Yucatan

Yolo