Big news, the Windy City has a new two star restaurant!

First of all, the year isn’t over just yet, but the Michelin Man has spoken: Chicago’s 2018 Michelin star rankings are here.

A total of 25 restaurants landed on the list, which includes a few pleasant surprises. In the one-star category, there are two newcomers: Elske and Entente. Breaking through to the two-star tier is Smyth, the West Loop fine dining destination from husband-and-wife duo John Shields and Karen Urie Shields. Unsurprisingly, Alinea and Grace retained their three-star ratings. Notably absent from the list (and discussed with last week’s Bib Gourmand awards) is Longman & Eagle, which was stripped of its single star after seven years.

Most of all, Smyth, the superb restaurant by John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, was elevated to two stars by the Michelin Guide, which released its Chicago star ratings Friday 20/10.

In addition, two restaurants — Ty Fujimura’s Entente and David and Anna Posey’s Elske — received a Michelin star for the first time.

“You know, you hope for the best, but you never know,” said John Shields. “But to get the call, your heart starts racing a bit. Obviously we’re honored; it’s unbelievably exciting, and a little surreal.”

“You know, having one star is fun, too,” Shields said. “I guess there’s a little more pressure now, but we’ll be ready for it.”

Overall, Chicago received two three-star awards (for Alinea and Grace, both repeat winners), four two-star awards (repeat winners Acadia, Oriole and Sixteen, in addition to Smyth) and 19 one-star awards.

Chicago’s overall total of 33 stars, spread among 25 restaurants

Yet, it fell just short of last year’s record haul, when 35 Michelin stars were spread among 26 Chicago restaurants.

Furthermore, the big reason for the difference was that two two-star recipients last year — 42 Grams and Tru — have closed. Indeed, the closings extended the so-called “two-star curse” in Chicago, as several previous two-star Chicago restaurants (including Avenues, Graham Elliot, L2O and Ria) closed within a year or two after being honored.

On the other hand, Acadia and Sixteen have retained their dual stars (despite a chef change at Sixteen), and Grace “lost” its two-star status when it was promoted to three. (Given Smyth’s rapid ascension, that restaurant may represent Chicago’s best chance for a third one with three Michelin stars.)

Here is the full list :

Three Stars

Alinea

Grace

Two Stars

Acadia

Oriole

Sixteen

Smyth

One Star

Band of Bohemia

Blackbird

Boka

Dusek’s

EL Ideas

Elizabeth

Everest

Elske (new)

Entente (new)

Goosefoot

GreenRiver

NAHA

North Pond

Parachute

Roister

Schwa

Sepia

Spiaggia

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