A Guide To Restaurant Week In Chicago

The best week in Chicago is finally here! Aja, Sepia and Fogo de Chao each have a three-course meal for $22 for lunch and $32 for dinner. Due to the fact that numerous restaurants are participating and it is only nine days long, it can be a little overwhelming. So, I have put together six simple rules to help you enjoy Restaurant Week to the max.

1. Pick a restaurant you have never been to

Restaurant Week's official website: www.choosechicago.com

When you view the site, you're going to say, "Right, Alycia, this is impossible to pick a restaurant that I haven't been to. There seem to be hundreds." Pick a letter and go from there. It makes it much easier.

2. Pick a restaurant you have been dying to visit, but it has always been too expensive

Blackbird is normally $50 per person, but not this week! Your wallet won't get injured after this meal, and you can finally enjoy that garbanzo bean soup, butternut and ricotta tart, and chocolate ganache everyone has been raving about. And my mouth is officially watering.

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Blackbird Restaurant - View Restaurant Week Specials

3. Always look at the menu first

You want to ensure that you like at least one item from every category offered. The menus are set up as three categories: Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert. Within these categories, most restaurants have three choices, but some have only two. You never want to find yourself already at the table with a glass of wine and nothing appeases your appetite. That's just rude.

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Keefer's Restaurant - View Restaurant Week Specials

4. For lunch reservations, pick a restaurant that is near by

You want to have as much time as possible to enjoy the savory flavors of the food you are consuming. One hour for lunch just doesn't allow you to do that if the restaurant is far away. Restaurant Week is a marketing campaign that allows you to enjoy your favorite restaurants for less, and you need to always take advantage of this.

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EPIC - View Restaurant Week Specials

5. Never take a cab to a restaurant that is a far distance for you

This defies the whole point of saving you money. If you cab from Wrigleyville all the way to Mercat a la Planxa in the South Loop, this adds an extra $20 to your tab. A very high-end restaurant is giving you three course meals for $32 per person – take every advantage of this. The CTA is economically friendly for the environment and your wallet.

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Mercat a la Planxa - View Restaurant Week Specials

6. MAKE A RESERVATION AT LEAST ONCE A DAY

This doesn't happen every day people, only once a year. It's like Christmas in February! All those decadent desserts may do a little damage to the waistline, but that's easily fixed with a couple runs on the treadmill next week. Enjoy!

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Geja's Café - View Restaurant Week Specials

Benny's Chophouse is celebrating Restaurant Week all month long!

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Benny's Chophouse - View Restaurant Week Specials

Alycia Nicole is a concierge in the heart of downtown Chicago, and is a Restaurant Week Professional.