Dining events
Wine with your sea bass?
DOC Wine Bar and Bistro, at 326 Yorktown Center in Lombard, will offer a four-course New Year's Eve dinner, with or without a wine pairing. The fare includes a seared ahi tuna appetizer, salsa and an entree of filet Oscar or Chilean sea bass. A dessert of vanilla bean creme brulee rounds out the meal. The cost is $49 per guest. Wine pairings are an additional $20 per guest. Event begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. Reservations are recommended. (630) 627-6666 or docwinebarchicago.com.
Stardust celebrates
The recently opened Stardust lounge and nightclub at 1211 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove hosts a New Year's Eve 2009 celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 31, with a reception and passed hors d' oeuvres from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. The pre-celebration dinner begins at 5 p.m. and includes beef tenderloin brochettes, a mini turkey pie, smoked cheese quesadilla and a mushroom and Brie bisque. Tickets are $65 per person. Call (630) 963-7827.
Dig into New Year's Eve buffet at Carlucci
Carlucci at 1801 Butterfield Road in Downers Grove offers guests a New Year's Eve outing on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. that includes a full dinner buffet, live entertainment by Frank and Dave, dancing and champagne. The cost is $99 per person. (630) 512-0990 or carluccirestaurant.com.
2009 arrives early at Koi
Family members of all ages can ring in an early new year at the Kid's New Year's Eve on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Koi at 624 David St., Evanston. Guests can dig into a family-style Chinese dinner featuring an appetizer, various entrees and dessert. Adults can have sake and red or white wine. Youngsters can sip kiddie cocktails. The evening features party favors, hats and an early countdown to 2009 that begins at 7:59 p.m. The cost is $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations are required. (847) 866-6969 or koievanston.com.
Family fun at Arrowhead
Arrowhead Restaurant and Bar in the Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton will host two celebrations on Dec. 31 to ring in 2009. The Family New Year's Hoedown event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. with a Western-style buffet, a make-you-own sundae bar and an interactive children's DJ. The cost is $10 for children and $30 for adults. Call (630) 653-5802 for reservations. The Adult New Year's Eve celebration for ages 21 and older begins at 9 p.m. and features a team trivia game, appetizers and DJ entertainment. A two-hour open bar runs from 9 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, before Tuesday, Dec. 30, or $50 per person at the door. Call (630) 510-5070 for reservations. Visit arrowheadgolfclub.org.
Celebrate for two days at Durty Nellie's
Durty Nellie's at 180 N. Smith St. in Palatine hosts a New Year's Eve party beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, featuring entertainment by 16 Candles, cocktails, champagne and party favors. The cost is $70 per person. For youngsters, a Kids' New Year's Eve celebration begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, with a kids' menu, games, crafts and a ball-drop finale. On Thursday, Jan. 1, guests can take part in a Hangover Brunch with select menu items and a Bloody Mary bar. Guests with a ticket from Durty Nellie's New Year's Eve party, or those wearing pajamas, will get a complimentary Bloody Mary. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
- Laura Stewart