Dining Experience at the Stone Flower Restaurant

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Recognized for his talent in recreating American cuisine with an Asian influence, Jacob Bickelhaupt was the owner and chef of 42 Grams, which received two Michelin stars in one year. Jacob "Jake" Bickelhaupt also served as director and a chef of Konro Pop Up restaurant before opening his new restaurant, Stone Flower.

The Stone Flower offers a 12-seat, counter-style dining experience at a two-story cottage that was previously occupied by Dixie and Takashi restaurants. The restaurant takes its name from a flower that grows through the gaps of concrete, symbolizing strength, persistence, and resilience. Stone Flower serves a multi-course tasting menu and an exclusive wine pairing. Chef Bickelhaupt, the brains of the restaurant, has been known for his talent and technique in elevating the different flavors of simple ingredients.

The Stone Flower held its opening night on May 16, 2019, and served two dinners at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Since then, the restaurant has received positive reviews from customers who described their experience as “worthwhile,” “fine dining perfection,” and “a dinner and a show.” Stone Flower is open from Wednesday to Sunday and only accepts reservations.

A Brief History of the Elusive Michelin Star

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A chef and restaurant owner in Chicago, Jacob “Jake” Bickelhaupt is known for his emphasis on technique when creating complex dishes. Jacob Bickelhaupt has received distinction as the best chef in the Great Lakes Region from the James Beard Foundation, and has also received two Michelin Stars.

The Michelin Star is a rating system formed and popularized by two French brothers, André and Édouard Michelin, after creating the Michelin Guide in 1889. The Michelin Guide was intended to increase demand for cars and travel (and, as a result, the sale of tires). In 1926, the Michelin brothers began to send anonymous reviewers to try and rate restaurants. In 1931, the three-star rating system for fine dining was officially introduced.

For the past century, the Michelin Star has become a hallmark of fine dining quality, and a coveted award for the world’s most talented chefs. British celebrity and chef Gordon Ramsay is said to have cried when his restaurant, The London, was stripped of its two Michelin Stars in 2013. The Michelin Guide is present in 24 countries, and plans to expand and review restaurants in new cities and countries.