Discounted Fine Dining in Chicago Area During 'Restaurant Week'

CHICAGO, IL - Chicago Restaurant Week is a bit of a misnomer this year. In fact, it's not just one week anymore, it's doubled in length, expanded in size and added another meal. The 10th edition of the annual event offers fans of great food a chance to sample some some of the area's top restaurants at more affordable prices. More than 340 restaurants are taking part in the area-wide promotion, which gives diners the option of selecting from special, discounted prix fixe menus at significantly lower rates ($33 and/or $44 for dinner, excluding tips, tax and drinks). A list of all participating restaurants, their menus and links to reserve a table are available from Chicago's privatized, non-profit tourism bureau, Choose Chicago.

In addition to being extended to a 14-day affair, running from Jan. 27 to Feb. 9, for the first time 2017's Restaurant Week features brunch options (at the same $22 price as lunch menus). Chicagoist has collected several helpful tips for getting the best deals out of Restaurant Week. They include "don't be a vegetarian," "don't order soup," and "beware existing prix fixe menus." Chicago Magazine has compiled a list of the top five best deals for Chicago Restaurant week, while Eater Chicago has put together a list of 16 neighborhood gems to taste during the two week event. Reservations at the most popular spots fill up fast, so make plans early if you want to get the most out of one of Chicago's top culinary events of the year.

Photo credit: Yvette Jaskiewicz (Choose Chicago)