I love starting the year with foodie fun. One event I always look forward to is Choose Chicago Restaurant week. The 17th anniversary of this super fun eating extravaganza starts Friday, January 19th and goes through Sunday, February 4th. The highly anticipated event will feature more than 381 participating restaurants.
For 17 consecutive days participating restaurants will showcase specially curated prix fixe menus with prices set at $25 for brunch or lunch, and $42 and/or $59 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity). Participating restaurants represent 31 distinct Chicago neighborhoods along with 46 Suburban restaurants. Of the participants 62 are women, minority, and/or Black owned enterprises. 56 restaurants will be making their CRW debut this year.
A complete list of participating restaurants and their curated menu offers can be found at: eatitupchicago.com
For those looking to get a first hand taste of over 50 of the participating restaurants, I highly recommend attending First Bites Bash on Thursday, January 18th. First Bites Bash is the official kickoff event for Chicago Restaurant Week. It will be held at the Chicago Field Museum from 6-9pm and hosted by Chef Dominique Leach. I had the pleasure of interviewing Chef Leach earlier this year.
“I am honored to serve as the 2023 host chef for First Bites Bash,” said Chef Leach. “This event provides such a unique opportunity for Chicagoans to meet some of the most talented chefs in the city and to preview some of the things they will experience during Chicago Restaurant week. My team and I are also passionate about the cause it supports, which bolsters education for our youth – our next generation of leaders. First Bash tickets can be bought HERE.
Staytuned! I’ll be previewing Chicago Restaurant Week restaurants and letting you know my favorite picks. Happy Eating!
