Chicago Restaurant Week is one strange bird. With a laundry list of buzzed-about newbies, established veterans and so-so spots, it’s a labor of love to find a worthwhile menu with a budget-friendly price tag that’s still taking reservations. That kind of effort can turn off even the most dedicated foodies.
Still, there are deals to be had and fantastic dishes to be inhaled. And since you, dear RedEye reader, probably don’t have the time or patience to sift through all the nonsense, we did it for you. Below, you’ll find our top picks for best value, top new restaurants and most creative menus. Plus, we tell you which spots best accommodate vegetarians, make ideal date destinations and are located directly off a CTA train. Because ain’t nobody got time to drive in this weather.
BEST VALUE
Dinner at Osteria Langhe | 2824 W. Armitage Ave. 773-661-1582
Price: $33-$44
Highlights: The cozy Logan Square restaurant features two dinner menus ($33 and $44) with three courses each. The less expensive option is a solid bet with dishes for carnivores and vegetarians alike. The ingredients aren’t lacking in the two entree options: braised short ribs with roasted root veggies or crepes with mushrooms, bell peppers, peas, gorgonzola, spicy leek fondue and whole-grain granola. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved)
Lunch at Bohemian House | 11 W. Illinois St. 312-955-0439
Price: $22
Highlights: Sneak away over your lunch hour for a three-course meal with options such as deviled eggs with pepper relish, an open-faced schnitzel sandwich and Bow Truss coffee gelato with fluffy doughnuts—all for the cost of a single lobster roll elsewhere. We suggest wearing your finest stretchy pants for this one. (Within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
Dinner at Big Jones | 5347 N. Clark St. 773-275-5725
Price: $33
Highlights: Each guest customizes the three-course menu, which includes an appetizer, entree and dessert. With rich options like crawfish etouffee (crawfish tails, butter and wine served with rice) and moist rum bread pudding, you’re getting a deal. Plus, pull-apart jalapeno cheese bread is included as a bonus. (Date-night approved, within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
Dinner at Kinmont | 419 W. Superior St. 312-915-0011
Price: $33
Highlights: The pricey River North seafood spot offers a budget-friendly dinner with your choice of Skuna Bay Salmon or Rushing Waters Trout as the main course. The toughest decision of all comes with dessert: key lime pie or beignets with Nutella cream sauce? Relationships will be tested. (Date-night approved, within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
Dinner at The Promontory | 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West 312-801-2100
Price: $33
Highlights: The Hyde Park eatery makes a gorgeous backdrop for date night, and with menu items like warm beet salad, roasted squash risotto and chocolate-hazelnut pave, it’s a cost-effective way to test the waters without breaking the bank. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved)
TOP NEW RESTAURANTS
Lunch at GreenRiver | 259 E. Erie St. 312-337-0101
Price: $22
Highlights: Tucked inside Northwestern Memorial’s patient pavilion, GreenRiver is one of the top restaurants we visited in 2015. The simple lunch menu offers Parisian gnocchi with trumpet mushrooms and shishito peppers or ocean trout with beets, yogurt, cucumber and pistachio for an entree. Pro tip: Don’t skip drinks. (Vegetarian-friendly)
Dinner at De Quay | 2470 N. Lincoln Ave. 872-206-8820
Price: $33
Highlights: Named one of our favorite new spots of 2015, De Quay melds Dutch and Indonesian cuisines, and the results are tasty. You’ll want to order vegetable or chicken nasi goreng as your second course and housemade stroopwafel for dessert. Just trust us on this one. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved)
Dinner at Izakaya Mita | 1960 N. Damen Ave. 773-799-8677
Price: $44
Highlights: The five-course tasting menu doesn’t have options, but the selections are so good we don’t care. Chow down on rainbow sashimi avocado salad, tofu with crabmeat, beef katsu, marinated duck breast and matcha cheesecake. (Date-night approved)
Dinner at Sink Swim | 3213 W. Armitage Ave. 773-486-7465
Price: $33
Highlights: The menu, which reads like a greatest hits list, includes one small plate, one entree and the choice of an appetizer or dessert. Meat eaters should check out the beef and broccoli, a fan favorite from the regular menu. If dessert is your final destination, the brown butter custard with seasonal fruit looks amazing. (Date-night approved)
Dinner at Monteverde | 1020 W. Madison St. 312-888-3041
Price: $33
Highlights: Offering a steal of a meal, the West Loop pasta palace dishes out three courses with options like prosciutto butter toast, lasagna bolognese and dark chocolate ganache tart. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy the pasta station, where you’ll watch staff roll noodles all night. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved, within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
Dinner at Oyster Bah | 1962 N. Halsted St. 773-248-3000
Price: $33
Highlights: If seafood is your jam, the Lincoln Park hideaway has you covered with an appetizer (oysters or shrimp cocktail) and entree (fish and chips or barbecue shrimp). After dinner, head downstairs for a drink at the Crab Cellar. (Date-night approved, within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
MOST CREATIVE MENUS
Dinner at Tanta | 118 W. Grand Ave. 312-222-9700
Price: $44
Highlights: Peruvian cuisine in River North? Just go with it. The three-course menu with plenty of options is perfect for the fussiest foodies in your life. Beef heart glazed with anticuchera sauce, grilled swordfish and alfajores with hot chocolate sauce round out the drool-worthy list. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved, within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
Dinner at Ada St. | 1664 N. Ada St. 773-697-7069
Price: $33
Highlights: The most badass menu theme goes to Ada St., where dishes are inspired by famous concert rider requests. The shrimp cake appetizer is a nod to the Beach Boys’ request for 25 peeled shrimp, sliced avocados, alfalfa sprouts and white pistachios. Reading this menu is just as fun as digging into the three-course meal. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved)
Dinner at The Duck Inn | 2701 S. Eleanor St. 312-724-8811
Price: $44
Highlights: For a higher price point, the Bridgeport cocktail bar offers four courses with a choice of braised pork belly or crispy chicken thigh as an entree. You’ll want to save room for one of the tastiest desserts we’ve spotted so far, duck egg creme brulee. (Date-night approved)
Dinner at The Dawson | 730 W. Grand Ave. 312-243-8955
Price: $44
Highlights: I’m not sure how you’ll choose between chicken-fried lobster lettuce cups (!!!) and albacore ceviche with fresno chili, puffed rice, sunchoke and tiger’s milk, but I’d suggest a coin toss. Bonus points: The new winter cocktail program launched last week and includes cozy, boozy treats to sip while you eat. (Date-night approved, within five blocks of a CTA train stop)
Dinner at A10 | 1462 E. 53rd St. 773-288-1010
Price: $44
Highlights: The soul-warming three-course menu is full of indulgent choices, such as roasted kabocha squash soup with duck confit, brown butter parsnip cappelletti with lemon buerre fondue and braised venison leg with Brussels sprouts and warm bacon vinaigrette. (Vegetarian-friendly, date-night approved)
@morgancolsen | mcolsen@redeyechicago.com
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