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Michelin Elevates Chicago's Smyth Restaurant to Two Stars

Oct. 20, 2017
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2 min read
Smyth in Chicago
Michelin Elevates Chicago's Smyth Restaurant to Two Stars
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Chicago now has a total of 25 Michelin Guide stars thanks to its two three-star restaurants, four two-star establishments and 19 one-star eateries. There were no additional three-stars added to the 2018 city guide when it was introduced Friday afternoon, so the biggest news was the elevation of Smyth, located in Chicago's West Loop district, to the two-star category.

Smyth is owned by the husband-and-wife team of John Shields and Karen Urie Shields and is located upstairs from their partner restaurant, The Loyalist. Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin Guide, cited them for having worked in the best restaurants across the country, adding, "But what they built in their own kitchen is even more remarkable."

Smyth joins Acadia, Oriole and Sixteen as two-star establishments, with the city's two three-star restaurants, Alinea and Grace, keeping their hold on the top perch. Two restaurants, Elske and Entente, joined the 17 one-star holdovers from last year's guide. The Michelin inspectors also gave 54 restaurants — eight of them new to the list — its popular Bib Gourmand award for providing quality food at reasonable prices. In the Michelin hierarchy, three stars represent "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey," while two stars denote "excellent cuisine, worth a detour" and one star means "high quality cooking, worth a stop."

Michelin annually publishes three other American city guides in addition to Chicago. The Washington, DC winners were announced earlier this week, while the New York list will be released Oct. 30. The announcement of the San Francisco region's starred restaurants was delayed due to the area's wildfire crisis, but will be rescheduled for the end of the month. The 2018 Michelin Guide for Chicago goes on sale Oct. 26 at a suggested retail price of $18.99.

Where are your favorite places to eat in Chicago? Tell us about them, below.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.