Restaurant Review: All hail Chicago Restaurant Week, January 24-February 8!

What’s a little snow or cold when you can explore Chicago’s best restaurants at bargain prices?
As Choose Chicago notes, during the 18th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week, you can enjoy special prix fixe menus for brunch and lunch ($30), and/or dinner ($45 or $60) at a record-breaking 500 restaurants across the city and suburbs. You can choose from diverse dining options, including hidden neighborhood gems, international cuisine, and award-winning fine dining. Reservations are already open, so make sure you get your reservations in early!
Among the 500 participanta are more than 70 local restaurants making their Chicago Restaurant Week debut in 2025, including the West Loop’s PERILLA steakhouse, where food is centered around a communal dining experience, and inspired by Korean flavors and ingredients.
Mano a Mano in Logan Square, according to Eater com, is “being generous for its first Chicago Restaurant Week,” with a $45/per person dinner that includes a choice of classic pasta normally available for $19 to $24. The table will also get to try antipasti accompanied by ciabatta and Calabrian chili butter.
Among the other ‘good deals’ cited by Eater.com include Ukrainian cuisine at Anelya, the Avondale restaurant offering a special spin on goulash…the short rib “bograch.” This deal also includes pickles for the table, drunken sour cherry chocolate cake, and dumplings stuffed with farmers cheese, spinach, and mushrooms.
All I can add is YUM!
Other deals include Konbini & Kanpai Wrigleyville, serving a $30/person lunch that includes starters, main course and dessert. Among the starter choices are Chicken Satay, with grilled, marinated chicken on skewers with a creamy peanut dipping sauce, and Miso Cucumber Cold Noodles, madewith fresh noodles, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and peanut dressing. Follow that with entrées like Japanese Fried Chicken, glazed with sweet soy sauce and topped with Japanese-style tarter sauce, or Tofu Bibimbap, avegetarian offering with teriyaki tofu, seasonal vegetables, and roasted seaweed. Finish off your meal with Japanese Flan, a silky vanilla custard with caramel glaze, or Tapioca Pudding, made with creamy coconut milk and tapioca pearls. NOTE: 107 Google reviewers gave K&K a five star rating; no easy feat in a city like Chicago!
For something completely different, FORGET THE COLD and enjoy a winter cruise on a climate-controlled ship! It’s all smooth sailing as Chicago Food Magazine reports that City Cruises Chicago is offering a full lunch ($30/per person) or dinner ($60/per person), along with a full cruising experience down the Chicago River. Courses include a 10-Layer Lasagna (dinner cruises only), Buttermilk-brined Chicken Breast, Potato Gnocchi with Tomato Ragu, and more. In addition to the meal, guests will enjoy sweeping views of the city as they cruise down the Chicago River. Book your reservation via their website.
Finally, in the Fulton Market District, Chicago Food Magazine suggests The Publican, with its locally sourced farmhouse fare during lunch ($30/per person) and dinner ($60/per person). For lunch, choose Fried Artichoke or Crudo, followed by your entrée choice of Crispy Chicken Milanese, Bouchot Mussels, or hearty Kale & Farro salad. End the meal with your choice between ice cream, or an ice cream sandwich by Head Pastry Chef Natalie Saben. For dinner, start with Salmon Tartare, dressed with creme fraiche, cider vinaigrette, horseradish, and potato chips, followed by Fried Sunchokes, served with hazelnut mayonnaise. For your entrée, try the Smoked Pork Collar with a side of barbecue lentils, then wrap up the evening with an airy Banoffee Cream Puff.
For a complete list of participating restaurants and to reserve your table, click here. And Bon Appetit!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago