Eating out: Warm up with Mon Ami Gabi's winter menu

Winter classics

Winter brings new flavors to Mon Ami Gabi's classic French menu. Start with a warm cup of four-mushroom soup, followed by an endive and Bosc pear salad. Need something to stick to your ribs? Try the new roast chicken and frites or the classic beef bourguignon served with paparadelle noodles.

Mon Ami Gabi, 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook. (630) 472-1900 or monamigabi.com.

St. Nick at Nick's

Hey, bring the kiddos to lunch with Santa at Nick's Pizza and Pub. St. Nick at Nick's takes place at both locations 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Kids 12 and younger can have an individual, 9-inch cheese pizza and a pop for just $4.99 and then hop on Santa's lap and give him an earful.

Nick's Pizza and Pub, 990 S. Randall Road, Elgin, (847) 531-5550 or 856 Pyott Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-5550. See nickspizzapub.com.

Uncle Julio's guac

Three tasty new guacs await diners at Uncle Julio's Hacienda. The three-pepper spicy guacamole is a combo of chopped jalapeño, habanero and fresh bell peppers for $8.95; or there's the pineapple bacon guacamole for $9.95. Or try the roasted corn and lump crab guacamole made with roasted corn pico de gallo topped with lump crabmeat for $11.95. Each order feeds two to three.

Uncle Julio's Hacienda, 2360 Fountain Square Drive, Lombard. (630) 705-9260 or unclejulios.com.