Cariño in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is the city’s newest Michelin-starred eatery, having been awarded one star on Dec. 9 of last year during a ceremony at The Glasshouse in New York City. Although owner and Executive Chef Norman Fenton received an invitation to the event, he did not know beforehand if the restaurant would be honored. He notes, “I was sweating in my palms, man.” But the host did indeed call out “Cariño,” and Fenton went to the stage to receive his Michelin chef’s jacket with one star.
The cozy Latin American cuisine restaurant uses heirloom corn from Mexico to make masa, the dough for tortillas, an ingredient that also touches many of the dishes on the menu. Cariño is best suited to small group dinners of up to 10 people, and you need to call ahead. It also offers full buyouts for up to 22.
“The Michelin star validates the quality and the standard of excellence that we have instilled in the culture and program of our concept,” Fenton says. “Prior to receiving that Michelin star, we were about a month out on reservations, but the Michelin star put us to being three months out on reservations.” He adds, “We’re just going to keep progressing, trying to get better and better, and keep reaching for the stars, right?”
