Women's Restaurant Week, Aug 26-31

Women’s Restaurant Week offers a satisfying (and additional) reason to commemorate the signing of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote on August 26, 1920. It kicked off yesterday on the amendment’s annual celebration, also known as Women’s Equality Day, and will continue through the August 31. Paired with discounts and specials, the six-day celebration calls for a feast. 

Venues on the 2020 lineup include Saigon Sisters'.

Located in Streeterville and the Fulton Market District, Saigon Sisters offers a World Tour Menu featuring Singaporian and Balinese food and plenty of options that complement the season, according to co-owner Mary Aregoni.

"The best dish in the hot summer is spring rolls and salad wrap or platter with grilled meats, seafood and lots of herbs," she said. "You eat it like a lettuce wrap that you dip into nuoc cham (fish sauce dressing)."

Aregoni believes that gaining access to capital is one of the greatest challenges confronting women restaurateurs. "It seems to me that to scale or grow the brand, we need to have a business development manager with financial background who is a male because of their connections or network," she said.

Events like Chicago Women's Restaurant Week are designed to help even the playing field, allowing more time for Aregoni to inspire likeminded entrepreneurs. "The greatest reward is the ability to mentor other women who is starting out on this business or collaborating with women who have experienced with how to sustain their brands and helping each other," she said.

Aregoni added that her future goals include "developing leadership skills, continuous learning, forming a network, seeking out mentors, making a difference in the community, and helping others with best hiring practices, training and mentoring."

To learn more about Women's Restaurant Week, click here. To review a sample of specials listed on the official website, see below. 

Bistronomic

Bistronomic’s daily special prix fixe menu is available for $41 per person.

Bittersweet

Bittersweet’s Peach Upside Down Cake ($28), featuring fresh, local peaches, is the perfect dessert for wrapping up a memorable summer!

Brindille

Brindille is offering a special three-course daily menu ($46), half price wine on Sundays, and a summer cocktail promotion to take home or dine in.

The Dandy Crown

The Dandy Crown is offering different cocktails by the female staff on different days.

The Dearborn

The Dearborn is offering a three-course menu ($45), highlighting modern American cuisine with European and worldly influence, served in the outdoor patio or the spacious indoor restaurant.

Demera

Demera offers a 15% discount on dine in, take out or delivery with promo code: WOMENWEEK. Offer valid from August 26th to August 31st. If dine in, please share promo code with your server.

Frontera

Frontera is offering food and cocktails created by the women on staff in the alley “garden” pop-up outside of Bar Sotano.

HaiSous

HaiSous is offering buy-one get-one of summer cocktails. Counter service only.

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

Selections from the female Stewards at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines enhance the experience at many female-owned restaurants in Chicago.

Kumiko

Kumiko is thrilled to honor a woman who has pushed boundaries in the saké world, Miho Imada. The restaurant is highlighting her “Seaside,” a sparkling junmai made in the Champagne method. With the purchase of a bottle, the venue will include a pairing of Julia’s yuzu-koshō karaage (Japanese fried chicken) along with shio kōji pickles by chef Emery. Available as a special “otsumami set” Thursday 8/27 – Saturday 8/29 via preorder from the Kumiko website. $60.

Mi Tocaya

Mi Tocaya sells tee-shirts and buttons that can be ordered by visiting their website and the pick/up and delivery section through ChowNow.

Parachute/Wherewithall

Parachute’s Bing Bread Cookbook ($12) contains just one recipe: the Avondale restaurant’s famous potato-and-pork-studded bing bread. It’s the perfect quarantine project for hardcore home bakers. 

Prairie Grass Café

Pre-order curbside dinner specials that feature produce from Nichols Farm & Orchard, Mick Klug Farm & Three Sisters Garden! Prairie Grass Cafe is open for curbside pre-order packages, patio, and in-restaurant dining for lunch and dinner.

Pretty Cool Ice Cream

Pretty Cool is offering $10 pints of ice cream for sale: Thai Tea Coconut Swirl, Sweet Corn and Black Raspberry Swirl.

Saigon Sisters

Saigon Sisters is offering a special World Tour Menu featuring Singaporian and Balinese food dine in, carry out, delivery serves 2 – 3 people ($40).

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique is offering a 10% discount at the store location for pickup or delivery at Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique

Vanille Patisserie

Vanille Patisserie is offering BOGO dipped cones at both locations — French Market and Lincoln Park.

Vermilion

Vermilion is offering a four-course outdoor feast of Indian-Latin fare and new Morelos/Mexico and Kerala/Indian dishes ($45) in the breezy gazebo patio.