Jan. 05--The 9th annual Chicago Restaurant Week doesn't begin for almost three weeks, but the time to plan your dining visits is now.
Starting at noon Tuesday, online reservations for Chicago Restaurant Week (Jan. 22 through Feb. 4) can be made at eatitupchicago.com, where one also can see every participating restaurant (a record 354 this year, 55 of them first-timers) and their featured menus.
Among the returning restaurant are Balena, Big Jones, Blackbird, Cafe Spiaggia, Lockwood, Mexique, Naha and Perennial Virant. Newcomers include Appellation, The Blanchard, Cherry Circle Room, GreenRiver, Intro, Monteverde, Oyster Bah, Prime Provisions and Seven Lions.
A new offer this year: American Express cardholders can receive a $5 statement credit for spending $25 or more at a participating restaurant during Restaurant Week.
Kicking off Restaurant Week will be the First Bites Bash, held Jan. 21 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Great Hall at Union Station. Led by host chef Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno, Piccolo Sogno Due), the event will feature tastings from more than 60 restaurants, as well as beer (Goose Island), wines (Terlato) and cocktails. Tickets, $125, are available at eventbrite.com; this year's charity beneficiary will be the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.
pvettel@tribpub.com
Twitter @philvettel
