Alinea has lost a Michelin star.
The French guide announced that the modernist tasting menu restaurant in Chicago, by award-winning chef and owner Grant Achatz, has been demoted from three stars, the highest rating, to two stars.
Achatz revealed the reduction ahead of the Michelin statement with his reaction on social media:
We were disappointed to learn of our @michelinguide demotion to two stars.
For 20 years, Alinea has been devoted to pushing creativity, rigor, and the pursuit of perfection in our craft. That commitment remains as unwavering today as it was on day one, and will continue until the back door of 1723 locks for the last time.
Congratulations to all the 2025 MICHELIN Guide recipients. Your dedication, talent, and hospitality continue to elevate our industry.
Achatz could not immediately be reached for comment.
Alinea opened May 4, 2005, at 1723 N. Halsted St. in the Lincoln Park neighborhood — exceeding worldwide expectations.
Former Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel rated Alinea four out of four stars in 2005 and again in 2016.
Michelin awarded the restaurant three stars when the guide first came to Chicago in 2010, a distinction it had retained since then.
In my Tribune review of Alinea this year, however, coinciding with their 20th anniversary, I gave the restaurant two out of four stars, recognizing the industriousness of the staff, but noting overly sweet, salty and truffled flavors. Plus, it’s time to let go of The Balloon, one of too many signature courses.
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Achatz went on a 20th anniversary tour for much of this year, collaborating with renowned chefs across the country (plus Tokyo), who once worked at Alinea.
Michelin, in its statement, also demoted from three stars to two the restaurants Masa in New York City and The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Virginia. The guide announced that chefs and their teams had been informed in advance.
The changes seem to mark a course correction for the Michelin guide, which has been widely criticized in recent years for overrating some restaurants while inexplicably ignoring others.
Smyth, the creative American restaurant in the West Loop by chefs and spouses John Shields (who helped open Alinea as sous chef to Achatz) and Karen Urie Shields, was the only other three Michelin-starred restaurant as of the last guide in the city, and now one of only 13 in the country.
The full list of starred Chicago restaurants is expected to be revealed Nov. 18 in Philadelphia at the Michelin Guide Northeast ceremony.
Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted St., alinearestaurant.com
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