CHICAGO, Nov 12 — After years of being toasted as the only triple Michelin-starred restaurant in Chi-Town, Alinea is now joined by Grace restaurant as the newest dining destination to be considered ‘worth the journey’ by Michelin inspectors.

For the fifth edition of the Michelin Guide Chicago 2015, inspectors promoted chef Curtis Duffy’s restaurant Grace from two to three stars, for his contemporary seasonal Flora and Fauna tasting menus.

The Flora menu gives vegetables the star treatment with dishes like winter squash with enoki, pearl onion and orange hyssop, and chestnut with truffle, sherry and huacatay.

The Fauna, meanwhile, focuses on seafood and meats, offering dishes like lamb with artichoke, smoked paprika and frisee, or Miyazaki beef with romaine, peanut and Vietnamese herbs.

Both menus cost US$205 (RM684).

“[Duffy’s] cuisine is elegant and refined, showing a mastery of technique and an extraordinary harmony in textures and flavors,” said Michelin’s international director Michael Ellis in a statement.

“Grace is a stunning example of the creativity and daring that characterises fine dining in Chicago.”

Chef Grant Achatz’s restaurant Alinea maintained its three-star status.

Meanwhile, Alinea alumni chef Jake Bickelhaupt also saw his restaurant 42 Grams earn a second Michelin star, to join L20 and Sixteen restaurants, which also held onto their two-starred status.

The Michelin Guide Chicago 2015 retails for US$18.99 and hits newsstands November 12. — AFP-Relaxnews