Christmas Eve ideas: NOT Chinese--severe peanut allergy

I'm guessing there's not much open other than hotel restaurants, but if you know of any up north, it would be appreciated.

sujormik wrote:I'm guessing there's not much open other than hotel restaurants, but if you know of any up north, it would be appreciated.

middle eastern restaurant are often open christmas eve; sorry, i dont know where 'up north' is, but call a few in your area.

Open Table has lots of availability.

More and more restaurants are beginning to make a special night of Christmas Eve. (Operative searching terms: "Reveillon" and "Feast of Seven Fishes.") If I were looking on the North Side, my choice this year would probably be Big Jones:
https://bigjoneschicago.com/events-arch ... reveillon/

Check OpenTable. I just searched for tables of 4 at 7 pm and came up with 272 results in the Chicago area.

Polish restaurants my be open as they serve a special fish meal.

Check the Indian and Pakistani restaurants; I know on Devon many will be open.

Big Jones and Bistro Campagne have availability. As does Via Veneto. Open Table is showing a lot of openings in Evanston and Lincolnwood, if that is not too far north. I cant speak to any of the Evanston/Lincolnwood choices but Bistro Campagne is a personal favorite.

Broadway Cellars has gotten nice write ups here but its been a few years.

Francesca's on Bryn Mawr is an option and a relatively safe bet.

I have been to Chez Bistro Simo at 1968 West Lawrence a lot recently and have really enjoyed the food. Its BYOB. You have to call for reservations -- I dont know if they have any availability. 773-334-7466

cleanplateclub wrote:Open Table is showing a lot of openings in Evanston and Lincolnwood, if that is not too far north. I cant speak to any of the Evanston/Lincolnwood choices

Here are the places with availability (for 4 at 7) in Evanston, Skokie, and Lincolnwood: Anmol Barbeque, Bistro Bordeaux, Chef's Station, Farmhouse Tavern, Hearth, Jameson's Charhouse, Jilly's Cafe, Kansaku, Koi, L. Woods*, Maggiano's*, McCormick & Schmick's, Pete Miller's, Roka Akor, Tub Tim Thai, Uncle Julio's, Zhivago. I've been to most of these, and my top picks would be (a) if you're looking for a nice, somewhat upscale dinner, Chef's Station (I ate there a few weeks ago and loved it, it was as good as ever); (b) if you want casual and comfortable, L. Woods*; or (c) if you want to do ethnic, Tub Tim Thai is decent, but it may be a poor choice because of the peanut allergy.

*L. Woods and Maggiano's accept Lettuce Entertain You gift cards, and this time of year, it's worth buying gift cards in advance because you get a somewhat-restricted $25 bonus card with each $100 purchased.

sujormik wrote:I'm guessing there's not much open other than hotel restaurants, but if you know of any up north, it would be appreciated.

Some hotel restaurants are okay. Nico Osteria for example, they're having a Christmas Eve dinner thing.

I feel like I roll this out every year here, but I stand by the recommendation - Mercat la Planxa. In fact, we are headed here for Xmas eve again this year. We have done so many "occasion" meals here and have never been disappointed by either food or service. Even with a toddler in tow. They are also good with allergy issues in my experience.

We're going to Salpicon! on Xmas Eve, as we did last year. Great service, world-class wine list, and the best Chiles en Nogada imaginable. The quail is jaw-droppingly good, too. You should go. You will not be disappointed. #Lock


Salpicon!
1252 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312.988.7811