A Guide to Restaurant Week

Food lovers and enthusiasts alike can now celebrate—Chicago Restaurant Week is here! During Restaurant Week, eateries in the city create special menus and give exclusive discounts. It’s a great time of year to be adventurous and try new restaurants, or dine out at your customary ones, with family and friends. This year, Chicago Restaurant Week has more than 400 locations, which might make it difficult when deciding where to eat. Here’s a guide to Restaurant Week that will help you plan your dining experience in the city. 

Select a category of cuisine

Chicago is known for its food, especially for dishes like deep dish pizza and Chicago dogs. The city also offers all sorts of international cuisines, from Italian classic dishes to traditional Chinese plates. Since there are so many different dining options during Restaurant Week, you’ll want to choose which types of food you’d like to eat before you do any research or make any reservations.

You may also want to think about what types of meals you wish to eat. If you have a hankering for brunch, then look for places that specialize in breakfast plates and have positive reviews. Or, if you want to go out for drinks, then you’ll want to investigate which restaurants have the best bars. Selecting what type of food you crave will assist you in developing the best Restaurant Week game plan. 

Research chefs

After choosing which type of food you want to eat, you can start researching chefs. Check out restaurant websites and read the chef bios. It’s important that you choose locations with experienced chefs so that you know you’re getting the highest quality fare.

For example, the Albert’s Executive Chef, Larry Feldmeier, has more than 12 years of experience in the kitchen. Chef Feldmeier’s training is in classic technique, although he also has a keen sight for creativity and innovation. The 2020 Jean Banchet Awards nominated Chef Feldmeier as the Rising Chef of the Year. Restaurants with accomplished chefs usually have high-quality foods and unique menu items.

Look at menus

Along with researching chefs, you’ll want to consult restaurant menus. Menus have valuable information, such as meal prices per person, number of courses, and gluten-free or vegetarian options. You can also compare Restaurant Week menus to the regular ones to see if there are any unique dishes that are not normally served that you want to try. Knowing this information can help you plan out the specifics for your meal.

Menus can also tell you what a restaurant is serving, particularly for Restaurant Week. Most establishments will develop unique menus served only during this time. During Restaurant Week, the Albert serves main dishes like Purple Gnocchi, Skirt Steak, and Smoked Salmon. Along with mains, they have starters and desserts, including Kale Salad and Dark Chocolate Mousse. Once you look over an eatery’s menus for Restaurant Week, you’ll be able to determine if you want to eat there. 

Making a reservation

Now that you’ve done your research, it’s time to make a reservation. Call or make a reservation online with the restaurant of your choice, and make sure you pick a date between January 24 and February 9. Don’t procrastinate making a reservation, since bookings can fill up quickly, especially during Restaurant Week. Following these steps will make your time in Chicago during Restaurant Week an unforgettable culinary experience. 

Need a place to stay when visiting Chicago for Restaurant Week? Book your reservation here.