The Absolute Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s that blessed time of year: Restaurant Week; the perfect excuse to grab some friends and head out to uncharted lands that you’ve dared to explore.

Especially in the winter, you can find yourself stuck in a rut for our dining habits. Mainly because it’s close, it’s convenient and you already know what you’ll order. Which is why I welcome Restaurant week with open arms. With prix fixe menus, you have a few options with the certainty these are delightful offerings.

This blessed union of food, wine, friends and laughter cannot happen during a better time, the wretched month of February. I’m convinced February is the shortest month because it’s the most terrible in Chicago. It’s like the calendar fates knew we can barely handle another day (except that every four years thing).

This year’s restaurant week is pretty stellar and I found myself picking places not based off of their menus, but ones that still had reservations. Heading to RPM Italian (Herb Roasted Chicken and Polenta, I’m coming for you) tonight, Townhouse Chicago tomorrow and rounding out the week with a roommate date night at Taverna 750 (Italian tapas?!). Let’s hope I don’t have too much idle time at work otherwise, I see a few more stops in my future.

Most cities across the nation have restaurant week, so be sure to find out when can declare a spot at the table.

My exact emotions on Restaurant Week:

A Flowering Friday

After quite the week, it’s finally here. Tonight, dinner with some gals at the fantastic Flower Flat Café. We went there on a whim a few months ago and it is quite possibly the city’s undiscovered greatness. Brought Mom there when she was in town  in December and it continued to deliver.

The café features a prix fixed menu, BYOB and homemade greatness on Friday nights. It’s hard not to feel like you’re transported to the streets of France. It’s a tight squeeze with few tables, so reservations are a must. I love the decór of the place as it’s extremely eclectic with a ton of chic. You just feel at ease.

Which is why it’s the perfect spot to share a (few) bottle(s) of red. And Betsy there is this city’s Mom-away-from-Mom cook. She simply does not disappoint!