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Best Restaurant Week Lunch Menus

Chicago Restaurant Week presented by the Chicago & Tourism Bureau runs February 18-27. It's a great opportunity to try really nice restaurants that you've had your eye on but maybe your pockets haven't been deep enough to splurge. Many restaurants along side their dinner menus are offering three-course lunch menus for only $22. Can life get any better at lunch?
Catch 35
(credit: www.catch35.com)

Catch 35

This upscale seafood restaurant alongside the Chicago River might keep you at bay on a normal day with lunch entrees nearing $20. But, during Restaurant Week for only $22 you can have a choice of four soups or salads, five entrees ranging from short ribs to fish to filet mignon medallions, and any dessert from their dessert menu. They also offer another three-course menu for $33 and a four-course menu for $44. If you're in the suburbs, they have a location in Naperville.

35 W. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-346-3500
Website: www.catch35.com
Restaurant Week menu

Prosecco
(credit: www.prosecco.us.com)

Prosecco

Looking for a white tablecloth Italian restaurant to dine in that's chic but unpretentious? A normal day lunch entrée could cost around $16, but for $22 they are offering three Primi options, four Secondi options and three different desserts. Pasta is of course on the menu. If you want to splurge a little bit and your boss doesn't mind, Prosecco has the largest selection of Italian sparkling wine in Chicago. Don't go too crazy though, it's still lunchtime!

710 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-951-9500
Website: www.prosecco.us.com
Restaurant Week menu

aria
(credit: www.ariachicago.com)

aria

Restaurant Week has it listed under American cuisine, but aria is more of an Asian fusion. They combine a few different cuisines to create their own unique menu. You can jump for joy at their $22 lunch menu when a lunch entrée can normally cost up to $26. If you're looking to try something just a little different for lunch head here. You can pick from two desserts at the end, either the almond joy or caramel apple, neither of which are what they sound like.

200 N. Columbus Dr.
(located at the Fairmont Hotel)
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-444-9494
Website: www.ariachicago.com
Restaurant Week menu

Berghoff
(credit: eastitupchicago.com)

Berghoff Restaurant

Chicago nearly choked when in 2005 Berghoff told the city they were closing. But they're back now with their German-American cuisine and their delicious Berghoff root beer that is a must when dining here. Their three-course lunch menu for $22 starts off with either soup or salad. Then you have your choice of four entrees including Wiener Schnitzel and pot roast and mashed potatoes. To round things out, you'll have a choice between two desserts. If you do opt for a Berghoff beer, you know you'll be doing it in a place that has been issued Chicago's liquor license No. 1 every year since 1933.

17 W. Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-427-3170
Website: www.theberghoff.com
Restaurant Week menu

Park Grill
(credit: www.parkgrillchicago.com)

Park Grill

Sometimes it tips you off that the prices might not be quite in your price range when they're not even listed on the menu. But for this 10-day span, you know at the Park Grill that your three-course lunch menu will be $22. To boost the happiness level, you can eat lunch and watch people try to ice skate at Millennium Park. If you're looking for a fancy hamburger or a twist on the smoked ham panini, then this might be your place.

11 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-521-7275
Website: www.parkgrillchicago.com
Restaurant Week menu

*As a note, Restaurant Week has started to become quite popular in Chicago. It would be highly suggested to call ahead for reservations before heading out for lunch.

Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago's northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.

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