Hello there my fellow foodies! May the countdown begin!  I am BEYOND excited and getting ready for one of my favorite, economic – and yummiest – weeks of the year. Chicago Restaurant Week is right around the corner and has over 300 restaurants participating. If you have never experienced this I suggest you start making your reservation’s NOW!!!!

 

What is Chicago Restaurant Week? It’s an annual event held in Chicago where some of the best dining establishments offer special prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33 and/or $44 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). This is your rare chance to get the opportunity to try a fabulous tasting menu showcasing the flavor of the restaurant for a price that may normally be out of reach!

 

Again there are over 300 restaurant’s participating in this fabulous event and it would be IMPOSSIBLE to try them all BUT why not at least try?!!!  I have given you a few of my favs, please comment and let me know yours and I may check them out too!

 

It begins Friday, January 22, 2016 and goes until Thursday, February 4, 2016.

 

Click on the link below to see all the restaurants participating, as well as the individual menu for all the spots listed below ENJOY!!!!

 

http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/dining/chicago-restaurant-week/

 

 RPM Steak

 

The venue alone is soooo swanky you may begin to swoon upon entering and the customer service is top notch!  There is a special treat if it is your birthday…THEY GIVE YOU COTTON CANDY!!!!!  Who doesn’t love that?!  RPM Steak is offering a lunch and dinner menu which is an excellent chance to try some of their most popular dishes at an economic rate! Big Eye Tuna Tartare, Short Rib steak and Roasted Sea Scallops are a few of my favs and they are also offering at an additional cost a suggested wine pairing!  Cheers!

Red Door

 One of my top brunch spots but once I saw the restaurant week menu I was beyond excited!  There is something on this menu for EVERYONE!  Chef Troy Graves’ menu features global comfort food and craft drinks, think gastropub vibe, cool music and super friendly and helpful wait staff!  The Smoked White Fish Toast and Grilled octopus are absolutely divine and two of my personal favs!  Red Door Burger is a no brainer!  Chef Troy has truly outdone himself with his offerings for restaurant week!  Take it from me I know food and I know Chef Troy so you couldn’t possibly go wrong with this choice!

GT Oyster

 

Michelin starred, Giuseppe Tentori, has developed a menu that’s half-traditional, half modern, in an ever changing small plates format.  GT Oyster is offering both a lunch and dinner menu I advise you to take full advantage of this!  Seared Tuna salad and the Oyster Po Boy are two of my favs and the Key Lime pie is AMAZING they top if off with a gin & tonic sorbet you will NOT be disappointed!

 

Tuscany

 

 Located in Little Italy in Chicago, Tuscany’s restaurant week menu for lunch or dinner will not disappoint.  This is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the city and I am never disappointed with the service nor the food.  They are a family style restaurant with friendly staff and management.  This Phil Stefani classic is one to visit again and again!  I have viewed their prix fixe menu and I think I will have the Risotto Lobster or the Risotto Short Rib..YUMMY!  But don’t take my word, check them out for yourself!  Ciao Bella

Roka Akor 

This award winning Japanese sushi, seafood and steakhouse gives you the best of both worlds!  I can describe this place in one word…AWESOME!!! This is a winner for restaurant snobs and foodies alike! Roka Akor is offering both lunch and dinner menus for restaurant week.  As an added bonus to the dinner menu, each diner will receive their for signature Roka Mule at no additional cost.  So all you self proclaimed #restaurantsnobs and #foodies be sure to put Roka Akor on your list!  I know it’s on mine!

 

Mr. Brown’s Lounge – The Loop

Are you looking for Jamaican fare!?!?…Yah Mon!!! Then head on down to the loop and get yourself into this joint (no pun intended)!  (I crack myself up sometimes)!  This fun place will whisk you to the islands with their tasty dishes and even tastier drinks.  Although drinks aren’t included in the prix fixe menus, I suggest you try the rum punch!  It will have you feeling free and easy in no time!  As they say would say in Jamacia…Yu too likky-likky, (meaning one who is greedy about eating everything seen) Yep, because the food is just that good!

 

Earls Kitchen + Bar

New to the scene, this upscale-casual eatery is making a name for itself.  Although new to the scene in Chicago, they have more than 65 restaurants across the globe and 6 in the US.  Their menu is international but with a log of comfort foods.  Friendly staff, General Manager and Owners takes great pride in bringing this establishment to Chicago.  The only thing with their menu will be deciding on what to order!  But whatever you order it is guaranteed to be fresh and good.  Don’t forget the drinks…Of course you won’t but they have a seasonal drink menu and drinks are crafted and are typically served in a cute glass or has a cute name!  Bon Appetite!