Experience fine dining without breaking the bank with CHICAGO RESTAURANT WEEK. For ten days, from February 17 – 26, 2012, over 200 restaurants are offering special prix fixe menus starting at $22 for lunch and $33/$44 for dinner. Take this opportunity to sample hundreds of the city’s best restaurants – from venerable old favorites to the hottest newcomers – with little regard for the cost. Beverages, tax and gratuity are not included.

Participating restaurants may offer Restaurant Week menus for lunch (L), dinner (D) or both - at their discretion. Menu details found here. Reservations not required, but recommended.

Here are some of our favorites:

• Aria (200 N. Columbus; 312/444-9494) (L, D)
  
• Catch 35 (35 W. Wacker; 312/346-3500) (L, D)
• Chicago Curry House (899 S. Plymouth Ct.; 312/362-9999) (L, D)
  
• Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse (33 W. Kinzie; 312/828-0966) (L, D)
  
• Indian Garden Restaurant (247 E. Ontario, 2nd Floor; 312/280-4910) (L, D)
• Italian Village Restaurants (71 W. Monroe; 312/332-7005) (L, D)
• Manny’s Coffee Shop & Deli (1141 S. Jefferson; 312/939-2855) (L, D)
  
• Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse (505 N. Michigan; 312/321-8823) (L, D)  
• Shula’s Steak House (301 E. North Water; 312/670-0788) (Dinner only!)
• Tavern at the Park (130 E. Randolph; 312/552-0070) (L, D)
  
• Texas de Brazil (51 E. Ohio; 312/670-1006) (Dinner only!)
  
• Vivo (838 W. Randolph; 312/733-3379) (L, D)
• The Weber Grill Restaurant (539 N. State; 312/467-9696) (L, D)

_ Throughout the years – 85 of them, in fact – the legendary Italian Village has been the go-to dining destination in the Loop for generations of out-of-towners and locals alike. From rehearsal dinners to pre-theater meals to family gatherings, the restaurant’s three distinctive Italian experiences have satisfied all comers for decades, but few occasions demonstrate the charm and appeal of the Village quite like Valentine’s Day.

Throughout the complex, music and romance will fill the air, as this special edition of date night manifests itself on three levels. In the restaurant’s subterranean grotto, you’ll find lovers sharing intimate conversation and delicious steaks, seafood and chops amid the wine cellar surroundings of La Cantina. At street level, the see-and-be-seen crowd will be sampling modern takes on Italian favorites at Vivere. And upstairs, the twinkling lights, small-town setting and cozy private booths will draw traditionalists to the popular Village.

In all three settings, however, the message will be the same – Chicago loves the Italian Village! 

Located at 71 W. Monroe Street. Reservations recommended, 312/332-7005.

_ 2012 marks the 104th anniversary of the CHICAGO AUTO SHOW. Don’t miss your chance to see all of the shiny new domestic and foreign models under one enormous roof, to nestle into the leather embrace of that dream sports car, to check out the futuristic designs of the concept vehicles, and, perhaps most importantly, to soak in a healthy dose of that wonderful new car smell of the nearly 1,000 vehicles on display.

New this year is the logo reflecting the city of Chicago and its heritage and an updated and redesign website, which offers visitors an interactive look at the show.

The 2012 public show runs daily from 10am to 10pm February 10th thru 18th (closes on at 8pm on 2/19) at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr. Adults $11, seniors & children 7-12 $7, 6 and under FREE. Call 630/495-2282 or visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.

_ Don’t let the winter blahs get you down, no matter what the season, there is still plenty of fun to be had here in the Windy City.

SNOW DAYS CHICAGO is a free three-day winter festival that brings people out of hibernation for some fun in the snow. The festivities take place in Navy Pier, and include a snow sculpting competition, a dog sled demonstration, a snowboarding jail ram, and an Activities Igloo for kids. Teams of professional snow sculptors from all over will work to create beautiful and unique sculptures out of man-made snow over the three-day span. Visitors to the competition will have the chance to vote on the best sculpture, and see the winner honored at the awards ceremony.

The festivities takes place Friday & Saturday 11am-8pm, and Sunday 11am-6pm at Nave Pier at 600 E. Grand. Admission is free. 312/595-PIER. Need a winter warm-up? Stop by Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. (312/252-4867) or Harry Caray’s Tavern(312/527-9700), both located on the Pier grounds.

_Think the New Year’s celebrations for 2012 ended when the last fireworks fizzled out and confetti was swept up on January 1? Think again. In Chicago’s vibrant Chinatown enclave, the party is just getting started. Considered the most important holiday of the year for the Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year celebration brings hundreds of thousands of revelers to the streets of Chinatown to soak in the lively atmosphere and colorful displays of their annual Chinese New Year Parade.

The 2012 Lunar New Year celebration not only marks the Year of the Dragon, but also marks the 100th Anniversary of Chicago's Chinatown. The parade steps off at Wentworth and 24th at 1pm on Sunday, January 29, and promises a dazzling array of marching bands, floats, dance teams, and, of course, a traditional paper dragon made out of silk, paper, and bamboo. Additional activities start as early as 11:30am.

            After the parade, follow the crowds as they take the party into some of the neighborhood’s most popular eateries, including favorites like Three Happiness (209 W. Cermak; 312/842-1964) and Phoenix Restaurant (2131 S. Archer; 312/328-0848).

_ The Chicago Theatre will be packed this weekend for two big shows with comedian Kathy Griffin, who brings her great appreciation for both pop culture and the skewering thereof to town in the form of a reliably hilarious and snarky standup act.

Also sure to be packed both before and after those shows is the most recent addition to Chicago’s burgeoning gay and lesbian nightlife scene that just happens to sit outside of the usual North Side LGBT havens – the nearby Downtown Bar & Lounge. Expect a nicely diverse crowd of both gay and straight patrons, plenty of plush, eclectic ornamentation, and an ebullient, energetic vibe throughout the room. Just don’t expect food – this is a bar and lounge, after all, and not a bar and grill.

So come prepared with an appetite for fun and drink (and drink and drink), and don’t be surprised if the celebrity gossip continues all night long. 440 N. State. 312/464-1400.

_ As tempting as it may be to get out and experience the city at this time of year, this is still wintertime in Chicago, and the weather outside has a tendency to be more frightful than even the most snow-loving reveler would prefer. But with the proliferation of fantastic dining options popping up inside hotels all around town of late, many lucky visitors are just an elevator ride away from a great meal – sans coat and mittens.      

Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse at InterContinental Hotel
The name alone is probably enough to pack them into the latest entry in the city’s ongoing steakhouse proliferation, but the real draw here is less the name on the marquee and more the beef on the plate. 505 N. Michigan; 312/321-8823.    

Cape Cod Room at Drake Hotel
For decades, the see-and-be-seen seafood spot has been the New England-themed dining room inside this landmark lodge on the Gold Coast. 140 E. Walton; 312/787-2200.



Aria at Fairmont Hotel
Forget room service – there’s no better way to experience pan-Asian creations by Top Chef Season 9 contestant and Chef de Cuisine, Beverly Kim, than in the hipper-than-hip dining room. 200 N. Columbus; 312/444-9494.

Aja at Dana Hotel and Spa (pictured)
Sushi selections and Asian small plates compete for diners’ attention with the lavishly decorated two-story dining room at this River North hotspot. 660 N. State; 312/202-6050.

_ Most famous for its amazing sky-high views of the city’s celebrated lakefront and skyline, the John Hancock Observatory takes the meaning of ‘winter wonderland’ to a whole new level––literally! For the second year in a row, guests can skate above the Magnificent Mile, at more than 1,000 feet in the sky, alongside family and friends on an intimate synthetic ice-skating rink, with Skating in the Sky. No matter how big or small, this exiting wintertime activity promises fun for the entire family. 875 N. Michigan, 94th Fl. 888/875-VIEW.

Or grab your coats, scarves, and skates (if you have them), and head outside for a few memorable laps around Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Breathtaking cityscape and the Park’s stunning seamless bean-shaped sculpture by Anish Kapoor, titled Cloud Gate, will be the backdrop to your day of figure eights and fun. The seasonal ice-skating rink attracts over 100,000 skaters annually with its convenient downtown location at the corner of Madison Street and Michigan Avenue. Admission is free; skate rentals are available for $10 and on-site bath- rooms, concessions and lockers are just a few strides away. 312/742-1168.

10. Kick out 2011 in style at EMERALD LOOP BAR & GRILL. Located in the heart of downtown, this New Year's bash includes premium open bar and premium appetizer buffet, party favors and champagne toast. 8pm-1am. $75. 216 N. Wabash. Make reservations at 312/263-0200 or 312/867-7717.

9. Ring in the New Year in style at VERTIGO SKY LOUNGE with incredible rooftop views, signature plush robes, crystallized fire pit and fur blankets. Enjoy premium open bars, live DJ entertainment, passed hors D'oeuvres, late night snacks, and a champagne toast at midnight. Open bar 9pm-1am (party goes until 3am). $105 (price to increase based on availability). 2 W. Erie. 312/202-6060.

8. If it's New Year's Eve in Chicago, veteran rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters must be playing a party nearby; this year, the balloon drop takes them to the HOUSE OF BLUES. 8pm. $62.50. 329 N. Dearborn. 312/923-2000.

7. Each year, tens of thousands of locals and visitors alike descend upon the lakefront for prime viewing of NAVY PIER'S annual fireworks extravaganzas. Navy Pier offers up a preliminary round of fireworks at 8:15pm, then once the clock strikes midnight, the Pier will again be illuminating the night sky with more fireworks. FREE. 600 E. Grand. 312/595-PIER.

6. Countdown to new resolutions more than 1,000-feet up at The JOHN HANCOCK OBSERVATORY and enjoy the sizzle of Navy Pier's early family-friendly New Year's Eve firework spectacular at 8:15pm and midnight show. Adults $15 (12+), complimentary youth admission with each adult ticket purchased. 875 N. Michigan. 888/875-VIEW.

5. Kick out 2011 at the recently revamped LASALLE POWER CO. The night's festivities include premium bar, hors d'oeuvers, balloon drop, live digital countdown, champagne toast at midnight, and more. 9pm-midnight. $100 ($50 early bird ticket). 500 N. LaSalle. 312/661-1122.

4. Kentucky garage-punk quintet Cage the Elephant brings its live-wire energy to a New Year's Eve bash at the ARAGON BALLROOM. 8pm. $40. 1106 W. Lawrence. 773/561-9500.

3. Ring in the New Year aboard the ODYSSEY, SPIRIT OF CHICAGO, OR MYSTIC BLUE New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruises. Includes food, drinks, dancing and a fireworks display off of Navy Pier. Boarding at 8:30pm. $219.90 for Odyssey, $159.90 for Spirit of Chicago and $147.90 for Mystic Blue. 600 E. Grand. 866/273-2469.

2. Kids in tow? Jump-start your NYE festivities aboard SPIRIT OF CHICAGO. Their New Year’s Eve Family Lunch Cruise features a holiday lunch buffet, DJ entertainment, special countdown to New Year’s Eve at noon, and party favors. Sat, Dec. 31. Boards at 11am, cruises from 11:30am-1:30pm. Adults $47.90, children (age 3-12) $25.95. Departs from Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand.866/273-2469.

1. Spend New Year's Eve laughing with Chicago's hottest interactive improv experience, COMEDYSPORTZ. With suggestions and comments from the audience, the red and blue teams sing, dance, and deliver improved scenes in this no-holds-bar battle of comedy. All shows feature a countdown, party favors, and toast. Check out the early family-friendly shows at 5pm & 7pm. $22. 929 W. Belmont. 773/549-8080.