Rick's Picks: Top Ten Christmas Dining Options

Park Grill in Millennium Park offers a picture-perfect holiday scene for Christmas Eve dining. The restaurant, surrounded by twinkling lights and twirling ice-skaters on the rink in front of the restaurant. The holiday dinner menu from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested.

Located on the 15th floor of the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, ItaliAsia offers a sophisticated setting with gorgeous views of downtown, when it snows it is almost magical. The restaurant will be open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and will feature a sumptuous holiday buffet ($25.95 for adults, $15.95 for children 12 and under) as well as its regular menu from 5-11 p.m.

The Walnut Room at Macy’s on State has kept up the grandeur and magic as well as Marshall Field’s did in the past. You can avoid the lines by stopping by for breakfast with Santa starting as early as 7 a.m. Christmas Eve day. Tickets are 16.95 per person and 12.95 for children under 10 years, call (877) 556-2297 to reserve your spot. Another option is to enjoy a late lunch after the crowds have thinned. The Walnut Room is open until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Kit Kat is open for dinner both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and hosts the Jingle Bell Brunch on Christmas Day cause nothing says the holidays more than a drag queen mouthing Mariah Carey singing “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The prix fixe dinner is $30 per person and on Christmas Day, only $15 per person with a canned good donation for Vital Bridges’ "Harvest for Hope" community food drive. Kit Kat’s “Super Sexy Santa” will be on hand for fun photographs (as well as offering shots) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

To make things even more festive, the mixologists at the popular Halsted eatery have concocted a full menu of holiday themed martinis including; Harmoni Merry-tini, Hpnotiq Snowflake, Pumpkin Pie, Banana Nut Bread, Santa Baby and Fruity.

Osteria Via Stato in River North celebrates Christmas Eve Italian style with the traditional feast of seven fishes. Reputedly named for the seven hills of Rome, the multi-course holiday meal features an abundance of mouthwatering seafood dishes. The cost of the feast is $48.95 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Bistronomic will feature a customizable four-course Christmas Eve menu for $55 for adults, $20 for children and $10 for kids less than five years old. Numerous dishes, including vegetarian friendly options, will be available for each course.

LM Restaurant in Lincoln Square will present Chef Justin Perdue’s $45 four-course menu complete with holiday favorites such as; braised short rib, grilled shrimp and apple tart. The regular French-inspired menu will also be available. Reservations are required.

Horizon Cafe may be down a few rungs on the economic ladder from some of the previous listings, but the food is just as delicious. The Boystown diner will be open Christmas Eve and will feature complete holiday meals for less than $20 a person for dining in or take out. Check out the menu at their website.

Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe has invited The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band to entertain at its annual Hanukkah kosher buffet dinner on Dec. 21. The evening includes a visit to Wonderland Express, a holiday exhibit in the Regenstein Center of twinkling lights, garden-scale trains, miniature Chicago landmarks, horticulture displays and indoor snowfall. Cost is $43 for adults, $37 for children (3-12), free for ages 2 and under. Parking is $20 per car, free for Garden members. Tickets and information are available by calling (847) 835-5440, or online at chicagobotanic.org/wonderland.

Hub 51 in River North presents a campier alternative with its “Hubukkah” celebration on Dec. 24. The festive party atmosphere encourages mingling while enjoying chicken egg rolls, cheers with Manischewitz Sangria for a cool $5 bucks and jamming out to sweet music from DJ Popstatic. Reservations are recommended.