Menus available for dine-in, takeout and delivery – Reservations now open
Media contacts:
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com
Janet Isabelli, janet@isabellipartners.com
(CHICAGO – February 24, 2021) – From Friday,March 19 to Sunday, April 4, 2021, Choose Chicago welcomes the return of the city’s eagerly anticipated 14th annual Chicago Restaurant Week (CRW). Diners can reserve tables and view menus online beginning today, Wednesday, February 24, for multi-course meals at their favorite Chicagoland eateries at eatitupchicago.com.
This year’s participants include a range of restaurants throughout Chicagoland offering specially priced, prix fixe menus for dine-in, delivery, and/or carry-out. Choose Chicago’s 2021 program was expanded to provide restaurants with opportunities to participate regardless of the availability of dine-in operations. Newly adjusted prices were also implemented to augment revenue generation for restaurants in light of the business challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Chicago Restaurant Week offers participants an exciting way to experience flavors from every corner of our city,” said Glenn Eden, Board Chair of Choose Chicago. “This year’s program was created with flexible options including dining in, taking out or delivery to encourage diners. Now more than ever, it is crucial to support our local restaurants as they are a big part of our industry and city’s economic recovery. I encourage everyone to get out there and experience the dining capital of the U.S. – try a new cuisine, visit a new neighborhood, embrace the richness of Chicago’s culinary diversity.”
The highly anticipated event will feature more than 265 participants representing 34 distinct Chicago neighborhoods, including 33 suburban restaurants. Seventy-eight restaurants are making their CRW debut and include a range of both recently opened and established locales, such as Arya Bhavan Restaurant in Rogers Park, Lizzie J Café in Lincoln Square, Gaijin in the West Loop, and Avec’s new River North location. They join a list of repeat loyalists such as The Duck Inn in Bridgeport, Ina Mae’s Tavern & Packaged Goods in Bucktown/Wicker Park, Piccolo Sogno in West Town, and Demera Ethiopian Restaurant in Uptown. See a complete list of participating restaurants and their curated menu offerings. Reservations are now open at eatitupchicago.com with additional restaurants onboarding daily.
Chicago Restaurant Week offers visitors and local foodies a meaningful opportunity to experience some of the area’s most sought-after restaurants. For 17 consecutive, dining-packed days, participating dining establishments will showcase specially curated prix fixe menus with prices set at $25 for brunch and lunch, and $39 and/or $55 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax, gratuity and delivery). Lending an ideal reason to explore Chicago’s nationally lauded culinary scene, diners can experience new, showstopping restaurants and familiar favorites alike throughout the city’s vibrant communities.
“Chicago Restaurant Week comes at an opportune time,” said Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “The restaurant industry has faced unprecedented trials over the past 12 months, and operators are ready to safely serve their regulars and new diners eager to expand their culinary horizons. Increased options for dine-in, carry-out, and delivery allow guests to push their exploration even farther into new communities. This program, as well as the 2021 charitable component, brings us one step closer to recovering thousands of jobs, helping others, and injecting new energy into our neighborhood economies.”
In an effort to support an industry in need, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS) is encouraging restaurants to offer wine and spirits beverage pairings on their prix fixe menus. A special campaign from SGWS – in partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) Restaurant Employee Relief Fund – will help provide additional dollars for their one-time, cash grants to hospitality workers facing unforeseen financial strife as a result of the pandemic. To date, the fund has disbursed more than $260,000 to those in need, with continued fundraising efforts in effect.
Chicago Restaurant Week 2021 is sponsored by 100.3 FM WSHE, 101.9 FM The MIX, OpenTable, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Yelp.
For reservations, visit eatitupchicago.com. Fans are encouraged to follow @choosechicago on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and tag #ChicagoRestaurantWeek.
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About Choose Chicago
Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor and meetings destination, leveraging the city’s unmatched assets to ensure the economic vitality of the city and its member business community. Follow @ChooseChicago on Twitter and on Instagram @choosechicago. Like us on Facebook. For more, visit www.choosechicago.com. #ChicagoHome | #Only1Chicago
