Private dining at the East Bank Club this holiday season

Did you know that you can cater a holiday event at the East Bank Club (500 North Kingsbury, Chicago, 312-527-5800)? They offer experience, grace, flexibility, spirit and a unique winning touch to ensure that your event will be unforgettable.

Whether you want to throw a lavish cocktail party, dinner buffet or sit-down reception, they will serve your special event needs with the same care, elegance and expertise for which the Club is known.

Receive a $100 gift card when you reserve a party for December 2011 for $750* or more. And, if you want to book their fabulous restaurant on Saturday night's (including their great bar area), it's always available for private parties as Maxwell's at the Club is closed on Saturdays. Tell them Kurman sent you!

*Food and beverage expenses only
Contact our Catering Department at (312) 527-5800, extension 240.

Go here to view their Private Events and Banquets section of the East Bank Club website and learn more about catering.

November 14 Prairie Fire Dinner with Holistic Nutrition Consultant Carol Wagner

Worried about the upcoming holidays ruining your healthy eating plans? Worry no more! Prairie Fire Restaurant’s Chef Sarah Stegner and Holisitic Nutrition Consultant Carol Wagner are here to make your holidays free of nutritional worries.

6:30 p.m. Monday, November 14, the two are pairing up to host a dinner at Prairie Fire Restaurant that features healthy holiday dishes. It will leave you mentally prepared for holiday festivities, whether you’re a guest or a host.

Sarah Stegner

Sarah and Carol make the perfect team to speak about nutritious and tasty holiday eating. As the co-chef of Prairie Fire Restaurant and a two-time James Beard award winner, Sarah Stegner has extensive experience making healthy and delicious meals. Carol Wagner is committed to spreading the word about healthy eating. She is a 2011 recipient of a “Good Eating Award” Sponsored by the Chicago Tribune and has extensive training in psychology and holistic nutrition.

The pair will share easy and appetizing healthy substitutions for many of your favorite dishes, as well as several of their favorite holiday recipes.  Additionally, as part of their commitment to healthy living, they will share tips to mentally prepare you for eating healthy during the holidays and beyond. Sarah and Carol are experts in making healthy eating uncomplicated and showing how it can improve your quality of life.

The menu will feature Citrus Marinated Beets with Capriole Farm Goat Cheese, Toasted Hazelnuts and "Three Sisters Garden" Pea Shoots along with Chicken Roulade with Sautéed Greens, Warm Root Vegetable, Toasted Whole Wheat Baguette Croutons and Ripe Pear Tossed in Sherry Vinaigrette and dessert.

Monday’s event is $38 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required by Thursday, November 10 and can be made by calling 312-382-8300.

There's no place like Restaurant Michael for the holidays

Celebrate Christmas Eve at Restaurant Michael
Restaurant Michael features holiday favorites with a Christmas Eve Four-Course Prix Fixe Dinner featuring “greatest hits” selections from past years’ menus. Guests have a choice of four dishes for each course plus Michael’s signature Gougeres cheese puffs to start the meal and ending on a sweet note with Michael’s handmade Grand Marnier Chocolate Truffles. The prix fixe Christmas Eve menu is $49 per person and children 10 and under are half-price with half size portions. The special menu runs 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. Complimentary valet service is also available on Christmas Eve.

Restaurant Michael is closed Christmas Day, but open regular business hours for the remainder of the Christmas week. Restaurant Michael is also open regular business hours during the weeks of both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

New Year’s Eve at Restaurant Michael
Ring in the New Year at Restaurant Michael with four and five course menus. Early seatings are every 30 minutes between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 when guests enjoy a luxurious Four-Course Menu complete with an appetizer, fish, entrée and dessert course. Early seatings are $69 per guest and include a complimentary glass of Tattinger Champagne with dessert.

Later seatings are every 30 minutes after 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. and these guests enjoy a Five-Course Menu with an appetizer, fish, entrée and dessert course, plus a special truffle course. This five-course menu is $79 per guest and also includes a complimentary glass of Tattinger Champagne with dessert, plus party favors for the midnight celebration.

Dance 2009 away with Live Music at Restaurant Michael, featuring a two-piece band from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Complimentary valet service is also available.

Welcome 2010 New Year’s Day at Restaurant Michael
For the first time ever, celebrate New Year’s Day with Restaurant Michael, featuring a Three-Course Prix Fixe menu with a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, plus a special course of Potato Truffle Soup to kick off the meal. Reservations are accepted beginning at 3 p.m. for an early dinner and continue every half hour until 7 p.m. The Jan. 1 menu is $49 per person. Children 10 and under are half-price with half size portions.

Having a Holiday at Home?
For guests choosing to celebrate the holidays at home, be sure to contact Restaurant Michael to prepare readymade items especially for those holiday gatherings without putting in the effort. Although guests may select any menu item, Chef Michael Lachowicz suggests the Whole, Brown Sugar Brined, Organic Ready-to-Roast Turkey ($3/lb.); Michael’s Fully Cooked, Prime Beef Short Ribs ($14/lb.); Ready-to-Roast Marinated Prime Chateaubriand of Beef Tenderloin with Sauce ($17/lb.); House Cured and Smoked Wild Alaskan King Salmon ($14/lb.); Country Style Pate or Duck Liver Mousse with garnishes ($9/lb.); Potato and Black Truffle Soup ($18/quart); Brown Sugar Roasted Butternut Squash Soup ($12/quart); Creamy Mashed Potatoes ($3/serving); Restaurant Michael’s Siganture Gougeres, warm cheese puffs ($12/dozen); or Grand Marnier Valrhona Chocolate Truffles ($1.25/piece).

All orders can be made by contacting Michael Lachowicz directly at (847) 404-6916 or chefdeuxgros@gmail.com. All items are available the same day as ordered.

About Restaurant Michael
Restaurant Michael, located at 64 Green Bay Rd in Winnetka, Ill. 60093, serves classic haute cuisine in a contemporary presentation with French country flair. The restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Thursday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. -11:30 p.m.; and Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. The restaurant is open for lunch Fridays 11a.m. -2 p.m. Complimentary parking is available. All major cards are accepted. For more information or to make a reservation, call (847) 441-3100 or visit www.restaurantmichael.com.

Celebrate the Holidays at Winnetka's Restaurant Michael

This Thanksgiving, leave the turkey to Michael Lachowicz, the talented chef/owner of Restaurant Michael. Enjoy a Family Style Traditional Dinner at Restaurant Michael with Roast Organic Turkey, Roast Tenderloin and all of the Thanksgiving fixings 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday, November 26. This family style meal is $45 per person, children 10 and under are half-price.

For those wanting to stay at home, Restaurant Michael also features “Thanskgiving To Go,” a hot and ready to serve carry-out version of the same menu for $49 per person. To go orders must be picked up between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Both Turkey Day menus feature two main entrees, six side dishes, two desserts, soup, salad and bread. Restaurant Michael is open regular hours for the entire holiday weekend.

Christmas Eve, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
Restaurant Michael features a Christmas Eve four-course prix fixe dinner with a choice of four dishes for each course for $52 per person. Children 10 and under are half-price with half portions of the dinner which runs 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 24.

Just like Thanksgiving, Restaurant Michael features the “Christmas To Go” menu available for pick up on Christmas Eve between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The carry-out four-course dinner is $49 per person.

Restaurant Michael is closed on Christmas Day, but open regular business hours for the remainder of the Christmas week. Restaurant Michael is also open regular business hours during the weeks of both Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

New Year’s Eve
Ring in the New Year with Restaurant Michael, featuring a four-course prix five menu. Early seatings are $79 per person and feature a glass of Tattinger Champagne with dessert 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Reservations are taken every 30 minutes all night. Later seatings feature a five-course menu as well as Tattinger Champagne with dessert for $89 per person, plus party favors for the midnight celebration.

Live music featuring a two-piece band plays 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. all night. Restaurant Michael is closed New Year’s Day, but will have regular hours the remainder of the weekend.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (847) 441-3100 or visit http://www.restaurantmichael.com/.