WICKER PARK — If you're looking for an excuse to get out of the cold and into the warmth of an area eatery, the seventh annual Chicago Restaurant Week kicks off Friday and runs through Feb. 6.
Nearly 30 local restaurants including newcomers The Monarch and Bow & Stern Oyster Bar have joined the 14-day celebration, where you can enjoy $22 lunch menus and dinner menus for $33 or $44, not including drinks, tax and tip.
Visit the Chicago Restaurant Week website for the full list of participating restaurants and menus.
Here are a few Wicker Park, Bucktown and West Town highlights:
The Monarch's three-course dinner includes a fried Brussels sprout appetizer, pan roasted rainbow trout and a "Dirt and Worms" dessert with chocolate mousse, cookie crumbs and gummy worms. $33/person. 1745 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park. Phone: 773-252-6053.
Bow & Stern Oyster Bar's "Eat it Up Chicago" menu offers mussels, Slagal Family Farm's chicken thighs, Great Lakes Whitefish and choice of peanut butter or Key Lime pie for dessert. $33/person. 1371 W. Chicago Ave. in West Town. Phone: 312-988-0644.
Michelin star honoree Mexique's lunch and dinner menu offers ceviche, chile rellano, braised pork belly, pan seared salmon and apple tart and tropical cake desserts. Lunch $22/person; Dinner $44/person. 1529 W. Chicago Ave. Phone: 312-850-0288.
Trenchermen's four-course dinner offers an appetizer of beets, burrata, pistachio and olives, along with charred octopus, and for the main entree, beef short rib with salsify, chicories and green goddess or heirloom wheatberries with tofu. $44/person; wine pairings an extra $25/person. 2039 W. North Ave. in Wicker Park. Phone: 773-661-1540.
Tozi Korean BBQ,'s photo-packed lunch and dinner menu showcases Kimchi dumplings, grilled Teriyaki chicken and sliced pork belly, a "Kitchen Lunch" with bibimbop and "Chicago Knockout Noodles: Japchae." End either meal with Mochi cake. $22/person for lunch; $33 or $44/per person for two dinner menus. 1265 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park. Phone: 773-252-2020.
Murai Sushi's three-course dinner includes a cocktail or glass of wine in addition to grub; choose from several appetizers ranging from honey glazed shrimp to ravioli, two Togarishi or Teriyaki entree options and Mochi cake dessert. $44/person. 2020 W. Division St. in Wicker Park. Phone: 773-862-8500.
Red Door's three-course dinner is packed with options, from baked goat cheese and Beef striploin Tataki appetizers to burgers, scallops and duck leg entrees. Desserts include sweet cheeses, Nutella panna cotta and lemon pound cake. $33/person. 2118 N. Damen Ave. in Bucktown. Phone: 773-697-7221.
SmallBar's three-course dinner offers Three Floyd's beer flights for an additional $9. Courses include white bean soup, duck confit flatbread, Kale salad, chicken thigh and braised short ribs. $33/person. 2049 W. Division St. in Wicker Park.
The Bedford's three-course dinner starts with deviled eggs topped with bacon powder and hot sauce or Bibb salad, followed by free range chicken breast or sweet potato gnocchi. There's apple cider doughnuts for dessert too. Cost is $33/person; for larger parties a private dining room is available too. 1612 W. Division St. Phone: 773-235-8800.
The Carriage House's lunch and dinner menu offers a fried oyster po' boy sandwich with slaw or grits for sides, fried green tomatoes and wild caught flounder, among other options. Lunch $22/person; dinner $44/person. 1700 W. Division St. Phone: 773-384-9700.
Ada Street's "Women of the Kitchen" menu serves dishes inspired by female chefs like Julia Child, Barbara Lynch and Lisa Bonjour. Enjoy carrot salad, Bouillabaise with mussels and shrimp, roasted pork loin and citrus pound cake. Dinner is $33/person. 1664 N. Ada St. in Noble Square. Phone: 773-697-7069.
