New year, new happenings at Winnetka's own Restaurant Michael

Restaurant Michael (64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, IL; 847-441-3100) starts 2010 with new events including the return of its French Silver Service menu, the first wine pairing dinner of the new year and new winter hours.

The Silver Service Menu Returns in January
Restaurant Michael, known for putting a modern twist on classic French cuisine, had a successful 2009 in part because of the value it provides to its patrons. In an effort to continue this, Restaurant Michael is bringing back its popular Silver Service Menu beginning Tuesday, Jan. 5. The Silver Service menu is a way for guests to sample smaller portions of eight items from Restaurant Michael’s regular menu without paying full price. The entire table must participate in the Silver Service menu, which is $39 per guest.

Offered Sunday through Friday, the Silver Service menu features three appetizers, three entrées and two desserts in addition to a petite salad and Restaurant Michael’s signature warm cheese puffs. Appetizer selections include Slow Braised Lamb Osso Bucco Ravioli in garlic sauce, Potato Truffle Soup, Exotic Mushroom Custard with morel cream, Beet and Spinach Risotto with Roquefort cheese and Classic Escargot “En Cocette” with garlic and Pernod. The table selects from entrées like Lobster and Dover Sole Ravioli in saffron nage, Roast Tenderloin of Beef with sherry vinegar cream, Sliced Roast Saddle of Bacon Wrapped Rabbit, Sliced Roast Loin of Venison, sauce poivrade and Roast, Stuffed Breast of Guinea Hen. For the dessert course, guests select two from choices like White Chocolate Mousse Bombe, Caramel Apple Tarte Tartin, Raspberry Napolean with Chambord sauce or Grand Marnier Chocolate Truffles and toasted almond biscotti. Each course is served from sparking silver trays tableside by Restaurant Michael’s charming waitstaff. A three-course wine pairing is offered for an additional $14 per person.

Wine Pairing Dinner with DeLoach Vineyards
Chef/owner Michael Lachowicz teams up with De Loach Vineyards of the Russian River Valley in California to host its first wine pairing dinner of the new year at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21. The guest speaker for the evening is Mr. John Wardzala, the Great Lakes Regional Manager for The Boisset Family of Wines of the Burgundy Region of France. The Boisset Family has taken De Loach to a whole new direction, being recognized as an authority on biodynamic, organic and sustainable wine making practices.

This reservation only dinner includes five courses paired with a variety of DeLoach wines including three Russian River Pinot Noirs and one Russian River Chardonnay, as well as Jean Louis French Sparkling Wine with hors d’oeurves. The cost of this wine pairing dinner is $79 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. The regular dinner menu is not offered on this date. To make a reservation for the wine pairing dinner, contact Restaurant Michael at (847) 441-3100.

New Winter Hours at Restaurant Michael
During the winter season, Restaurant Michael is not open for dinner on Monday evenings and no longer serves lunch on Friday. Restaurant Michael is, however, available for private events on both Mondays and Fridays if interested.

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. There is no corkage fee on Tuesday evenings. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday 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. 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.

Karma Kicks Off 2010 with Weekly Specials

North Shore pan-Asian restaurant Karma (510 E. Route 83, Mundelein; 847-970-6900) kicks off 2010 with dining deals crafted by executive chef Robert Packer. Available after 5 p.m. now through Jan. 11, the specials transport you on a culinary journey through Asia.

Start with Roasted Pear Salad with mixed field greens, candied walnuts and a balsamic soy vinaigrette ($7), then enjoy Grilled Marinated Lamb Chops, purple plum chutney, anise sweet potatoes and wilted Swiss chard ($25). Top off the meal with dessert, Chocolate Cheesecake with Macadamia nut and graham cracker crust ($7).

Reservations are recommended. Call (847) 970-6900 or visit http://www.karmachicago.com/. Follow Karma on Twitter: @KarmaMundelein.

Historic Rogers Park Entertainment Venue and Restaurant Opening this Spring

The management team of Mayne Stage and Act One Café (1328-30 W. Morse Ave.) announces its plans for a much-anticipated Spring 2010 grand opening of the historic theater in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

With a nod to the historic past of this grand facility, plans call for a restaurant and performance space that reflects the unique and diverse neighborhood of Rogers Park.

Mayne Stage and Act One Café offers up a powerful combination. Act One Café provides a welcoming dining experience with the great taste of New American cuisine on a nightly basis while Mayne Stage presents a variety of terrific entertainment on a regular basis in its 299-seat multipurpose entertainment venue.

In addition to the neighborhood crowd, Mayne Stage and Act One Café is a great destination for fans of live entertainment and those seeking a unique and welcoming dining experience from around all of Chicago through the convenience of the nearby Red Line “EL” stop; the venue also provides valet parking for guests.

The theater, on Morse Avenue at Wayne Avenue in Rogers Park, opened as The Morse in 1912 - a vaudeville and movie house. In the 1930s, the facility was remodeled using an Art Deco theme and renamed the Co-Ed Theatre because of its proximity to Loyola University. The Co-Ed closed in 1954, and from 1956 until 2008 the building served in various capacities from synagogue to a shoe repair store.

Now, with a recent multi-million dollar restoration and renovation project, the entertainment and dining venue is poised to be a magnet for significant development in this north-side neighborhood.

Booking and creative development of Mayne Stage is handled by longtime Chicago entertainment professional Denise McGowan of McGowan Durpetti & Associates. With nearly 30 years on the Chicago entertainment scene, McGowan has discovered, developed, booked and showcased talent from nightclubs including Byfield’s to Navy Pier where she served as Director of Entertainment for nine years.

“The possibilities in this venue are endless. Mayne Stage offers an amazing opportunity to present emerging and established Chicago and national touring artists presenting a variety of musical styles including jazz, pop, rock and classical as well as theatrical, variety and comedy performances,” McGowan says.

In addition to live performance, and utilizing its state-of-the-art audio and video systems, the venue offers space for studio recordings, rehearsals, educational programs, corporate events and private parties.

Jimmy Madla of the popular Coobah Restaurant on Southport Avenue in Chicago is heading up Act One Café. Madla is developing a welcoming and vibrant environment, the perfect platform for his New American cuisine. The richly wooded restaurant provides a perfect setting to showcase flavors from America’s melting pot with traditional techniques and creative twists.

“Act One Café is an excellent place to hang out for great food and drinks any night of the week. It’s also perfect for meeting friends before or after performances on show nights,” says Madla.

Madla’s enthusiasm for this project goes beyond cooking. While chef Madla finds creativity through cooking these days, many fans remember him as the drummer of the popular band Veruca Salt. He looks forward to the musical environment the space has to offer.

For additional information regarding entertainment and private events at Mayne Stage, contact Denise McGowan at (312) 988-9900 or at denise@mcgowandurpetti.com.

Dine's Special Menu for The Local Tourist Restaurant Week Kicks Off Jan. 8

Enjoy a three course meal for lunch or dinner at Dine (733 W. Madison St., Chicago; 312-602-2100) Jan. 8 through Jan. 15. Dine's menu includes the first course, a choice of Salad, roasted red and gold beets, crumbled chevre, orange supreme and balsamic vinaigrette with mixed baby greens, or Appetizer, pumpkin sage ravioli, brown butter and baby arugula. The main course is Rigatoni and Vodka Sauce, with shaved parmigiano and pulled lamb shank. The vegetarian option is Grilled Vegetables and Warm Frisee, with port reduction and basil oil. For dessert, enjoy Apple and Cranberry Cobbler, topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

The Local Tourist Restaurant Week kicks off Jan. 8, with participating restaurants providing three course meals, with 10% of each meal supporting Endure To Cure, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that benefits organizations dedicated to pediatric cancer research, treatment and care. Lunch is $25 and dinner is $35. For more information, visit http://www.thelocaltourist.com/.

To make a reservation at Dine for The Local Tourist Restaurant Week, call (312) 602-2100 or visit http://www.dinerestaurant.com/. Follow Dine on Twitter: @DineRestaurant.