By Trent Modglin

It’s time for Chicago’s annual foodie frenzy. Yes, that special time of year, where you get to treat your taste buds like royalty during the 13^th annual culinary celebration that is Chicago Restaurant Week, which runs Jan. 24-Feb. 9. That’s a total of 17 days of dining deals to delight even the pickiest of palates.

This year’s version of Chicago Restaurant Week is the largest ever, with more than 400 restaurants participating throughout Chicago and the near suburbs, including more than 80 first-time eateries.

This much-anticipated event is ideal for sampling a variety of what Chicago’s impressive gastronomic scene has to offer, featuring special prix-fixe menus starting at $24 for brunch and lunch and $36 and/or $48 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity).

Dry-aged steaks, hearty American comfort food, modern Japanese creations, traditional Italian recipes, Spanish tapas, French delicacies or Thai spices — the world is at your fork at hundreds of downtown hotspots and cozy neighborhood favorites.

Around three-quarters of a million diners are expected to partake in Chicago Restaurant Week, so don’t delay in making your reservations. For more information on the restaurants taking part and menu options, visit ChooseChicago.com

Save some time in your schedule to return to town Feb. 13-23 for Chicago Theatre Week. Back for its eighth year, you’ll find discounted tickets ($15 or $30… or less) to more than 100 different productions throughout the city. Visit LeagueOfChicagoTheatres.org for more info.