BIRCH RIVER GRILL – AN AMERICAN KITCHEN
75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, Ill.
(847) 427-4242
http://www.birchrivergrill.com/
Holiday Menu at Birch River Grill
It’s the holiday season, and there’s no better place to celebrate than in the rustic, fireside ambience of Birch River Grill. The restaurant’s special holiday menu is delicious, and at $38.95 per person, a deal. The children’s menu is available for children ages five through 12 and is $12.95 per child. This holiday menu is offered December 25 from noon until 10 p.m. For starters, enjoy Yukon Gold Potato and Charred Leek Chowder, with peppered bacon garnish; and Tossed Winter Greens, toasted pecans, a brie cheese wedge and citrus zest vinaigrette.
Choose one of the following as an entrée: Creole Mustard Glazed Salmon, with radicchio, Brussels sprout and fennel ragout, and cheddar cheese grits; Roast Turkey with Chestnut Brioche Stuffing, sweet potato crush and green beans with cranberry relish; or Roast Prime Rib of Beef, with horseradish cream, Red Bliss potato rosti and lemon broccoli crown. At the end of the meal, enjoy Chocolate and Orange Truffle Mousse, orange scented chocolate mousse, chocolate bark, gold dusted chocolate leaf and blood orange drizzle.
New Years Eve Menu at Birch River Grill
Ring in the New Year at Birch River Grill and sample fantastic specials from the rustic eatery in addition to their regular menu. Birch River Grill will be open on December 31 from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Enjoy Rock Shrimp Bisque, with cucumber and lime zest garnish ($8), or the Herb Crusted Tuna Loin, served with Winter Squash and Caper Relish, and Scallion Citrus Cream ($13).
Indulge in the Surf and Turf special, featuring Filet Mignon, with Horseradish Butter, Sweet Potato Crush, Hazelnut Butter Brussels Sprouts and Jumbo Shrimp, with a Roasted Fennel Ragout, Blood Orange Cream, and Micro Greens with Citrus ($38).
Special Winter Warmers at Birch River Grill
Toast to the holidays with one of Birch River Grill’s decadent drinks. Try to resist the Nutty Irishman, a mix of Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Cream. The Irish Cappuccino features a Bailey’s Irish Cream kicked-up Cappuccino while the Captain’s Spiced Cider heats up tart apple cider with Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Peppermint Twist is hard to miss, featuring Peppermint Schnapps, Kahlua, and Crème de Cacao. Other desserts in a drink are the Winter Eggnog, Brandy, hot milk, and eggnog, and the Cinnamon Roll, featuring Cinnamon Schnapps and hot apple cider. All Winter Warmers at Birch River Grill are $7.
Birch River Grill’s regular menu will offered in addition to the holiday menus. Birch River Grill – An American Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge stays open one hour later daily. All major credit cards are accepted. Complimentary parking is available. For reservations or more information, please contact Birch River Grill – An American Kitchen at (847) 427-4242 or visit them on the web at http://www.birchrivergrill.com/.
DINE
733 W. Madison St, Chicago, Ill.
(312) 602- 2100
http://www.dinerestaurant.com/
Holiday Specials at Dine
Celebrate the holidays with family and friends at the West Loop’s chic, retro-themed eatery, Dine. From noon until 9 p.m. December 24 and 25, enjoy the special holiday menu at $34.99 per person, $16.95 per child 12 and under. For starters, enjoy Winter Green Salad, buckwheat honey roasted Bosc pear, caramelized buttercup squash, and cider vinaigrette. The entrée is Roast Prime Rib of Beef, with grilled asparagus, cabernet jus, and pommes dauphinoise. Indulge in Ricotta Cheesecake, Bing cherry sorbet and compote for dessert. Christmas dinner at Dine can also be prepared for take out.
New Year’s Eve Specials at Dine
From 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. on December 31, Dine presents a special three-course pre-fixe New Year’s Eve menu to ring in the New Year. For $55 per person, enjoy a starter, entrée and dessert. Choose between Spice Rubbed Prime Tenderloin, golden beet vinaigrette, Brussels sprout-horseradish salad; or Pan Seared Maryland Blue Crab Cakes, baby arugula salad and roasted garlic aioli, for starters.
For the main course, choose between Grilled 8 oz. Filet Mignon, fingerling potatoes, glazed cipollini onions and natural jus; Roasted Amish Chicken Breast, thyme roasted turnips, melted leeks and natural jus; or Grilled Norwegian Salmon, warm fingerling potato salad, Dijon crème fraiche and chive oil. Tempt the sweet tooth with Ricotta Cheesecake, Bing cherry-zinfandel gelato and sauce, or Peanut Butter-Milk Chocolate Marquis, roasted banana semifreddo and peanut brittle.
Holiday Cocktails at Dine
Dine’s classic cocktails (each signature cocktail, $11), made with artisan ingredients, are perfect to enjoy during the holiday season. Try the Peppermint Martini, made with Kettle One Vodka, Crème de Menthe, Peppermint Schnapps, and rimmed with crushed candy cane. The Apple Pie Martini is dessert in a drink, featuring Grey Goose Vanilla Vodka, Brandy and Dry Vermouth, with a baked apple garnish. Sip the Red Velvet and taste Belvedere, sour cherry puree, Crème de Cacao, Strawberry Pucker and Cranberry. For chocolate lovers, try the White Chocolate, made with Chopin, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Crème de Cacao, Fresh Cream and dusted with cocoa.
For those who savor a tart treat, enjoy the Key Lime, Stoli, Licor 43, key lime juice, fresh cream and a graham cracker rim. The Cranberry Martini, made with Chopin Vodka, Godiva Liquor, Cranberry Juice, and cranberry sauce and is topped off with champagne.
Enjoy the Pomegranate Cosmo, a seasonal twist on the classic cosmopolitan, featuring Absolut Citron, Orange and Pomegrante Liquor with a Lemon Twist. The Classic is a favorite traditional martini, Grey Goose, shaken and poured into a chilled martini glass, served up with bleu cheese olives or a lemon twist. Also on the cocktail list is The Elite ($15), Premium Roberto Cavalli Vodka or Tanqueray 10 Gin, shaken and served up with olives or a lemon twist.
Dine is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Breakfast is served from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lunch and dinner are served from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Martini Bar and Lounge is open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Dining is available at the bar. Valet parking is complimentary. For more information or to make reservations, please contact Dine at (312) 602-2100 or visit http://www.dinerestaurant.com/.
GLEN PRAIRIE LOCAL FLAVOR FINE FOOD & DRINK
1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, Ill.
(630) 629-6000
Holiday Specials at Glen Prairie Local Flavor Fine Food & Drink
Glen Prairie Local Flavor Fine Food & Drink honors local farm and produce sources throughout the year, and with their seasonal Holiday specials, they invite the public to celebrate the importance of being environmentally conscious. The holiday specials will be offered from noon until 9 p.m. on December 24 and December 25. For starters enjoy the Roasted Winter Squash Bisque ($5) and then partake in the entrée special, a Pesto Rubbed Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus, with baked potato and roasted carrots, ($27). The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day specials are offered in addition to the regular Glen Prairie menu.
New Years Eve Specials at Glen Prairie Local Flavor Fine Food & Drink
New Year’s Eve at Glen Prairie brings in fantastic specials from noon until 10 p.m. in the restaurant, and until 1 a.m. in the lounge on December 31. Indulge in the rustic Roasted Winter Squash Bisque ($5) for starters and then raise a glass of green farmed sparkling wine to toast the arrival of the New Year, complimentary with the order of a New Year’s Eve entrée special, available for purchase without entrée special.
Enjoy Grilled Lake Sturgeon, with lemon and roasted shallot brown butter, fried capers, wild rice pilaf and caramelized parsnips ($31) or the Dietzler Farms Beef Tenderloin Roulade, with roasted red peppers, wilted spinach, Mindori bleu cheese, green peppercorn demi, potato gratin and charred artichoke hearts ($36). The New Year’s Eve specials are offered in addition to the regular Glen Prairie Menu.
Holiday Drinks at Glen Prairie Local Flavor Fine Food & Drink
To keep you warm and jolly during the holidays, Glen Prairie has many special cocktails available. Delight in the Peppermint Patty, White Crème de Menthe, Peppermint Schnapps, Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur, poured into a chocolate rimmed glass with a mini candy cane. The Naughty but Nice features hot chocolate, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, vanilla syrup and shaved milk chocolate. Stay up late with the Christmas Coffee, espresso, Bailey’s Irish Cream, and Jameson Whiskey in a powdered candy cane rimmed coffee cup with a candy cane stirrer. Enjoy Santa’s Treat, featuring Navan vanilla cognac, Frangelico, Amaretto and a cinnamon stick. All drink specials featured during the holidays at Glen Prairie are $8.
Stop in on New Year’s Eve and sample Glen Prairie’s New Year’s Drink specials including the French Toast, a creative cocktail featuring champagne, Hennessy, simple syrup and a splash of lemon juice. There is also the New Year’s Punch, made of Midori, Chambord, Absolut Raz, orange juice, a splash of sour and Grenadine, and topped with an orange wheel and cherry. Sip the Fresh Start, a refreshing mix of Brandy, champagne, orange juice, port and mint leaves.
Glen Prairie Local Flavor Fine Food & Drink is located at 1250 Roosevelt Rd. in Glen Ellyn, Ill. in Chicago’s western suburbs. Glen Prairie is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge remains open one hour later than the restaurant each day. For more details, contact the restaurant at (630) 613-1250.
KARMA – ASIAN FOOD & WINE
510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Ill.
(847) 970-6900
http://www.karmachicago.com/
Holiday Specials at Karma Asian Food & Wine
Treat family and loved ones to the special holiday menu at the pan-Asian paradise Karma, which offers its holiday menu, in addition to its regularly offered menu, from noon until 10 p.m. December 24 and 25. Price of the entrée includes the house salad and dessert.
The three-course menu includes the Karma House Salad, and the choice of one of the following entrees: Szechwan Pepper Crusted Prime Rib of Beef served with ginger au jus ($28); Tempura Prawns served with a smoked pepper cream sauce, jasmine rice and baby bok choy ($26); Traditional Roast Turkey Breast and Gravy with wasabi mashed potatoes, stuffing, homemade cranberry relish and baby vegetables ($24); or Hoisin Glazed Rack of Lamb served with baby vegetables and a sweet potato soufflé ($35).
Tempt the sweet tooth with Karma’s dessert specials including the Banana, Chocolate & Coconut Eggrolls, served with a ginger cinnamon sauce or Trio of Sorbet or Ice Cream, in addition to the regular dessert menu. Before or following the meal, relax in Karma’s chic lounge with White Christmas Martini, Stoli vanilla, Godiva white chocolate and peppermint Schnapps ($8).
New Year’s Eve Specials at Karma Asian Food & Wine
Ring in 2009 with Karma’s special New Year’s Eve menu, offered on December 31 from noon until 10 p.m. in the restaurant, and 1 a.m. in the lounge. The four-course menu includes a starter, intermezzo, entrée and a dessert. The cost of the entrée covers the entire meal. For starters, enjoy Carrot Ginger Dressed Field Greens, followed by an intermezzo of Tangerine Sorbet, and for dessert, Banana, Chocolate & Coconut Eggrolls with ginger cinnamon sauce. Karma’s regular dessert menu will also be available, and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine is included with each entrée.
For New Year’s Eve entrees, choose between Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops, purple plum chutney, anise sweet potatoes and wilted Swiss chard ($36); 24 oz. Porterhouse, Thai basil wasabi mashed potatoes, wok tossed Brussels sprouts and Shanghai sauce ($40); Asian BBQ Striped Bass, over steam baby bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, Napa cabbage and sweet potato straws ($32); Five Spice Chicken, Jasmine rice, baby vegetables and crispy onions ($28).
Holiday Drinks at Karma Asian Food & Wine
Indulge in Karma’s rich holiday drinks, offered now through January 31. Try Nutty Cake, Amaretto, Frangelico and coffee, topped with whipped cream ($8); Coco Beach, Malibu with hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream ($8); Karma B-52, Kahlua, Bailey’s, Amaretto and coffee topped with whipped cream; or Turtle Pie, hot chocolate, Bailey’s and Butterscotch Schnapps, topped with whipped cream.
Celebrate Chinese New Year at Karma Asian Food and Wine
Chinese New Year begins on January 26, 2009, and Karma Asian Food and Wine is offering their special Chinese New Year menu in addition to their standard menus from January 26 through January 31, during both lunch and dinner service. Enjoy “Prosperity” Crispy Fried Golden Pork Won Ton, a flavorful combination of ground pork, Napa cabbage and ginger served with a Spicy Yuzu dip ($9); “Long Life” Szechwan Shrimp with Chili Sauce, wok tossed shrimp and asparagus flavored with Thai chilies and roasted peanuts in a rich glaze ($11); “Having Many Children” Chinese Greens and Noodles, stir fried mustard greens atop Chinese noodles seasoned with soy, sesame and black sesame seeds. “Happiness” Lobster in a Sweet and Spicy Sauce, wok fried and served with garlic chive jasmine rice, ($40); and “Long Life” Firecracker Beef, thinly sliced beef tenderloin, lightly dredged in seasonings then quickly sautéed with baby vegetables and sugar snap peas, served with black forbidden rice, ($27). Finish off the Chinese New Year meal with the tangy and tart “Luck” Tangerine Crème Brule ($8).
Karma’s children’s menu is also offered for $5.95 for children ages 12 and under. Reservations are recommended. Karma is open seven days a week 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m. for breakfast; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for lunch; 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday for dinner, and 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner. The lounge is open 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 5 p.m. - midnight Friday and Saturday. Karma is located adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Chicago North Shore at 510 East Route 83, Mundelein, IL 60060. For reservations or more information, call Karma at (847) 970-6900 or visit http://www.karmachicago.com/.
METROKLUB GOURMET KOSHER BUSINESS LUNCH
733 W Madison St, Chicago, Ill.
(312) 602-2104
Celebrate the Holiday Season at MetroKlub Gourmet Kosher Business Lunch
The beloved Potato Latke will be complimentary to ordering customers, at the certifiably Kosher MetroKlub Gourmet Kosher Business Lunch, from 11 a.m. through 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, December 15 through December 31, excluding December 24 and December 25 (MetroKlub will be closed for these dates). In addition to their fantastic lunch menu, including soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts, customers can bite into the crispy and comforting Potato Latkes, and enjoy them with their traditional accompaniment, applesauce. They will be served as a special holiday treat in addition to the standard MetroKlub Gourmet Kosher Business Lunch Menu.
MetroKlub is open Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. happily serving lunchtime crowds. Reservations are strongly recommended, although take-out, delivery and catering options are also available. For more information about MetroKlub or to make a reservation, please call (312) 602-2104.