Restaurant Review: Andersonville Restaurant Week extends bargains, quality from February 21-March 2

Andersonville is known for being “a little bit of Sweden — the eccentric bit to be exact,” according to Choose Chicago. 

However, what locals love about Andersonville is its artisanal flair and one-of-a-kind charm, Midsommarfest in June and St. Lucia Day celebration in December. And all that will be celebrated February 21 – March 2 at Andersonville Restaurant Week.

Presented by the Andersonville Chamberof Commerce, it showcases the abundance of great restaurants throughout the district. It’s a great way to try a new spot, and explore the diverse cuisine and fine dining in Andersonville, which ranges widely for all tastes and sizes.

The  restaurants will offer $30 / $45 / $60 special prix fixe menus to enjoy. (NOTE: Prices vary by location)

Take, for example, Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar, 5553 N. Clark Street, offering a $60 per person menu featuring  their Cauliflower Bisque with chili oil and black pepper, Parmesan Bites, andWedge Salad with green goddess dressing, cherry tomatoes, lardons, scallions and smokey blue cheese. That’s followed by your choice of Salmon with garlic roasted potatoes, spring pea puree and asparagus, or Smoked Short Rib with goat cheese and creamed corn grits and horseradish slaw, or Jackfruit with hoisin glaze, quinoa, and pineapple ginger salsa. Finish off with Coconut Ladoo with green tea and strawberry. 

A few blocks down, Replay Andersonville, 5358 N. Clark Street, offers a variety of comfort foods at its sports bar. Their $45 per person menu includes such favorites as your choice of Wisconsin Cheese Curds, battered, fried and served with ranch dipping sauce, Crispy Cauliflower, deep fried, rice-flour coated cauliflower, spicy curry, and pickle salad, or Fried Pickles, which are panko-breaded fried pickle chips ser with Chipotle buttermilk ranch dressing. Entrées include their Double Smash Burger, a mammoth two quarter pound hamburger patties, applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, caramelized onions, tomato, arugula, and fried dill pickles on a buttery bun, or for vegetarians, an Impossible Burger Deluxe combining an Impossible Burger with smoked tomato aioli, avocado and provolone cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and dill pickle on a buttery bun. Their house-made desserts include Apple Bread Pudding house-made apple bread pudding made with Challah bread, topped with candied walnuts, bourbon caramel, and vanilla ice cream, or a Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet  (NOTE: Please pre-order, requires 30 minutes to bake,) a chocolate chip cookie baked in cast iron skillet, topped with vanilla ice cream and bourbon caramel. 

Many more restaurants are participating. For a complete list of restaurants and menus, click here.

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago