AAA released their 2012 Five Diamond Award restaurant picks Friday, with five highly-ranked restaurants hailing from Chicago--the same number of eateries that made the top grade in New York City.
Alinea, Arun's, Charlie Trotter's, Everest and Tru were awarded the prestigious Five Diamond ranking, according to a AAA release. In the Four Diamond category, 20 Illinois restaurants were recognized, 16 of which are in Chicago.
All of the Five DIamond winners are veterans. It's Alinea's sixth year on the list, Arun's 10th, and Tru's 12th. Everest has been on the list for more than 15 years, and Charlie Trotter's, closing this August, will shutter with nearly 20 years of Five Diamond recognition under its belt.
The company also recognized four Five Diamond hotels, all repeat winners: Elysian, Four Seasons Chicago, Penninsula Chicago and Trump International Hotel & Tower. Across Illinois and northern Indiana, 66 hotels were designated as Four Diamond lodgings.
"Illinois' nine Five Diamond establishments all offer exemplary surroundings and service and reflect the characteristics of ultimate luxury and experience," Brad Roeber, regional president of AAA Chicago, said in a statement.