What Does the Michelin Man Have In Store for Chicago's 2015 Guide?

Next week, the list of restaurants awarded star ratings from Chicago's 2015 Michelin Guide will be unveiled. There will no doubt be surprising additions, omissions and placements, as Michelin reps say that "there promises to be some interesting news this year."

Luckily, there's a way to gauge who may have gotten the Michelin Man's dander up or tickled his fancy: his Twitter account. While a look over the past year's Twitter activity by @MichelinGuideCH won't reveal exactly where Chicago area restaurants stand, it does provide some idea of who impressed and who disappointed him (or her).

There's no telling if Parachute's opening in May didn't give it enough time to make this year's guide, but it does seem to have made an impression.

The tempting array of choices on the menu @ParachuteResto makes a strong case against dining solo.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) October 15, 2014

It would seem that Japonais by Morimoto wowed more with their design than with the actual food.

The décor is glamorous at @JbyMorimoto but I really didn't love my meal or the expensive prices

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) September 25, 2014

Will this bit of solid praise for Table, Donkey & Stick get the restaurant a mention?

Excellent homemade charcuterie and a menu of regional European dishes made for a very good meal recently @Tabledonkeyinn

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) September 15, 2014

The omission of Next Restaurant from the Michelin ranks has seen its fair share of debate over the years. Not sure how this lack of detail will play out for its chances this year.

Why ask if I would like a taxi after my meal @NextRestaurant if one will not be waiting? #hospitality

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) August 29, 2014

The Michelin Man wondered back in August if Mercat a la Planxa's attention to detail in their dining room was slipping. However, once the food arrived things perked up.

Sitting @MercatChicago staring at a scratched, greasy and worn table. Has it peaked? Perhaps food too?

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) August 28, 2014

but spinach-fig-walnut salad topped with slices of Serrano ham and a tasty sherry dressing was a nice start to my meal @MercatChicago

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) August 28, 2014

The overall atmosphere at Bottlefork would appear to have been a hit - will it nab a bib gourmand its first year out?

.@Bottlefork does interesting things with crisps, has a great drinks list AND plays Big Audio dynamite. What's not to like?

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) July 31, 2014

L2O very recently announced plans to close its doors after service on NYE but, its chances of making the list are still strong. After all, Graham Elliot made a similar announcement around the same time last year and still made the cut.

Avant-garde presentations and unexpected flavor combinations surprise @RestaurantL2O. Cusk and turnip with fines herbes was a fav.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) July 1, 2014

There seems to be little doubt that Grant Achatz's Alinea will retain its three-star status again this year.

Frogs' legs and nasturtium leaves - what a brilliant idea and what a wonderful dish recently @Alinea

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) June 21, 2014

Theater or Restaurant? Edible art @Alinea is sophisticated, delicious, and memorable. Loved ending with dessert painted on the table.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) August 22, 2014

Schwa is still holding Michelin's rapt attention.

Speechless at Schwa; menthol crystal followed by coconut & lemongrass snow with passion fruit sauce was pure genius

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) May 31, 2014

Will 42 Grams gain its first star(s) in its first year? Chef Jake Bickelhaupt appears to be doing everything right in Michelin's eyes.

Impressive cooking @42Grams, it's a deluxe dinner-party-style hoot. Flavors of the sea in memory of #CharlieTrotter

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) May 23, 2014

The Miyazaki Wagyu @42Grams is how you always hope beef will taste. Just typing 'Miyazaki Wagyu' is having a Pavlovian effect. . .

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) July 8, 2014

Can Curtis Duffy's Grace take things to the next level and receive a third star? Based on these tweets, there doesn't appear to be any chance that the restaurant slid backwards.

As pristine & disciplined as the kitchen is @Grace_Chicago, The white board w/ a child's artwork shows the place has both heart and a soul.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) April 1, 2014

Had one of the most sophisticated meals in recent memory @Grace_Chicago. Alaskan King crab w/ kalamansi & lemon balm was a standout.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) July 16, 2014

Lee Wolen's addition to the Boka team has seen plenty of acclaim, will it mean the addition of a second star for the restaurant this year?

The new composed veg courses and a few entrees at BOKA are reminiscent of NoMad in NYC. @LeeDWolen's pedigree is proudly showing.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) March 17, 2014

Paradigm shift @BokaChicago - phenomenal refurb - it's so on-trend - dig the living moss wall and @LeeDWolen's cooking

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) June 11, 2014

Will Sixteen and chef Thomas Lents maintain their two star rating or perhaps move into the very rarefied air of three stars? Things are definitely looking good here.

Both @FieldMuseum and Sixteen @TrumpChicago are illustrating the 1893 World's Fair. I learned that I prefer eating history.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) March 11, 2014

The menus from @cheflents @trumpchicago are as much about good story-telling as they are great food.

— Michelin Guide (@MichelinGuideCH) May 8, 2014

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