CHICAGO — Still scrambling for New Year’s Eve Plans?
Here’s a look at some of the specials around the neighborhood, including a few places to dine for a nice night out — and a few places that deliver so you can stay in and stay cozy.
A multi-course meal at this 31st Street spot includes chestnut soup, Beef Wellington, lobster with foie gras and other tasty offerings from chef Oliver Valenzuela. $50 per-person; BYOB. Reserve your spot by calling (312) 791-1230 or visiting the website. 451 W. 31st St.
Chef Dave Samber is going all out for this special dinner, where the seating in the adjacent Old Eagle ballroom are by reservation only. The evening's menu includes appetizers (bacon-wrapped dates, baked crab cakes, mini-grilled sausages), choice of soup (roasted eggplant) or Caesar salad and a choice of entrees, either boneless beef ribeye, baked salmon or four-cheese ravioli topped with a creamy Portobello basil pesto sauce. $45 per person; $35 for the vegetarian options. Reserve your spot by calling (773) 927-7656. 3322 S. Morgan St. More info here.
The organic and seasonally focused restaurant will serve up an a la carte mix of original and special holiday dishes — avocado fries, ancho chile-braised short ribs and diver scallops among them. The evening meals will be accompanied by live music from 6-10 p.m. and complimentary champagne with dessert orders. For reservations, call (312) 929-2486 or email audri@nanaorganic.com. 3267 S. Halsted St.
And if you don't like heading out at night, the restaurant invites you to come as you are for Nana's annual New Year’s Day Pajama Brunch from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Diners dressed in their PJs can enter a contest to win a $50 Nana gift card.
New Beers Eve at Maria’s Community Bar
All of the bar’s many, many beers — they say it’s somewhere around 400 different varieties — will be discounted by a buck during New Beer’s Eve, which will feature an entire evening of jams from five different DJs. It’s expected to fill up fast, so guests are encouraged to reserve a seating area for four by emailing joebryl@gmail.com but you have to be at the bar by 9 p.m. to claim your seats. (773) 890-0588; 960 W. 31st St.
This hidden gem tucked away on South Halsted Street in Canaryville will be serving up its regular menu of Southern Mexican cuisine (menu here) plus several yet-to-be-determined specials. BYOB. (773) 538-8200; 4559 S. Halsted St.
The South Halsted beer and wings restaurant is hosting a family-friendly event from 4-7 p.m. that includes party favors, a balloon maker, face painting and a sparkling juice toast. Kids eat free, one per paid adult.
At 8 p.m., the 21 and-over party begins with domestics drafts and bottles, well drinks, wine and pop, and a champagne toast at midnight for $30 in advance or $40 at the door. 3434 S. Halsted St.
Along with its Italian-American specialties, the venerable Bridgeport joint is throwing a New Year’s Eve special — $10 for a one-topping medium pizza, available for delivery and carry out. A $3 charge will apply for deliveries. (312) 808-0147; 701 W. 31st St.
Speaking of venerable Bridgeport joints, Punky’s is cooking up baked manicotti with meatballs for a holiday special, and a big batch of it can be all yours for $9.95. They're still serving up their regular menu, too. A charge of $3.50 will apply for delivery orders. (312) 842-2100; 2600 S. Wallace Ave.
Dim Sum, Donuts, Etc.
If the New Year's Eve bashes run a little late, chances are you'll be looking for some late night grub. Here are two can't-lose choices: dim sum and donuts. Head to Chinatown for some dim sum at Triple Crown, 2217 S. Wentworth Ave., or MignHin Cuisine, 2168 S. Archer Ave. Both are open until 2 a.m.
And the ol' Huck Finn Restaurant, 3414 S. Archer Ave. in McKinley Park — serving diner style breakfast, lunch, dinner and donuts, is open 24 hours a day.
