Restaurant Review – ‘It’s Christmastime/Hannukah Time in the City’…
The December clock is ticking down to the highest of holiday celebrations, and Chicago’s restaurants are going all out to make sure your celebrations are memorable and stress-free. Whether you’re celebrating Hannukah (starts Sunday, December 18), Christmas (Sunday, December 25) or Kwanzaa (Monday, December 26), there’s a place for you to celebrate time-honored traditions with friends and family!
Oh Hanukkah, the sweet celebration (December 18-26)…
Lincolnwood’s L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge, 7110 N. Lincoln Avenue, offers both Hanukkah and Christmas specials, but one spoonful of their Matzo Ball Soup, with a fluffy matzo ball surrounded by not-so-salty chicken broth, and you’ll be a believer for life! Follow that with their home-smoked braised brisket, potato pancake, and green beans, and finish off with their gooey chocolate cake, and you’ve got a festive celebration! The meal is available a la carte for dine-in or carry-out. For more information, click here.
In Uptown, Sam and Gertie’s,1509 W. Wilson, ‘Chicago’s First Vegan Jewish Deli ‘ is serving up “Tradition & Geshmak (delicious),” as their website proclaims. The deli features mostly Ashkenazic delights, including their Maccabee Feast, for Hannukah which includes noshes such as olives, pickles, chopped ‘Livah/Whitefish’less/Egg’Less Salad & Bagel Chips,’ Matzo Ball Soup with Challa Knot, Latkes (potato pancakes) with cran-orange applesauce and sour cream, followed by Brisket Cholent and Lentil Roast with mashed potatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and pineapple kugel. Leaveroom for the macaroons! To reserve your feast, or to order ala carte, click here.
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…
In River North, STK Steakhouse, 9 W. Kinzie Street,proclaims it’s “not your daddy’s steakhouse.” Indeed, it’s open on Christmas Day, which immediately sets it apart from most restaurants, which take the day off. Another way… their prime rib dinner is a feature on their ‘Holiday Cheers Menu,’ which includes wagyu beef , caviar, and many other ala carte delights. For reservations, click here.
If you prefer Mediterranean specialties, another restaurant open Christmas Day is Cira, 200 N. Green Street. For starters, try Muhammara, withroasted red pepper, walnut and date, served with pita. Or awarm Piri Piri Spinach Artichoke, fragrantwithgarlic breadcrumbs, and toasted sesame sourdough. Then, to quote a recent Google reviewer, “The pistachio ravioli is to die for.” And it’s green, like Christmas! Must-try small plates include the Chilled Porchetta “Tonnato” with creamy tonnato sauce, mustard greens, and capers. Large plates include Fire Roasted Chicken Thighs, with pomegranate glaze, baby Yukon potatoes, bagna cauda, and pickled fresno, and Piri Piri Whole Dorade, with a citrus-herbed marinade, pickled peppers, and charred lemon. But save room for desserts like Apples & Almonds, with almond whip, honey crisp apples, spiced cider sherbet, and honey almonds. Or Salted Honey Budino, with brown sugar pears, candied hazelnut, and brown butter. So much more! For reservations, click here.
Kwanzaa… “First fruits of the Harvest”
Kwanzaa honors African heritage in the African-American culture. Meaning ‘first fruits of the harvest’ in Swahili, the weeklong celebration devotes one day each to their seven core principles, known as Nguzo Saba. One of those principles is creativity (Kuumba), celebrated on Sunday December 31. Food counts! In Rogers Park, Yinkres Nigerian Restaurant, 2407 W. Lunt Avenue, is highly rated for its fresh food and friendly service. Start with Oxtail Pepper Soup, with beef and oxtail marinated in a spicy pepper soup broth, Yam and Plantain, or Fried Broiled Yam with an Omelette. Several reviews mentioned the jollof rice with goat. “I’m obsessed,” said one recent Google reviewer. Literally THE BEST African food on the north side!” There’s no website available, but you can call them at 773-836-0451.
Another African spot worth noting is Irving Park’s Zebda, 4344 N. Elston Avenue. According to one Google reviews, Zebda is a “cozy and intimate family owned North African/Maghribi restaurant, featuring Algerian, Moroccan, and Tunisian cooking.” Another reviewer gushed over chicken kabob platter. The chicken was so flavorful, the rice was was great, also their sauces were amazing too. I would go back just for the sauces.” Again, no website, but call them at 773-545-7000.
Happy holidays to all!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
