Here’s What You Can Try During Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week

Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, February 21st, and we have a sneak peek look at some of this year's specials!

There are 19 participating restaurants for this year's event, which runs through Sunday, March 2nd. Here are the special menu items that have been announced so far, courtesy of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance website:

• Aroma Artisan Pizza at Kingston Yard - 151 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
  • The Bee Sting - A neapolitan pizza with spicy soppressata and calabrese peppers. Add our five cheeses and a bit of Hot Honey
  • Pesto Proscuitto - Our pesto base (nut-free) with cherry tomatoes, soft mozzarella, our cheese blend, and thinly sliced prosciutto
  • Cheesy Bread - Our New York dough with butter garlic sauce, cheeses, oregano and our NY sauce for dipping
  • Fresh Bourbon Caramel Date Gelato - Cedar Ridge Bourbon, California date crystals, and a caramel ribbon

• Big Grove Brewery -  170 1st St SW, Cedar Rapids
  • Tonkatsu – breaded and fried pork cutlet of short grain rice with a jammy egg, lettuce, kewpie and bulldog sauce topped with naganigi and sesame
  • KatsuSando – breaded and fried pork cutlet on white bread with kewpie mayo, shredded lettuce and bulldog sauce
  • Crunchberry Cheesecake – Crunchberry crust, cereal milk whipped cream, and candied Crunchberries
  • WHISKEY SMASH Cocktail – Cherry shrub, rosemary, Cedar Ridge Bourbon, and rosemary sprig

• Black Sheep Social Club -  600 1st St SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Chocolate Covered Cherry Old Fashioned ($15) - Cacao infused Cedar Ridge Bourbon, black cherry demerara, hazelnut, black walnut, and a chocolate covered cherry garnish
  • Roasted Pork Tostada ($18) - Watermelon pico de gallo, black lime crema, avocado mousse, spiced corn tortilla, black garlic mole sauce, caramelized onions, cotija cheese, and herb salad

• Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery - 1441 Marak Rd NW, Swisher
  • Thai Pork Sliders ($12) - Kings Hawaiian roll, smoked pork, sweet chili sauce, pineapple lime snow pea slaw, cilantro, red peppers, jalapeño, and red onion (4 sliders)
  • Wood-Fired French Onion Pizza ($15) - Onion cream sauce, gruyere, mozzarella, caramelized onion, balsamic reduction, green onion, crushed sourdough croutons, and a side of beef consommé
  • Barrel Bar ($8) - Graham cracker crust, white and milk chocolate chips, butterscotch, crushed heath bar, coconut, ice cream, and chocolate sauce
  • Cedar Shrub Cocktail ($12) - Choice of Original 86, Barrel Proof (+2), or Port Cask Bourbon (+4), house-made strawberry shrub, lemon juice, and ginger beer
  • Cuban Dave Cocktail ($12) - Barrel Aged Rum, lime juice, cinnamon, angostura, fresh mint, and Iowa sparkling wine

• CityWalk Eatery - 102 2nd St SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Citrus Pork Stuffed Ravioli - In a pear-infused amaretto cream sauce

• The Class Act - 7725 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids
  • Chicken Fried Rice Croquettes ($10) - Chicken, rice, carrots, peas, egg, sesame seed, scallions, duck sauce, and unagi sauce
  • Mushroom & Swiss Smash Burger ($17) - Two 4oz beef patties, umami powder, crimini compote, Gruyere, mushroom aioli, and your choice of side
  • Beef & Ricotta Ravioli ($32) - House made ravioli, braised short ribs, Sunday gravy, fried oyster mushrooms, and your choice of soup or salad
  • Dessert Charcuterie ($12) - Chocolate ‘sausage’, chocolate focaccia, honey mascarpone spread, Wensleydale cranberry cheese, dried fruit & nut chocolate disc, and fresh berries

• Cliff's Dive Bar - 227 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Smoked Salmon Flatbread - Honey goat cheese, lemon zest, garlic chili oil, lemon zest, arugula, and cherry tomatoes
  • Braised Short Rib - Apple butter mole and an almond gremolata served with sweet potato and apple succotash and garnished with lime-tossed arugula
  • Honeycomb Cereal Milk Cheesecake

• Crosby's - 1028 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Fried Feta ($12) - Lightly fried breaded feta cheese, pickled red onion, chimichurri salt, and arugula
  • Chicken Duo with Bacon & Apple ($34) - Confit airline chicken breast, breaded chicken roulade, cherry vanilla bacon jam, havarti-crusted fondant potatoes, charred lemon broccolini, honeycrisp apple pico, and smoked honey apple cider chicken jus
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Brioche Bread Pudding ($10) - Glazed doughnuts, banana, chocolate chips, creme anglaise, and powdered sugar

• The District CR - 415 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Red Beans and Rice - Topped with Cajun andouille sausage and honey butter corn bread
  • Bayou Bruschetta - Toasted French bread topped with Cajun-spiced ricotta, balsamic spinach slaw, cherry tomatoes, and sweet seared shrimp
  • 3rd St Cocktail - A smooth blend of bourbon, fresh lemon juice, strawberry syrup, and honey-ginger syrup, balanced with a touch of bitters and a splash of soda water and garnished with a candied strawberry

• Edison's Eatery - 475 Northland Ave NE, Cedar Rapids
  • 3 Course Meal ($25)
    • Choice of Soup or Salad - House Salad or Soup of the Day
    • Choice of Main Course - Homemade Lasagna (beef or spinach), Light Switch Burger (with choice of side), BBQ Pork Ribs (with fries, cornbread and coleslaw), or Greek Chicken with Rice
    • Dessert - Chocolate Cake or Carrot Cake

• Groundswell Cafe - 201 3rd Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
  • Groundswell Quiche (all day) - West Fork bacon ends, heirloom tomatoes, baby spinach, & Dan and Debbie’s FarmHouse Cheddar, baked in a shortcrust pastry shell and garnished with a pesto crema
    • Served with an Urban Farm Hydroponic Green Salad on the side during lunch
  • Brioche Stuffed French Toast (all day) - Brioche, cream cheese filling, and mascarpone whip topping, drizzled with white chocolate ganache
  • Steak & Egg Ciabatta (all day) - Seasoned Braveheart Beef cooked in a herb garlic butter with an over-easy egg, Dan and Debbie’s FarmHouse Cheddar Cheese, Urban Farm Hydroponic Lettuce, and horseradish aioli
    • Served with an Urban Farm Hydroponic Green Salad on the side during lunch
  • Daily Kolaches (all day) - Sweetened yeast dough, sweetened cheese filling, fresh fruit filling, and streusel topping
  • Vegan Sunshine Soup (lunch) - Butternut squash, carrots, fresh ginger, onion, butter buns, garbanzo beans, sweet corn, farro, orange lentils, and coconut milk
  • Creme Brulé Bread Pudding (all day)

• the hip-stir - 1120 7th Ave, Marion
  • Lamb Meatballs - Roasted red pepper harissa, yogurt, arugula sauce, and cashew dukkha
  • Cioppin - Seafood bouillabaisse with lobster, scallops, shrimp, mussels and cod, served with signature big bread

• La Cantina Bar & Grill - 5400 Edgewood Rd NE, Cedar Rapids
  • Trompo Tacos
  • Tres Leches Cake

• Lacayo - 1202 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Ribs and Grits - Achiote ribs, agave grits, cotija, chilis, lime, and cilantro

• Lucky's on 16th - 86 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
  • FootLong Hot Dog - Topped with homemade chili, Lucky’z bloody mary mix, mac & cheese, raw onion, and a side of relish
  • Stir Fry Hand-Breaded Chicken - Over a bed of white rice and stir fry mixture
  • Breakfast Chimi
  • Hand-Battered Pancake Apple Rings
  • French Toast Biscuit Tower

• O's Grill - 3911 Center Point Rd NE, Cedar Rapids
  • Moroccan Lemon Chicken with Olives

• Pickle Palace - 101 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids
  • Crimson King Cocktail ($12) - Cedar Ridge Bourbon, cherry bitters, and vanilla tincture
  • Moroccan Meatballs ($14) - 3 pork meatballs, Moroccan BBQ sauce, pickled jalapenos, and herb salad
  • Chocolate Chouxnut ($9) - Chocolate pate choux, dulce de lèche mousse, and candied pépitas

• Pub 217 - 217 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids
  • The “Iowan” Old Fashioned  ($12.50) - Cedar Ridge Bourbon, real maple syrup, and Luxardo cherries
  • Creamy Garlic Bourbon Pork Chops ($18) - Crispy, hand-breaded pork loin chops smothered in a rich, decadent gravy and served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus
  • The “Berry” Best Chicken Salad ($17) - Fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, grilled chicken, and creamy goat cheese combined with crunchy pecans, sweet red onion, and a  drizzle of honey balsamic vinaigrette
  • Apple Pie Won Tons ($10) - Crispy treats with sweet apple pie filling and dusted with cinnamon sugar. Add caramel dipping sauce for $1.50

• The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery - 616 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
  • Smoked Gouda Pimiento Cheese Dip - Served with naan dippers
  • Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers - Wrapped in caramelized bacon
  • Non-Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Peppers (Vegetarian Option)
  • Kid Gloves Belgian-Style Witbier

All of the Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week specials will be revealed this Thursday, February 20th at the annual Fork & Knife Feast. There are still a few tickets left, you can purchase them HERE.

Don't forget! Iowa City Restaurant Week officially kicked off over the weekend and runs through the 24th! You can check out all of the participating restaurants and their special menu items HERE.