Chicago Area HolidayNews for Christmas 2011!
Welcome to a very special and festive edition of the Yumblog QuickNews, known as our HolidayNews! This is one of two seasonally-inspired QuickNews. Read on to find out about the many foodie events happening in the Chicagoland area this season. Also, make sure to keep your eyes open for the next HolidayNews with information on where to be on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2012!
It just snowed last night (for real this time) and the temperatures have seriously dropped! If you’re chilly like I am, be sure to check out Park Grill’s new Haute Hot Chocolate menu that includes drinks like Spiced Hot Chocolate (FYI: contains Jack Daniels!), Kids’ Hot Chocolate (no alcohol this time) and the Candy Cane Hot Chocolate (once again, alcohol makes an appearance!) You can order these hot chocolates in the dining room or the bar/lounge area but just so you know, they can’t be taken to go!
Haven’t given Santa your list yet? You’re in luck! Santa Claus will be at Francesca’s Tavola, Francesca’s Fortunato and La Sorella di Francesca! On Saturday, December 10th, there will be a Santa Breakfast at Francesca’s Tavola from 9-11am. There will be arts and crafts projects and a coloring contest and of course, Santa Claus! Then, Santa is visiting Francesca’s Fortunato and will listen to wish lists and then eat a great holiday meal with your family. Santa’s final stop is at La Sorella di Francesca at Santa Sunday on December 18th from 5-7pm!
Shiraz on the Water at the Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort will welcome families for a fun day at their annual “Brunch with Santa” on December 4th, 11th and 18th from 10am-2pm. The brunch spread will include traditional breakfast items, an omelet and waffle station, lunch specials, a carving station, side dishes, desserts (including a chocolate fountain) and a kids’ buffet! The cost for the event is $27.95 for adults, $13.95 for children 5-12 years old and free for children 4 and under! Make your reservation today by calling Shiraz on the Water at 630-671-5013.
Stop by Pinstripes to enjoy a Brunch with Santa on December 11th and 18th! Santa will be at BOTH locations- Pinstripes (South Barrington)and Pinstripes (Northbrook)! Brunch includes favorites such as Gourmet Waffles, Omelets, Prime Rib and a chocolate fountain! Brunch starts at 10am and goes until 2pm and Santa will be available from 11am to 2pm! The brunch is $24 per person for adults and $14 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free! Reservations are not required!
Give a little, get a little! From December 12th-18th, if you bring in five cans of food to Brunch, you will get a free appetizer! Your appetizer will be prepared by Executive Chef Joseph Pierro. The canned food drive is benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Stop by the Chicago French Market Jinglefest December 17th from 11am to 2pm and start a new Christmas tradition! You will be able to decorate holiday cookies and enjoy live holiday music. And of course, Santa Claus will be on hand! The event is free- so if you’re on a budget (or spent all your money on Christmas gifts), this is the perfect event for your family!
On December 18th, the Publican will host their first-ever Feast of the Seven Fishes! It is a Southern Italian Christmas Eve tradition that’s coming early this year to Chicago! The meal will consist of five-courses and the cost is $55, $70 if you choose to do beer pairings! The meal will be all-seafood, so this is a great option for non-pork eaters! Reserve your table soon by calling 312-733-9555!
Starting on Tuesday, December 20th, there will be a week-long Christmas celebration at The Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club! A three-course menu for $30 per person will be available daily through Christmas Day, starting at 5:30pm. Dinner will feature a holiday martini of your choice, Beef Bourguignon with Grilled Baguette and Roasted Poussin with Cauliflower Puree, Brussels Sprouts and Truffle Gaufrett. Kit Kat’s “Super Sexy Santa” will also be on hand for fun pictures (and shots!) on Christmas Eve and Day!
Also on the 20th, there will be holiday carolers at Quince in Evanston at 7pm to provide holiday music while you enjoy Chef Andy Motto’s new winter menu. The new menu includes dishes like Sweet Potato Agnolotti, Lamb Duo and Cardamom Chocolate Mousse. Reservations are welcome but not required. Call Quince at 847-570-8400.
Francesca’s Fiore will feature live Christmas carols by Jim Guter’s Duo on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9pm through December 21st! Stop by and have dinner and be serenaded by wonderful Christmas music!
Drury Lane will be host to Santa Claus when he makes his appearance at the “Santa Buffets” on December 21st at 5pm, December 22nd at 6pm and December 23rd at 6pm! The “Santa Buffets” include tickets to The Sound of Music, now playing through January 8th. Performance times are 2:30pm and 8pm on December 21st and 8pm on December 22nd-23rd. The “Santa Buffets” feature dishes like Butternut Squash Soup, Beef Bourguignon, Baked Norwegian Salmon, Baked Virginia Ham, Slow Roasted Turkey and Apple Chestnut Dressing- to name a few! There will also be a variety of homemade desserts and a children’s buffet station. The cost for the buffet AND show is $4o for children and $60-$65 for adults. Then, on December 25th, there will be a Festive Christmas Brunch on Sunday, December 25th from 10:30am to 3pm. The annual brunch will include holiday favorites such as Slow Roasted Turkey and Roast Leg of lamb and many other specialties! The Christmas Brunch costs $30.95 per adult, $11.50 for children ages 6-12, $8 for children ages 3-5 and free for children 2 and under! Make your (required) reservation by calling Drury Lane at 630-530-8300.
ZED451 will hold a Christmas Eve brunch on Saturday, December 24th from 10am to 3pm! The brunch costs $29 per person and if you’d like to partake in bottomless mimosas, it will only cost you $6 more! Dishes such as Smoked Salmon, Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie, Maple Cajun Bacon, Chicken n’ Waffles and Buttermilk Herb Bottom Sirloin (and MUCH more) will be offered. You can even add gourmet, house-made Bloody Mary’s for $5! If your arms are loaded with shopping bags, ZED451 is also offering complimentary shuttle service! Call 312-266-6691 for more information!
Join Chef Michael Lachowicz on Christmas Eve at Restaurant Michael! Reservations will be taken from 4pm in 15 minute intervals until 8:30pm. The dinner is $49.00 per guest and half portions will be available for children under the age of 10 for half price! The menu includes items such as Potato & Truffle Soup, Duo of Stuffed Breast of Hen & Roast Breast of Duck, Filet of Wild Chilean Sea Bass and Roasted Pumpkin Mascarpone Cheesecake, to name a few! Call 847-441-3100 to make your reservations or for more information!
Park Grill will also offer a Christmas Eve dinner menu from 4pm to 10:30pm. The menu includes items such as Butter Poached King Crab, Spiced Pumpkin Soup, Braised Lamb Shank, Whole Roasted Red Snapper and other side dishes, as well as suggested wine pairings. Reservations are suggested but not required. Call Park Grill at 312-521-7275 to make your yours!
Also open on Christmas Eve is Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar! Chef Didier Durand will offer a pre-fixe 4-course dinner (with choices) for $42 per person (plus tax and gratuity) that features Roasted French Goose and the traditional French Bûche de Noël. Other dishes, such as Grilled Swordfish and Grilled Swordfish Steak are also entree choices. Desserts will include an assortment of the best pastries of 2011! Some of the regular menu items will also be available. Chef Didier is also featuring a special menu just for Les Enfants (children) under 12 years old for $25. Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar will be open from 4-10pm and the last reservation can be made for 10pm. Live violin music will be provided by Monsieur Jovan! Call 312-467-0546!
Also at The Kit Kat Lounge, Chef Mark Kasper will be offering a Jingle Bell Brunch on Sunday, December 25th! From 11am to 3pm, diners will be able to order from the a la carte menu while being entertained by Kit Kat’s Madam X. If you want endless drinks (like mimosas, sangria and bloody martinis) it only costs $10 extra per person! Also, bring a canned good donation and your prix-fixe meal will be half price, so only $15! All canned goods will be donated to Vital Bridges, in support of their “Harvest for Hope” food drive.
Spiaggia is offering a $25 gift card to those who purchase both a bottle of Spiaggia’s branded olive oil and balsamico for $80 total via online, phone or at the restaurant. Call 312-280-2750 or click here!
Terzo Piano is offering several holiday drinks and treats like a holiday cookie plate including: Chocolate Fudge, Jam Thumbprint Cookies, Snickerdoodles and Black Walnut Tea Cookies. Or, for a warm festive drink for all to enjoy, try the housemade hot chocolate with steamed milk with housemade chocolate sauce and spiced marshmallow. Lastly, Terzo Piano is offering mulled wine, a popular holiday drink with wine, spices and served warm In addition, Terzo Piano will offer an additional $25 gift card to those who purchase a $100 gift card for the holidays!
Lynn House at Blackbird is offering three new seasonal cocktails! Pear Tree, Blackbird Orange, Holly & Ivy are available throughout December!
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