If you can’t stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve, you can still enjoy libations and good food and even full dinners at any number of restaurants in Chicago this New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 2017. Below are a few ideas.
The Spanish Square Spanish pre-party for New Year’s Eve, 4-6 p.m. For early-to-bed types the party will start at 4 p.m. ET (11 p.m. in Spain). Party-goers will count down the minutes to the Spanish New Year via a live broadcast from Spain! Adults get a glass of Cava (Spanish bubbly) and kids can have sodas and specialty drinks. At the stroke of midnight (5 p.m. ET), you’ll partake in the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes (one at each stroke of the clock) for a prosperous 2017. $30 for people over 21, $25 for ages 9-20, and children 8 and under are free. Call for tickets (773) 717-7900 or visit http://www.brownpapertickets.
The Spanish Square NYE dinner, 7-9 p.m. A little later than the family party, consider coming for a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner. Executive Chef Rafael’s special menu priced at $49 also offers an optional wine pairing for $20. You’ll finish the celebration by eating 12 grapes with a replaying of Spain’s broadcast of ringing in 2017 – one grape for each stroke of midnight. It’s the perfect way to kick off your celebration. Reservations (773) 717-7900.
Troquet River North, 9 pm – 2am. DJ music, a champagne toast, heavy hors d’oeuvres and party favors. Tickets – $65 before December 12, $80 after and at the door – include an open bar with a wide selection of craft beers, 10 different wines from Troquet’s unique draft wine system and house mixed drinks. 21 and over. Tickets INCLUDE tax and gratuity – get ’em at troquetrivernorth.com. Next day, enjoy New Year’s brunch, 10am-3pm. The $25 deal includes a choice of brunch entree and 1.5 hours of mimosas.
And, of course, don’t forget the many ever-reliable LEYE restaurants. They’ve collected all the happenings for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day at all of their venues – see links below. A few standout occasions for NYE include Studio Paris‘ black tie event, Naoki‘s omakase menu, and Ema‘s prix-fixe menu with Chef CJ Jacobson.
Sepia Chicago offers a festive menu curated by Executive Chef Andrew Zimmerman and wine pairings by beverage director extraordinaire Arthur Hon. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reserve for New Year’s Eve at 312.441.1920 (credit card guarantee is required). Menu and more info at www.sepiachicago.com
- First Seating | 5:00pm-6:45pm – Four-Course Prix Fixe Menu
$85 | $145 with wine pairing - Second Seating | 8:00pm – 10:30pm – Six-Course Prix Fixe Menu $125 | $215 with wine pairings
Fork offers a 4-course prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve – $70 per person with a $28 wine pairing. Check out the incredible Fork NYE menu with obviously carefully curated elegant wine pairings here.
Knife Restaurant, now open near Lincoln Square, offers a sophisticated, intimate New Year’s Eve with Chef Tim Cottini’s special tasting menu of three elegant gourmet courses, priced at $90 per person. Appetizer choices: 1) Beef Tartar with Bordeglaze, Apple and Smoked Shiitake Mushrooms and Beef Fried Toasts; 2) Lobster Thermidor; or 3) Celery Root Risotto and Fresh Black Truffles. Entree choices: 1) Winter Vegetables, a study of the winter’s bounty provided by local farmers; 2) Truffle Crusted, Dry Aged Beef Tenderloin; or 3) Dover Sole with Porcini Mushroom Mille Feuille. Dessert: a luscious Chocolate Mousse with Bittersweet Chocolate, White Chocolate and Tart Cherries.
Dovetail Brewery. What better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than with a beer in your hand AND your dog by your side? Dovetail’s taproom is dog friendly, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your dog home alone. Now, you can celebrate the New Year with the entire family! Get all the details here.
Ixcateco Grill. Wonderful Mexican food and BYOB. Executive Chef/owner Anselmo Ramirez created new menu items to celebrate Feliz Año Nuevo. Everything from appetizers – empanadas with vegetables & goat cheese and unique house-made salsa – to entrees like wood grilled salmon with pumpkin squash mole or wood-grilled shrimp, pork or skirt steak, and the chef’s fabulous Tres Leches Cake, BYOBubbly! Seatings start at 5:30 pm; last seating 10:30 p.m. Call 773-539-5887 for a reservation or make it on-line at http://www.ixcatecogrill.com