UPTOWN — When chef Jake Bickelhaupt and his wife Alexa opened 42 Grams in Uptown, they hoped to show Chicagoans how "beautiful" the neighborhood was — and how good the food can be there.
Now — less than a year after opening — the restaurant located in an old Chester's Chicken shack has been given two coveted Michelin stars.
“It was such an exciting moment, and a huge affirmation that everything my wife and I have worked tirelessly to achieve this past year was well worth the time, energy, and sacrifice,” Bickelhaupt said in a statement. “I’m truly humbled and honored that my first restaurant has been recognized by the guide in such a profound way for the distinct experience that we provide.”
Janet Fuller explains how the Michelin Guide got started and what the stars signify:
Bickelhaupt's wife Alexa Welsh, who serves as the restaurant's "hostess, server, and narrator," was celebrating the win early Tuesday — but she still had business to attend to.
Up at 6:45 (on 4 hrs sleep)...now crushing a bottle of bubbles, but still need to do wkly shopping. #ineedanap #industryproblems
— Alexa Welsh (@matrofprinciple) November 11, 2014Bickelhaupt, who was just 30 years old when the restaurant at 4662 N. Broadway opened, told DNAinfo 42 Grams aims to provide an intimate (and upscale) dinner-party style experience and hoped it would become "a destination restaurant," for people across the city.
"I think the perception of this neighborhood is wrong, that it's a bad place. It's a beautiful place, and there's beautiful things happening," he said last year. "A lot of people that aren't from this neighborhood are going to dine at this restaurant, but that's going to bring awareness…and it can start changing the idea of the neighborhood."
Bickelhaupt thanked diners and other supporters on Twitter Tuesday.
#2Stars It has been an amazing year! Thanks to our supporters of our little 18 seater in #Uptown @MichelinGuideCH @MichelinGuides
— Jake Bickelhaupt (@42Grams) November 11, 2014Aside from being the only restaurant in Uptown with Michelin stars, 42 Grams is also the "first and only BYO restaurant in the Midwest to receive two stars from the guide."
For more Michelin news, click here.
