Ria

We didn’t agree with many of the Michelin Guide’s new ratings, but the two stars they awarded to Ria were pretty spot on. Impeccable service, one of Chicago’s best sommeliers Dan Pilkey, and inspired dishes like lobster with a chestnut sabayon, fennel and orange make this the best Chicago restaurant opening since L20.

11 East Walton at the Elysian Hotel
(312)880-4400
riarestaurantchicago.com

Audience choice:

Girl and the Goat
809 West Randolph
(312)492-6262
girlandthegoat.com

At the end of the day we love that Graham Elliot was the first American restaurant to garner a Michelin star while almost requiring diners to wear jeans. And Elliot’s Kung Pao chicken with peanut brittle was one of the coolest things we’ve put in our mouths last year. That being said, we often want the food, rather than the pictures of Bowles in Chippendales-chic or the f-bomb drops on Twitter toward local food publications, to speak for itself. That being said, we don’t expect Bowles to quit baiting the food press anytime soon. We imagine, or hope, as his next move, he’ll be releasing a seven-inch picture disc of his Speedo-clad self featuring the personal guitar works he plays on his restaurant’s music feed.

Best audience comments:

“All you can eat foie gras contest?”

“Signature Grahmwich will deliver on implied promise of its name by containing actual GE DNA.”

“Put on another Chippendale’s uniform, but this time, he’s gonna take it all off.”

Best of Chicago 2010

Bonsoiree

Chef Shin Thompson and sous chef Luke Creagan of Bonsoiree have quietly built an Asian-inspired Schwa of sorts in Humboldt Park. However, because they’re low-key and actually answer the phone when people call for reservations, their storefront restaurant has only really attracted hard-core eaters in the know. That’s seemingly all about to change with their recent star award from Michelin.

2728 West Armitage
(773)486-7511
bonsoireechicago.com

Best of Chicago 2010

Nana

Nana’s is barely a year old, but Michelin snuck in and left a stenciled Bib Gourmand on their sidewalk. That means good eating at a reasonable price: under $40 for two courses with wine or dessert. For breakfast, sample the freshly squeezed orange juice, banana bread and biscuit sandwich. They’ve recently expanded their organic goodness to include dinner.

3267 South Halsted
(312)929-2486
nanaorganic.com

Best of Chicago 2010