Chicago Restaurant Week - Anthony's Picks

By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 19, 2010 4:40PM

In previous years, I’ve viewed Restaurant Week as a great opportunity to try out new places. Get some great dining deals, peek inside some temples of food that you might not feel comfortable in without some sort of bargain special. Not this year. Between the recession and flu season, I’m going to use restaurant week to visit old favorites. I’m looking for some comfort food (for me, at least) at a low, low price. Just like last year, I warn you: Read the menus before you go. You may find that your favorite dish is excluded from a Restaurant Week menu. In addition to old favorites, we usually favor restaurants with lots and lots of choice.

Le Colonial: Always a favorite of mine, they have one of the most expansive restaurant week menus in the city. Four different appetizers, Four different main courses and two desserts. Definitely the most romantic choice I found on the list - if you’re looking for a special post-valentine’s outing. Try their version of Pho, the classic Vietnamese soup, if you’re looking for something to cure all that ails you.

The Drawing Room: Once you’re done eating at Le Colonial, just pop downstairs. The Drawing Room is known for its cocktails (so budget that in) but their food often goes un-noticed. Their restaurant week menu is also extensive, including their exquisite beef short ribs with brown butter Brussels sprouts and aged Fontina-whipped potatoes. Don’t skip “Bacon Squared,” a savory bacon-wrapped pork belly.

Ai Sushi: Usually, small plates/sushi restaurants don’t make our lists, because they just aren’t a good enough value. Ai is an exception, mainly because they allow you to chose from a list of 10 different signature maki. You also get a starter of their pumpkin and corn soup, an order of their wonderful Hamachi carpaccio, salmon pistachio teriyaki and a dessert.