Have Brunch with Santa at Birch River Grill

Looking for a day the whole family can enjoy together? Have brunch with the man in red at Birch River Grill (75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-427-4242), which proudly partners with Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; 847-577-2121) to offer “Brunch with Santa” and a showing of Metropolis’s retelling of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol,” one of the most popular and enduring stories of the holiday season.

This special one-day-only package begins with brunch at Birch River Grill from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. The menu includes a Full Breakfast Buffet, Asian Breakfast Buffet and an Omelet Station and features a Kid’s Buffet, with Mac & Cheese, Chicken Tenders, Pizza, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Fruit Cups, Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Yogurt.

The ticket price, including brunch, is $40 for adults; $17 for kids 15 and under; and $10 for children four and under. Brunch without tickets is $21.95 for adults, $6.95 for kids 12 and under, and complimentary for children four and under.

Don't be a Scrooge- bring your Christmas wish list and prepare for a day of Christmas cheer. For more information, call (847) 427-4242 or visit http://www.birchrivergrill.com/.

Photo: Getty Images

Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard Awarded "Renovation of the Year"

Recently, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) awarded the Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard (1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, Ill.; 630-629-6000), with the “Renovation of the Year” award. The prestigious award, presented at the 2009 IHG Americas Investors & Leadership Conference Nov. 11, 2009 at Washington, D.C.’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center, honored the Crowne Plaza’s exemplary renovation, noting the improvements in the guest rooms, commercial areas and hotel exteriors.

The completely redesigned 148,000 sq. ft. Crowne Plaza features sustainability programs like guest recycling, low-emissive windows to reduce energy loss, energy-reducing multistage boilers, hybrid guest transportation and high-efficiency plumbing fixtures. The 119 guestrooms include high-speed wireless Internet access, bathrooms with granite countertops and tub surrounds, electronic laptop-sized safes and the Crowne Plaza Sleep Amenity program.

Talk about an eventful fall! This award comes on the heels of the “2009 Green Initiative Award” from the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau, and The Glen Ellyn Architectural Review Commission’s “Traveling Trophy Award,” both presented to the Crowne Plaza in October.

Leslie Colman, senior vice president of F&F Realty, Ltd., which owns and operates the hotel and its adjacent local farm-sourced restaurant, Glen Prairie, accepted the award on behalf of the company.

“The team at the Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard is thrilled and honored to accept this esteemed award from IHG,” said Colman upon acceptance. “Environmentally-aware practices and sustainable operations are held in extremely high regard at our hotel and conference center. We look forward to the continuing use of our ‘green’ practices and providing the best experience possible for our guests.”

Additionally, the hotel’s restaurant Glen Prairie offers locally-sourced, trans fat free fare and supports sustainable farming practices, including this weekend's specials.

The Crowne Plaza is owned by Glen Ellyn Hospitality, LLC, and managed by F & F Realty. For more information or to book a reservation, please call (630) 629-6000 or visit http://www.cpglenellyn.com/.

Kick Off December with Weekend Dining Deals

It's already Thursday, which means it's time to make weekend plans. As Chicago embraces winter, head indoors this weekend for dining deals from Glen Prairie (1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn; 630-613-1250), crafted by executive chef Daniel Ovanin. Ovanin used ingredients sourced from area farmers and ranchers to create these specials, available after 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5.

Try Fried Cheese Ravioli, an appetizer of buttermilk-breaded mozzarella, Romano and ricotta cheese stuffed ravioli, served with butternut squash puree ($7). Also try Colorado Rack of Lamb Chops, with roasted fingerling potatoes, baby carrots and minted au jus ($22), or Seared Miller Farms Chicken, with wild mushroom and truffle risotto and natural jus ($20).

Glen Prairie's regular menu is also available. For more information or to make a reservation, call (630) 630-1250 or visit http://www.glenprairie.com/.

Where to get “The Good Stuff” this week

There are plenty of opportunities this week to enjoy Al Capone’s favorite Prohibition Era whiskey, Templeton Rye. Start by attending River North’s “Jingle and Mingle” holiday celebration Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The James Hotel (55 E. Ontario St.). Enjoy music from a pianist from The Redhead Piano Bar and Dickens-era carolers as well as three separate classic cocktail bars featuring Templeton Rye favorites. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door and can be purchased at www.rivernorthassociation.com.

The End of the Noble Experiment
Congress repealed the Prohibition Act on December 5, 1933. Templeton Rye and several Chicago area bars are celebrating Repeal Day with special events and classic TR cocktails.

In Fine Spirits (5420 N. Clark St., 773-334-9463) is hosting Templeton Rye and celebrating the 76th Anniversary of Prohibition Repeal Day from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Enjoy specials on Templeton Rye Prohibition cocktails including The Capone, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Corpse Reviver No. 2, Old Tom Collins, Clover Club and Sidebar.

Calling all flappers, ladies and gents! Join Fion Wine & Spirits (426 W. Diversey Pkwy; 773-549-5400) for its 2nd annual celebration of the Repeal Prohibition 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The $40 “Noble Experiment” package includes domestic bottles, call drinks, Segrura Viudas Cava, Prohibiton Era cocktails including the Templeton Rye Old Fashioned, plus Planter’s Punch and passed appetizers. Tickets are just $35 if guests wear a Prohibition Era costume. Templeton Rye is also giving away TR flasks and t-shirts. Call (773) 868-8073 for details.

Suburbanites can also celebrate Repeal Day with the Walnut SpeakEasy (214 Walnut Ave., Elgin, Ill.; 847-695-2420) Saturday, Dec. 5 until 2 a.m. Enjoy free live jazz, complimentary shoe shines and Templeton Rye cocktail specials while celebrating the end of the “Noble Experiment.” Guests are encouraged to don flapper dresses and gangster suits to join the celebration. Cash prizes are awarded to the best dressed. Templeton Rye also has special giveaways and promotions.

Iowa Spirits Night
Colleen Graham, author of the Cocktails Guide for the New York Times’ About.com and S&C Graham Foto Design are hosting an evening of Iowa Spirits on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the S&C Studios (220 Main St., Cedar Falls, Iowa). The open house event brings together parties from Iowa’s distilled spirits industry including Templeton Rye whiskey from Templeton, Iowa and Clearheart Spirits of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Enjoy complimentary libations while viewing artwork from several talented local artists. Visit www.scgrahamfoto.com for more information.

Give the gift of Rye this Holiday Season
Templeton Rye makes the perfect holiday gift for a special loved one. Since supply is limited, be sure to visit www.templetonrye.com to see where to find “The Good Stuff.”