It may seem a bit odd to be talking about New Year’s Eve on Christmas Day. But 1999 is just six short days away (very short, if you go by daylight hours), and no doubt you’ve had more important things to do lately than reserving restaurant tables or lining up theater tickets.
And so once again, Friday, The Section That Cares(trademark), has done it for you. We have secured hard-to-find and impossible-to-find tickets and reservations to dozens of New Year’s Eve events.
We’ve got tables at the best restaurants in town, tickets to the hottest shows, reservations for all-inclusive hotel packages. Dinner at Gordon? Got it. Blackbird? All set. Center stage for “Chicago?” No problem. And for the first time, we’ve got a New Year’s Eve table at Charlie Trotter’s. It’s all yours.
All you have to do is be the first caller or callers (some theaters and restaurants have agreed to set aside multiple reservations), identify yourself as a Friday section reader (or mention my name) and you’ll be able to buy those tickets or claim that reservation.
Note the use of the word “buy.” These are not, repeat, not free or even discounted tickets. These are full-fare, cannot-be-combined-with-any-other-offer deals. The advantage is that they are available; at this late date, many of these ordinarily would have sold out long ago.
So when you call (more on that later), have your credit card ready; in nearly all instances, full payment or a credit-card deposit is required at the time of the reservation. (These venues were nice enough to save us seats; the least we can do is ensure against no-shows.) Note that unless specified otherwise, all prices listed are per person and do not include beverage, tax or gratuity.
Now about calling: Today, you may have noticed, is Christmas Day, and so most of the places listed are not open, or answering the phones, until Saturday. But some are, and Don Juan’s, to use one example, left its answering machine on. So you might get lucky today, but in most cases, Saturday is the day to call.
But don’t delay. We’ve played this little game for several years now, and so far I don’t think a single ticket or reservation has gone unclaimed.
Restaurants
– Aubriot, 1962 N. Halsted St., is holding one table for two at its 7:30 p.m. seating. Dinner is $75 and includes complimentary glass of champagne. 773-281-4211.
– Bella Vista, 1001 W. Belmont Ave., is saving 30 seats for its New Year’s Eve party. Package seatings begin at 8:30 p.m. and include three-course dinner, glass of champagne, champagne toast at midnight and music by the Ray Bailey Jazz Quartet. Cost is $85; 773-404-0111.
– Ben Pao, 52 W. Illinois St., is saving a table for two at its 5-6 and 9-9:30 p.m. seatings. First seating features a four-course dinner for $35; second seating, $65, features four-course dinner, bottle of champagne, party favors and music by Wink Music Jazz Ensemble. 312-222-1888.
– Big Bowl, 159 W. Erie St. (312-787-8297) and 6 E. Cedar St. (312-640-8888), are each saving 16 reservations (party size can vary) at its 6:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. seatings. Regular menu featured.
– Biloxi Grill, 313 E. Liberty St., Wauconda, is holding a table for four at its 7-8 p.m. seating. Featured is a four-course dinner for $45, party favors and live music. 847-526-2420.
– Bistro Banlieue, 44 Yorktown Convenience Center, is saving a table for two at its 7 p.m. seating. Featured is a four-course menu for $45 and a special selection of champagnes. 630-629-6560.
– Bistro 110, 110 E. Pearson St., is saving a table for two at its 6 p.m. seating and a table for four at its 10 p.m. seating. A la carte menu, live music, party favors and midnight champagne toast are featured. 312-266-3110.
– Bistrot Zinc, 3443 N. Southport Ave., is holding two tables for two. Featured is a four-course dinner with party favors and midnight champagne toast for $55. (The Bistrot Zinc at 1131 N. State St. offers the same package but isn’t holding tables.) 773-281-3443.
– Blackbird, 619 W. Randolph St., is holding a table for two at its 7:30 p.m. seating. Four-course menu for $55 is featured. 312-715-0708.
– Blackhawk Lodge, 41 E. Superior St., is saving a table for two at its 6 p.m. seating and a table for four at its 9:30 p.m. seating. Featured is the regular menu and a special champagne selection. 312-280-4080.
– Blue Mesa, 1729 N. Halsted St., is holding a table for four. The regular menu is available, along with a three-course meal for $19.99. 312-944-5990.
– Brasserie Jo, 59 W. Hubbard St., is saving two tables for two at 6 and 8:45 p.m. Special a la carte menu and live jazz music featured. 312-595-0800.
– Brett’s Restaurant, 2011 W. Roscoe St., is saving a table for four at the 6 p.m. seating and a table for two at the 9 p.m. seating for its Moroccan Extravaganza dinner. Cost is $35 early seating, $55 late. 773-248-0999.
– Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, 2024 N. Halsted St., is saving five tables for two and five tables for four every hour from 5-9 p.m. Regular menu and a la carte specials featured, plus live entertainment. 773-935-5000.
– Cafe Lucci, 609 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, is saving a table for four to its 9:30 p.m. seating. Regular menu with a la carte special is featured, plus a jazz trio and midnight champagne toast. 847-729-2268.
– Cafe Spiaggia, 980 N. Michigan Ave., is saving two tables (for two to six people) at its 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. seatings. Two prix-fixe menus are featured — a three-course, $38 dinner and a four-course, $48 dinner. 312-280-2750.
– California Cafe, Woodfield Mall, is holdinng one table for six and two tables for four. Regular menu available, plus a special Holiday Champagne Dinner — four courses with champagne samples for $39.95. 847-330-1212.
– Charlie Trotter’s, 816 W. Armitage Ave., is holding one table for two for its New Year’s Eve gala dinner; cost is $150 first seating, $200 second seating. (“We’ll go through 10 pounds of truffles that night,” predicts Trotter.) 773-248-6228.
– Coco Pazzo Cafe, 636 N. St. Clair St., is saving a table for two and a table for four at its 5:30-7 p.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight seatings. Regular menu or prix-fixe option available. 312-664-2777.
– Courtright’s, 8989 Archer Ave., Willow Springs, is saving two tables for its early (4-4:30 p.m.) seating, which features a three-course menu for $44.95. 708-839-8000.
– Crawdaddy Bayou, 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, is holding two tables for four every hour on New Year’s Eve. Live music, party favors and champagne toast along with the regular menu. 847-520-4800.
– Cuisine Francaise, 1791 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park, is holding two tables for four at the 6-6:30 p.m. seating. Featured is a three-course prix-fixe menu. Cost is $60; 847-926-0855.
– Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar, 546 N. Wells St., is holding a table for two and a table for four at its 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. seatings. The first callers will receive a complimentary glass of champagne with dessert. An a la carte menu is available at the early seating; a five-course, $59 menu is featured at the late seating. Live music will be featured. 312-467-0546.
– Deleece, 4004 N. Southport Ave., is saving four tables. Regular menu is augmented by many a la carte specials. 773-325-1710.
– Don’s Fishmarket, 9335 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, is holding two tables. Special a la carte menu features favorite dishes from the past year. 847-677-3424.
– EJ’s Place, 10027 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, is saving three tables for four on New Year’s Eve. Featured is the regular menu, along with party favors and champagne toast. 847-933-9800.
– Elaine’s Restaurant, 448 E. Ontario St., is holding three tables at its 6 and 9 p.m. seatings. A six-course dinner with wines and champagne is priced at $75. 312-337-6700.
– Geja’s Cafe, 340 W. Armitage Ave., is saving a table at its 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. seatings. First seating, $40, includes four-course fondue dinner and glass of champagne; second seating, $70, includes four-course lobster and beef fondue with glass of champagne; late seating, $90, includes four-course lobster and beef fondue withe bottle of champagne. 773-281-9101.
– Gordon, 500 N. Clark St., is holding “Phil Vettel’s Table,” which seats eight — and can be divided among several parties — at its 10 p.m. seating. Dinner is $135; music by Nancy Keppel Quartet with vocalist Elaine Hamilton — and, of course, Gordon sings at midnight. 312-467-9780.
– Graziano’s Brick Oven Pizza, 5960 W. Touhy Ave., Niles (847-647-4096), and 1101 E. Dundee Rd., Palatine (847-705-8074), is holding four tables at both locations for New Year’s Eve.
– Golden Chef, 600 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, is saving two tables of four. Featured is dinner of appetizer, entree and complimentary cocktail for $14.95. 847-537-7100.
– Graziano’s, 5960 W. Touhy Ave., Niles (847-647-4096), and 1101 Dundee Rd., Palatine (847-705-8074), each is holding four tables for four each hour from 5 p.m.-midnight. Regular menu featured.
– Green Dolphin Street, 2200 N. Ashland Ave., is holding four tables for two. A five-course dinner will be followed by a performance by Terisa Griffin. Seatings are at 5:30-7:30 and 8:30-10:30 p.m. Dinner is $100; dinner-show package is $135. 773-395-0066.
– The Greenery, 117 North Ave., Barrington, is saving one table of four at its 5-5:30 and 8-8:30 p.m. seatings. Featured is a six-course, four-wine dinner for $54.95. 847-831-9000.
– Harry Caray’s, 33 W. Kinzie St., is holding two tables for its 5-7 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. seatings. A special a la carte holiday menu is featured. 312-828-0966.
– Harvest on Huron, 217 W. Huron St., is saving two tables between 6-8:30 p.m. and three tables between 9-10:30 p.m. A four-course dinner with wines, $75, is offered. 312-587-9600.
– Hudson Club, 504 N. Wells St., is holding one table for four and two tables for two. Dinner begins with passed hors d’oeuvre at 8 p.m., followed by four-course dinner and champagne toast at midnight. Live music by Ms. Midori and the Jazz Inquisition. Cost is $95, including tax and gratuity. 312-467-1947.
– Iron Mike’s Grille, Tremont Hotel, 100 E. Chestnut St., is holding a table for four at 9 p.m. Featured is a four-course dinner, including champagne toast, for $75. 312-587-8989.
– Kinzie Chophouse, 400 N. Wells St., is saving a table for four at its 8 p.m. seating. Featured is a four-course dinner for $60, including glass of wine. 312-467-9449.
– Las Bellas Artes, 112 W. Park Ave., Elmhurst, is holding one table for two. Featured are two prix-fixe menus — a five-course menu for the 5:30 p.m. seating, and a seven-course menu for the 8:30 p.m. seating (prices to be determined). 630-530-7725.
– Madam B, 3441 N. Halsted St., is saving one table for four. Featured are live jazz and a five-course dinner for $150. 773-248-4040.
– Mambo Grill, 412 N. Clark St., is saving a table for four at its 8 p.m. seating. Four-course dinner of South American and Central American cuisine is featured; cost is $50 and includes a glass of sangria. 312-467-9449.
– Marche, 833 W. Randolph St., is holding two tables of four at its 7 and 9:30 p.m. seatings. Early seating features a four-course menu for $55; late seating features a five-course menu with champagne toast for $85. 312-226-8399.
– Meritage, 2118 N. Damen Ave., is saving a table (seats up to six) at its 5:30-6, 7-7:30 and 9:30-10 p.m. seatings. Special a la carte menu featured; Veuve Clicquot champagne toast at midnight. 773-235-6434.
– Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville, is holding two tables of four for its 7:30 p.m. seating and one table of four for its 10:30 p.m. seating. Early seating features a three-course dinner for $25.95; late seating features a four-course menu for $39.95. 630-983-3000.
– Mity Nice Grill, Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., is saving a table for four at 5, 6 and 8 p.m. Regular menu featured. 312-335-4745.
– Mossant Bistro, in the Hotel Monaco at 227 N. Wabash Ave., is holding five tables (seating two or four) for New Year’s Eve. Regular menu is featured, plus party favors, accordion music and a champagne toast. 312-236-9300.
– Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron St., is saving two tables for two every hour between 5:30-10:30 p.m. Regular a la carte menu is featured. 312-664-2727.
– Nick’s Fishmarket, One First National Plaza (312-621-0200) and 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemont (847-298-8200), is saving a table for four at each seating at both locations. In Rosemont, seatings are 6:30-7 p.m. (four-course dinner $65) and 9:30-10 p.m. (four-course dinner $75); in Chicago, seatings are 5:30-6 p.m. (a la carte menu), 7:30-8 p.m. (four-course dinner $65) and 9:30-10 p.m. (four-course dinner $75).
– one sixtyblue, 160 N. Loomis St., is holding one table for two and one for four. Seatings begin at 5 p.m. for New Year’s Eve dinner. Six-course dinner is $120 per person, which includes a bottle of champagne per couple. 312-280-0303.
– The Palm, Swissotel Chicago, 323 E. Wacker Drive, is holding two tables at its 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. seatings. An a la carte menu is featured. 312-616-1000.
– Parkers’ Ocean Grill, 31st Street and Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, is saving a table for four at its 6, 8 and 10 p.m. seatings. A la carte menu, live jazz music and midnight champagne toast are featured. 630-960-5701.
– Rainforest Cafe in Woodfield Shopping Center, Schaumburg, may be a popular place for kiddies, but it will be adults only at its New Year’s Eve party. Rainforest has set aside a significant number of tickets for the event, which includes dinner, three complimentary drinks, live music and dancing. Cost is $90; 847-619-1900.
– Red Light, 820 W. Randolph St., is holding two tables of four at its 7 and 9:30 p.m. seatings. Early seating features a four-course menu for $40; late seating features a five-course menu with champagne toast for $70. 312-733-8880.
– Restaurant Okno, 1332 N. Milwaukee Ave., is holding one table for four at its 8:30 p.m. seating. Featured is a four-course dinner for $65. 773-395-1313.
– Rhumba, 3631 N. Halsted St., is saving one table for its New Year’s Eve party. Seatings are from 5-8:45 p.m. and include four-course Brazilian dinner, free-flowing champagne and admission ticket to “EVE-O-LUTION ’99” at the on-site Fusion dance club. Cost is $65; 773-975-2345.
– Salpicon!, 1252 N. Wells St., is saving a table for four and a table for two at its 5:30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. seatings. The restaurant is featuring live music and a five-course dinner; cost is $45 first two seatings, $55 late seating. 312-988-7811.
– Savarin, 713 N. Wells St., is holding one table for four. Regular menu is featured early; the 10 p.m. seating features a special tasting menu with champagne toast for $75. 312-255-9520.
– Shaw’s Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., is saving a table for two at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Regular menu with a la carte specials featured. 312-527-2722.
– The Signature Room at the 95th, John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave., is saving two tables for four at the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. seatings. Both seatings feature a four-course dinner and live music. Early seating $80; late seating, which includes a separate dessert buffet, is $150. 312-787-9596.
– Spago, 520 N. Dearborn St., is holding two tables for two for its 10 p.m. seating, which features a four-course dinner, music by the Peter Hix Band, champagne toast and a complimentary Nicolas Feuillatte champagne gift set. Cost is $120. 312-527-3700.
– Starfish, 1856 W. North Ave., is saving a table (seats up to six) at its 5:30-6, 7-7:30 and 9:30-10 p.m. seatings. Special a la carte menu featured; Veuve Clicquot champagne toast at midnight. 773-395-3474
– Sunset, 1520 N. Damen Ave., is holding two tables for four at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Regular menu (with specials) is featured. 773-772-7414.
– Szechwan East, 340 E. Ohio St., is saving three tables for two and two tables for four. Featured is a 30-item buffet, plus teriyaki steak and lobster kow served at the table. Available 7-9 p.m. Cost is $19.99; 312-255-9200.
– 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., is holding five tables. The restaurant features regular menu until 7:30 p.m., then a four-course dinner with party favors and midnight champagne toast for $60. 312-696-2420.
– Toulouse on the Park, 2140 Lincoln Park West, is saving a table for two for its 9:30 p.m. dinner-show package featuring Phillip Officer. Four-course dinner followed by performance is $100. 773-665-9071.
– Trattoria No. 10, 10 N. Dearborn St., is saving a table for four at its 8 p.m. seating. Featured is a three-course menu with glass of champagne for $49.95. 312-984-1718.
– Trattoria Parma, 400 N. Clark St., is saving three tables for four at its early and late seatings. Regular menu is offered early; at the 9:30-10 p.m. seating, a six-course dinner of dishes from the film “Big Night” is featured for $50, $65 with unlimited wine. 312-245-9933.
– Vinci, 1732 N. Halsted St., is saving three tables for four for the 5-8 p.m. and 9:30-10 p.m. seatings. Regular menu offered early; late seating features live jazz band, party favors and champagne toast, and five-course dinner for $65. 312-266-1199.
– Vivo, 838 W. Randolph St., is holding two tables for four at 7 p.m. and one table for 2 at 9:30 p.m. Early seating features a four-course menu for $45; late seating features a five-course menu with champagne toast for $75. 312-733-3379.
– Wildfire, 159 W. Erie St., is saving a table for four at 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Regular menu featured. 312-787-9000.
– Yvette, 1206 N. State Pkwy., is saving a table for four for its 9:30 p.m. dinner and show (and dancing) package. Cost is $60; 312-280-1700.
– Yvette Wintergarden, 311 S. Wacker Drive, is saving a table for four for its 9:30 p.m. dinner and show (and dancing) package. Cost is $60; 312-408-1242.
– Zinfandel, 59 W. Grand Ave., is holding a table for four at its 6 p.m. seating. Featured is a four-course Hawaiian dinner for $75, all inclusive. (The 9 p.m. seating features a five-course dinner for $100 inclusive.) 312-527-1818.
Theaters
– The Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe St., is holding a pair of tickets for the 8 p.m. performance of “Chicago — The Musical.” Tickets range from $25-$85. Tickets must be claimed in person at the box office, which is open from 2-8 p.m. Friday and opens at 11 a.m. Saturday.
– Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., is holding 12 tickets for the 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. performances of “Ragtime.” Tickets are $55-$90, and must be claimed in person at the box office, which is closed Friday and opens at 11 a.m. Saturday.
– The Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., is holding a pair of tickets for the 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances of “Art.” Tickets are $55 and must be claimed in person at the box office, which is closed Friday and opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.
– The Royal George Cabaret, 1641 N. Halsted St., is holding a pair of tickets for the 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. performances of “Forever Plaid.” Tickets are $55 and must be claimed in person at the box office, which is closed Friday and opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Hotels
– The Palmer House Hilton, State and Monroe Streets, is saving a table for four at its New Year’s Eve celebration in the Empire Room. Package includes four-course dinner with wine, three-hour open bar, midnight champagne toast and post-midnight sweet table, plus live entertainment and dancing. Cost is $125; a special room rate of $157 is available.
– The Hyatt Hotels are holding two party packages (each package is for two people) at each of the following participating hotels:
– Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive. Overnight stay for two, bottle of champagne, two drink tickets, two admissions to the New Year’s Eve bash (three separate parties), view of outdoor fireworks and breakfast for two. $269 per couple. 312-552-2000.
– Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive. Overnight stay for two, five-hour open bar, admission to all five parties, champagne toast, party favors and late checkout. $199 per couple. 312-528-4196.
– Hyatt Deerfield, 1750 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield. Overnight stay for two, five-hour open bar, dinner for two in Madison’s Restaurant, admission to both parties, champagne toast and party favors. $249 per couple. 847-945-3400.
– Hyatt Lisle, 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle. Overnight accommodations, prime rib dinner buffet, comedy show, open bar, admission to two parties, champagne toast and party favors. $219 per couple. 630-515-6028.
– Hyatt Regency Oak Brook, 1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook. Overnight accommodations, champagne and party favors delivered to room, five-course surf and turf dinner, six-hour open bar, admission to two parties, champagne toast and New Year’s Day brunch. $349 per couple. 630-573-1234.
Other
– Big Creek Productions is saving a number of tickets to the 93XRT New Year’s Eve Rock ‘n’ Roll Ball in the Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave. Music by Los Lobos, Cracker and Susan Tedeschi. $65 tickets include party favors and 10 food and drink vouchers. Call 847-853-9393 beginning Friday.
– Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., is holding a pair of tickets with two post-concert party passes to the 9 p.m. concert featuring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and guest soloist Sylvia McNair. Tickets are $198 and must be claimed in person at the box office, which is closed Friday and opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.
– Drink, 702 W. Fulton St., is holding 10 tickets to its New Year’s Eve party, which runs from 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Music by the Afrodisiacs, dinner buffet, party favors and champagne toast included in the $50 ticket price. Tickets must be purchased in person at the box office.
– The Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Drive, is saving two admissions to its New Year’s Eve party. Package includes two tickets to the Metropole Room, entertainment by jazz guitarist Nick Colionne, party favors and champagne toast. Cost is $80 for two; 312-565-6665.
– Ed Debevic’s, 660 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield, is saving two tables for four at the 8:30 p.m. seating. The restaurant features a family celebration, including live entertainment, clowns and magicians and balloon drop and countdown at each seating. Cost is $18.95, $8.95 children under 10. 847-845-3277.
– Six tickets are being held for the New Year’s Eve Gala from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. in the Gold Coast Room at The Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Pl. The event, sponsored by WGN-TV Children’s Charities and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, includes cocktails, four-course dinner, music (Drew Lane Orchestra, plus live broadcast by Oldies 104.3 WJMK), dancing and champagne toast. Cost is $175. To claim tickets, call 312-236-4491 (leave message).
