New Year’s Eve Options in Chicago

Yesterday I featured a list all about Christmas Dinner options and promised a list for today that would have you rethinking your New Year’s Eve plans, even if it’s just the dinner portion. This list is deep and it features all types of places to have a more than enjoyable meal/experience to end/begin the year, if you can’t find a place to go from this list then you might as well stay home and let Carson Daly welcome you into the new year.

ROOF ON theWit

Lets get the party started with one of my favorite places in downtown Chicago, Roof On theWit (201 North State). If you’ve never been to an event or party at Roof then you are missing out, it’s always a ball partying 27 floors above the downtown city streets. So when I heard they were having a NYE party and they had hotel packages as well, of course I had to put it at the top of the list. The Masquerade-themed party will open at 9:30pm and a premium open bar will be available from 9:30pm-1am. Guests will dance the night away to the sounds of DJ Freeman who will spin throughout the evening on the rooftop lounge that offers 360’ degree views of Chicago’s famous skyline.

There’s a variety tickets and table packages available for purchase, ranging from general admission tickets for $163.25 to the Ultra VIP Table Package for $25,000. Tickets are available now athttp://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-2014-at-roof-on-thewit-hotel-tickets-8835381865.

Additionally, if guests purchase tickets or table packages to ROOF’s NYE party or have a booked reservation in State and Lake Chicago Tavern they will receive 14% off their room rate for New Year’s Eve at theWit Hotel Chicago. Reservations can be made at http://bit.ly/HPx2ya.

The Signature Room

The Signature Room at the 95^th® offers the ultimate in New Year’s Eve celebration options, with three ways to ring in the New Year on Tuesday, December 31st. In the main dining room, guests can choose a festive, early evening seating or a sophisticated late seating with live music by NEO orchestra, a balloon drop at midnight and guests adorned in formal attire, while The Signature Lounge® features specialty cocktails and live a performance by Hey Jimmy! beginning at 9:00 p.m.

The first dinner seating in the main dining room allows guests to dine from a gourmet three-course menu with one complimentary glass of champagne for $105 per person, tax and gratuity included.  First seating reservations are available at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00p.m., and 6:30p.m. Dress code is business casual.

The second dinner seating is for those seeking a glamorous way to ring in the New Year high above the sparkling city lights. This incredible celebration features a six-course gourmet menu, a complimentary glass of champagne, a midnight balloon drop and dancing to NEO orchestra through 1 a.m. – all for $225 per person, tax and gratuity included.  Second seating reservations are available at 7:30p.m, 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. Dress code is formal.

All New Year’s Eve dining reservations must be pre-paid. Call 312-787-9596 and make sure you reserve your spot.

The Signature Lounge® at the 96th offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the evening with lively music and drinks. There will be a $25 per person cover charge beginning at 6 p.m. which includes guest entry for the night and one beverage. Ring in the New Year with an incredible selection of cocktails, spectacular views, live music and dancing. Open from 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Takashi

This New Year’s Eve, Takashi (1952 North Damen) invites guests to ring in 2014 while enjoying succulent dishes prepared by Chef Takashi Yagihashi. A four-time Michelin star recipient including the recent 2014 honor, Takashi has quickly became a classic Chicago restaurant serving up contemporary French cuisine with Japanese influences. Top Chef Masters Fan Favorite Chef Takashi will be there serving decadent 7- and 9- course tasting dinners and toasting to the New Year with his guests.

Available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the 7-course tasting dinner ($90, optional wine pairing +$45) includes:

• Amuse Bouche: Miyagi Royal Oyster with pearl and caviar
• Second Course: Crudo of Fluke with Monk Fish Liver “Foie Gras”
• Third Course: Yuke of Rib Eye Beef with Raw Quail Egg and Asian Pear
• Fourth Course: Celery Root Soup with Peekytoe Crab Agnolotti
• Fifth Course: Seared Day Boat Scallops with Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto
• Six Course: Roasted and Braised Washugyu Beef and Short Ribs, Polenta, and Braised Swiss Chard
• Seventh Course: “The Egg” and Yuzu Panna Cotta

For revelers with reservations between 7 p.m. and midnight, the 9-course tasting dinner,

with complimentary champagne toast at midnight ($110, optional wine pairing +$60) includes:

• Amuse Bouche: Miyagi Royal Oyster with Pearl and Caviar
• Second Course: Crudo of Fluke with Monk Fish Liver “Foie Gras”
• Third Course: Yuke of Rib Eye Beef with Raw Quail Egg and Asian Pear
• Fourth Course: Celery Root Soup with Peekytoe Crab Agnolotti
• Fifth Course: Seared Day Boat Scallops with Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto
• Sixth Course: Roasted California Squab with Foie Gras, Compote of Quince, Caramelized Apple, Natural Juice
• Seventh Course: Roasted And Braised Washugyu Beef And Short Ribs, Polenta, Braised Swiss Chard
• Eighth Course: “The Egg” And Yuzu Panna Cotta
• Ninth Course: Grand Marnier Soufflé with Passion Fruit Angles

DMK

To ring in 2014, DMK Burger Bar’s Lakeview and Lombard locations invite revelers to celebrate the greatest hits of 2013 by reliving the most beloved burgers of the year, in slider form!  Not only will a selection of the year’s favorite burgers be passed, but a secret midnight burger will be revealed just in time for the ball drop. During the month of December, DMK Burger Bar’s Facebook fans will be able to cast their votes for the #2014, and the winner will be released at midnight. Guests can also indulge in tater tots, fries and boozy shakes as well, as they dance the night away to DJ Groover Cleveland. Partyers will enjoy an all night open bar for plenty of opportunities to “cheers” to 2014. The Best of ’13 NYE celebration is priced at $75 at DMK Lakeview and $50 at DMK Lombard.

Reservations are available on Brown Paper Tickets for DMK Lakeview here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/525242 and DMK Lombard here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/525247, or by calling the restaurants.

Talbott Hotel and Little Market Brasserie

The Talbott Hotel and Little Market Brasserie give guests a reason to raise their glasses this New Year’s Eve with a holiday package that takes the planning off of their hands. Guests who book the New Year’s Eve package will enjoy a special four-course dinner at Little Market Brasserie, located inside the hotel, to start the year on a deliciously high note. Whether the first or last stop for the evening, diners can delight in knowing a luxurious room awaits them – the ultimate nightcap. Please see below for the evening’s dinner menu.

The New Year’s Eve package starts at $285 and includes an overnight stay in a Standard King Room and the four-course dinner at Little Market Brasserie on December 31, 2013. Beverages must be purchased separately from the dinner menu. Tax and gratuity are not included.

Guests booking the package online must call the hotel as soon as possible to request their reservation at Little Market Brasserie for New Year’s Eve. The hotel will ask guests for their top 3 reservation times and confirm the reservation the same day.

For more information on The Talbott Hotel’s New Years Eve package please visit www.talbotthotel.com.

Tortoise Club

Tortoise Club (350 North State) is ringing in the New Year in their signature, timeless style with festive décor, live entertainment and much more. Guests looking to start off the evening with a celebratory dinner can enjoy Chef Gray McNally’s classic, American fare from the regular dinner menu and choose from the evening’s specials, such as Lobster Thermidor, Turbot and Grade A5 Miyazaki Beef Striploin, the crème de la crème of beef. Live jazz music sets a festive tone and sultry cigarette girls will have everyone joining in the New Year’s fun as they pass out complimentary holiday flair and snap Polaroid photos of guests. If a Polaroid isn’t enough to commemorate the evening, guests can have a complimentary caricature sketch drawn by the same artist who painted the Chicago characters adorning the walls of the dining room.

For guests looking to celebrate in the Midnight hour, don’t leave the dancing shoes at home. The live jazz trio picks up the pace with Rat Pack style tunes from Sinatra and the gang to keep the dance floor moving all night long. As the clock strikes 12, Tortoise Club servers – in their festive tiaras and top hats – will pop the bubbly and shower the confetti to ring in 2014 in style with a champagne toast and Midnight balloon drop. Revelers are encouraged to stay and celebrate, as drinks and dancing flow into the early hours of 2014.

III Forks

III Forks Prime Steakhouse (180 N. Field Blvd.) will offer a special dinner menu on New Year’s Eve from 5PM to Midnight.  Executive Chef Billy Caruso’s dinner selections range from starters and steak to seafood and sides (menu below). The steakhouse will also feature two sparkling wines to ring in 2014 in style. Gather your group or arrange for a romantic meal surrounded by breathtaking city views, double-sided fireplace and cozy banquettes.

For New Year’s Eve dinner reservations, call 312.938.4303 or visit IIIForks.com.

New Year’s Eve Menu

Featured Sparkling Selections

Mumm Napa Brut Prestige $50

Perrier Jouët Grand Brut $120

Beginnings

Shrimp Cocktail $16.95

Seafood Medley $19.95

Shrimp Cocktail, Crabcake and Seared Scallop

III Forks Salad $9.95

Wedge Salad $9.95

Lobster Bisque $12.95

Featured Dinner Selection

USDA Prime Filet Mignon with Cold Water Lobster Tail $79.95

Beef Market

Filet Mignon, 8oz $37.95

Filet Mignon, 12oz $44.95

Bone In Filet, 14oz $59.95

USDA Prime Bone In Ribeye, 18oz $45.95

USDA Prime Boneless Ribeye, 22oz $59.95

Tomahawk Ribeye, 32oz $89.95

USDA Prime Porterhouse, 24oz $59.95

USDA Prime New York Strip, 16oz $45.95

Rack of Lamb $42.95

Steak Toppers

Oscar Style $11.95

Blue Cheese Crown $4.95

King’s Butter $8.95

Parmesan Crust $8.95

Fish Market

Atlantic Salmon $29.95

Chilean Seabass $36.95

Cold Water Rock Lobster Tail Market

Sides

Sautéed Spinach $9.95

Off-the-Cob Cream Corn $8.95

Roasted Mushrooms $9.95

Fresh Asparagus $9.95

Mashed Potatoes $7.95

Baked Potato $8.95

Six Cheese Potatoes $9.95

ZED451

ZED451 (739 North Clark Street) will celebrate the close of 2013 with an elaborate dinner in the main dining room, as well as a premium party package in the Fireside Lounge.

The River North restaurant’s New Year’s Eve dinner experience will be offered for $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity) on Tuesday, December 31.  The menu will include unlimited selections from the seasonal Harvest Tables, a lavish raw bar, an abundance of chef’s entrees served table side, and an array of mini pastries for dessert.  In addition, each guest will receive a complimentary flute of champagne to toast to 2014.  Table reservations will be accepted between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and may be made at ZED451.com or by calling (312) 266-6691.

ZED451′s New Year’s Eve premium party package will be offered in the cozy, Fireside Lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Revelers ringing in the new year will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, a deluxe open bar (premium spirits, wine, imported and domestic bottled beer, signature selections from the liquid market menu), party favors, DJ and midnight champagne toast. Tickets for the lounge package are $95 per guest (includes tax and gratuity) and may be purchased at ZED451.com.

Transportation tip: ZED451 offers complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the restaurant within the greater downtown area. Simply call the restaurant in advance to secure transportation on New Year’s Eve.

Nacional 27

Dine, drink and dance your way into 2014 at Nacional 27 (325 West Huron). On Tuesday, December 31, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., the River North restaurant and salsa club has planned a festive evening of Latin eats and beats. Chef Chico Vilchez will offer a three course prix fixe menu for $40 per person (5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), and a four course menu for $95 per person (7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.). An optional cocktail or wine flight is available for $27.27 per person. 

The celebration will be set to sultry sounds, with Latin band “Spanish Flow” performing in the lounge from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by DJ X spinning Latin beats from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. A limited a la carte menu will be offered in the lounge from 5 p.m. to midnight. Guests without a dinner reservation, or anyone joining the party prior to midnight, are welcome to celebrate ($20 cover charge).  The complete menus are outlined below. For table reservations, please call Nacional 27 at 312-664-2727 or visit N27chicago.com.

 CANTINA LAREDO

Cantina Laredo (508 North State) offers a fun and festive way to finalize 2013 and welcome 2014. In addition to the a la carte lunch, dinner and brunch offerings, Chef de Cuisine Kennon Reed has created a three-course prix fixe menu that may be paired with seasonal margaritas. The special set menu will be available from Saturday, December 28 to Wednesday, January 1 for $35 per guest (add $15 for margarita pairings). The complete menu with pairings is outlined below. Table reservations may be made by calling 312-955-0014 or visiting cantinalaredo.com.

Cantina Laredo is open Sunday – Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thursday – Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant will be open from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

New Year Celebracion Menu 
December 28 – January 1
$35 per person; $15 for margarita pairings


Begin 
choice of: 

ENSALADA DE ARANDANO
Dried cranberries, green apples, candied pecans and blue cheese crumbles on field greens with cranberry vinaigrette

SOPA DE CALABAZA
Pumpkin soup topped with cranberry-apple pico and roasted pumpkin seeds

COCKTAIL: HIBISCUS MARGARITA
1800 Silver tequila, housemade hibiscus syrup and Cointreau orange liqueur

Entree
 choice of:
 
RIBEYE CON HONGOS
16-ounce Certified Angus Beef cowboy cut bone-in ribeye aged 21 days with sautéed mushrooms

HALIBUT DE MANGO
Fresh halibut sautéed and topped with mango-ginger salsa

FIESTA DE LA PARRILLA 
Shrimp, quail, beef and chicken fajitas

COCKTAIL: CRAN-GINGER MARGARITA

Cazadores Reposado tequila with Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, cranberry and fresh lime juices


Conclude 
choice of:

TRIO DE SORBET

Lemon, mango and raspberry

CHURROS 
With chocolate raspberry sauce and Grand Mariner cajeta

COCKTAIL: SEASON’S SPICE MARGARITA
Tequila Avion Silver and Cointreau with fresh lime juice, agave syrup, bitters and a touch of nutmeg and cinnamon