Los Nopales, Browntrout Earn Michelin Honors

Two local restaurants earned a nod from the prestigious food judges at Michelin.

Browntrout at 4111 North Lincoln Avenue and Los Nopales at 4544 North Western Avenue were each named to the Bib Gourmand category.

Michelin describes the designation as good cuisine at a reasonable price—meaning two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for less than $40. Affordably priced, these restaurants are often the most valuable to a city's residents, their website notes.

"It's because my husband is so picky with the food," Mirella Moreno said. Her and her husband Adan have owned Los Nopales for the last seven years. The Lincoln Square Mexican restaurant has earned Bib Gourmand recognition for three of those years.

Moreno said all of the food is prepared fresh daily, even for lunch. The restaurant's specialty is their steak and in a given weekend, Los Nopales sells more than 300 pounds.

"We prepare it right here and the quality is good," she said. "Adan goes shopping every morning."

Other notable North Side dinner spots are:

• Ann Sather, Lakeview & Wrigleyville
• Antique Taco, Bucktown & Wicker Park
• Balena, Lincoln Park
• Jin Thai, Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown
• Opart Thai House, Andersonville, Edgewater & Uptown
• Wood, Lakeview

There are 19 new eateries on the total list of 64 restaurants. See the full list here.