I'd still say Reza's. Not too long of a cab ride from Union Station, and they do a holiday buffet that has both persian and traditional american foods. I think it's $22-25, somewhere in that range, but it may be pushing $30 now.

They also have locations in Andersonville and Oak Brook, so you could pick the one in Oak Brook if you didn't want to be far from Downers Grove, or Andersonville if you don't want to get too far away from Niles.

I am aware of an upscale Italian five course seafood Christmas Eve dinner at Va Pensiero, which includes matching wines for $85.00 per person.

I have never attended, but I do patronize Va Pensiero.

Here's the menu, copied from their website:

Chef’s Selection of Tray-Passed Appetizers
Skewered Mussels with Bread crumbs
Sauteed rock shrimp cakes with zesty garlic aioli
House Cured Salmon on toasted Buckwheat Crepes

Grilled Calamari with Orange Risotto
arugula pesto, black olive

Lobster and Scallop Ragu
baby vegetables, potato crust

Flatbread Crusted Striped Bass over
salt cod cannellini cake, salsa verdi

Oven-Warmed Chocolate Crespelle, with Roasted Strawberries and Mango
filled with milk chocolate -infused mascarpone

Pricing info: $85.00 per person all beverages and wine pairings included.

Va Pensiero
1566 Oak Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201

tel 847-475-7779

I noticed earlier in the thread that someone has asked about TAC. Does anyone know if they will be open on Christmas ? My family will be eating in the early afternoon and I'm guessing I'll be wanting to find something to eat around 9 or 10 that night.

moose734 wrote:I'm guessing I'll be wanting to find something to eat around 9 or 10 that night.

9, or 10? I don't know if they're open that day, but I believe they normally close at 10:00.

Hi,

LTH member Mike G wrote a nice article featuring Six restaurants with delicious Christmas traditions.

Regards,

This list may be helpful:

50 Chicagoland restaurants and bars open on Christmas Day

For many Years My dad and I went to China Town for X-mas Dinner. Last Year he wanted something Different and we went to Carsons for Ribs. Any one got a good non-china Town X-mas Day Suggestion? He Lives in the Lemont area and I Live on the North side so Location isn't something were concerned with.

Open Table has a page dedicated to Christmas Day dining options - http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=3&ref=8782&pid=6

Dave148 wrote:Open Table has a page dedicated to Christmas Day dining options - http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=3&ref=8782&pid=6

Just FYI--I'm not sure how Open Table put that list together, but it's far from comprehensive. This Metromix list has a few other suggestions, though make sure to double check with restaurant(s) the menus and prices, which I found to be incorrect for at least the restaurant we chose. Very different from Chinatown, but my family and I enjoyed Christmas Day dinner at Café des Architectes last year.

Loads of places will be open, and lots of them still have reservations available, especially if you're flexible about timing. Definitely call ahead.

55 Chicago-area restaurants open Christmas Day 2010