Chicago’s fine-dining scene just picked up some serious sparkle. At last night’s Michelin Guide Northeast Cities ceremony in Philadelphia, two Chicago restaurants walked away with fresh stars—one a major promotion and one a glittering debut—cementing the city’s status as a heavyweight in the regional guide.
Kasama, already a national obsession and the pride of Ukrainian Village, officially joined the two-star club. The Filipino tasting menu spot from husband-and-wife duo Tim Flores and Genie Kwon has long been where pastry dreams collide with modern Filipino cooking—and, now, the inspectors agree.
The guide’s write-up calls out the restaurant’s “striking originality,” highlighting dishes like the adobo with mussels and mushrooms and a sweet-corn semifreddo (a.k.a. the “mais con yelo” dessert that in-the-know Chicagoans have been bragging about for years).
Meanwhile, Feld, Chicago’s seasonal, hyperlocal, farm-obsessed newcomer (also in Ukrainian Village) secured its very first Michelin star. Chef Jacob Potashnick’s menu is a greenmarket fever dream: asparagus in multiple forms, halibut surrounded by maitake three ways and sour cherries sourced from trees in the restaurant’s backyard. The inspectors also awarded the restaurant a coveted Green Star for sustainability, thanks to its commitment to responsible sourcing and waste reduction.
If you’re sensing a theme, Ukrainian Village is quietly having a Michelin moment. Between Kasama’s rocket ride to two stars and Feld’s farm-driven finesse, the neighborhood is now home to some of the most ambitious kitchens in the city. Even though Boston and Philadelphia made their Michelin debuts last night, Chicago still managed to snag two of the most talked-about announcements of the evening.
The full selection in the Northeast Cities guide clocks in at 664 restaurants spread across five cities, but Chicago’s new stars hold their own in the marquee categories. Kasama now sits alongside heavy hitters like Alinea, Smyth and Ever, while Feld joins prized one-stars such as Esmé, Sepia and Indienne. Consider your Resy alerts armed.