Christmas Dining Guide 2016
It’s that time of year again; time to make Christmas dining reservations so you don’t burn dinner and/or have a stress-induced meltdown at home! Fortunately, restaurants all over Chicago are offering unique, delicious Christmas (and Christmas Eve!) specials and menus to keep you well-fed on the holiday.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken: One of our favorite things about Christmas is the omnipresence of Chinese food as an alternative to the usual spread of roast poultry and pies. What began as a holiday escape in Jewish culture has become a casual, comforting option for anyone looking for something different on Christmas. This year, Honey Butter Fried Chicken answers the call with an American-Chinese Christmas takeover running the month of December. This means specials like orange chicken sandwiches, Sichuan wings, sesame lo mein noodles, General Jason’s spicy pickles and five-spice cherry dump cake with wonton crumble are all on deck.
Slippery Slope: Another fun Chinese food option can be had at Slippery Slope, which is hosting its “Misfits Christmas” on December 25 with a Chinese takeout buffet, drinks aplenty and festive decorations throughout the whole space. Be there anytime between 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Roka Akor: ’Twas the night before Christmas and Roka Akor was serving a four-course tasting menu that’s sure to get you in the merry spirit. On Christmas Eve, the River North steakhouse puts a Japanese twist on holiday traditions with dishes like robata-grilled braised short ribs with heirloom carrots and pumpkin cheesecake with coffee gelee. The special menu will be available from 5:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. and costs $85 per person. Wine pairings are available for an additional $55. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant or visiting their website.
Travelle Kitchen + Bar: Instead of filling up on stocking candy for breakfast on Christmas morning, head to Travelle Kitchen + Bar for a hearty and wholesome holiday brunch buffet. The River North restaurant will be featuring a spread of holiday-inspired dishes, like eggnog brioche French toast, omelettes, a carving station, eggs Benedict and lots more. It’s available from 10:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and costs $145 per person.
Nacional 27: Think outside the box this year with a Cuban-inspired Christmas Eve dinner at Nacional 27. The venerable restaurant is featuring a fun and festive Latin-accented prix fixe for just $45, which is quite a bargain considering all the food you get. This includes ropa vieja served family-style, plantain and boniato empanadas, BBQ lamb tacos, hearts of palm salad and choice of entree between slow-roasted suckling pig Cubano, spice-rubbed jumbo prawns, Latin skirt steak and chicken enchiladas in mole verde. For dessert, there’s pumpkin flan.
Tortoise Club: Nothing captures the Christmas tradition quite like a classic prime rib dinner. Tortoise Club achieves those comfort food dreams with a prime rib special on Christmas Eve, served with rosemary frites, horseradish cream and rosemary jus. The supper club-style restaurant will also be featuring some seafood specials as well.
Cochon Volant: Cozy up to this Loop brasserie on Christmas day for a multi-course family-style feast for dinner. The special menu skews hearty and indulgent, with all-American staples like creamed spinach, shrimp cocktail, mashed potatoes, baked Brussels sprouts, aged rib-eye prime rib and a selection of desserts. The cost is $85 per person and $35 for kids 12 and younger. Reservations are available between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and can be made by calling Cochon Volant.