It's the most wonderful time of the year! Sing it with me, everyone!
OK, OK, so we know that honor is technically reserved for the holidays, but trust us -- Choose Chicago's Chicago Restaurant Week is the next best thing.
Starting January 26th and running through February 8th (that's two weeks!), Chicago Restaurant Week offers discounted prix fixe menus ($22 for lunch; $33/$44 for dinner -- excluding beverages, tax and gratuity) from over 370 restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. It's a great way to to try something new or rediscover an old favorite.
And in true Chicago Food Planet style, we just had to delve deeper and pick our favorites. But trust us -- with so many fantastic participants this year, it was really (REALLY) hard to narrow it down to just five. Check out our selections below, or browse the entire Restaurant Week lineup for yourself. Then get eatin'.
(Oh, PS: reservations aren't required, but are highly recommended. If you find something that piques your interest, make your reservation ASAP so you don't miss out.)
The Signature Room at the 95th
It doesn't get more classic than The Signature Room. Located on the 95th floor of John Hancock Center, The Signature Room offers sweeping 360-degree views of Chicago -- the perfect backdrop to a special meal. Click here to reserve a table via OpenTable.
The Cherry Circle Room
As one of Chicago's favorite hot spots in the Loop, Cherry Circle Room's Executive Chef, Pete Coenen, has created a rustic yet refined menu, inspired by Chicago Athletic Association menus dating as far back as the 1890s. The dishes are creative takes on familiar regional classics, all utilizing the best and freshest seasonal ingredients. Click here to reserve a table via OpenTable.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd0WHOBBWsN/?taken-by=cherrycirclecaa
Nothing says Chicago like a steakhouse, and Ruth's Chris is one of the best. Enjoy a USDA Prime steak served alongside a bottle of wine from their award-winning wine list. Click here to reserve a table via OpenTable.
Kuma's Corner (West Loop)
Kuma’s started in 2005 with its flagship location at the corner of Belmont and Francisco avenues in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. In our 3,800-square-foot West Loop location, we incorporated key aspects of each of our previous locations into this breathtaking new space, where we will proudly serve up the best burgers on the planet, paired with an equally impressive beer list. With plenty of room for 99 people inside and come late July, we will feature another 32 seats outside on our patio, we can accommodate larger parties for lunch, dinner or late night dining seven days a week. Our bars feature an exclusive selection of small label whiskeys and many other varieties of alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations as well as 32 local craft draft beer to select from. We support purveyors that are local and homegrown. Our ethos is simple. Support your community. Eat beef. Bang your head. Find a table. Check out the Chicago Restaurant Week Menu here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeI4rRXH8Q7/?taken-by=kumascornerwestloop
Mana Food Bar
If you're vegetarian or vegan (or even if you're not), this globally inspired meatless restaurant offers ethnic dishes and an array of inspired cocktails that puts meat-free on the map. The dishes focus on simple, local ingredients that are prepared in surprising and delicious ways. Click here to find a table.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdvep7kDhsb/?taken-by=manafoodbar
With a full two weeks of restaurant deals this year, you're sure to enjoy a new level of culinary enlightenment. And we want to know -- where will you be dining during Chicago Restaurant Week? Tell us via the comment box below, or send us a tweet at @ChiFoodPlanet.