Holiday Dinner--North Shore with Kids

We're doing an early Christmas with our family this Sunday (right after Thanksgiving) because we (grandma and grandpa) will be gone in December. We're looking for late afternoon dinner ideas that would be somewhat festive, but also appropriate for 4 kids, ages 6 to 13. We're starting from Libertyville, so would prefer north shore or north suburbs. Your ideas? Thanks.

For a place the adults might appreciate as well as the kids, GNR winner Prairie Grass Café is the first place that comes to mind. Kids might also like the faux Hemingway-era Havana atmosphere at Miramar.

Prairie Grass Café
601 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
847 205-4433

Miramar
301 Waukegan Ave.
Highwood, IL 60040
847-433-1078

Right there in Libertyville, The Tavern and Firkin are both very festive, usually with elaborate holiday decorations and lighting. I would guess that Firkin would be better for the kids and whoever is paying the bill.

-Will

What do you mean by "late afternoon"? The reason I ask is, some places stay open all afternoon, while others close for lunch (typically around 2:00) and open for dinner (typically around 5:00). For example, Prairie Grass Cafe does that; between 2 and 5, they offer light fare in the bar, which might not be what you're looking for. OTOH if you're planning to dine at 5 pm, you can pretty much go anywhere.

If you're not dining till 5:00 or later, I think Prairie Grass Cafe is appropriate for what you're looking for, with American comfort food, and an atmosphere suitable for kids. I've been to Miramar several times, and although the atmosphere does connote a mid-20th-century Havana, I've found the food just okay, and all in all, not particularly alluring in any way.

How about the good steakhouses? They're suitable for kids, and most are open all afternoon, too. You've got Wildfire in Lincolnshire (open all afternoon) and Pete Miller's in Wheeling (opens 4:30). You're probably already familiar with the Tavern in Libertville (opens 5:00), which I think is pretty good too.