Restaurant Review – Chicago Restaurant Week
Chicago Restaurant Week is almost here! If you’re a foodie, then you’ve probably had it on your calendar for months. Not a foodie? Never heard of Restaurant Week? Don’t you worry- I’ve got your back! For the next two weeks, we will be exploring this incredible, food-centric, mouthwatering event.
Chicago Restaurant Week is from January 24 through February 9 and is a 17-day celebration of our city’s award winning culinary scene. This is its 13th year bringing together hundreds of the city’s top restaurants. It’s the largest restaurant week in the nation! During this amazing time, diners can enjoy special prix fixe menus at over 400 restaurants throughout Chicago and the nearby suburbs. The multi-course meals are $24 for brunch or lunch and either $36 or $48 for dinner. The price does exclude beverages, tax, and gratuity. Let’s check out some of the participating restaurants and their offerings!
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba: This Chicago favorite is offering both brunch and dinner. Brunch includes a glass of red sangria, a mimosa, or one trip to the Bloody Mary bar. Diners can then choose two brunch tapas and one dessert tapas. Sausage Fried Paella Rice (with a poached egg), Citrus French Toast (with goat cheese butter, honey, and berries), Chocolate Truffle Cake, and more are on the menu. Dinner includes one glass of red or white sangria. Then you can choose any Pinxtos from the regular menu, choose options from a First and Second Course list, and choose a dessert tapas. Offerings include Roasted Bacon Wrapped Dates, Baked Goat Cheese, Rioja-Braised Short Ribs, Moroccan Chickpea Stew, and more.
Duck Duck Goat: Serving up both brunch and dinner, Duck Duck Goat is churning out sizzling hot, family style Chinese dishes this Restaurant Week. The brunch prix fixe includes Beef Short Rib & Bone Marrow Potstickers, Wood-Fired Duck Hearts served with sesame horseradish aioli, Bacon & Egg Moo Shu, and more. They also have a vegetarian brunch menu. Dinner options include Goat & Duck Spring Rolls, Grilled Beef & Broccoli, Xi’An Goat Slap Noodles, and more.
Lena Brava: This Rick Bayless favorite is serving brunch and dinner. Brunch includes three courses. The first includes three dishes, all served family style: a “Morning-After” seafood cocktail, Avocado Tostada, and Fresh Baked Concha. Then you can choose one dish each from a Second and Third Course. Traditional favorites like Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, and Enchiladas are on the menu. Dinner is four courses, with an optional $22 wine pairing. I had my eye on the Ceviche Maki Roll: sashimi grade yellowfin tuna, soy infused with lime & Serrano chile, spicy herb mayo, avocado, cucumber toasted sesame seed and crispy onion. Also featured is the Braised Short Rib, served with a cauliflower mash and spicy Oaxacan pasilla salsa.
Monteverde: Monteverde is serving dinner, with an optional $18 wine pairing. It’s a 4 course family style menu, with the choice of 1 item from each course per person. Start your meal off with Marinated Mozzarella or ‘Nduja Arancini. Then choose from Oma’s Green Mountain Salad: little gem lettuce, avocado, crunchy vegetables; or Polenta Gratinata: gorgonzola fonduta, Medjool dates, and toasted walnuts. Choose Tortelloni di Zucca: roasted winter squash, apple, sage, pumpkin seeds; Lillian’s Stuffed Cabbage: porcini bolognese, crispy polenta, brown butter; or Roasted Sea Scallop: Umbrian lentils, crispy Mangalitsa pork belly, and pickled fresno. Finally, top your meal off with either Chocolate Bundino or Sorbet & Forgotten Cookies.
Want more information about Restaurant Week? Find it here! Then look forward to next week’s article, where we’ll feature more delicious restaurants!
RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
