Michelin Bib Gourmand Chicago 2014: Who's In, Who's Out, And Who May See A Star Yet

With the 2014 Michelin Guide to Chicago making its debut Nov. 13, the revered restaurant guide has revealed this year's crop of Bib Gourmand restaurants.

Michelin explains exactly what criteria makes an eatery "Bib Gourmand":

"Good cuisine at a reasonable price": Defined as “Inspectors’ Favorites for Good Value,” Bib Gourmand restaurants offer two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included), and are often of most value to a city’s residents, who regularly dine in neighborhood restaurants."

(Read the full list of local Bib Gourmand picks for 2014.)

This year's list gives nods to 59 restaurants in the city and 10 more in the near suburbs. Some of the most buzzed-about eateries from the past year are newcomers to the list, including Fat Rice, Arami and Gather.

Coveted as the Michelin seal of approval may be, Time Out Chicago notes "accolades from the guide do not guarantee survival." A dozen restaurants from last year's Bib Gourmand list failed to make this year's ranking (and four of them closed).

Some of the city's most lauded restaurants, like Alinea, are absent the list for one of two reasons: They didn't make the cut at all (unlikely in the case of spots like Alinea and L20) or they'll be graced with between one and three Michelin stars when the awards are announced next week.

Time Out combed the Twitter account that catalogues the updates from the Chicago Michelin "inspectors" and issued a forecast of who should expect a call next Wednesday when the stars are awarded -- read their predictions here.