Top Chicago Restaurants for New Year’s Eve Dinners

With New Year’s Eve less than four days away, it’s not too late to plan a romantic evening or even a more party-filled night with friends.

Several Chicago restaurants are still taking reservations for their New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Some of the parties are designed for couples, while others are more geared toward groups of people who want to make a grand toast at midnight.

Below is a selection of restaurants that are having special New Year’s Eve dinners.

Aja (660 N. State St.; 312-202-6050; map it) will offer its regular dinner menu of “shareable, modern Asian dishes”  served from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and accompanied by “a selection of fine champagnes available by the bottle” for only $99 each, including Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne and Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut.

Custom House (500 S. Dearborn St.; 312-523-0200; map it) will serve a special four-course dinner with two seatings: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for $75 per person and 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $110 per person. According to the restaurant, “the latter seating will include live jazz in the lounge and a celebratory champagne toast at midnight complete with party favors.”

Double A (108 W. Kinzie St., lower level; rsvp@doubleachicago.com; map it) is one of Chicago’s newest lounges with 65 seats and with what the lounge calls an “open bar where guests are able to watch mixologists in action from all vantage points.” On New Year’s Eve, Double A will have a party with “handcrafted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres”  from its upstairs neighbor Mercadito (Mexican-style tapas; Tip: be sure and try the tilapia tacos if they serve them.) from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for $125 per person. Groups of six or more may reserve a table, which, according to Double A, includes a premium cocktail package, a select bottle, and hors d’oeuvres beginning at $1,050.

Epic (112 W. Hubbard St.; 312-222-4940; map it) recently opened in the River North area of Chicago and will offer “a regular dinner menu featuring contemporary American dishes prepared with French technique,” including dishes from its raw bar, as well as “housemade” sausages and breads, and steaks and chops.  Epic will be open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. and the bar will be open 4:30 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Lockwood’s (Palmer House Hilton; 17 E. Monroe St.; 312-917-3404; map it) executive chef Phillip Foss (one of the best chefs in Chicago, in my opinion) is preparing “a menu of upscale, contemporary American cuisine”  for $95 per person. Two- and three-course menus will also be available for $45 and $55 per person, respectively. The New Years Eve’s menu will include dishes such as: Seared Sea Scallop; Dover Sole; Fig Braised Duck Pork Belly; Cauliflower, Wild Huckleberries, and Cocoa Nibs; Molten Cake, Chocolate Soup, and Raspberry Ice Cream; and other amazing dishes created by Foss. Lockwood will also have a New Year’s Day brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $30 per person ($40 per person includes the Bloody Mary Bar with toppings).

Pops for Champagne (601 N. State St.; 312-266-7677; map it) will celebrate New Year’s Eve from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for $130 per person that includes a full open bar with unlimited Henriot Brut champagne, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and party favors. For $20 more, you can reserve a seat in advance. If you want to listen to live jazz, Pops’ downstairs jazz club will be open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a live show by the Ava Logan Quartet. Cost is $60 per person.

ZED451 (739 N. Clark St.; 312-266-6691; map it) is a great place for a romantic New Years Eve. From 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., for $55 per person (for an additional $20 per person you’ll get  unlimited pours of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne), the restaurant will serve “lobster bisque, snow crab claws, oysters on the half shell, and assorted miniature desserts.” ZED451 will also offer its regular menu of chef’s selections including their “Harvest Table’s bountiful array of soups, salads, housemade charcuterie, and seasonal pasta dishes.” The ZED451 Lounge will also be open during New Year’s Eve from 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. serving cocktails such as ZED’s Cranberry Mojito and Bartlett Pear Sangria. No cover charge and includes party favors and a balloon drop at midnight.

ZEST (InterContinental Chicago, 505 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-321-8844; map it) is located on a prime spot on Michigan Avenue (close to the Wrigley Building and the Chicago River) and will have a special  New Year’s Eve menu for $69 per person that includes a complimentary glass of sparkling wine, and for $94 per person includes four wine pairings. Sample dishes will include Smoked Salmon and Trout Terrine with Mango Chili Sauce and Organic Portobello Ravioli with Barolo Porcini Cream Sauce.

Photo credit: SXC