—Michelin moments: Congrats go to the Chicago restaurants that just received Michelin stars as well as those that are Bib Gourmand spots.
Michelin chose to spotlight a new one-star restaurant: the Uptown spot Cariño. Restaurants that received three Michelin stars included Alinea and Smyth. Two stars each went to Ever and Oriole, while Atelier, Boka, EL Ideas, Elske, Esmé, Galit, Indienne, Kasama, Mako, Moody Tongue, next, Schwa, Sepia and Topolobampo each received one star; Daisies received a Green Star for its sustainable practices.
Bib Gourmand winners are those that offer the best deals (high-quality food at reasonable prices). Some of the more than three dozen local restaurants on the list included Longman & Eagle, Mama Delia, Mott St., Proxi, Birrieria Zaragoza, Daisies, The Duck Inn, Virtue, Superkhana International, Yao Yao and The Purple PIg. According to Eater Chicago, the 37 restaurants listed this year were 11 fewer than last year, with spots such as avec and Cabra missing from the 2024 list.
Also, congrats go to Kumiko’s Josh Mummert (Chicago’s 2024 Young Chef Award winner) and Kasama’s Tim Flores and Genie Kwon (Chicago’s 2024 Service Award winners).
—Goddess’ move: The last day of operation for the Gold Coast location of Goddess & Grocer has changed. It’s now Dec. 24 instead of Dec. 27; it’s slated to open in its new location (the spot formerly occupied by Cafe Sophie) in mid-January.
—Restaurants revealed: In the last column, I mentioned the upcoming First Bites Bash, which precedes Chicago Restaurant Week (CRW). Now, CRW’s participating restaurants have been revealed.
Produced annually by Choose Chicago, the event celebrates its 18th year on Jan. 24-Feb. 9, 2025. Food lovers can reserve tables and view menus online for multi-course meals at more than 470 Chicagoland eateries at eatitupchicago.com.
—Milk made: Starbucks is offering free non-dairy milk after the company was sued this past March for charging extra for the products.
“By removing the extra charge for non-dairy milks, we’re embracing all the ways our customers enjoy their Starbucks,” Starbucks chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said in a tactful statement.
Three lactose-intolerant customers from California filed the $5 million lawsuit against Starbucks in March in a Fresno, California, federal court. They were charged 50-80 cents extra for substituting milk alternatives, and the individuals said the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and a state civil-rights law by doing so. The change went into effect the same time Starbucks announced its holiday menu last month.
—That’s Italian!: Chef Joe Flamm—Top Chef season 15 winner and chef-partner of the Day Off Group—has opened the Roman-inspired restaurant il Carciofo in the Fulton Market area of Chicago.
Drawing inspiration from restaurants and markets in one of his favorite cities, Rome, il Carciofo aims to offer guests a seasonal menu of elevated yet familiar Italian fare, with antipasti like prosciutto di parma, Carciofi alla Guida and suppli con ragu; Roman-style pizzas like the Pizza Rosso from a custom wood stone oven; and authentic hand-rolled pastas such as the spaghettone cacio e pepe, gnocchetti pesto and rigatoni alla carbonara, produced daily in a dedicated pasta lab that doubles as a private event space.
Beverage Director Kyle Davidson is incorporating Italian spirits and liqueurs in his cocktail menu. Highlights include Mondorla due Modi (meaning almond two ways), made with Four Roses Bourbon, Due Almond Liqueurs, lemon and citrus meringue; and The Art of Choke, made with Cynar, green chartreuse, Flor de Cana and mint.
—Fiesta ending: Uptown’s Fiesta Mexicana restaurant, 4806 N. Broadway—which has been around for 45 years—will close permanently on Friday, Dec. 20.
On Facebook, co-owners Tania, Vince and Martiza wrote, “The decision to close our doors after 45 years comes with a heavy heart. This difficult decision was made due to the challenges COVID-19 presented and the increased changes these last 24 months.” They also thanked their employees and customers.
—Bar and away: Possibly recognizing that people are around family this time of the year, National Sangria Day is on Dec. 20.
To that end, Farm Bar (with locations in River North and Lake View) is offering its Cider Sangria, which combines citrus-chamomile-infused Chicago Spirits vodka, Fort Jackson cider, sour dram and Angostura bitters for a unique twist on the classic. The result is a cozy drink with vibrant apple notes and a tart finish.
—All about Eve: On Christmas Eve, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (with locations in Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hills) has a lot going on.
There are exclusive dine-in and to-go menus. The three-course dine-in menu ($69/person before 5:30 p.m. and $79/person after 5:45 p.m.) features apps such as lobster bisque or Caesar salad (among others); entrees like a filet Perry, pork chop, spaghetti squash primavera or cedar plank-fired redfish; and sweets like pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate crunch and a dessert trio. There’s also a four-course rare and well-done menu ($139/person) that has guests choosing from starters such as 1.5 oz. Japanese A-5 NYS Wagyu, 6-7 oz. Alaskan king crab leg or 4 oz. tempura-fried lobster tail. There are also to-go options that have the same menus, and they’re available from 3 p.m. until closing.
More SAVORY news is at future3733.substack.com.
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—Pop life: My latest Pop-Eds column covers my thoughts on Luigi Mangione and weight-loss drugs—and a review of the movie Queer.
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