WEST LOOP — Two lauded West Loop restaurants were honored with new Michelin rankings Friday, the restaurants' chefs announced.
Smyth on Ada Street was upgraded to a coveted two-star Michelin ranking Friday in the Michelin's 2018 guide and Elske landed a one-star rating
Executive chef John B. Shields, who runs the fine dining restaurant Smyth with his wife, pastry chef Karen Urie Shields, revealed the impressive two-star ranking on Instagram at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
"So proud of this team!!" Shields wrote next to a photo of two Michelin stars.
Executive chef David Posey, who operates Nordic-influenced New American restaurant Elske with his wife, pastry chef Anna Posey, also took to Instagram to announce the game-changing news.
"Excited and proud of the team, past and present, @elskerestaurant to be honored with a @michelinguide star in our first year!" Posey wrote.
The Shields opened the fine dining half of their sister restaurants Smyth & The Loyalist, at 177 N. Ada St., in August 2016. Smyth was honored with one Michelin star last year.
The opening of the Ada Street restaurants marked the Shields return home to Chicago after five years operating Town House and Riverstead Inn in southwestern Virginia.
Smyth features a five, eight and 12-course tasting menu and draws its name from the small Virginia county where they opened Town House.
Both chefs received training in Chicago. John Shields previously worked as a sous chef at both Charlie Trotter's and Alinea, and Karen worked at Charlie Trotter's — where she and John met — and at Tru.
Smyth offers reservations via Tock.
Inspired by David's Nordic roots, the Poseys opened Elske at 1350 W. Randolph St. in December 2016.
The restaurant's seasonal menu features an eight-course tasting menu for $85.
Chefs Anna and David Posey opened Elske in December. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]
David Posey, an Alinea alum, previously served as longtime chef cuisine at Blackbird on Randolph and Anna Posey previously served as executive pastry chef at The Publican in Fulton Market.
Named one of the best new restaurants in the country in a Bon Appétit magazine list earlier this year, Elske also offers reservations online.
See the full list of Chicago restaurants honored with stars in the upcoming Michelin Guide 2018 here.
