Competing Restaurant Weeks Heat Up Slow Season

This time of year is usually a slow period for restaurants, what with the cold weather and all. Add to that some scary uncertainty on the job front and people are eating in with more frequency.

Which is why the city's convention and tourism bureau is helping out by designating the week of February 22-29 as "Chicago Restaurant Week ... eat it up!" The goal is to raise awareness of the city's dining scene during the slow season, with participating restaurants offering three-course, fixed price lunches and dinners ($21.95 for lunch, $31.95 for dinner). A list of participating restaurants is available here.

If you can't wait a month and want to save some money on dinner, then check out the Chicago Originals. This group of local and suburban eateries just announced "Chicago Originals Week" from January 27 through February 3. During that week, all member restaurants of the Chicago Originals (check them out here) will offer three-course prix fixe dinners for $20.08. Just remember to bundle up if you plan on dining out either of those weeks.