Grant Achatz's Alinea has become the only three-starred restaurant in Chicago after L20 lost two stars in Michelin's second guide to the US city.
L20, whose famous chef Laurent Gras left the day after the restaurant gained its third star last year, has been demoted to one-star-status.
Charlie Trotter's and Ria have retained their two stars, while 18 establishments celebrated their first Michelin star.
Achatz's new restaurant Next, which has gained wide critical acclaim since opening in the spring, has failed to be recognised by Michelin. The restaurant is described as a "permanent pop-up", changing its menus entirely four times a year.
The Michelin guide to Chicago 2012, which goes on sale on 16 November, features 432 restaurants, 45 types of cuisine, including 21 holding stars. It also lists 56 restaurants with Bib Gourmands serving two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less.
The Chicago guide is Michelin's third US guide after New York and San Francisco and the Bay Area. Guides to Los Angeles and Las Vegas were discontinued.
Michelin guide to San Francisco promotes two restaurants to two stars >>
Michelin awards two new three-stars and two new two-stars in New York >>
Michelin launches Chicago guide >>
By Kerstin Kühn
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