Birch River Grill for the Holidays

Home for the holidays? Try Birch River Grill (75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-427-4242) for the holidays. Celebrate Christmas Day with a family-friendly feast at the American restaurant, noon until 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25, and enjoy a three-course menu for just $29.95 per person. Start with Yukon Gold Potato and Charred Leek Chowder with peppered bacon garnish. For the main course, enjoy 12 oz. Roast Prime Rib of Beef, horseradish cream, golden potato rosti and lemon broccoli crown. Dessert is a sweet treat with Triple Chocolate Mousse, milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate, with mango and cherry drizzle.

Younger family members can enjoy the Kid’s Menu, a three-course meal of Tricolor Tortilla Chips with cheese sauce dip; Sliced Turkey Breast with mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans; and One Scoop Ice Cream Sundae. The kids menu is $12.95 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for children under five.

Ring in 2010 at Birch River Grill, which features a special three-course menu for the celebration, offered from noon until 10 p.m. Dec. 31 and just $38.95. Begin with the appetizer, Lobster Bisque, crème fraiche and cilantro oil. Indulge in the Surf & Turf entrée, Filet Mignon, horseradish butter, sweet potato crush and roasted walnut butter Brussels sprouts; and Jumbo Shrimp, roasted fennel ragout, blood orange cream and micro greens with citrus. For dessert, enjoy Triple Chocolate Mousse, a sinfully sweet mix of milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate, topped with a mango and cherry drizzle. Raise your glass to toast the New Year with a complimentary glass of Champagne with the meal.

To make a reservation, call (847) 427-4242 or visit http://www.birchrivergrill.com/.

Photo: Getty Images

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.

New features at 2010 O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, Mar. 5-7

The 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels has a new spring date, March 5-7, 2010, and a new location at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.). This year’s show, presented by Denny Guest's South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep and produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc., also promises several new car features. The show is open Friday, March 5, 3 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Admission is $16 per person, $5 for children ages 6-12. Children five and under have no fee.

“We feel the show is more accessible with the move to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont,” says Pete Toundas, president of Championship Auto Shows. “The Rosemont venue provides us with more space that we are excited to utilize with new special exhibit features this year.”

Celebrating its 48th year in showcasing the country’s best custom and restored cars, trucks and motorcycles, the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show is the oldest and largest enthusiast event in Chicago. The move to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center enables the show to continue to grow having 550,000 square feet of exhibition space. The show also has more exhibits, vendors, displays and events, including a live charity auction featuring auto and music memorabilia and showcases.

New Features at O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels is a weekend to remember with new features like Drag City USA presenting a unique exhibit of nostalgic dragsters from The Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala, Fla., including Garlits’ personal collection of “swamp rats;” Connie Kalitta’s “Bounty Hunter;” and Don Prudhomme’s 1970 Wynn’s Winder known as “The Snake” which some may remember as a Hot Wheels car. New this year is the Tuner Galleria featuring a collection of the finest European modern muscle and sport compacts paired with live entertainment. Formerly a show in itself, the popular Chevy VetteFest also is a new addition where the ultimate in original and restored Corvettes and Chevrolets compete for the Gold Spinner and Triple Crown Awards.

Back by Popular Demand
Returning this year are popular exhibits including Cycle Rama, featuring more than 100 of the nation’s best custom built choppers; and MotoRama, showcasing traditional rods and customs including cars from the well-known “VooDoo Larry.”

Celebrity appearances are always a popular feature at the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. Joining the line up this year includes Chip Foose, legendary auto designer and star of “Overhaulin,” who appears at the show on Saturday, March 6. More auto industry celebrities are also expected at this year’s event.

Throughout the weekend, cars compete for the prestigious Legend Cup, sponsored by CleanTools. This award is given to the winning vehicle which best represents a combination of style, quality and craftsmanship during the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels weekend. The winner of the CleanTools Legend Cup is awarded a beautiful perennial cup and presented with a check for $5,000.

O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels also hopes to combine the worlds of auto and art with the Chicago Brushmasters Pinstripers Art Auction. This live charity auction features several hundred professionally decorated pieces from artists around the country. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Committed to educating future generations about the automotive industry, the 5th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels Student Day is held Friday, March 5 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Participating students visit the show floor to see the vehicles and speak with sponsors and exhibitors before the event opens to the public, as well as earn complimentary access to all parts of the three-day show.

“Championship Auto Shows is committed to providing the best experience possible at the O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show,” says Toundas, “We are confident the new features this year will please our guests new and old, and the show will continue to be Chicago’s largest auto enthusiast event.”

About O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels
The 48th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels, presented by Denny Guest's South Oak Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep is produced by Championship Auto Shows, Inc. of Auburn Hills, Mich. Part of the International Show Car Association custom car competition, the show takes place March 5-7, 2010 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, Ill.). The event hours are Friday, 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Discount pre-sale tickets can be purchased at O’Reilly Auto Parts. For more information, visit www.worldofwheels.com.

Karma's New Hot Treats and Prixe Fixe Menu

December is here, which means Karma (510 E. Route 83, Mundelein; 847-970-6900) offers signature Winter Warmers and a new Prix Fixe Menu.

Indulge in Karma’s signature Winter Warmers, hot liquor drinks, offered starting Dec. 1 for just $8.25 each. Try Karma Hot Cocoa, Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur, Peppermint Schnapps and hot chocolate; the Nutty Irishman, Frangelico Liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream and coffee; and Cream De Mint, white crème de menthe, Baileys Irish Cream and coffee.

Enjoy Karma’s $20 three-course prix fixe menus, offered after 5 p.m. daily for the month of December. Begin with a choice of two starters including Miso Soup, tofu and roasted nori; or Karma House Salad, crisp lettuce, Napa cabbage, cucumber, daikon and carrot ginger dressing. The entrée choices include Chinese Chopped Chicken Salad, mixed greens, Asian pear, daikon, cucumber, candied cashews, crispy wonton and yuzu and tamari vinaigrette; Asian BBQ Salmon, forbidden rice, sweet potato crisps, wok tossed spinach, Napa cabbage and shiitake mushrooms; or Jumbo Thai Vegetarian Spring Roll, carrots, Napa cabbage, marinated tofu and sweet chili sauce. For dessert, enjoy a Trio of Sorbet or Ice Cream with fresh berries.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (847) 970-6900 or visit http://www.karmachicago.com/.

Photo: Getty Images