On the hunt for new (moderately) cheap eats in Chicago? Get ready to make some reservations, because the Michelin Guide has released a lineup of seven new additions to its Chicago Bib Gourmand list, its annual selection of standout restaurants where guests can order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.
New to the list this year are Apolonia, S.K.Y chef Stephen Gillanders' contemporary venture in the South Loop; Bloom Plant Based Kitchen, the inventive vegan spot from Amaru chef Rodolfo Cuadros; Dear Margaret, the widely-lauded French-Canadian restaurant in Lakeview; Lardon, an all-day charcuterie cafe in Logan Square; Sochi Saigonese Kitchen, an airy Lakeview destination for modern Vietnamese food; Superkhana International, a unique Indian fusion spot in Logan Square; and Tortello, a fast-casual pastificio in Wicker Park. Of that list, only two—Superkhana International and Tortello—opened prior to last year, having both debuted in 2019.
The Michelin Guide selected a total of 55 restaurants for its Bib Gourmand list this year, down from last's years count of 58 restaurants (though one of the 2021 selections, Pizzeria Bebu, has since closed). Typically, the Michelin Guide releases a full list of Bib Gourmand picks ahead of its star revelations, but not so this year—we'll have to wait until Tuesday, April 5 to learn who's been selected for the full guide to Bib Gourmand and one-, two- and three- Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago. Who would have guessed a French tire company could drum up this much suspense!