Chicago Restaurant Week 2019

Tavi J. at 2019 First Bites Bash

The 12^th annual Chicago Restaurant Week starts TODAY and goes through February 7^th. The culinary celebration features special prix fixe menus starting at $24 for brunch and lunch, and $36 and/or $48 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity). This year’s Chicago Restaurant Week will be the largest ever, with nearly 400 local restaurants participating. There will be 100 first-time participants and 45 suburban restaurants. For a full list of participating restaurants click HERE.

First Bites Bash 2019

Tavi J. and Jarmel Doss

Last night foodies gathered at the Field Museum for the official kick-off party to Chicago Restaurant Week. First Bites Bash lets attendees sample bites from 70+ Chicago restaurants. Our hosts for the evening were Chef Joe Flamm of Spiaggia and Mixologist Jarmel Doss of The Aviary. After stuffing ourselves silly the official after party was hosted by Stella Artois at TAO. Check out some of the yummy bites we had below. Keep scrolling because I’m giving you tips for navigating restaurant week and the restaurants I want to check out. Happy Eating!!

Upstairs at The Gwen – Nantucket Bay Scallops

: Grand Central Bar – Slider

: Steadfast – Mulled Spice Meringue

: Tempesta – Wagyu Pastrami Bite

HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen – Poached Duck Salad

: Barrio – Grilled Lobster Quesadillas

: Tao – Lobster Wontons

: Wildfire – Parmesan Crusted Cod

Petterino’s – Key Lime Pie

: Odyssey Cruises – Cioppino

: Katana – Sushi

: Texas de Brazil – Flanked Steak with Mash Potatoes

TAO – After Party

Tavi J. Tips for Navigating Chicago Restaurant Week

Most of us have a list of bookmarks of places we want to try. Take out that list and see if they’re on the restaurant week listing.

When choosing a restaurant make sure to browse the menu. You want to make sure you like all the courses offered because there are no substitutions. Check to make sure you’re good especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.

Get the most bang for your buck. Some restaurants already have lunch time specials, so you may want to hold off on trying them at a different time and use Restaurant Week to try the more pricier options.

Although it’s not required, reservations are a good idea.

Top 10 is so last year. Check out my top 13 restaurants I want to try and my top 13 restaurants I have tried and recommend. Hope you have an awesome restaurant week! I’m going to be starting mine off on Monday, January 28^th aboard the Odyssey. I’ll make sure to let you know how it is. 🙂

Tavi J Top 13 Recommended Restaurants for Chicago Restaurant Week

Aba
Casati’s
Eden
Katana
La Sirena Clandestina
Margeaux Brasserie
Monnie Burke’s
Osteria Langhe
Roanoke
Somerset
Sushi Dokku
Tanta Chicago
Terzo Piano at the Art Institute of Chicago

Tavi J. Top Wish List Restaurants to visit for Chicago Restaurant Week

Avec
Big Jones
Booth One
Café Spiaggia
Cindys
El Che Bar
Free Rein
Haisous Vietnamese Kitchen
Ina Mae
Marchesa
Odyssey
Pacific Standard Time
Vermillion