Michelin Will Announce Chicago, D.C., and New York Stars in December

Chicago restaurants must wait until December to learn if they’ve earned a Michelin star. Like last year, the tire guide will bundle announcements for Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. at a private party held in New York.

Michelin will announce on Monday, December 9 at a ceremony held at the Glasshouse in New York. Last year’s announcement came in November, and the big news was Smyth joined Alinea as the only two restaurants in Chicago will a full three Michelin stars. Daisies also received a Green Star which recognizes a commitment to environmental sustainability. There is some irony as the tire company created the guide to encourage car travel.

Twenty-one Chicago restaurants have Michelin stars, one of the highest restaurant honors. But in recent years, local tourism boards have been attracting the Michelin Guide to their cities to help boost travel. Some have questioned whether this waters down the honor. The bib gourmands, a designation that recognizes value for the money, will also be announced.

The guide has been rating restaurants in Chicago since 2011. The guide arrived in New York in 2005 and in D.C. in 2017. The guide is in eight American markets: California, Florida (Miami/Orlando/Tampa), Colorado, Atlanta, and Texas. It’s also in Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico, and Quebec.

A fundraiser for Northern Thailand

Northern Thailand has been in crisis with floods and typhoons. The government ordered evacuations, shelters were set up, and hundreds of animals needed rescue. Waters have since receded, but aid is still required. NaKorn, an upscale restaurant that opened in 2016 in suburban Evanston, is holding a fundraiser dinner to help the community. Proceeds from the Sunday, October 20 event will benefit underprivileged children and families in Thailand. There are two seatings and reservations are available via OpenTable.

Goose Island’s Rare Day

Goose Island Beer Co. won’t hold its annual Propreitor’s Day, an event that celebrates the Chicago-area-only release of a Bourbon County Brand Stout variant. It’s the one packaged in a blue box and the flavors change every year. Instead, Goose has unveiled a replacement centering around another variant: Rare Day. The event will take place on Saturday, November 16 at the Goose Island Barrel House. There were two sessions, but the early session has already sold out. Tickets for the $160 event are on sale via Oznr.