Guide: Where to Eat and Drink on New Year's Eve

Don't look now but New Years is only a week and a half away. Luckily for you, many (and we do mean many) restaurants are offering special prix fixe menus to ring in 2013. If you haven't made plans yet, don't worry because there's still time to plan an enjoyable evening. There's something for everyone, from location to price point, so take a look at our guide and find a nice spot to celebrate the new year. After all, you don't want to be that person sitting at home surrounded by cats for company.

1) Tru
Where: 676 N. St. Clair
What: An early seating at 5 p.m. with an intricate six-course Collection ($165) and a later seating at 8:30 p.m. featuring an eight-course collection ($275). The late seating will include a midnight Champagne toast.
Call: 312-202-0001

2) L2O
Where: 2300 N. Lincoln Park West
What: Two special prix-fix menus ($195 and $235) will be offered from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wine pairings will also be available.
Call: 773-868-0002

3) Yusho
Where: 2853 N. Kedzie
What: Yusho will offer a prix fixe menu of seven dishes traditionally served on New Year's Eve from the seven largest cities in Japan as well as an eighth dish highlighting Logan Square. The cost is $100 with an optional $50 beverage pairing.
Call: 773-904-8558

4) Embeya
Where: 564 W. Randolph
What: The early sitting will feature a $65 three-course menu plus optional $30 wine pairing. Choose from four first courses, four main, three desserts or exotic fruit plate. The late sitting will offer a $85 four-course menu plus $50 wine pairing.
Call: 312-612-5640

5) Trenchermen
Where: 2039 W. North
What: The first two seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. will feature a $50 three-course menu with an optional $20 beverage pairing. Dishes will include sepia, aged New York strip and brown butter cognac cake. The 9:30 p.m. seating will offer an $85 five-course menu with optional $40 pairings and additional specials such as foie gras stuffed trotters
Call: 773-661-1540

6) Two Restaurant and Bar
Where: 1132 W. Grand
What: A $65 four-course dinner featuring homemade bacon, duck, rib eye, sturgeon and more. Vegetarian options are available with advance notice and a 6 oz. Maine lobster tail can be added to any entrée for $25.
Call: 312-624-8363

7) Jerry's
Where: 5419 N. Clark
What: New executive chef Joey Beato will roll out a prix fixe menu for New Year's Eve featuring options such as a salad of kale, pork belly slider, duck confit and foie gras, and caramelized banana panini. The cost is $50 or $65 with beer flights.
Call: 773-796-3777

8) Bar Pastoral
Where: 2947 N. Broadway
What: Enjoy chef Chrissy Camba's special New Year's Eve menu with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The $50 five-course menu plus optional $30 sparkling wine pairings features scallop crudo, pork belly, beef bourguignon, challerhocker and banana split courses. A vegetarian menu is also available.
Call: 773-472-4781

9) Prasino
Where: 1846 W. Division
What: A $120 four-course menu with wine and cocktail pairings will include choices of crab and caviar bisque, seared foie gras, grilled fillet, Champagne and seafood platter, chocolate soufflé and much more.
Call: 312-878-1212

10) Brasserie by LM
Where: 800 S. Michigan
What: Celebrate "Midnight in Paris" with a $35 three-course menu from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Choices include lobster bisque, mesclun salad, roasted duck breast, potato-crusted hake, crème brulee and more.
Call: 312-431-1788

11) Avec
Where: 615 W. Randolph
What: $60 four-course menu will feature antipasto, Provencal fisherman's stew, Moroccan-style wood oven-roasted pork shoulder and cassata. Optional beverage pairings are $30. Plus it's the only time you'll be able to snag a reservation to the restaurant.
Call: 312-377-2002

12) Longman & Eagle
Where: 2657 N. Kedzie
What: Three seatings at 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The first two seatings will feature a five-course menu for $95 while the final seating includes an eight-course dinner with a midnight Champagne toast for $125. Optional pairings available.
Call: 773-276-7110

13) The Publican
Where: 837 W. Fulton Market
What: A New Year's Eve prix fixe menu includes chocolate persimmon salad, chanterelle pasta, prime rib and bourbon bread pudding.
Call: 312-733-9555

14) Violet Hour
Where: 1520 N. Damen
What: $120 package includes unlimited sparkling cocktails (or beer/wine). A special holiday punch will also be created for the occasion.
Call: 773-252-1500

15) Sepia
Where: 123 N. Jefferson
What: The first seating from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. will offer an $85 four-course prix fixe menu plus optional $65 wine pairings, while a second seating from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. will feature a $110 five-course menu plus $90 pairings. Courses include smoked trout, sea scallop, rack of lamb, lobster and shitake raviolo, bitter chocolate dessert and more.
Call: 312-441-1920

16) The Signature Room
Where: 875 N. Michigan
What: The first dinner seatings at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. will include a $100 three-course menu with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Second seatings at 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. will feature a six-course menu, glass of Champagne, midnight balloon ball drop and dancing through 1 a.m. for $225.
Call: 312-787-9596

17) Girl & the Goat
Where: 809 W. Randolph
What: A New Year's party like no other features an open bar of artisanal beers, cocktails and wines as well as chef stations with passed bites by Stephanie Izard. The cost is $195 and tickets can be purchased online.
Call: 312-492-6262

18) Nana
Where: 3267 S. Halsted
What: Five-course prix fixe dinner with selections such as beef tartare with quail yolk, seared scallops with pork belly, ancho chile-espresso-braised short ribs, rice pudding and more. A vegetarian menu is also available. The cost is $60 for the 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. seatings, and $75 for 10 p.m.
Call: 312-929-2486

19) Baume & Brix
Where: 351 W. Hubbard
What: A special six-course menu at 6 p.m. for $75 or $125 with wine pairings, or an 8:30 p.m. seating for $95 or $145 with pairings. The menu will include selections such as caviar, lobster roll, foie gras, black truffle, filet mignon and more.
Call: 312-321-0351

20) BellyQ
Where: 400 W. Randolph
What: The bellyQ New Year's Eve bash kicks off at 8 p.m. with several chef stations serving flavorful fare from all three of Bill Kim's restaurants as well as an open bar. The cost is $125.
Call: 312-563-1010

21) Bistronomic
Where: 840 N. Wabash
What: Four-course chef's tasting menu from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m will be available for $60 or $85 with wine pairings. A five-course gala menu from 7:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. will cost $80 or $105 with pairings. Courses include smoked salmon terrine, winter salad, Bistronomic bouillabaisse, homemade parmesan gnocchi, profiteroles and more.
Call: 312-944-8400

22) Boka
Where: 1729 N. Halsted
What: A $98 six-course feast includes foie gras and turbot terrine, chestnut soup with curry squash tortellini, bison with coffee, grapefruit almond roulade and more.
Call: 312-337-6070

23) GT Fish & Oyster
Where: 531 N. Wells
What: A special four-course prix fixe menu includes options such as Hamachi and tuna, hare agnolotti, veal cheeks grits, chocolate hazelnut tart and more.
Call: 312-929-3501

24) Henri
Where: 18 S. Michigan
What: A decadent New Year's Eve prix fixe Indulgence menu will be available from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and offer choices such as seared foie gras, escargot, loup de mer, venison and more. The cost is $120 with an additional $70 for wine and cocktail pairings.
Call: 312-578-0763

25) Libertad
Where: 7931 Lincoln, Skokie, IL
What: Celebrate with a five-course menu for $50, which incudes a glass of Champagne. Dishes include eggplant tempura, risotto with lobster, red snapper, lamb chops and pumpkin cake. Optional wine pairings are available for $25.
Call: 847-674-8100

26) Cru Café & Wine Bar
Where: 25 E. Delaware
What: Five-course dinner for $70 or $85 with pairings featuring dishes like sweet potato dumpling, oysters on the half shell, grilled beef fillet and carrot and ginger cake.
Call: 312-337-4001

27) Telegraph
Where: 2601 N. Milwaukee
What: Five-course menu starting at 7:30 p.m. with sparkling wine and oysters at the bar. Dinner will be served at 9 p.m. with Champagne pairings. Courses include artic char, Burgundy snails in feuille de brick filo pastry, housemade boudin blanc, lamb saddle and a sweet and savory finale. Cost is $125.
Call: 773-292-9463

28) Roka Akor
Where: 456 N. Clark
What: Seatings for three different five-course omakase menus. Cost is $85 for 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., $125 for 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and $45 for the late night 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. seating. Wine and sake pairings are an additional $30.
Call: 312-477-7652

29) Leopold
Where: 1450 W. Chicago
What: Three-course prix fixe menu for including Champagne toast will feature Woodland mushroom salad, butter-poached prawns, spiced venison loin, vanilla crème brulee and more. The cost is $75.
Call: 312-348-1028

30) Big Jones
Where: 5347 N. Clark
What: Ring in the New Year with a special five-course menu of Southern dishes including turtle soup, Carolina gold rice risotto, pecan wood-grilled rib eye, bourbon chocolate beignets and much more. The cost is $69 with optional wine flight pairings an extra $30.
Call: 773-275-5725

31) Acadia
Where: 1639 S. Wabash
What: A Midwinter's Night Dream-themed evening will offer dinner and a show with performers from the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in attendance. The 6 p.m. seating is $150 including wine pairings while the 9 p.m. one is $175. A vegetarian menu is also available.
Call: 312-360-9500

32) Vera
Where: 1023 W. Lake
What: Four-course family-style menu for $65 offers choices of cheeses, lamb meatballs, flatbread, skirt steak, churros with chocolate sauce and much more. Optional wine pairings for $30.
Call: 312-243-9770

33) Slurping Turtle
Where: 116 W. Hubbard
What: Kick off the New Year with a Godzilla movie extravaganza, a Japanese drum countdown, sake toast and three tasting menus ranging from $45 to $80. Seatings are at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Call: 312-464-0466

34) Grace
Where: 652 W. Randolph
What: Grace will be offering one special menu starting with a Champagne reception at 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 8 p.m. and there will be a midnight toast as guests are free to stay as long as they like and mingle throughout the restaurant. The cost is $325 and includes wine pairings.
Call: 312-234-9494