Guide: Where to Dine on New Year's Eve in Chicago

Don't have plans yet for New Year's Eve in Chicago? Take a look at our guide and make some! With 2012 just around the corner, many restaurants across the city will be celebrating with special menus to mark the occasion. We have come up with some recommendations that will accommodate everyone, from pricing to cuisine in neighborhoods around the city—even some in the 'burbs. So sit back, have a toast and count down to 2012 at any of the following spots.

Eater Chicago intern Jeffy Mai contributed this article.

1) Bistronomic
Where: 800 N. Wabash
What: Guests can celebrate with the gala menu, a five-course dinner featuring Madagascar shrimp salad, beef tenderloin au poivre and homemade parmesan gnocchi.
Cost: $80 without wine pairings, $105 with wine
Call: 312-944-8400

2) Nacional 27
Where: 325 W. Huron
What: Get festive with Latin eats and beats at Nacional 27. Enjoy a three or four-course Latin menu of entrees, ceviche, family-style tapas plates and dessert.
Cost: $55 or $80 with cocktail pairings for 3 courses (5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.), $95 or $120 with pairings for 4 courses (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
Call: 312-664-2727

3) LM
Where: 4539 N. Lincoln
What: Enjoy a five-course prix-fixe menu after 7 p.m. Items include cauliflower bisque caviar, seared scallop, prime tenderloin and a chocolate soup dessert.
Cost: $80
Call: 773-942-7585

4) Rustic House
Where: 1967 N. Halsted
What: Ring in the New Year with a decadent five-course menu. Highlights are veal cheek ragout, duck a la orange and rotisseries prime rib au jus.
Cost: $65 (6 p.m.), $75 (9 p.m.)
Call: 312-929-3227

5) DMK Burger Bar
Where: 2954 N. Sheffield
What: Munch on passed sliders, onion strings, sweet potato and truffle fries and an open bar of craft beers and cocktails. At midnight, DMK will debut its newest burger.
Cost: $75
Call: 773-360-8686

6) Bonsoirée
Where: 2728 W. Armitage
What: Tick away the last hours of 2011 with Bonsoirée’s countdown menu. The eight-course prix fixe includes dishes such as a hot pot of snapper, king crab, roast pheasant and lamb Wellington.
Cost: $120
Call: 773-486-7511

7) HB
Where: 3404 N. Halsted
What: Have a Dutch New Year at HB with their five-course menu. Choose from selections like smoked ham hock soup, braised pork shank, sautéed Lake Superior whitefish and HB’s classic shellfish stew.
Cost: $55
Call: 773-661-0299

8) GT Fish & Oyster
Where: 521 N. Wells
What: Grab a plate and share with a four-course prix-fixe menu. Guests can select a variety of dishes from each course including eel and turbo terrine, lobster agnolotti, shellfish ragout and brown sugar crème brulee.
Cost: $75
Call: 312-929-3501

9) Sepia
Where: 123 N. Jefferson
What: Dine with the Michelin-starred restaurant’s four or five-course prix fixe menu. Some of the selections are bone marrow dumpling, tuna loin, venison and line-caught cod.
Cost: $75 with optional $60 wine pairing for 4 courses (5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.), $95 with optional $80 pairing for 5 courses (8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
Call: 312-441-1920

10) Leopold
Where: 1450 W. Chicago
What: Leopold will be serving a three-course prix fixe menu including dessert early in the evening, and then later on a four-course meal including dessert and a Champagne toast.
Cost: $45 for 3 courses (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), $70 for 4 courses (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Call: 312-348-1028

11) Roka Akor
Where: 456 N. Clark
What: Say goodbye to 2011 with a six-course meal at Roka Akor. The menu includes a chef’s selection of sashimi and nigiri, lobster tempura, robata grilled scallops and wagyu beef. There will also be a complimentary Champagne toast.
Cost: $128, an additional $50 for wine and sake pairings
Call: 312-4777652

12) Hearty
Where: 3819 N. Broadway
What: Rejoice with a hearty five-course meal this New Year's Eve. Start with beef carpaccio or foie gras tourchon, among others. Then move onto entrees such as toasted farro risotto and pan roasted sturgeon, and finish with butternut bacon ice cream or other desserts.
Cost: $55 (5:30 p.m.), $65 (7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.)
Call: 773-868-9866

13) Fork
Where: 4600 N. Lincoln
What: Carnivores and vegetarians alike can celebrate with Fork’s two prix fixe menus. On the meatless side, enjoy a cheese board, eggplant caviar and a goat cheese tart. Meat eaters can bite into tuna tartar, Kobe flatiron steak, and a cheese and charcuterie board.
Cost: $55 per menu, an additional $27 for wine or beer pairings
Call: 773-751-1500

14) L2O
Where: 2300 N. Lincoln Park West
What: Eat it up in grand style at L2O with the Singular Luxury or Seasonal tasting menu, serving an extravagant selection of seafood items.
Cost: $195 for Seasonal tasting menu, $235 for Singular Luxury
Call: 773-868-0002

15) Chilam Balam
Where: 3023 N. Broadway
What: A five-course Mexican meal to kiss 2011 goodbye. Lamb barbacoa, chile relleno and tamal azteca are just some of the traditional fare that will be served.
Cost: $65
Call: 773-296-6901

16) Perennial Virant
Where: 1800 N. Lincoln
What: A four-course menu from chef Paul Virant's latest restaurant. Choose from seared diver sea scallops, parisienne gnocchi, pan roasted Icelandic halibut, and a valrhona chocolate truffle as some of your options.
Cost: $75
Call: 312-981-7070

17) Duchamp
Where: 2118 N. Damen
What: Have a toast with a four or five-course dinner. Steak tartare, seared foie gras pine nut whiskey cake, Great Lakes whitefish and filet au poivre are some of the specialties featured.
Cost: $50 for 4 courses (5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.), $65 for 5 courses (7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Call: 773-235-6434

18) Sprout
Where: 1417 W. Fullerton
What: Sprout into 2012 with a 10-course “countdown” menu, featuring squab, boeuf bourguignon and a Champagne cocktail.
Cost: $125, an additional $65 for wine pairings
Call: 773-348-0706

19) C-House
Where: 166 E. Superior
What: Say hello to a new year with a four-course dinner. The selections include pan seared Labelle Farms foie gras, Australian farm-raised hiramasa crudo, pan seared scallops with crispy veal sweetbreads and a Rogue blue cheese and bacon-crusted beef filet. Toast it all off with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
Cost: $79
Call: 312-523-0923

20) Gemini Bistro
Where: 2075 N. Lincoln
What: A four-course feast is the gem here alongside a Champagne toast. Highlights include duck confit, sole a la meuniere, roasted rack of lamb and triple chocolate bombe.
Cost: $55 (5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.), $65 (10 p.m.)
Call: 773-525-2522

21) ZED451
Where: 739 N. Clark
What: A New Year’s dinner experience will be offered, including unlimited selections from the seasonal harvest tables, a lavish raw bar, an abundance of chef's entrees served tableside and mini pastries for dessert. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary Champagne toast.
Cost: $75
Call: 312-266-6691

22) The Portage
Where: 3938 N. Central
What: Kick off 2012 with with a four-course menu at the Portage. Select from razor clams, whipped foie gras, filet mignon and a dessert course.
Cost: $35 (5 p.m.), $45 (10 p.m.)
Call: 773-853-0779

23) Chen’s
Where: 3506 N. Clark
What: Enjoy an authentic Chinese buffet, fresh sushi, an open bar and party favors.
Cost: $45, purchase tickets here
Call: 773-549-9100

24) Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar
Where: 230 W. Erie
What: Transport yourself to Tokyo for a unique New Year’s celebration. A live DJ will set the mood and food stalls will serve unlimited amounts of sushi, robata grill barbequed meats and other signature dishes all night long. Wash it all down with an open bar of hand-crafted cocktails, sake, beer, wine and Champagne.
Cost: $150, purchase tickets here
Call: 312-662-4888

25) Blue 13
Where: 416 W. Ontario
What: Welcome in the new year with a five- or seven-course prix-fixe dinner. Courses include sweetbreads, rabbit, lamb and a dessert “3 Play” comprising orange Grand Marnier soufflé, mascarpone-filled doughnut and key lime pate a bombe. Vegetarian options are also available upon request.
Cost: $100 or $150 with wine pairings for 5 courses, $140 or $210 with wine for 7 courses
Call: 312-787-1400

26) Acadia
Where: 1639 S. Wabash
What: Start the new year off at the new restaurant in the South Loop. Acadia will be celebrating its opening and New Year’s Eve with a five-course menu. The dinner will include Stonington scallops, wagyu beef and pistachio curry dacquoise. A vegetarian menu will also be available and must be requested upon reservation.
Cost: $150 with wines (6 p.m. and 9 p.m.), $125 for vegetarian menu
Call: 312-360-9500

27) Longman & Eagle
Where: 2657 N. Kedzie
What: The Logan Square gastro-haven will have three seatings: 5 p.m. and 7:30 feature a five-course tasting menu with caviar, foie gras, Maine lobster, pork belly and more; 10 p.m. is eight courses adding in even more decadent fare.
Cost: Early seatings are $85 with optional beer ($25) or wine ($30) pairings; the 10 p.m. seating is $115 with beer ($30) or wine ($45) pairings.
Call: Elana Green at 773-276-7110 Monday through Thursday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

28) Autre Monde Café & Spirits
Where: 6727 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn, IL
What: Bid a festive adieu to 2011 with a three- or four-course prix fixe. Wood grilled lamb chops, pan roasted game hen and family-style house desserts populate the menu.
Cost: $45 with optional $25 for wine pairings (6 p.m.), $65 with optional $35 for pairings (9 p.m.)
Call: 708-775-8122

29) Restaurant Michael
Where: 64 Green Bay, Winnetka, IL
What: Enjoy good food and live music at Restaurant Michael. Some of the dishes served will be potato truffle soup, whole butter poached lobster and a praline chocolate soufflé. There will also be complimentary Champagne and dessert for all.
Cost: $75
Call: 847-441-3100

30) Vie
Where: 4471 Lawn, Western Springs, IL
What: Tempt your palate with a five-course tasting menu. Smoked sablefish, wood grilled beef tenderloin and a sacher torte will keep your stomach pleased.
Cost: $120 with optional $50 for wine pairings
Call: 708-246-2082

31) Pensiero
Where: 1566 Oak, Evanston, IL
What: Drink and dance the night away with a four- or five-course meal. Live music and dancing will be available from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and Prosecco toasts and party favors will be handed out.
Cost: $65 (6:30 p.m.), $95 (9 p.m.)
Call: 847-475-7779

32) Yusho
Where: 2853 N. Kedzie
What: Enjoy a laid-back nine-course yakitori-inspired tasting menu from chef/owner Matthias Merges that includes dishes like shikogu oyster, chicken thigh, hamachi and short ribs.
Cost: $95 per person
Call: 773-904-8558

33) The Gage
Where: 24 S. Michigan
What: Pop in to the lively Millennium Park restaurant for a meal prepared by chef Dirk Flanigan. Order from the regular menu or enjoy specials like roasted skatewing with salsify, oxtail and foie gras vinaigrette or tuna tartare with a "party mix" Hawaiian Tuna.
Alternative: Want something more refined from Flanigan. Check out what he's offering next door at Henri.
Call: 312-372-4243