Best Picks for Chicago Restaurant Week

Ada Street's offers a themed Restaurant Week menu ever year -- this year is Star Wars! They carry out the theme throughout the menu.

It was recommended to me by @red_onmyhead, who dined there this year. She loved:

• "TIE" Fighter wings | confit crispy chicken wings thai wing sauce pickled veg
• Jar-Jar bisque | roasted vegetable bisque seared mushrooms garlic bread

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Town-ish
DINNER MENU: Ada St Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Ada St Reservations

NOTE: Ada Street also appears on my list of 14 Hidden Restaurants in Chicago!

Allium, which is located within the Four Seasons hotel, is offering lunch and dinner RW menus this year.

It was recommended to me by @anticouchmovement, who said it's a great menu with awesome value. She recommends:

• New Zealand Sea Bream | roasted salsify, creamed butternut squash, persimmon chutney
• Buffalo Steak with truffle potatoes | truffle potato gratin, wilted winter greens, huckleberry jus

NEIGHBORHOOD: Gold Coast
MENUS (LUNCH + DINNER): Allium Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Allium Reservations

Bar Siena is offering lunch, dinner, and brunch menus for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @hihelloimtori, who dined there for brunch this year (and gives it a 10/10). She loved:

• Bombo Breakfast Sandwich | cherry smoked bacon, pork sausage, scrambled eggs, american cheese
• Breakfast Pizza | breakfast sausage, roasted tomato, prosciutto cotto, fresno chili, housemade mozzarella, baked egg

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch): Bar Siena Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Bar Siena Reservations

Barrio is a Mexican fusion restaurant in River North. They're offering lunch, dinner, and brunch menus for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended to me by @rdeluc123, who dined there this year and recommends:

• Skuna Bay Salmon | charred root vegetables, spinach, quinoa, guava-serrano glaze ("best ever")

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch): Barrio Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Barrio Reservations

Bellemore is a beautiful restaurant in the West Loop that's about a year old. They're offering lunch and dinner menus for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @ashleyhrabe and @eljay32, who each dined there this year. Awesome dishes include:

• Icelandic Cod | with cauliflower, beurre blanc & vin jaune
• Vegetable Soup | with turnips, carrots, kale, beans & stracciatella toast
• Sweet Potato Tots | with parmesan aioli, espelette chile & lemon
• Fire-Bird Chicken Sandwich | with butter lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayonnaise & fried-onion ranch

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
DINNER MENU: Bellemore Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Bellemore Reservations

Bistro Campagne is a neighborhood French spot offering a Restaurant Week dinner menu. My friend Emily (of Bon Vivant Cakes!) simply raves about it.

She says the staff and service are amazing, and she recommends:

• Poulet Rôti Forestière | Naturally-raised Amish chicken, wild mushroom ragoût, onion frites (from Emily: "maybe one of the best dishes I've had in Chicago? It's classic French- simple, rich, and more delicious than it has any right to be")

NEIGHBORHOOD: Ravenswood
DINNER MENU: Bistro Campagne Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Bistro Campagne Reservations

Bistronomic is a French restaurant offering lunch, dinner, and brunch CRW menus this year.

It was recommended by @gold_coast_girl, who dined there this year. She loved:

• My Mother's Steak Frites | Handcut Frites Tossed with Black Truffle Salt | Garlic Puree | Red Wine Reduction
• Chocolate Hazelnut Bars | Feuilletine | Ganache | Orange Grand Marnier Sauce
• Baked Alaska | Vanilla Bean Ice Cream | Caramelized Almond | Butterscotch Sauce

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch): Bistronomic Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Bistronomic Reservations

Blue Door Kitchen is offering lunch, dinner, and brunch RW menus.

It was recommended by @atrapness, who dined there for dinner this year. She loved:

• Short Rib | hominy, kale, tomato-cumin broth ("so tender and the flavors were excellent!")
• Brussels and Kale salad | bacon, almonds, parmesan, maple tahini dressing ("even my bf who hates veggies liked it")
• Chocolate dessert | ("v rich")

NEIGHBORHOOD: Gold Coast
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch): Blue Door Kitchen Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Blue Door Kitchen Reservations

BLVD has a shared plates dinner menu for Restaurant Week (for each course, you choose a few options for the table to share).

It was recommended by @chicagofooddude, who dined there this year. He recommends:

• Heirloom Cauliflower | lampang sauce, honey yogurt ("it's unreal")
• Cacio e Pepe | parmesan, black pepper

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
DINNER MENU: BLVD Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: BLVD Reservations

BOKA is offering a RW dinner menu with 4 sections: cold, hot, entree, dessert.

It was recommended by a few people who have already dined there this year, including @brando193 and @liveandletseatchi. Favorite dishes include:

• Slow-cooked egg with cavatelli | cavatelli, fried broccoli, crispy garlic

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
DINNER MENU: Boka Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Boka Reservations

City Mouse in the West Loop is offering lunch and dinner Restaurant Week Menus.

It was recommended by @mitmeg89, who dined there for dinner this year. She recommends:

• Rigatoni (first course) | Rigatoni, pork, kimchi ragu, marash pepper
  

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner): City Mouse Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: City Mouse Reservations

Psst! City Mouse also appears on my guide to the Best Avocado Toast in Chicago.

City Winery is offering lunch, dinner, and brunch menus (with wine pairings!) for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @kcole4, who dined there for brunch this year. She recommends:

• Avocado Toast | pea shoots, radish, multi grain bread
  
• Wine pairings | 1 for each course +$13

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch): City Winery Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: City Winery Reservations

Duck Duck Goat, Chef Stephanie Izard's Chinese restaurant, is offering brunch and dinner menus for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @robin.d.science and @cp1zzle, who each dined there for brunch this year (and said food was amazing and great value). Favorite dishes include:

• Jiaozi | Beef Short Rib & Bone Marrow Potstickers (😍😍😍)
• Xiao Long Bao | Shrimp & Goat Soup Dumplings
• Jian Dui Donut Holes with "crazy rich umami-full whipped cream. we licked the plate clean"

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
MENUS (Brunch, Dinner): Duck Duck Goat Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Duck Duck Goat Reservations

The Duck Inn in Bridgeport is offering a CRW dinner menu this year.

It was recommended by @bears_dada, who dined there this year. He loved:

• Pig's Head Candy Bar | braised cabbage | comice pear soup
• Pork Belly & Scallop | XO sauce | arugula | jalapeño
• Craziest drink (not included in RW pricing): Cures What Ales You ("served in a soup bowl with a spoon, warmed!")

NEIGHBORHOOD: Bridgeport
DINNER MENU: Duck Inn Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Duck Inn Reservations

Psst! The Duck Inn appears on 2 other guides of mine: my Neighborhood Brunch Guide and my Avocado Toast Guide.

Dutch & Doc's is a relatively new restaurant in Wrigleyville, overlooking Wrigley Field. They're offering brunch and dinner menus for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @keelyalyssa, who dined there for brunch this year. She loved:

• Apple French Toast | roasted apples, vanilla pastry cream
• Breakfast Sammy | sausage, fried egg, cheddar, jalapeno aioli, texas toast, crispy red potatoes

NEIGHBORHOOD: Wrigleyville
MENUS (Brunch, Dinner): Dutch & Doc's Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Dutch & Doc's Reservations

Ema is offering brunch, lunch, and dinner CRW menus in 2019. Unlike some other spots, Ema doesn't require everyone at the table to do the CRW menu -- you can order a la carte as well.

It was recommended by @hunachuna, who dined there for dinner this year. She loved:

• Charred Eggplant | house yogurt, lemon, california arbequina olive oil ("similar to hummus")
• Brussels Sprouts | crispy shallots, pumpkin seeds, sherry glaze
• Crispy Potatoes | mizithra, rosemary, scallion crema
• Salmon Kebab | sweet peppers, red onions, olive oil

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
MENUS (Brunch, Lunch, Dinner): Ema Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Ema Reservations

Gemini is an awesome neighborhood spot in Lincoln Park. They're offering brunch and dinner menus for CRW19.

It was recommended by @jrgravy, who dined there for dinner this year. She loved:

• Berkshire Pork Chop | braised kale, roasted squash, apple cider reduction ("11/10!")

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
MENUS (Brunch, Dinner): Gemini Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Gemini Reservations

GT Fish and Oyster is offering brunch and dinner menus for Restaurant Week this year.

It was recommended by @chicityfoodies, who dined there for dinner this year and said it was a really good value. Their favorites:

• Avocado Toast | sourdough, cherry tomato, black lime
• Chicken and Waffles | burton’s maplewood farm syrup
• Chocolate Layer Cake

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
MENUS (Brunch, Dinner): GT Fish & Oyster Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: GT Fish & Oyster Reservations

Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar in Ukranian Village is offering brunch and dinner menus this year.

It was recommended by @sarahsmiles_84.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Ukranian Village
MENUS (Brunch, Dinner): Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar Reservations

Il Porcellino is offering a dinner menu for CRW 2019.

It was recommended by @neeeeeekers, who said it was amazing with a great atmosphere -- and too good to pick just a few favorites. She and her sister loved:

• Frutti di Mare | pacheri, shrimp, squid, calabrian chili ("has a kick to it from the arrabiatta sauce")
• Short Rib Ravioli Alla Panna | cremini, mascarpone ("to die for" with a heavy cream sauce)
• Green Chopped Salad | kale, avocado, pistachio
• Arugula Salad | prosciutto, lemon vinaigrette (both amazing, very different flavors!")

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
MENUS (Brunch, Dinner): Il Porcellino Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Il Porcellino Reservations

Le Sud, a French Mediterranean restaurant in Roscoe Village, is offering a 3-course dinner menu for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @vannyshmanny, who dined there this year. Favorites:

• Pan-Roasted Duck Breast | lavender-honey glaze, pickled fennel, roasted fennel, beluga lentils, herb salad
• Roasted Carrots | sunflower seed, citrus

NEIGHBORHOOD: Roscoe Village
MENUS (Dinner): Le Sud Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Le Sud Reservations

You already know about The Loyalist for their epic burger. They're offering a RW dinner menu this year.

It was recommended by @radsta57, who has already dined there this year. Her favorite dishes include:

• The Loyalist Cheeseburger | onions three way, fries
• A special cheeseburger (NOT on the RW menu)

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Town
MENUS (Dinner): Loyalist Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: The Loyalist Reservations

Nico Osteria, an Italian seafood-heavy spot in the Gold Coast, is offering lunch and dinner menus this year.

It was recommended by @laurajk86, who dined there for dinner this year. Her favorites:

• Meatballs | nico tomato sauce, sartu di riso, parmesan
• Black Truffle Cacio e Pepe | Spaghettone di Gragnano, pecorino romano, black pepper
• Ciabatta Crusted Golden Mouth Bass | 'nduja acqua pazza, sherry aioli, preserved lemon
• Tiramisu | coffee mousse, marscapone, mezcal, chocolate crunch

NEIGHBORHOOD: Gold Coast
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner): Nico Osteria Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Nico Osteria Reservations

Owen and Engine in Logan Square is offering a 3-course dinner menu for Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @alexegan23, who dined there this year. She recommends:

• Hand-Butchered Slagel Beef Burger | Caramelised Onion, House Potato Bap, Chips, Malt Vinegar Mayonnaise
• Werp Farm Bibb Lettuce Salad | Citrus, Goat Ricotta, Butter Confit Sunflower Seeds
• Fried Halloumi | Brown Butter, Pickled Peppers, Housemade Baguette
• Haddock Fish & Chips | English Pea Puree, Malt vinegar Mayonnaise, Sauce Gribiche

NEIGHBORHOOD: Logan Square
MENUS (Dinner): Owen and Engine Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Owen and Engine Reservations

Porter Kitchen and Deck is offering lunch and dinner menus for CRW19.

It was recommended by @alyssa.irgang.

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop-ish
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner): Porter Kitchen & Deck Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Porter Kitchen & Deck Reservations

Sappori Trattoria is a neighborhood Italian spot in Lincoln Park. They're offering dinner for Restaurant Week this year.

It was recommended by @chicagofoodieengineer, who dined there this year. She recommends:

• Vegetarian Lasagna
• Gnocchi

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
MENUS (Dinner): Sapori Trattoria Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Sapori Trattoria Reservations

Sepia in the West Loop is offering lunch and dinner menus for Chicago Restaurant Week.

It was recommended by @diaryofasweettoothfairy, who dined there this year. For dinner, she recommends:

• Ocean trout | brussels sprouts, northern beans, golden raisins ("by far the best thing on the menu")
• Ricotta cavatelli | pesto, thia basil, Sichuan peppercorns
• Whipped mortadella angnolotti | breadcrumbs, capersberries ("both pastas were phenomenal")

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner): Sepia Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Sepia Reservations

Somerset was recommended by the most people so far for Restaurant Week! Everyone loves the beautiful space, great service, and value for RW.

It was recommended by @mckennadamon, @johnlu_1, @lsajek, and @k_mels -- who have each already dined there (and loved it!) this year. Favorite dishes include:

• Fried Chicken Sandwich 
• Beet Tartare
• Sunchoke Soup ("SO much better than any soup I've had before")
• Hangar Steak ("$31 on their regular menu; good value")
  
• Cinnamon Roll
• French Toast ("the french toast was insane!!")
• Pastries
• Kale Salad
• Squash Toast

...so, basically, all of it. I told you it got a lot of recs. 😂

NEIGHBORHOOD: Gold Coast
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch): Somerset Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Somerset Reservations

Tortoise Supper Club has both lunch and dinner RW menus.

It was recommended by @citylife_diva, who dined there for dinner this year. She recommends:

• Maple Leaf Farms Roast Duck | Berghoff Root Beer Glazed Crispy Half Duck, Wild Rice Stuffing, Lingonberry Gastrique
• Shrimp Cocktail | Chilled Gulf Shrimp, Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce ("huge and delish!")
• Tortoise Pie | Chocolate, Candied Walnuts, Bourbon-Caramel Sauce, Whipped Cream ("go-to for dessert")

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner): Tortoise Supper Club Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Tortoise Supper Club Reservations

Vie is offering a 4-course dinner menu in Western Springs, IL (Chicago suburbs).

It was recommended by @brando193, who dined there for dinner this year. He recommends:

• Sunchoke Apple Soup | crispy sunchoke chips, pickled apples
• Spiced Arroz con Leche dessert | parsnip cake, roasted apple sorbet

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
MENUS (Dinner): Vie Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Vie Reservations

Rounding out this list (for now!!) is Willow Room - another spot recommended by several of you. They're offering lunch, dinner, and brunch menus for Chicago Restaurant Week 2019.

It was recommended by: @giakat, @jrgravy, and @kathleenmason1. who each dined there already this year. Some favorites include:

• Eggs Florentine | spinach, hollandaise, english muffin
• Winter Willow Mimosa (included in RW brunch!)
• Wild Mushroom Risotto | locally foraged mushrooms, black winter truffle oil, parmesan
• Mussels | p.e.i. mussels, chorizo, anisette, fingerling, tomato, leeks
• Burger | double patty, dijonnaise, american, b&b pickles, red onion, potato bun, fries
• Pork Belly Hash | sweet potatoes, sunny egg, fingerling, salsa verde, crispy bacon, almond, romesco sauce, yogurt

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
MENUS (Lunch, Dinner): Willow Room Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Willow Room Reservations

I loved this concept so much that I gave it its own category. 

Ada Street's 3-course dinner menu ($44) is called "Rapper's Delight," and each dish is named after song lyrics. I think it's cool that they've created something so distinct from their regular menu just for Restaurant Week.

Here's what I'd order:

1. "All she want to do is smoke that broccoli" -Dram | charred broccoli
2. "What she order... fish filet?" -Kanye | seared cod
3. “Then there was pebbles, times was rough. She was turnin’ trix to get her coco puff!” -LL Cool J | cereal bars with boozy dunking sauce

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Town-ish
FULL MENU: Ada St Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: for parties of 8+ (call)

NOTE: Ada Street also appears on my list of 14 Hidden Restaurants in Chicago!

Formento's has included several of my favorites on their 4-course dinner menu ($44), including their epic bucatini and my 2 favorite desserts on their menu.

This means you definitely have to bring a friend, so you can order both.

Here's what I'd order:

1. Nonna's meatballs
2. Bucatini (carbonara, panchetta, egg yolk, black pepper)
3. Brick chicken with roasted mushrooms
4. Tiramisu cheesecake (by a very small margin over the chocolate cake)

And if you want to splurge, I would strongly consider adding the wine pairings for an additional $40. 

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
FULL MENU: Formento's Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Formento's

Naoki Sushi is offering a 5-course dinner menu + a drink ($44) that includes a bunch of my favorite items on their menu, so I've placed it in this section. It's also REALLY great pricing for Naoki, so it just as easily go in my "$$$$ for $$" section.

It's a set menu of some of their best dishes -- and here's what you get:

1. yoshima sake cocktail
2. tuna tacos
3. salmon sashimi naoki-style (my fav dish on their menu)
4. chef-selected maki & nigiri
5. udon noodle with shrimp tempura
6. sorbet

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
FULL MENU: Naoki Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Naoki Sushi

Note: Naoki also appears on my list of 14 hidden restaurants in Chicago!

Bernie's 4-course dinner menu ($44) has their epic lamb hawashi on it, which earns its place on this "try their best dishes" list. That said, it's a close call because their sweet potato falafel (in the same section) is also delicious.

Guess you've gotta bring a friend. 😛

Here's what I'd order:

1. Greek salad
2. Lamb hawashi
3. 36-hour short rib
4. butterscotch pudding

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Bernie's Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Bernie's

P.S. They have a lunch menu ($22) for restaurant week, too, which has extra value -- but the dinner menu has many more of my favorites on it!

a tavola is a hidden spot, located on the first floor of a residential two-flat, and they're offering a 4-course dinner menu for $44.

One of their best dishes is their gnocchi with browned sage butter and parmesan -- and it's on the RW menu!!!

Here's what I'd order:

1. fresh arugula with walnuts, grape tomatoes, and shaved parmesan
2. [pictured] gnocchi with browned sage butter and parmesan (no-brainer!)
3. sangiovese-braised beef short rib
4. panna cotta 

NEIGHBORHOOD: Ukranian Village
FULL MENU: a tavola Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - a tavola

Note: a tavola is also on my list of 14 hidden restaurants in Chicago!

I love the pastas and the fish dishes at Cafe Spiaggia, and their dinner menu ($44; see page 2) for Restaurant Week features both. (While I think their lunch menu is a fantastic deal at only $22, the dinner menu has more of my favorites).

They always offer seasonal variations of their pastas, and while I haven't had this particular one, they're always quite delicious.

Here's what I'd order:

1. fluke crudo
2. pappardelle 
3. mussels with 'nduja
4. affogato

NEIGHBORHOOD: Michigan Ave
FULL MENU: Cafe Spiaggia Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Cafe Spiaggia (click "reservation")

NOTE: Cafe Spiaggia is also on my list of Favorite Foodie Moments of 2017!

I've included Baptiste & Bottle's 4-course dinner menu ($44; page 2) in this section for 2 reasons: the squid ink capellini with uni, and their scallop dish. YUM!!!

They also offer a lunch menu, which is a great deal at $22 (and includes their yummy squash salad), but I was more excited overall by their dinner options.

Here's what I'd order at dinner:

1. beet salad
2. squid ink capellini with uni, king crab, and mint
3. scallops with blood orange
4. yuzu curd

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Baptiste & Bottle Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Baptiste & Bottle

NOTE: Baptiste & Bottle is on 2 other lists of mine: Chicago Brunch Checklist + Holiday Cocktails in Chicago (2017).

If you've never tried Ethiopian food, now would be a great time for it!

Demera is offering 3-course lunch and dinner menus ($22 and $33) for Restaurant Week. It's pretty far north, so I'm going to provide dinner options below -- but if you can make it for lunch, go for it!

With Ethiopian food, your main course is served on a super thin flatbread called injera, with your various courses placed upon it -- and there is a technique to scooping and eating it with your hands. If you've never done it before, just ask!

Here's what I'd order on the dinner menu:

1. Vegetable sambussas (lightly fried dumplings)
2. Ye-Wot & Vegetable Messob for two (pick 3 stews & 3 veggie items from their menu)
3. Basil lime sorbet

I really like this menu structure since you get to try about 8 different things in one visit.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Uptown
FULL MENU: Demera Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Demera

Monteverde is one of the only family-style Restaurant Week menus I've seen. In their 3-course family-style dinner menu ($33) for Restaurant Week, you order as many dishes in each section as you have people.

So, if you show up with 3+ people, you'll get to try EVERYTHING. But book this one fast, because the value is surely there -- especially at $33! -- and the food is delicious.

I would bring 3+ people and order the entire menu:

1. oma's green mountain salad + roasted squash crostino + marinated olives
2. meat sugo + acqua pazza + slow roasted cabbage and mushrooms
3. chocolate budino + coconut sundae
4. optional wine pairings for $15 more per person

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
FULL MENU: Monteverde Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Monteverde's site (click "Reserve")

NOTE: Monteverde also appears on my list of Chicago Wait List Hacks - how & when to go to the busiest spots in Chicago!

If you haven't tried the yummy food at CH Distillery's Bar & Table, Restaurant Week is a great time to try ALL of it.

You get to choose any 4 of the 10 options on their Restaurant Week dinner menu ($33) -- so if you bring a friend and order opposite dishes, you could basically try the whole thing! 

Here's what I'd order:

1. grilled cheese (a must!)
2. sage CH vodka & mushroom risotto
3. braised short rib
4. CH burger
5. and I would plan to order their delicious cocktails (not included) 

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
FULL MENU: CH Distillery Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: CH Distillery (click "book a table")

NOTE: CH Distillery is on my list of the best holiday cocktails in Chicago!

El Che Bar's restaurant week 4-course dinner menu ($44) has several great options in every category.

It's another spot where I'd recommend bringing an adventurous friend and sharing a bunch of your dishes with each other. There are so many yummy sounding dishes on this menu that I had a hard time choosing -- better to just get it all. 🙂

Here's what I'd order:

1. french onion empanada
2. grilled chorizo
3. salmon filet with horseradish cream
4. dulce du leche with coconut whipped cream

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
FULL MENU: El Che Bar Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - El Che Bar

If you haven't made your way to the new HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, it's a good time to go. It's one of my friend Karen's favorite spots in the city!

They're offering a 3- or 4-course dinner menu ($33 or $44) for Restaurant Week with a variety of awesome dishes in each section. It's tough to choose, so I did my best!

Here's what I'd order from the 4-course menu:

1. papaya + beef jerky
2. mussels in coconut broth
3. sweet & sour braised spare ribs
4. Vietnamese coffee cream puff

NEIGHBORHOOD: Pilsen
FULL MENU: HaiSous Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: HaiSous's site (click "book")

What are you waiting for on this one? BOKA is always awesome, and this year's 4-course dinner menu ($44) with optional wine pairings ($33) looks delicious. Pick a cold dish, a hot dish, an entree, and a dessert. 

This is another menu where it's tough to order bc there are are so many good options. Bring a date, order different dishes for each course, and share some bites!

Here's what I'd order:

1. heirloom carrots
2. slow poached egg
3. slow roasted pork neck
4. dark chocolate
5. and I would 100% splurge on the wine pairings here

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
FULL MENU: BOKA Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - BOKA

Fleming's 4-course dinner menu is a STEAL at $44.

You'll get a slightly smaller cut of meat than their typical menu (like a petit filet mignon). It's huge savings over their regular menu.

Keep in mind you'll likely want some wine in addition to this menu, as their wine list is excellent and would be hard to skip. 🙂

Here's what I'd order:

1. lobster bisque
2. petite filet mignon
3. Fleming's potatoes
4. cheesecake
5. (and would likely buy wine)

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Fleming's Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Fleming's

Lawry's 3-course dinner menu ($44) sounds SO delicious. 

Lawry's is super expensive normally, and their presentation is epic -- they bring your food across main dining floor in these giant silver carts.

In addition to the petite cuts of meat they're offering for Restaurant Week, you can also "upgrade" to a bigger cut for an additional fee.

Here's what I'd order:

1. Lawry's famous spinning bowl salad
2. 6oz California cut of beef with whipped horseradish
3. side of creamed corn
4. sticky toffee pudding

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Lawry's Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Lawry's

And the list of steakhouses continues with Morton's. Most of the steakhouses seem to be following a pattern of app + small entree + side + dessert, and Morton's 4-course dinner menu ($44) fits right into that same offering.

As someone who's pretty satisfied with a 6oz cut of filet mignon, this menu looks just great to me.

Here's what I'd order:

1. Morton's salad
2. 6oz center-cut filet mignon (note: you can upgrade to 8oz for an additional $10)
3. horseradish mashed potatoes
4. creme brûlée

NEIGHBORHOOD: Gold Coast
FULL MENU: Morton's (Original Location) Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Morton's (under "make a reservation")

This is more of a $$$ for $$. Their 3-course dinner menu is only $33!

Ella Elli is on my personal list of spots to try during Restaurant Week, as every single one of my foodie friends has raved over it since it opened. I'd definitely go with a few friends as all of the options look GREAT. 

Here's what I'd order:

1. salt-roasted carrots with za'atar
2. burger au poivre
3. profiteroles with ice cream

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lakeview
FULL MENU: Ella Elli Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Ella Elli (click "reservations")

One more $$$ for $$, also coming in at $33.

I really like TWO, and their Chicago Restaurant Week 4-course dinner menu is an absolute steal at this price. Yum yum yum.

Here's what I'd order:

1. shrimp & crab bisque
2. gulf prawns + grits
3. Wagyu brisket
4. Nutella s'mores

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Town
FULL MENU: TWO Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - TWO

Cherry Circle Room in the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel is ONLY offering lunch during Restaurant Week -- with a 3-course lunch menu ($22). Be sure to book for lunch time when making your reservation!

Note that you can also add wine pairings to the lunch menu for an additional $20 (...and good luck going back to work after THAT).

Here's what I'd order:

1. french onion soup
2. fish n chips
3. chocolate and mint dessert
4. wine pairings ($20 extra)

NEIGHBORHOOD: Loop
FULL MENU: Cherry Circle Room Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Cherry Circle Room (book for lunchtime!)

Freds at Barneys is offering a 3-course lunch menu ($22) during Restaurant Week.

I love how light and airy their space is during the day, so I've put it on my lunch list. They do have a 4-course dinner option as well, if you can't make lunch.

Here's what I'd order at lunch:

1. winter vegetable salad
2. Freds spaghetti with shiitake mushrooms
3. budino with butterscotch custard

NEIGHBORHOOD: Gold Coast
FULL MENU: Freds at Barneys Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Freds at Barneys Chicago

Prime & Provisions has a 2-course lunch offering for only $22. I don't always want dessert at lunchtime (it makes it sooo hard to get back to work) -- so I actually like the idea of 2 bigger lunch courses instead of 3 that include dessert.

Here's what I'd order at lunch:

1. wedge salad
2. fried chicken with chili bourbon maple drizzle OR dry aged prime burger (I've made a lot of ordering decisions today, but I'm really stuck on this one) 🙂

NEIGHBORHOOD: Loop
FULL MENU: Prime & Provisions Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Prime & Provisions

Topolobampo always has a great Restaurant Week menu, and this year is no exception. They only have a lunch offering for Restaurant Week, a 3-course menu at $22 (with optional wine pairings for an additional $20).

Here's what I'd order at lunch:

1. classic ceviche
2. cochinita pibil (a delicious pork dish; one of my favorites from when I was in Yucatan, Mexico!)
3. crepas con cajeta (crepes with plaintains and goats milk caramel)

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Topolobampo Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Topolobampo (be sure to book at lunch!)

Joe's Seafood is SUCH a good deal at lunch. Shoutout to Seth from chicityfoodie for calling my attention to this one!

You can get stone crabs, 2 sides, and dessert on their lunch menu for only $22, which is basically unheard of. They have a dinner menu too, but it's $44 for the same menu. Better book this one fast!

Here's what I'd order at lunch:

1. Florida stone crab claws with hasbrowns and creamed spinach
2. Banana cream pie

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Joe's Seafood Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Joe's Seafood

I reeeeeeally like Bad Hunter, a veggie-forward restaurant in the West Loop. 

Bad Hunter is offering a 3-course brunch menu ($22) for restaurant week, which looks absolutely EPIC. They have a lunch menu, as well, for the same price -- but I liked the brunch options better.

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. mocha-spiced kougin-amann
2. smoked salmon spread
3. cheesy white corn grits

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
FULL MENU: Bad Hunter Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: Bad Hunter (click "reservations")

Bar Siena is offering lunch, dinner, and a 3-course brunch ($22) for Restaurant Week.

I love their brunch, and included it in this section because you get to try a variety of their brunch offerings for a really good price. The RW price does include 1 non-alcoholic beverage (coffee, soda, or juice) -- but cocktails would be additional $.

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. coffee
2. avocado toast
3. bombo breakfast sandwich
4. bomboloni

NEIGHBORHOOD: West Loop
FULL MENU: Bar Siena Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Bar Siena

Bar Siena's sister spot, Siena Tavern, also falls into my brunch category. What can I say, these guys know how to do brunch.

Siena Tavern is a little bit fancier than Bar Siena, so this is a 2-course brunch menu for the same price ($22), and still includes coffee or juice.

My advice for this menu is to go with a friend and order different selections because it is IMPOSSIBLE to choose between their smoked salmon with crispy dough and their monkey bread.

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. coffee
2. smoked salmon with crispy dough
3. tiramisu french toast

NEIGHBORHOOD: River North
FULL MENU: Siena Tavern Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Siena Tavern

Note: Siena Tavern also appears on these lists: My Favorite Foodie Moments of 2017 + Fancy Smoked Salmon Dishes in Chicago

Cafe Ba Ba Reeba has a 4-course tapas brunch menu ($22) that sounds delicious. 

Any menu with iberico ham is going to be HIGH on my list. Always!

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. choice of 2 pintxos (bite-sized apps that vary daily)
2. iberico jamon hash
3. jamon serrano eggs benedict 
4. chocolate truffle cake

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
FULL MENU: Cafe Ba Ba Reeba Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Cafe Ba Ba Reeba

This 2-course brunch menu ($22) at Revival Social Club TOTALLY won me over between the banana bread bites, the waffle sliders, and the Cuban monte cristo.

How's a gal supposed to pick only 2? Oh, right. Bring a friend and order EVERYTHING.

Pssst! Revival Social Club, which I'm talking about here, is a different spot than Revival Food Hall in the Loop (and, was around first 😜).

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. banana bread bites
2. waffle sliders with chicken, sausage, and tomato jam

NEIGHBORHOOD: Edgewater
FULL MENU: Revival Social Club Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Revival Social Club

I like this brunch menu because you get to choose between a cocktail or an hors d'oeuvre, and I think that's a clever way to add optionality (and booze!) into an inexpensive prix fixe menu.

The 3-course menu includes an entree, a dessert, and your choice of a cocktail or an hors d'oeuvre. And I think we all know what direction I'm going with that. 😛

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. Gabi bloody mary
2. classic eggs benedict
3. dessert trio 

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lincoln Park
FULL MENU: Mon Ami Gabi Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Mon Ami Gabi

And, finally - I'm rounding out this list with the 3-course brunch offering ($22) at the Southern Italian neighborhood spot Coda di Volpe. Full disclosure, I've only been here for dinner before -- but the eggs in purgatory caught my eye.

If you haven't yet made it here, RW brunch is a great way to check it out! If you do go off the RW menu, they have great pizzas, too.

Here's what I'd order at brunch:

1. imported Italian yogurt
2. eggs in purgatory
3. artisanal cheese

NEIGHBORHOOD: Lakeview
FULL MENU: Coda Di Volpe Restaurant Week
MAKE RESERVATIONS: OpenTable - Coda Di Volpe