Wow, 2010 really flew by!  It’s time to gear up for New Year’s Eve.  Just like last year, CFW is posting a list of some of the fabulous prix fixe dinners taking place around Chicago.

We are making it a point to list restaurants that have recently received Michelin stars or are part of the Bib Gourmand list.  Start 2011 off right with dinner at an award-winning restaurant!  All Michelin starred restaurants are marked with a (*) and all Bib Gourmands are marked with a (+).   

CHECK BACK – WE’LL KEEP UPDATING THE LIST AS WE GET NEW MENUS!

(*) Boka – 1st seating 5:00 & 5:30, 3 course $65, wine pairing $45; 2nd seating 8:00 & 8:30, 6 course $95, wine pairing $90.  Please call 312.337.6070 for reservations.  Click here for menus.

(*) Bonsoiree – NYE SOLD OUT.  DEC 30 6-course menu for $95.  BYOB.  Please call 773.486.7511 for reservations.  SPACE IS LIMITED. 

DECEMBER 30th MENU

1. Grilled Baby Octopus and White Anchovy, Foie Gras Emulsion w/ Pink Pepper, Baby Wakame Frisée, Rendered Pork Belly and Yuzukoshō

2. Porcini Mushroom Bisque made w/ Champagne, Umami Spices, Maitake Chips, Seared Scallop w/ Smokey Black Pepper, Black Truffles, Crab-Champagne Duxelle Flavor Explosion

3. Crispy Suzuki, Lotus Root, Preserved Plums, Fried Belly Skin, Negi Yaki Glaze, Gooseberry-Macadamia Pudding

4. Oxtail with Miso, Lamb/Karashi, Tomato-Sesame-Zucchini Ragout,
Carrot Dauphine

5. Explorateur Fondue, Caramelized Brioche, Fig + Vidalia Onion Jam

6. Matcha Flan, Dehydrated Berries, Coconut-Puffed Rice

SOLD OUT – 8 courses, $135.  BYOB.  Limited seating.  Call 773.486.7511 for reservations.

8. Grilled Baby Octopus and White Anchovy, Foie Gras Emulsion w/ Pink Pepper, Baby Wakame Frisée, Rendered Pork Belly and Yuzukoshō
7. Porcini Mushroom Bisque made w/ Champagne, Umami Spices, Maitake Chips, Seared Scallop w/ Smokey Black Pepper, Black Truffles, Crab-Champagne Duxelle Flavor Explosion
6. Duck Breast with Confit Lobster, Sweet Potato and Parsnip Purées, Scallion, Chive and Leek Melt in Fines Herbes
5. Crispy Suzuki, Lotus Root, Preserved Plums, Fried Belly Skin, Negi Yaki Glaze, Gooseberry-Macadamia Pudding
4. Oxtail with Miso, Lamb/Karashi, Tomato-Sesame-Zucchini Ragout,
Carrot Dauphine
3. Explorateur Fondue, Caramelized Brioche, Fig + Vidalia Onion Jam
2. Intermezzo: Shisho Sorbet
1. Matcha Flan, Dehydrated Berries, Coconut-Puffed Rice.

(+) The Bristol – $49 per person. The Bristol will be taking reservations exclusively for New Year’s Eve.  Please call 773.862.5555 for reservations.  Click here for menu.

(+) Browntrout – 3 Course tasting menu from 5-7:30pm for $45 Wine $20 and a 5 course from 730 til1 midnight for $65. Wine pairing for $35 If you stay till Midnight we will have a complimentary Champagne toast to ring in 2011!  Call 773.472.4111 for reservations.

3 course
Amuse
Oyster and mignonette

First
Gin Orange Smoked Organic Sea Trout…potato rosti,creme fraiche, shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette
Circa Pinot Grigio~ Leelanau, MI~2007

Second
Grilled Ribeye…Braised beef cheeks, garlic potatoes, winter greens, pearl onions, bordelaise
Raymond Estates  R Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon~ Napa Valley~2006

Third
Butterscotch Crème Brulee… toasted pecans, scotched butter
Warre’s Warrior Reserve Port

Surprise Mignardise

5 Course
Amuse
Oyster and mignonette

First
Gin Orange Smoked Organic Sea Trout…potato rosti,creme fraiche, shaved fennel, citrus vinaigrette
Circa Pinot Grigio~ Leelanau, MI~2007

Second
Roasted Squash Ravioli…bacon, walnuts, shallots, brown butter, sage
Kuentz-Bas, Riesling, Alsace, France ~2008

Third
Grilled Ribeye…Braised beef cheeks, garlic potatoes, winter greens, pearl onions, bordelaise
Paso Creek Merlot-Paso Robles, CA- 2006

Fourth
Selection of local cheeses…
Prarie fruits farm whipped Chevre, Vella aged Dry Monterey Jack, Housemade Ricotta, Honeycomb, currant and golden raisin chutney,
sourdough crostini
Domaine De La Tourmaline Muscadet~ Sèvre Et Maine, France~2009

Pre dessert
Apple sorbet

Fifth
Fallen Chocolate Souffle… espresso anglaise
Warre’s Warrior Reserve Port

Surprise Mignardise

(+) Ceres’ Table - First seating 5:00 – 7:30, 3 course for $45 or 5 course for $65; Second seating 8:00 – midnight, 5 courses for $65, including sparkling wine for midnight toast.  Click here for menus.  Call 773.878.4882 for reservations. 

David Burke’s Primehouse – 4 courses, $76.  Seatings from 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm.  Call 312.660.6000 for reservations.  Click here for menu. Lots of great choices.

(+) deca – 5 courses, $125 per person.  $160 with wine pairing.  $50 for kids age 6 – 12.  Call 312.573.5160 for reservations.  7:30 – champagne & canapes in Ritz Lobby.  8:00 – dinner seatings begin.  Live music from 7:30 pm – 12:30 am, complimented by DJ from 10:00 pm – 1:00 am.  Click here for menu, and scroll down for NYE. 

Deleece - 4 course, $60 per person.  $75 with wine pairing.  Complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  Entree choices include five-spice Indiana duck breast, porcini crusted Chilean sea bass, and beef tenderloin.  Regular menu also available.  No set seatings.  Please call 773.325.1710 or go to www.deleece.com for reservations.  Great deal!

Deleece Grill Pub – 4 course, $50 per person.  Complimentary champagne toast at midnight.  Entree choices include smoked pepper crusted short ribs and potato wrapped sturgeon.  Regular menu also available.  No set seatings.  Please call 773.348.3313 or go to www.deleecegrillpub.com for reservations.

Drawing Room – 5 courses, $80 per person.  Additional $35 for cocktail pairing.  Reservations every half hour.  Please call 312.266.2694.  Also be sure to ask about discounted tickets to Le Passage, and make it a night of dinner & dancing!  Click here for menu.

Enoteca Roma – 5 courses with wine progression, $55 per person.  Seatings at 5:30, 7:30 & 9:30.  Please call 773.772.7700 or email seanatenoteca@gmail.com for reservations.  Great food, super price!  Menu below is a SAMPLE only.

1st Course, Crostini al Tartufo: Regione Trentino
 
Warm truffle & Taleggio crostini
  served with Speck
 
La Cappuccina Soave 2008 Veneto, Italy
 
2nd course, Insalata Invernale: Regione Lazio
 
California Blood Orange, yellow beets, sea salt, microgreens
 
Iovine Falanghina 2006  Campania, Italy
 
3rd course, Lenticchie di Vincenzo: Regione Sicilia 
 
Black Beluga lentils, roasted tomato, Root Vegetables and home made sausage
 
Talia Rosso Nero d’avola/Syrah 2007 Sicilia, Italy
 
4th course, Pappardelle al Sugo Di Lepre: Regione Le Marche
 
Home made pappardelle pasta 
with braised hare  sauce
 
Chateau Puynormond Bordeaux 2006, Bordeaux, France
 
5th Course, Dolce:
 
Caramel macaroon with sea salt,
Chocolate salami and hazelnut jam cookie
 
 Prosecco Santa Chiara NV Friuli, Italy

Geja’s Cafe – 4 course fondue dinner, including Gruyere cheese fondue appetizer; salad; lobster, shrimp and beef entree; chocolate fondue dessert.  Each seating includes champagne.  Call 773.281.9101 for reservations.

5:00 pm – $75 per person, includes a glass of Roederer Estate NV Brut Sparkling

7:30 pm – $95 per person, includes a glass of 2003 Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Sparkling

10:00 pm – $115 per person, includes a bottle of Louis Roederer NV Brut Premier Champagne for 2 and party favors for midnight countdown.

HB, Home Bistro – 4 course, $45.  Call 773.661.0299 for reservations. 

SOUP

POTATO, LEEK and PINE NUT BISQUE
with (or without )crab, mustard oil

-or -

OXTAIL AND ONION
with Kenny’s Farmhouse cheddar cheese crouton

SALAD

TOASTED FARRO & MUSTARD GREENS
with cranberries, cashews, oyster mushrooms, curry vinaigrette

-or -

ARUGULA
with pickled onion, boiled peanut, parsley, mint, buttermilk

MAIN

BRAISED WAGYU BEEF CHEEKS
parsley root mash, jus, kohlrabi, buttermilk salad

-or -

PAN SEARED PORK LOIN
weisenberger mills cheese grits, molasses, apples

-or -

CRISPY CHICKEN LEG CONFIT
Porcini and prune jus, hazelnut and red currant salad, horseradish & acorn squash puree
-or -

RICOTTA GNOCCHI
Chanterelles, mustard greens, persimmon, brown rice broth, goat cheese

-or -

SMOKED TROUT BOUILLAIBAISE
saffron & vermouth, mussels, clams, KY spoonfish caviar, chick pea fritters

DESSERT

ASSORTED SWEETS

In Fine Spirits – 4 course Dinner & Masquerade Party.  6pm seating (dinner only) – $100, including wine pairings.  9pm seating (dinner w/ wine pairing + open bar from 10 pm – 1am) – $150.  Open Bar Party from 10pm-2am – $75.  Click here for menu and party info.  Call 773.334.9463 for reservations.

Mercat a la Planxa – 3 course chef tasting, $75.  Each course features 3 – 4 tapas.  Dishes could include grilled lobster, rack of lamb, rabbit agnolotti and Iberico ham.  Regular menu also available.  Open reservations until 10:30.  Call 312.765.0524 for reservations.   

(+) Mexique - 3 course, $75.  Call 312.850.0288 for reservations.

PRIMERO

Sopa de Langosta

Lobster and Sherry Wine Soup

Asparagus Salad

Crab Meat, House Preserved Lemons, Meyer Lemons, Epazote and Chipotle, Bernaise Sauce

Roasted Veal Sweetbread

Corn Masa Flat Bread, Chorizo, Apple Foam, Butternut Squash Foam

SEGUNDO

Beef Wellington

Wila Mushroom Ragut, Foie Gras, and Black Truffle Sauce

Pescado

Porcini Crusted Seabass, Saffron Sweet Corn, Purple Pickled Onion

Risotto

Exotic Mushroom Risotto, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Oyster and Lobster Mushroom, Creamy Huitlacoche Sauce 

TERCERO

Passion Fruit Creme Brulee

Chocolate Tamal

Cheese, Quince, Truffle Honey, Popcorn Sheets

mk The Restaurant - 4 courses.  Call 312.482.9179 for reservations.  Click here for menu.

Early seating: 6 pm – 7pm, $70 per person

Late seating: from 8:30 pm on, $90 per person, including champagne toast 

Saigon Sisters – 4 courses, $49.  $25 for wine pairing.  Call 312.496.0090 for reservations.  Click here for menu.

Sweets & Savories – 5 courses, $80.  BYOB.  Seatings at 6:30 and 9:30 only.  Menu not available.  Please see last year’s menu as a SAMPLE below.  Call 773.281.6778 for reservations.

FIRST COURSE: Seared sea scallop with caviar

SECOND COURSE: Butter poached lobster risotto

THIRD COURSE: Tenderloin with truffed hollandaise sauce

FOURTH COURSE: Chocolate fondant cake

(*) Takashi – 6 courses, $85 per person.  $36 for wine pairing.  Call 773.772.6170 for reservations.

Mains: Pan-Roasted Chicken “Saltimbocca” – Miller’s Farm Chicken Breast Wrapped in Country Ham with Fontina, Corn Grits, Sage, and Preserved Lemon $22.75 (Recommended wine: 2009 Lucashof Riesling $9.50/glass)

Pan-Seared East Coast Haddock with Pears, Christmas Lima Beans, Curly Endive, Bacon and Clam Chowder $23.50 (Suggested wine: 2007 Vobis Tua Barbera D’Asti $8.00/glass)

Dessert: Dark Chocolate, Cappuccino and Marshmallow Ice Cream Sandwich $7.25 (Recommended spirit: Koval Coffee Liqueur $7.00/glass)