If you missed Chicago Restaurant Week 2010, you still have a chance to sample some of Chicago’s finest dining establishments at a bargain price during the Chicago Chef’s Week, running from March 22-28. Although the list of participating restaurants is considerably smaller than during Restaurant Week, the quality is no less outstanding – many of the Chef’s Week restaurants also participated in Restaurant Week – and in fact, the dining deals are even slightly cheaper: $20 for a three-course lunch, and $30 for a 3-course dinner.

The following restaurants are taking part in Chef’s Week*:

• Aja (Asian)
• Big Jones (Southern)
• Blackbird (Contemporary American)
• Boka Restaurant (Contemporary American)
• Duchamp (American)
• Elate (American)
• Eve (Contemporary American)
• Green Zebra (Vegetarian)
• Hearty (American)
• Ktih & Kin (American)
• Landmark (Contemporary American)
• LM Le Restaurant (Contemporary French)
• Lockwood (Contemporary American)
• Mado (Organic)
• Market House (American)
• Mercadito (Mexican)
• Mexique (Mexican)
• Perennial (Contemporary American)
• Piccolo Sogno (Italian)
• Prarie Fire (Contemporary American)
• Province (American)
• The Publican (American)
• Sepia (American)
• Sola  (Contemporary American)
• Spring (Seafood)
• Vie (American) NOTE: this restaurant is in the Chicago suburb of Western Springs
• Zealous (Contemporary American)

Reservations are highly recommended. These are some amazing restaurants at which reservations are a good idea on a regular evening – the deals offered during Chef’s Week usually mean that tables are booked far in advance. You can make reservations at OpenTable.com.

*Some restaurants only offer the prix-fixe dinner special. Be sure to check listings on Open Table.