2007 Holiday Roundup for Kurman Client Restaurants

Media Contact:
Kurman Communications, Inc.
(312) 651-9000
Stephanie DeMeester / Dara Shlifka
stephanie@kurman.com / dara@kurman.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AIGRE DOUX
230 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, IL
(312) 329-9400

Ring in the New Year at Aigre Doux with a five-course dinner. Executive chef Mohammad Islam starts the meal with an amuse-bouche. Guests then have a first course choice of White Asparagus with winter truffle, poached egg, fine herb, Roasted Artichoke Soup with poached shrimp or Braised Oxtail Ravioli with California morel, roasted tomato vinaigrette. Enjoy a second course Organic Mixed Green Salad with pistachio crusted goat cheese. Choose between the Prime Rib with twice-baked truffled potato and creamed spinach, Wild Dover Sole with parsnip puree, sauteed asparagus and ginger emulsion, or Diver Scallops with cider-braised Tuscan kale and saffron risotto for the main course entrée. For dessert, executive pastry chef, Malika Ameen offers the choice between her signature Sticky Toffee Pudding with organic khadrawy, mascarpone sorbet and candied kumquats or Melting Chocolate Tart with a malted milk shooter, cocoa nib tuile and braised sour cherries. The first seating is at 6:30 p.m. at $85 per person, and the second seating begins at 9 p.m. at $125 per person. After 9 p.m., guests will enjoy live contemporary jazz from acclaimed saxophonist Audley Reid. Reservations are required. Aigre Doux is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Aigre Doux's former bakery space is now transformed into a semi-private dining room in addition to the restaurant's lower level private dining room. If interested in booking a party
for the holiday season, call (312) 329-9400.

BIRCH RIVER GRILL
75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL
(847) 427-4242

Enjoy Christmas Day dinner at Birch River Grill-An American Kitchen with a three-course plated meal. Begin the holiday evening with a complimentary Champagne Cocktail. Choose the White Cheddar and Yukon Gold Potato Chowder with peppered bacon garni or Tossed Winter Greens with roasted chestnuts, brie cheese wedge and blood orange vinaigrette. Entrée selections include a Creole Mustard Glazed Salmon with roasted red pepper, green bean and fennel ragout and cheddar cheese grits, Roast Turkey with chestnut brioche stuffing and sweet potato crush or Roast Prime Rib Beef with horseradish cream, red blyss potato rosti.

For dessert, enjoy the Chocolate Trilogy with white, milk and dark chocolate mousse topped with mango and cherry drizzle. The special Christmas dinner is available 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the cost is $45 per person. The regular dinner menu will also be available. Birch River Grill will serve their regular breakfast menu 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and regular lunch menu 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. Birch River Grill is open normal hours on Christmas Eve.

This New Year's Eve, Birch River Grill is offering several dinner specials in addition to their regular menu. Enjoy specials like the Rock Shrimp Bisque with cucumber and lime zest garni ($8); Herb Crusted Loin Tuna with wilted savoy cabbage and meyer lemon vinaigrette ($13); Surf & Turf of filet mignon with horseradish cream, sweet potato crush, hazelnut butter Brussels sprouts and sea scallops with black beluga lentils, blood orange cream and mache with citrus ($45). For dessert, the special is the Chocolate Trilogy with white, milk and dark chocolate mousse topped with mango and cherry drizzle ($9). Birch River Grill will serve its regular lunch menu on New Year's Eve 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dinner specials are available starting at 5 p.m.

DINE
733 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
(312) 602-2100

Celebrate the holiday with a meal at Dine, known in Chicago for serving America's favorite comfort dishes with a contemporary feel. Dine is offering a special Christmas Day dinner with a Winter Green Salad of roasted almonds, tangerine and pomegranate molasses vinaigrette, Roast Prime Rib of Beef with grilled asparagus, cabernet quince jus, pommes dauphinoise and Chocolate Peppermint Pot Pie with white chocolate ice cream. The price is $34.99 per person. In addition to the regular dinner menu, the special Christmas dinner is available 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dine is open during normal business hours on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

On New Year's Eve, beginning at 5 p.m., guests can order from the regular dinner menu or select the special dégustation tasting menu. For $40 per person, the tasting includes a Roasted Beet Salad with herbed goat cheeses and toasted hazelnut vinaigrette, Lobster Bisque with lemon grass, ginger and Thai basil, Grilled Atlantic Salmon with roasted heirloom vegetables, brown butter carrot vinaigrette, Grilled Beef Tenderloin with potato gratin and jumbo asparagus, Honey Lavendar Crème Brulee and Triple Valrhona Chocolate Tort. Dine has regular breakfast and lunch menu and hours on New Year's Eve. Dine is open regular hours on New Year's Day.

D.O.C. WINE BAR & BISTRO CHICAGO
2602 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
(773) 883-5101

D.O.C. Wine Bar in Chicago is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. D.O.C. Wine Bar & Bistro is open for lunch and dinner on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day starting at
11:30 a.m. Enjoy Oven Roasted Calamari with white beans, olives and spicy tomato sauce, Cabernet Braised Short Rib with mashed potatoes and horseradish gremolota and Mascarpone Cheesecake Fritters with coconut and raspberry sauce. Reservations are highly recommended. The last available dinner reservation on New Year's Eve is 7 p.m. Visit www.docwinebarchicago.com for more information and to view the complete lunch and dinner menus.

D.O.C. WINE BAR & BISTRO LOMBARD
326 Yorktown Ctr., Lombard, IL
(630) 627-6666

D.O.C. Wine Bar & Bistro's newest location, at the Shops on Butterfield in Lombard, is open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, serving its regular lunch and dinner menu with holiday drink specials throughout the day. D.O.C. Wine Bar & Bistro is closed on Christmas Day.

D.O.C. Wine Bar & Bistro is open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day beginning at
11:30 a.m. Serving lunch and dinner from its regular menu, D.O.C. Wine Bar & Bistro offers tasty items like Roasted Brie with shaved apples and arugula, Smoke Turkey Sandwich with fontina cheese, seasoned tomatoes and arugula and its signature dessert, the Smores Panini with chocolate, peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. Celebrate the new year with a complimentary glass of champagne as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. Reservations are recommended. Please visit, www.docwinebarchicago.com/lombard for further information.

DUNLAYS ON CLARK
2600 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
(773) 883-6000

Dunlays on Clark is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Dunlays on Clark is open for dinner on New Year's Eve beginning at 4:30 p.m., serving its regular menu. Enjoy dishes like the Parmesan Crusted Mahi roasted and topped with lemon butter sauce, served with grilled asparagus and the Pork Tenderloin, maple cured, raspberry barbequed and sliced. Reservations are recommended, and the latest reservation available on New Year's Eve is 7 p.m. Dunlays on Clark is open all day on New Year's Day, including brunch at 10 a.m. and dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. For more information about Dunlays on Clark, please visit www.dunlaysonclark.com.

DUNLAYS ON THE SQUARE
3137 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago, IL
(773) 227-2400

Dunlays on the Square is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. From December 26 through January 1, Dunlays on the Square is adding brunch to the menu 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., making it one of the few restaurants in Logan's square to be serving patrons during the holiday season. The brunch, normally offered only on weekends, features favorites like the Fresh Fruit Pancakes loaded with strawberries, bananas and blueberries served with potatoes and Big Mike's Irish Breakfast with two fried eggs, bacon, sausage, broiled tomato, and potatoes served with a pint of Guinness. Dinner selections include Mama-Lou's Wild Mushroom Meatloaf with fresh chuck and veal with wild mushrooms, topped with balsamic reduction and Nola's Finest Jambalaya with roasted chicken, andouille sausage and crawfish with basmati rice. For more information, or the view the complete brunch and dinner menus, please visit www.dunlaysonlogansqaure.com.

FRASCA PIZZERIA & WINE BAR
3358 N. Paulina St., Chicago, IL
(773) 248-5222

Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Frasca is open for dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Ring in the new year and enjoy any number of Frasca's specialty pizzas or contemporary Italian dishes like the Rustica Pizza with diced prosciutto, oven dried tomatoes, basil pesto and smoked provolone or the Gnocchi Alla Pizzaiolo, homemade potato dumplings sauteed in tomato sauce with fresh herbs, smoke provolone and extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight on New Year's Eve. Reservations are recommended. Visit www.frascapizzeria.com for more information.

KARMA
510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, IL
(847) 910-6900

Get good karma by celebrating at Karma this holiday season. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Karma features dinner specials like Black Dragon Soup shrimp shu mai with shitake mushrooms, chives and long beans ($7), Fresh Crab and Avocado Salad with curry vinaigrette ($11), Hoisin Plum Glazed Ribeye Steak with crispy asparagus and an edamame cake ($28) and the Emperor's Meal with wok seared scallops, shrimp, salmon, striped bass and mussels presented with Forbidden Rice and rainbow straw vegetables ($26). Karma is open 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for breakfast, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner.

Karma offers a special New Year's Eve dinner menu beginning at 5 p.m. Appetizers include choices like the Kobe Beef Satays with Chinese mustard and macadamia nut aioli ($13) and the Mirin Tuna Tartare with hot chili oil drizzle and Togarashi wonton chips ($12). In addition to a number of soup and salad selections, Karma features several entrées like the Crispy Duck with pomegranate glaze, stir fry baby bok choy and Asian pear risotto ($20), Five Spice BBQ Prawns with sweet potato next and braised red endive ($24) and the 24 oz. Porterhouse with Thai basil wasabi mashed potatoes, bacon flavored Brussels sprouts and Shanghai sauce ($40). Save room for dessert with treats like the Mandarin Orange Cheesecake with orange whipped cream ($7) and the Chocolate Mouelleux Cake with minted cream and red currant coulis ($8). Reservations are recommended.

MAIJEAN
30 S. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills, IL
(630) 794-8900

Maijean is offering a prix fixe multi-course menu on New Year's Eve. At the 5 p.m. seating, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner for $65 per person. The meal includes such choices as White Asparagus Soup with crab, Napoleon of Beef Tenderloin with crisp potatoes, wild mushroom and perigourdine sauce and Grand Marnier Crème Brulée with fresh berries. At the 7:30 p.m. seating, take pleasure in a four-course dinner for $80 per person. This menu includes Smoked Salmon with herb blinis, caviar and Crème Fraîche, Brie en croute with mixed greens, toasted walnuts, Zante currants and balsamic vinaigrette, Roasted Chile Bass with crab and vegetable dumplings and scallion beurre blanc and Chocolate Mousse with chocolate ganache and raspberry coulis. The 10:30 p.m. seating includes a five-course dinner for $110 per person. Choose from dishes like the Roasted Quail, stuffed bacon mousse garnished with sundried cherry compote, White Asparagus Soup with crab, Seared Lamb Loin with crisp polenta, asparagus and garlic basil sauce, Peach-Champagne Sorbet and Berry and Champagne sabayon. All seatings include a complimentary glass of champagne. Maijean is closed on New Year's Day. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Maijean is open for dinner 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve serving its regular menu. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day.

POWERHOUSE RESTAURANT AND BAR
215 N. Clinton St., Chicago, IL
(312) 928-0800

The newly opened Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar is open on Christmas Eve with its regular restaurant and bar menus available 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for dinner. Powerhouse is open noon to 8 p.m. Christmas Day featuring a four-course meal. To start, enjoy Cannellini Bean Soup with baby carrots, kale and rosemary. Then choose from the Slow-Roasted Chicken Thigh with toasted faro, celery root, Swiss chard and thyme, Romaine Hearts Salad with Nueske's bacon, quail eggs, shallots and Alexander's garlic dressing or the Butternut Squash Risotto with La Quercia proscuitto, pecorino romano and sage-brown butter. The main course includes the choice of Roast Goose with braised red cabbage, goose confit-sunchoke ravioli, crispy skin, candied kumquats and long peppercorn ($68), Spiral-Cut Ham with sweet potato gnocchi, green beans, shallot cream and bacon streusel ($64), Kona Kampachi with pavé of winter root vegetables, snug haven spinach, curried cauliflower and roasted cashews or Prime Ribeye of Beef ($79) or Prime Beef Tenderloin ($72) with roasted fingerling potatoes, wild mushrooms, rapini and red wine.

Dessert includes Apple Streusel Cake with currants, apple gastrique and cream cheese ice cream, Sweet Potato Doughnuts with brown butter, cinnamon sabayon, arrop and pepitos or Chocolate-Pecan Pie. Reservations are recommended.

On New Year's Eve, Powerhouse offers a prix fixe menu available beginning at 11 a.m. The menu includes Alaskan King Crab with grapefruit, arugula, crisp parsnip and pink peppercorns, House-made Fettuccini with French black winter truffles, melted leeks and chives, Seared Loin and Grilled Cap of Prime Ribeye with lobster reduction, boulangere potatoes, cipollini onions and snug haven spinach and Caribe Chocolate Tart with candied kumquats, olive oil, milk chocolate ice cream. Guests will enjoy post dinner Mignardises as well as a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The cost is $105 per person, and reservations are highly recommended. On New Year's Day, the Powerhouse Bar is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.

THE SMOKE DADDY
1804 W. Division St., Chicago, IL
(773) 772-MOJO

From now until December 21, order Smoked Turkey and Homemade Stuffing from Chicago's famous barbeque place, The Smoke Daddy. Each turkey is smoked for three to four hours in apple cherry and hickory wood, giving it a wonderful flavor. The stuffing is $1.50 per person. The turkeys range in weight from 15-20 pounds and are $5 per pound. Place an order at (773) 772-6656 by December 21. The last day to pick up turkeys is Sunday, December 23 as The Smoke Daddy is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Smoke Daddy is open regular hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., The Smoke Daddy offers its signature barbeque sandwiches and platters like the Smoked Sliced Brisket Sandwich or the Smoke Daddy Rib Sampler. Don't forget to bring the whole family to enjoy The Smoke Daddy's live music for no cover charge. This neighborhood friendly eatery is the perfect location to ring in the New Year. Visit www.thesmokedaddy.com to view The Smoke Daddy's complete menu. Reservations are recommended.

UNCOMMON GROUND
3800 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
(773) 929-3680

1401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL
(773) 465-9801

Celebrate the New Year all day at either of Uncommon Ground's two Chicago locations. Known for its seasonal, locally produced, family farmed organic products, Uncommon Ground offers a four-course prix fixe menu on New Year's Eve. For the first course, choose from the Chestnut Cream Soup with cambazola profiterole or Bruléed Grapefruit with Capriole goat cheese, duroc pork belly lardoons, toasted hazelnuts and argula salad with sherry vinaigrette. Then enjoy a Seared Quail with white truffle oil, organic mushroom risotto and fried parsley or the Sun Dried Tomato Palmier, lobster and white fish mousseline with citrus herb gremolata and saffron cream. For the third course, Uncommon Ground features Grilled Venison with huckleberry demi glace, spicy corn bread pudding and roasted root vegetables, Pistachio Crusted Sea Bass with orange fennel salad, braised black kale and fennel pollen cream sauce or Fresh Spinach Fettuccini with roasted squash, parsnips, wild mushrooms, toasted pine nuts, black river white wine gorgonzola cream sauce and leek frizzle. Save room for dessert with a choice of Black Dog Caramel Goat Cheese Gelato Sundae with warm pedro Jimenez sherry poached figs and candied black walnuts, Orange Caramel Flan with candied orange zest and chocolate anise tuille or the Uncommon Black Cat Chocolate Soup with vanilla cinnamon churro. The cost of the New Year's Eve dinner is $55 per person and seatings are at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Stick around late night and receive a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight. Reservations are highly recommended. Call (773) 465-9801 to make a reservation.

Save some room, because Uncommon Ground is offering New Year's Day specials and brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Specials include Espresso & Cocoa Nib Rubbed with grass-fed beef tenderloin eggs benedict, rainbow chard and sweet onion hollandaise; Vanilla Pain Purdu with warm morello cherry syrup, almond croquant and dark chocolate; Sweet Potato & Slab Bacon Hash with baked eggs, and fennel pollen cream; The Morning After Skillet with a cast iron skillet of baked corn bread, buffalo chili, Wisconsin sharp cheddar cheese, eggs any style, sour cream, green onions and candied jalapenos; Breakfast à la Turk with farm fresh boiled egg, brandied duck sausage, capriole goat cheese, sour cherry preserves, Chicago honey, dried fruits and nuts with an assortment of Red Hen breads; Vanilla Bean Infused Maker's Mark Baked Apple stuffed with currant, walnut and seedling cider compote, served with smoked date cream cheese tea sandwiches on fruit and nut bread. The New Year's Day brunch is available at both Chicago locations. Uncommon Ground will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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