It’s that time of year, as the Chicago Western Suburbs gear up for a New Year's Eve Celebration. I wanted to highlight some options for folks in the area as they make the tough decision of where to start the New Year. If hanging out in the Suburbs of Chicago sounds boring, check out Clubzone‘s website for an extensive list of New Year’s Eve events in Chicago….and some of the suburbs. For those of us in Clarendon Hills, there is one distinct delicious dinner special that I would like to highlight Maijean and in Hinsdale, Zak’s Place is the place to be! In Burr Ridge, Topaz offers an unmatched four-course New years Dinner along with shopping earlier in the Burr Ridge Village Center.
Maijean is offering a 5-course closing New Years' dinner. The Beginning course is a choice of smoked salmon ravioli with dill crème Fraiche, bacon-wrapped breast of quail with quail egg, crisp potato, apple-celery root salad, and thyme jus. Highlights of the second course are Asparagus soup with shrimp and lemon better as well as a brie en route salad with zante currants, mixed field greens, walnuts, and champagne vinaigrette. The main course is filled with roasted duck breast, Amish chicken breast, pan-roasted scallops, and smoked beef tenderloin. Finally, deserts are a choice among warm white and dark chocolate tart, peanut butter bombe, and a caramelized fuji apple. Although the dinner is over-the-top for its guests, it is disheartening since Maijean is closing after New Year. My wife and I have dined there many times, and I love the artwork and the environment. Clarendon Hills residents love it because on any given night, you can find folks dining and celebrating special occasions inside and out. I wish Chef Nadia Tilkian the best!
Zak’s Place will be one of the more notable four-course New Year’s Meals in the Hinsdale area for a fair price of $65. Guests start off with a soup or salad choice (I prefer the delicious lobster bisque). The second course involves prophetic pasta with many different choices of sauces. The third course boasts sumptuous steaks and meats, and my choice is the New York Strip. Finally, a sample of the restaurants’ deserts, Walnuts for Later beginning at 10 pm, and complimentary midnight champagne will close out the night. The restaurant’s contemporary cuisine combined with many drinks of choice makes it the place to be in Hinsdale to celebrate the New Year. My wife and I have been here several times and have enjoyed the food that the Owner/Chef Yamandu serves!
Topaz Café boasts a $65 per person four-course meal. Starters include an amazing choice between a BLT with bacon pate, Black Pepper-Cured Salmon with crispy potato latkes, Grilled Gulf Prawns, and my favorite, the Grilled Quail with buttermilk waffles and sausage. Salads include my choice, the lobster bisque, Bibb salad, Local Greens, and an outstanding Arugula salad. There are five main entrees to choose from, including oven-roasted chicken, Grilled 6oz Filet (my choice), Pan-Seared Scallops, Pan-Roasted Scottish Salmon, and Cheese Tortellini. Finally, delicious deserts cap off the night with options including lava cake, black and white Panna Cotta (my choice), Cheesecake, and Topaz Carrot Cake.
2011 was a great real estate year for me and my crew, I hope 2012 will be even better and hopefully help you and yours. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need help. Mike McCurry
Auld Lang Syne