Chicago Restaurant Week 2016.
January is the time when everyone is making fitness resolutions for the new year. Well, I’m making restaurant reservations. I also suspect many will be breaking those same resolutions when they see that 54 new restaurants are participating this year. This will push the options to over 350 restaurants taking part in Chicago’s Restaurant Week 2016. Since Chicago beats to it’s own drum Chicago’s Restaurant Week is not going to be just 7 days but being held over 14 days. Chicago Restaurant Week will be kicked off on January 21 with the First Bites Bash being held at Great Hall at Union Station. The First Bites Bash will be hosted by Piccolo Sogno and Piccolo Sogno Due owner & chef Tony Priolo. The event will feature tastings from over 60 restaurants, as well as beer from Goose Island), wines from Terlato and varies cocktails. Tickets, $125, are available at eventbrite.com. Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is the 2016 First Bites charity beneficiary. Organized by the city of Chicago’s official tourism organization Choose Chicago; Chicago Restaurant Week will be inviting visitors and locals to dine January 22 and continues through February 4.
These two weeks will prove to be a foodie’s paradise with special prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33 and/or $44 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). I’ve already made my reservations. I’m excited to review 14 new restaurants. I’ve chosen restaurants I’ve never visited and I encourage you to also. The 9th annual Chicago Restaurant Week will have many restaurants that are 4 or 5 stars participating. I’ve included a link to the full list here. Please look over the many locations and their special menus before making your reservations during Chicago Restaurant Week. Reservations are not required, but are HIGHLY recommended. There is no guarantee that walk-in guests will be accommodated. Many of the well known locations most likely won’t allow walk-ins.
The Chicago food scene is as diverse as the people of Chicago. The restaurants participating span the Chicagoland area. Different Chicago neighborhoods including downtown and suburbs. The dining choices include Thai, Korean, Spanish, Italian, just to name a few. This is your time to go to your favorite spot or just new places like I am. The restaurants should provide you with their special Restaurant Week Menu. If the servers fails to give you one, simply request the special menu. For the latest information on Chicago Restaurant Week go to EatItUpChicago.com. Below are a few examples of the special menu offered during the 14 days period.
This year American Express cardholders can receive a $5 statement credit for spending $25 or more at a participating restaurant during Restaurant Week.
To learn about other event’s happening in and around Chicago go to ChooseChicago.com. For example, did you know Chicago Theatre Week is taking place February 11th to 21st with tickets ranging from $15 to $30 for over 100 shows. Tickets are available now. You can learn more about Chicago Theatre Week here.
You can also find Choose Chicago sharing fabulous photos and great information about local happenings on social media using the social handle @choosechicago. I’m proud to say they’re shared photos of mine.
Another big event happening during the month of February in Chicago is The Chicago Auto Show. I have the latest information on the Auto Show here. Be sure to follow thefatgirloffashion.com on Instagram using the social handle @thefatgirloffashion and @fatgirl_fashion on Twitter, SnapChat, and Periscope along with the hashtag #FatGirlApproved as I show you all the fun to be had while choosing Chicago. I want to thank you for reading my first post on my new platform. My New Year’s resolution was to complete the process and I hope you enjoy the new thefatgirloffashion.com. It’s #FATGIRLAPPROVED!