Restaurant Review: Christmas and Hanukkah restaurant celebrations in Chicago 2024
In an unprecedented year, Christmas and the start of Hanukkah fall on the same day—Wednesday, December 25, 2024!
The exchange of gifts, and more importantly, the celebration of cherished traditions and the sharing of meals together are easier this year, as restaurants throughout the Chicago area make it easy to create memorable experiences for the whole family.
Hanukkah
From Thursday, December 26 – Thursday, January 2, River North’s Ema, 74 W. Illinois Street, the Mediterranean small plates restaurant, is serving such delicacies as Parmesan, Potato & Brussels Sprout Latkes, with scallion crema and spiced apples and Grilled Harissa Spiced Sea Bream with roasted garlic yogurt, pine nuts and herbs. As Choose Chicago notes, Ema is also serving Pumpkin Hummus, House-Made Labneh with Mick Klug cranberry, cinnamon, orange and pistachio and Delicata Squash Farrotto. All dinners are available for dine-in, carryout and delivery from Thursday, December 26 – Thursday, January 2. For reservations and information, click here.
Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville, 3441 N. Sheffield Avenue, calls itself ‘The Original Hanukkah Bar’ with good reason: For the past five years, the pub has served up ‘Eight Crazy Nights,’ filling the bar and weatherproof patio with sparkling blue-and-white lights, dreidel ornaments, lighted menorah and a Hanukkah sweater wall, along with serving Hanukkah classics like Latkes and Matzo Ball Soup. Creative diners can enjoy Challah Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup and a Messiah Melt—a double patty melt with caramelized onions on griddled challah bread. Boozy jelly donutd complete a unique Hanukkah feast. ‘Eight Crazy Nights’ is up now through January 5. For more information, click here.
Christmas
At Ukrainian Village’s Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar, 2700 W. Chicago Avenue, reserve now for their third annual Feast of the Seven Fishes. Thefeast begins with White Anchovy Deviled Egg withcaesar and anchoade, followed by a Smoked Oyster and Cauliflower Tart with Osetra Caviar, and Crispy Calamari with Puttanesca Sauce. Dish #4 is Steamed Mussels with Apple Cider, Kimchi Polish Sausage and Sourdough. You get the idea! For reservations, click here.
C’est Magnifique! River North’s Brindille, 534 N. Clark Street, the “gloriously opulent” restaurant serving classic French fare in a refined setting, with delicate china, French linens, and fine art, offers an “ever-changing menu created by Chef Carrie Nahabedian.” As Choose Chicago notes, their holiday experience is called “The Winter Reveillon” a storied French tradition this Christmas Eve. An essential starter, the Brindille Tarte Tatin, a potato-and-onion cake with goat cheese and petite greens. Foie gras or black truffles on anything.” The celebratory dinner will offer both a la carte selections and an exquisite prix fixe menu. For reservations and information, click here.
Imagine you and your family surrounded by towering eight-foot nutcrackers, giant ornaments, twinkling string lights, and Christmas trees surrounding every corner. JoJo’s Winter Wonderland at River North’s JoJo’s Shake Bar, 20 W. Hubbard Street, will make you feel like you’ve stepped right into the North Pole in the middle of Downtown Chicago! The decadence of their specialty holiday shakes, hot chocolate flights, and boozy creations (try the Winter Wonderland Shake or the Peppermint Party) have to be seen to be believed! Pair that with JoJo’s juicy burgers, fries and other house specialties (The Health Nut Salad, anyone?) For reservations at their River North location, click here.
Raising a glass to Happy Holidays, one and all!!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
