Restaurant Preview: Chicago Restaurant Week

This month brings the return of Chicago Restaurant Week from March 19 through April 4. For the first time, takeout and delivery options are available in addition to indoor and outdoor dining experiences. Over 250 restaurants are participating this year, with multi-course meals priced at $25 for brunch or lunch and dinners for $39 and/or $55. 

It’s been a year unlike any other due to the pandemic, and our support for Chicago’s restaurants is needed now more than ever. Let’s take a look at some of the great places to eat in some of our favorite Chicago neighborhoods during this culinary celebration.

River North: Foodie favorite Avec recently opened a second location at 141 West Erie Street. Patrons can expect the delicious Mediterranean fare that made the West Loop location a must-visit restaurant. For Chicago Restaurant Week, Avec offers house marinated olives and ciabatta, chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce, shaved Brussels sprouts with Calabrian chili, wood oven paella chicken, escargot sausage, mussels, and raspberry rose tart for $55 per person. Find info here.

Streeterville: Beatrix, located at 671 North St. Clair Street, offers brunch on the weekends, lunch during the week, and dinner every day during Chicago Restaurant Week. The brunch option includes your choice of pastry, a starter of either Greek yogurt, jalapeno and avocado toast, or oatmeal, and an entree of either pecan praline French toast, egg white omelet, green chili and chicken enchiladas, or spicy chicken tinga with your choice of beverage for $25. The lunch selections include kung pao cauliflower, hummus, or vegan mushroom barley soup for your starter. For your entree, choose from a salad, ahi tuna poke bowl, spicy poblano chicken sandwich, or cavatelli with chicken bolognese, and a dessert for $25. The $39 dinner features hummus, burrata, or vegan mushroom barley soup for starters. The entrees are cavatelli with chicken bolognese, chicken bebe, miso-caramel salmon, or skirt steak chimichurri. Top it off with your choice of chia seed pudding, caramel pie, or chocolate cake for dessert. Find more info here

Logan Square: Testaccio, located at 2456 North California, serves selections from their Rome-inspired menu during Chicago Restaurant Week. Choose from artichoke bisque or Caesar salad for your first course. Follow that up with Bucatini Carbonara, Orecchiette di Cacio e Pepe, Porchetta, or Moroccan whole roasted cauliflower for your second course. Finish your feast with either a Roman chocolate bar or affogato. The dinner costs $39, with the choice of adding Chef’s Salumi and Formaggi platter for $55. Find more info here.

West Loop: Enjoy an explosion of fantastic Latin tastes by ordering from Carnivale, located at 702 West Fulton Market Street. Their Chicago Restaurant Week offerings include your choice of pulpo ala planxa, coca de plato, or empanadas for your appetizer. Follow that up with either Pescado Frito, picanha al fojo, or ravioles caseros for your entree. For dessert, choose from either carrot-almond cake or the pyramid featuring white chocolate, passion fruit, cardamon crust, and ginger crumble. The meal costs $55 per person. Find more info here.

Be sure to check each restaurant’s website to see when you can order your meals to celebrate Chicago Restaurant Week. If you plan on dining in, make sure that the restaurant is open for indoor dining.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO