Cariño in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood receives Michelin star
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The 2024 Michelin Guide is out—recognizing the best of the best when it comes to cuisine.
Chicago has fewer restaurants with a star this year compared with last, but there is one new entry to the list. That new entry is Cariño, at 4662 N. Broadway in the Uptown neighborhood, located right south of where Broadway splits diagonally from Racine Avenue and passes under the CTA Red Line.
Michelin praised Cariño for its unique take on Mexican food.
"Chef Norman Fenton mines his history and his travels to celebrate Mexican cuisine in a distinct, ambitious manner. He lists out ingredients like an auctioneer, and his pace is energetic," the entry for Cariño reads. "Quickly, the courses compound: A stunning huitlacoche ravioli with fried corn silk, then a queso truffle quesadilla, and at some point, a lamb tartare tostada seasoned in the style of al pastor."
Michelin noted that the tasting menu at Cariño offers "boldness and creativity in spades." The tasting menu does not involve everyday chips and salsa, but salsa verde jelly and a tortilla crumble, Michelin pointed out.
Meanwhile, Smyth, at 177 N. Ada St. in the West Loop, held onto its highly-coveted third start that it earned last year.
Chef John Shields opened Smyth with his wife in 2016. A year later, the restaurant received two Michelin stars—and last year, it advanced to the Michelin Guide's highest honor.
The ever-popular Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted St., also retains three stars. Alinea opened in 2005, and Chef Grant Achatz's ultramodern cooking style there soon came to define the molecular gastronomy movement.
However, Moody Tongue, at 2515 S. Wabash Ave. in the South Loop, lost one of its two stars. Omakase Yume, at 651 W. Washington Blvd. in the West Loop, lost its only star.
The full list of restaurants that made this year's Michelin guide is as follows:
3 stars
- Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted St.
- Smyth, 177 N. Ada St.
2 stars
- Ever, 1340 W. Fulton St.
- Oriole, 661 W. Walnut St.
1 star
- Atelier, 4835 N. Western Ave.
- Boka, 1729 N. Halsted St.
- Cariño, 4862 N. Broadway
- EL Ideas, 2419 W. 14th St.
- Elske, 1350 W. Randolph St.
- Esmé, 2200 N. Clark St.
- Galit, 2429 N. Lincoln Ave.
- Indienne, 217 W. Huron St.
- Kasama, 1001 N. Winchester Ave.
- Mako, 731 W. Lake St.
- Moody Tongue, 2515 S. Wabash Ave.
- Next, 953 W. Fulton Market
- Schwa, 1466 N. Ashland Ave.
- Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St.
- Topolobampo, 445 N. Clark St.
Green star
- Daisies, 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave.