Plus: Parties & Events | Music
Ben Pao The “group share” menu, priced at $23.95 per person, allows patrons to choose starters, three main dishes, and a side to be served family style. 52 W. Illinois, 312-222-1888, benpao.com.
Blue 13 Celebrating its first year by offering two “grown-up New Year’s Eve” packages: a five-course prix fixe dinner menu from 5 to 10 PM for $100 and, from 10 PM to 2 AM, a party with heavy appetizers and a champagne toast for $30. Cash bar. 416 W. Ontario, 312-787-1400, blue13chicago.com.
Browntrout Chef Sean Sanders offers a five-course tasting with seatings on the half hour for $100 with optional wine pairings. Among the items are a warm duck confit roulade, Lake Erie perch chowder with bacon aioli crostini, porcini and mushroom risotto with truffle oil, and a choice of pan-seared cucumber halibut or grilled Cedar Ranch rib eye. For dessert there’s a choice of butterscotch creme brulee with sweet-potato brittle or chocolate torte with strawberry-rhubarb buttercream. A vegetarian menu is available on request. 4111 N. Lincoln, 773-472-4111, browntroutchicago.com.
Carnivale New Year’s specials on food and drink, a midnight balloon drop, champagne toast at midnight, and entertainment including magicians, stilt walkers, and a DJ. 702 W. Fulton, 312-850-5005, carnivalechicago.com.
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Charlie Trotter’s Trotter’s throws open its doors at 7:30 PM for a champagne and canape reception followed by a dinner featuring luxury food stations such as caviar, truffles, and premium Japanese beef. Black tie optional. 816 W. Armitage, 773-248-6228, charlietrotters.com, $350.
Cité The restaurant on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower will offer a six-course prix fixe menu at two seatings: 5:30-7 PM ($125) and 8:30-10 PM ($225), followed by jazz, dancing, a champagne toast, and a view of the fireworks at midnight. Both menus feature foie gras, scallops, veal tenderloin, whole lobster, filet mignon, and chocolate fondue. 505 N. Lake Shore, 312-644-4050, citechicago.com.
