Michelin Guide hands out stars in River North

15-Nov-13 – Six River North restaurants have been declared among the best in the nation by the Michelin Guide that hit the culinary world this week.

Graham Elliot, who announced last week he would close his main restaurant on West Huron Street and re-open somewhere else, will keep his two stars.

Sixteen, on the 16th floor of Trump International Hotel & Tower, earned a second star. Only four restaurants in all of Chicago have two stars but one restaurant, Alinea, has three stars.

“Thrilled” is how Sixteen’s executive chef, Thomas Lents (left), described their reaction in a news release on November 12. “Our whole team has worked with so much passion and commitment over the past year to evolve our interpretation of fine dining, and this is a testament to their efforts.”

Receiving one star each are NAHA and Topolobampo, almost directly across the street from each other on North Clark Street, Tru on North Saint Clair Street, and The Peninsula Hotel’s restaurant, The Lobby, earned its first Michelin star.

Anonymous, professional inspectors help Michelin Guide determine star ratings. First published in France in 1900, the Michelin Guide is considered by many to be an international benchmark in gourmet dining.