Chicago Restaurant Week 2016 begins Friday, Jan. 22 and runs through Feb. 4. Technically, that’s two weeks, but nobody will argue the time discrepancy while enjoying the great meal deals. Over 350 restaurants will offer special prix fixe menus (multicourse meals charged at a fixed price) starting at $22 for lunch and $33 and/or $44 for dinner. Thanks to Choose Chicago’s great overview, my friends and I have already planned part of our dining journey. We leave a few days open to last-minute decisions, but we made some reservations.

This year, our first Italian choice is RoSal’s in Little Italy. They are offering Shrimp Anival, salmon and artichoke and chicken piccata, and I plan on working my way through all three options, plus any dessert off their menu.

For Mexican, we chose Barcocina, in the Lakeview area near Wrigley Field. We were drawn to the seared ahi tuna and pomegranate guacamole. Their three dessert choices of blackberry bread pudding, Mexican chocolate mousse and key lime tart all sound wonderfully decadent.

My friends are good about my non-beef eating, so I have no problem with one night of focus on beef. Besides, Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café in Darien (west of Chicago) has non-beef options. I can’t wait to start with cream of poblano with shrimp soup. My friends will devour filet au poivre, and I will enjoy pasta magnifique with crab and crawfish.

We all agreed on Geja’s Café because they offer so many choices. Of course, their cheese fondue appetizers and chocolate fondue desserts helped seal the deal.

With these choices set, we still have plenty of days to select from the many other dining options. Chicago Restaurant Week is a great way to try lots of great food all over Chicago.

— John Wroblewski, online contributor