Top Picks for Chicago Restaurant Week 2022

Dusek’s

Restaurant Week in Chicago is back!  It’s the perfect opportunity to explore our vibrant culinary scene. From March 25 to April 10, you can enjoy some of the best from the city’s award-winning spots. Grab your closest friends and celebrate this 15th annual event by eating everything you can (and don’t forget to share). Here is a list of our top ten picks for every type of meal.

Dusek's (Vegetarian Pick) 

Dig into amazing veggie options, old school tavern-style at Dusek's. Chef Ben Truesdell has curated a sampling of Dusek’s vegetarian classics, like Marinated Eggplant, Prairie Apple Salad and the Tavern’s signature Kentucky Butter Cake, for all Chicago’s non-meat eaters.

Mango Pickle

avec (Classic Chicago Pick)

Let’s face it, if you’ve lived in Chicago for a while (or you’ve read any of my previous pieces) you’ve probably heard of avec. Go there to get a taste of the Mediterranean with a Midwestern flair. Their Restaurant Week menu features 5 courses including items such as Chickpea Hummus with roasted delicata squash, Urfa, pine nuts, and hearth-baked pita and Nutter Butter Squares, at either their West Loop or River North locations. 

Mango Pickle (Neighborhood Pick)

This Edgewater spot is a must-try. During Restaurant Week they are offering their 21 Days of Thali Menu: a special 5-course menu with Indian seasonally-inspired items such as “Koliwada” Cauliflower Tempura and Crunchy Chicken Aiguillettes with mushroom kadhi and veg chips.  This is a neighborhood favorite you’ll want to keep at the top of your list. 

Prime & Provisions Steakhouse

Prime & Provisions (Steakhouse Pick)

Plush, classic and always delectable, Prime & Provisions offers a Chicago steakhouse experience and is the first steakhouse to source only 100% All Natural U.S.D.A Prime Black Angus Beef. For Restaurant Week you can indulge in a classic appetizer like the Wedge Salad followed by a perfectly cooked steak and dessert course for only $55. They also are also offering a 3-course $25 lunch featuring their famous burger! 

Chikatana ($39 Dinner Pick)

Enjoy all Fulton Market has to offer at this hip Mexican spot which uses the best seasonal produce available. For only $39 for dinner, Chikatana is serving up a selection of appetizers such as Guacamole or Hummus and main courses such as Chorizo Gnocchi with seared potato gnocchi, house made chorizo, salsa cruda, pearl onions, crema agria and panela cheese. 

Arami (Omakase Pick) 

When you say sushi, I say yes (especially when there’s a dinner special involved). For only $55 Arami is offering a Restaurant Week omakase with your choice of six piece dressed nigiri, the chef’s specialty hand roll and a Japanese-inspired dessert. 

Gaijin

Gaijin (Unique Pick)

In a hip warehouse-like setting, Chef Paul Virant is bringing savory Japanese pancakes, creative shaved ice desserts, and lunch specials to the West Loop. For only $25, you can get a 4-course lunch featuring items like Kombu-Marinated Vegetables with celery, fermented green beans, radish and sesame as well as Mochi Donut Holes (your choice of strawberry, chocolate, pandan-coconut or matcha-citrus).

Artango Bar & Steakhouse (Women-Owned Pick)

We are always down to promote a woman-owned favorite! Featuring well-loved and authentic Latin American favorites such as parrilla-grilled steaks and seafood, visit this Argentinean spot on the North Side for Restaurant Week and dance the night away with a rotation of pro Tango dancers, musicians, and singers. 

By Madison Freeman | Special Correspondent