New bars, restaurants go all out to ring in 2015
Tired of the same old New Year's Eve party? Try something new by heading to one of these bars or restaurants, which are all celebrating both the end of 2014 and their first year in business.
El Tapeo, 2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook, (630) 828-2044, eltapeorestaurant.com: A $35 cover gets you a glass of sangria, a midnight champagne toast, party favors and live music from guitarist James Carnolo. The Spanish restaurant serves an a la carte dinner menu.
Grillhouse by David Burke, 1301 American Lane, Schaumburg, (847) 517-1600, dbgrillhouse.com: The restaurant offers reservations from 5 to 11:30 p.m., serving specials including tuna sashimi, foie gras torchon and sea scallops with winter black truffles. The evening also includes live music from saxophonist David Polk and a midnight champagne toast.
1913 Restaurant and Wine Bar, 123 E. Main St., Roselle, (630) 582-3050, 1913roselle.com: The regular menu is available along with specials including grilled New York strip steak and surf and turf. A DJ spins dance music in the bar, and there's a champagne toast at midnight.
Old Crow Smokehouse, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg, (847) 619-5540, oldcrowsmokehouse.com: A $65 package offered between 9 p.m. and midnight includes premium drinks and a buffet including pulled pork, brisket, salad and appetizers. The bash also features live country music, a DJ and party favors.
Whiskey River BBQ & Honky Tonk, 702 N. River Road, Mt. Prospect, (847) 298-7200, whiskeyriverchicago.com: There's no cover to enjoy the DJ, video countdown to midnight and party favors, but you can opt for a $35 package for guaranteed admission, access to the VIP loft, drinks from 9 p.m. to midnight and an appetizer buffet from 9 to 11 p.m.
A Toda Madre, 499 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, (630) 474-0969, atmrestaurant.com: A $45 five-course dinner includes ceviche, swordfish tacos and chocolate-Kahlua mousse cake.
Granite City Food & Brewery, 1828 Abriter Court, Naperville, (630) 544-3700, gcfb.net: From 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. you can order a three-course dinner for $27.95 including your choice of wedge salad or cheddar and ale soup; salmon Oscar, slow-roasted Amish chicken or steak with portabella mushrooms; and vanilla bean crème brûlée or seasonal sorbet. The package also includes a midnight champagne toast.
Deka Restaurant, 401 E. Dundee Road, Wheeling, (847) 520-3352, dekarestaurant.com: The French restaurant goes all out, offering a $250 package including decadent eats such as caviar, poached shrimp, beef tongue charcuterie, foie gras, frog legs, lamb chops, Chilean sea bass and chocolate-dipped strawberries. The drinks side features Grey Goose and Ketel One vodka, Remy Martin cognac, red and white wine, and a champagne toast. Electronic record label KGBEATS provides the entertainment.
D Hangout Bar and Grill, 550 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin, (847) 717-0511, d-hangout.com: A $5 cover gets you a pizza buffet from 9 to 11 p.m., a midnight champagne toast and drink specials including $2 PBR, $8 domestic pitchers, $4 shots and $2.50 Corona light. DJ JD spins.