Category Archives: Kurman

Celebrating Thanksgiving Throughout Chicagoland

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There are countless ways to enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving in Chicago.  Whether dining in or out, these restaurants and businesses are offering specials that will make it easy to entertain.

Delightful Pastries. Bring home delicious, homemade pies from Delightful Pastries for all to

Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Pie from Delightful Pastries

Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Pie
from Delightful Pastries

enjoy this Thanksgiving.   Whatever is your fancy, Delightful Pastries’ new expanded pie menu will have something to suit your taste. Included are traditional selections like Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie and the not so traditional Apple Caramel, Cranberry Fudge, Coconut Chocolate, and Bourbon Chocolate Pecan. All pies ($25) serve 8-10 people; are made from scratch and use no artificial flavors or preservatives.

For those entertaining for the weekend, pick up a breakfast/brunch savory pie such as the Spinach Lamb ($58), Veggie Quiche ($42), or Ham Quiche ($42). Other items on Delightful Pastries’ to go catering menu include: winter and grain salads, mini-pastry trays, international cookie trays and brownie trays. Pre-orders are recommended and package pricing is available. Orders may be placed at all three Delightful Pastries locations:  5927 W. Lawrence Avenue, in the Jefferson Park neighborhood (phone: 773-545-7215); the Old Town Chicago location at 1710 N. Wells St., just north of North Avenue (phone: 312-255-0724) and the Chicago French Market location at 131 N. Clinton Ave. (phone: 312-234-9644).

Delightful Pastries’ International Cookies Are Perfect for Holiday Entertaining

macaron stack

Macaron’s from Delightful Pastries

November starts the holiday season and entertaining is on everyone’s mind. Delightful Pastries makes it easy, with an array of international cookies, all holiday favorites from around the globe. Available are Cucidati (Sicilian Fig Cookies), Viennese Almond Crescents, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Polish Kolaczki (Raspberry, Apricot, Cheese), Christmas Mice,  Rugula, Linzer and Italian Rainbow Cookies ($19/lb. or by platter, $20-$30). French Macarons ($30 lb.) and Chanukah Macaroons ($1.75 each) also are available.

 

maxwells thankgiving 2013

Maxwell’s at the Club Thanksgiving

The East Bank Club is hosting Thanksgiving dinner at its place this year and you’re invited. The East Bank Club’s signature restaurant, Maxwell’s at the Club (500 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago), is offering a traditional turkey dinner buffet with all the trimmings, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., November 28.

Executive chef Mike Lodes is featuring a variety of appetizer and salad , a carving station with Roast Turkey served with gravy and natural jus, Roast Prime Rib of Beef with horseradish sauce, and Roast Leg of Lamb with mint jelly, and an abundance of side options. To finish off, guests will be treated to an impressive spread of seasonal fruits, assorted cakes, tortes, cookies, and cupcakes, and pies. The price is $45 for adults, $15 for children 10 and under. Reservations can be placed online at maxwellsattheclub.com or by calling (312)527-5800 ext. 301.

East Bank Club’s Food Shop’s Thanksgiving To-go

If you plan to entertain at home this Thanksgiving, East Bank’s Food Shop will be delighted to do the cooking. The Chefs at the Food Shop have put together a complete Thanksgiving menu to suit a variety of tastes. You have the choice of ordering a la carte from their entire menu or selecting the Thanksgiving Package. With the latter option the Food Shop chefs have curated their version of an ideal holiday meal. For the complete Thanksgiving menu visit eastbankclub.com, and to place your order call (312) 527 5800 ext. 318.

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Prairie Grass Cafe

Northbrook’s Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; 847-205-4433) chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris want to make your Thanksgiving dinner perfect and easy. The two award winning chefs have announced their “Thanksgiving To Go 2013” menu available for pre-order now. All orders must be received no later than Sunday, November 24 for pickup at the restaurant on Thursday, November 28 between noon and 3 p.m.

The à la carte menu includes everything you would want for the perfect Thanksgiving celebration. Start with a whole Roasted Turkey and Gravy, serving between 10 and 14 people for $110 or half a turkey to serve between 5 and 7 people for $60.

Homemade Apple Sage Stuffing ($14/quart) and Homemade Sausage and Giblet Stuffing ($24/quart) are available by the quart, serving between 4 and 6 people.

A variety of homemade appetizers include Butternut Squash Soup (Serves 4/$20/quart), Organic Mixed Green Salad with Shaved Parmesan, Pumpkin Seeds and Pomegranate (Serves 6-8/$45); Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp with Homemade Horseradish Sauce ($42/dozen); cut vegetable assortment with Amish blue cheese dip (Serves 6-8/$35); or Smoked Salmon Platter with Cream Cheese, Cucumbers, Capers and Red Onions with Pumpernickel and Whole Grain Baguettes (serves 6-8/$65).

Prairie Grass Cafe Pumpkin Pie with Heirloom Pumpkin Pie low res et

Prairie Grass Cafe Pumpkin Pie

Side dishes include Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes (pint/2-3 servings/$7; quart/4-6 servings/$14); Sweet Potato Puree (pint/2-3 servings/$8; quart/4-6 servings/$16); Sautéed Green Beans (pint/2-3 servings/$8; quart/4-6 servings/$16); Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts (pint/2-3 servings/$12; quart/4-6 servings/$24); and Local Cranberry Sauce (pint/2-5 servings/$8; quart/6-10 servings/$16).

A Prairie Grass Cafe Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without Mom’s Homemade Heirloom Pumpkin Pie ($24/pie/6 slices); Mom’s Pecan Pie ($24/pie/6 slices) or Double Chocolate Cake ($50/cake/10-12 servings).

Not in the mood to entertain at home? Bring your family and friends to Prairie Grass Cafe this Thanksgiving

Prairie Grass Cafe will be serving a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, November 28. The cost of $49 per person includes a choice of Butternut Squash Soup or Organic Mixed Green Salad with Pumpkin Seeds, Parmesan, Pomegranate and Balsamic Dressing; Oven Roasted Turkey with Mashed Potatoes and Homemade Gravy; Apple Chestnut Stuffing; Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash with Homemade Marshmallow Topping; fresh vegetable; local cranberry sauce, and choice of Mom’s Heirloom Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie or Double Chocolate Cake. Reservations are required.

Chicago French Market provides one-stop shopping for the Thanksgiving Holidays

Whether it’s a hostess gift, cooking supplies or a meal to go, the Chicago French Market provides opportunities for Thanksgiving shopping under one roof.

Abby Brown Artisan Soaps is featuring its ever popular Pumpkin Bars this month. A

Abbey Brown Pumpkin Soap

Abbey Brown Pumpkin Soap

perfect hostess gift for Thanksgiving and the holidays at only $8.50 per bar, Abbey Brown Soap Artisan creates handmade natural Olive Oil soaps, soothing body oils and relaxing bathing essentials. They make all of their fine products in house, infusing homegrown herbs and botanicals with pure essential oils.

Picking out the perfect wine to pair with Thanksgiving dinner or to bring as a gift is difficult if you’re not wine knowledgeable. When seeking expert advice, look no further than Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine at Chicago French Market. Pastoral is the perfect shop to learn more and receive expert help in choosing the perfect wine. Staff is trained to know wine and how to pair to complement foods. Stop by Pastoral for advice throughout November.

Stop at Oh Olive! at the French Market and sample its delicious Wild Mushroom and Sage extra virgin olive oil. It’s a perfect enhancement for drizzling over turkey before roasting or for using it to make delicious and unique rye bread turkey dressing.

Not everyone serves a traditional turkey for Thanksgiving, according to the folks at Sam’s

Sam's Gourmet Lasagna

Sam’s Gourmet Lasagna

Gourmet Lasagna. Sam’s offers a delicious ground turkey lasagna and has introduced a Steak & Potato Lasagna just in time for the holidays. They have upped their to go pre-packaged offerings for holiday gift, entertaining and corporate events.

 

 

 

Glencoe’s Everest Burger – Organic, Sustainable, Hormone-Free – Delicious

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by Lee Barrie and Cindy Kurman Barrie
Everest Burger
91 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL
(847) 242-0909; www.everestburger.com

The organic sustainable food movement has pretty well gone mainstream, reaching most corners of the culinary world. We figured that burger joints would be the holdouts – after all, if burgers aren’t broken why fix them? Americans, in droves, continue to eat burgers of all shapes and sizes without, it would seem, apparent concern for their healthfulness. But perhaps we were mistaken.

According to Mark and Margarita Challenger, there are many people who would jump at the chance to eat a good healthy burger. And parents, they say, long for a healthy alternative to Mickey D’s to satisfy their kids’ burger crave. So the Challengers opened the new Everest Burger and Bakery in Glencoe, which serves only hormone-free, steroid-free and antibiotic-free burgers and other good stuff. The Challengers are parents and part of their reason for launching the restaurant is to help other families feed their kids with good food they’ll enjoy.

So our hats go off to this husband and wife team, which has already brought healthy, authentic Mexican food to the Glencoe area with their Guanajuato, a contemporary Mexican eatery a few doors away from Everest Burger.

Everest Burger

Everest Burger is “the peak of better burger joints,” says Mark. It’s somewhat kitschy but not over the top, with a Himalayan/Mt. Everest theme. There is a huge stone wall at the entrance and the mountain theme continues inside, including a ceiling-to-floor, larger than life mural replica of a painting of the Himalyas by artist Nicholas Roeich.

The restaurant is a casual, come as you are place. One side has an open kitchen where you can watch your food being prepared. The other side has a bakery display case which showcases the day’s fresh baked goods which can be purchased to take home.

Freshness and quality are the mantras here. After months of searching for healthy, great tasting beef products, the Challengers chose the 100 percent hormone-free, steroid-free and antibiotic-free beef from Montana Brand Ranch. Other ingredients, including the chicken used for chicken burgers, are sourced locally. Fresh wild Alaskan salmon is flown in every week.

It gets really interesting once you choose your burger and enjoy the experience. The menu offers many original burger creations or you can build your own burger from the long list of toppings and ingredients.

Diners choose their burger recipe and their choice of protein: beef, turkey, chicken or wild Alaskan salmon. There are also vegan versions using portabella mushroom, black beans or walnuts. Burgers are served on fresh, baked-on-premises buns: whole wheat, whole wheat white or gluten free.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a traditionalist or a food adventurer or a burger lovin’ kid; Everest Burger has something that will “peak” your interest.

Aloha Burger

On the traditional side, you can order a straight-ahead Base Camp Burger, served with lettuce, tomato and onion, or you can get more sophisticated with choices such as the Everest Burger, with lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado and kalamata olives, topped with organic blue cheese. Odysseus’ Feast includes lettuce, tomato, onion, kalamata olives and feta cheese grilled with olive oil. The Aloha Burger comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pineapple and Swiss cheese; the BLT Burger is served with lettuce, tomato, and onion topped with home-made turkey bacon; and the Texas BBQ, lettuce, tomato and onion topped with home-made regular or spicy BBQ sauce.

If you’re in the mood for adventure your expedition can choose from such unique options such as The Australian, pineapple, beet, lettuce and tomato topped with a fried egg and grilled onions in a tangy blend of mayonnaise and chilies; The Fez, a secret Turkish burger recipe combining spices and grains to create a spicy, nutty flavored burger; Fiesta Burger,

Fiesta Burger

a spicy Mexican burger cooked with chipotle peppers and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos and cheese; and the Chimichurri Burger, onion, cloves, cilantro, oregano and some special sauces for a spicy South American taste.

For vegetarians and vegans, the Black Bean Burger, Mushroom Burger and the Walnut Burger are all delicious and healthy options.

Chimichurri Burger

Hot dogs haven’t been forgotten: Everest Dogs are prepared in-house using Everest’s own high-quality beef.

Guests can add a side of Organic fries to any burger or hot dog order, with a choice of regular, parmesan, Cajun or cheesy varieties. The fries are made from organic potatoes freshly cut and fried in rice bran oil to give the cleanest and best taste possible.

The children’s menu includes Children’s Burgers, beef, turkey, chicken or black bean, with or without cheese;

Meatball Slider

Meatball Sliders, three meatballs with marinara sauce on a child-sized bun; Chicken Tenders and an Everest Beef Dog.

Guests can top off the meal with Everest Organic Frozen Yogurt, prepared in-house using fresh and organic ingredients.

The bakery features croissants, breads and churros as well as fast breakfast items such as quiche, breakfast burrito, croissant egg sandwiches, scones, muffins, and Danishes all made using organic flours, fresh ground coffee and herbal teas.

The best news is that a trip to this Everest doesn’t require months of training. So hop in the car and treat yourself to something delicious and healthy. You’ll be as proud of yourself as those brave souls who have conquered the mountain. Well, maybe not, but…

Everest Burger & Bakery soon will be open for breakfast and bakery orders. Here’s a sample of their offerings:


DineWise Chicago is written by Cindy Kurman Barrie and Lee Barrie, the principals of Kurman Communications, Inc., a Chicago-based marketing and public relations agency. The DineWise column appears weekly in Streetwise magazine. Please visit their blog at www.gotbuzzatkurman.com and check out all DineWise articles at www.dinewisechicago.com.

When it’s Autumn, it’s Time for Hearty Artisan Beer and Comfort Food

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Popping a cold one is a summertime tradition, but sitting down to indulge in a seriously good brew paired with some hearty comfort food is our idea of a perfect cool weather sport. So as autumn closes in, we thought you might want to make some plans to drop by one of these Chicago hot spots for good food and a memorable beer.

The Beer Bistro

1061 W. Madison St. – Chicago
312-433-0013; www.thebeerbistro.com
STATS: Beers on tap: 20 |  Bottled beers: 125
This West Loop spot is a casual neighborhood place to party with good food and great beer. The beer collection showcases domestic craft beers as well as imported delights, while the eats are focused on comfort bar food. Starters include spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips, baked goat cheese, beer-battered chicken fingers. Sliders come in several varieties; if you order them all you get a basket of fries or tater tots free. Try the cheeseburger, pulled pork, buffalo chicken, patty melt, fried fish, Caprese, turkey or Reuben. Other goodies include nachos, quesadillas, wings, soups, salads and large full size burgers. Here’s a unique burger to try: The Gourmet Burger, on a pretzel roll with peanut butter, fried egg, bacon & cheddar.
Hopleaf
5148 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
773-334-9851; www.hopleaf.com
STATS: Beers on tap: 36 | Bottled beers: 300
Hopleaf is a great Chicago institution, not unlike a Belgian abbey. If you haven’t been there, it’s time. This is a beer aficionado’s heaven and the food is casual, creative and very tasty. The beer collection is varied, and there is an exceptionally robust collection of Belgian beers.

The signature starters are steamed mussels, which you can order Belgian-Style, steamed in Wittekerke white ale with sliced shallots, celery, thyme and bay leaf or steamed in White Wine: with sweet and spicy chorizo, caramelized onions and pepadew peppers. Other interesting starters include the Sausage Plate (organic sausages served with bourbon pancetta, white beans or German potato salad); the Sweet Corn Flan and Crepe (savory flan with sweet pepper caramel and a corn crepe stuffed with assorted local vegetables and goat cheese) and the Rabbit Saddle stuffed with housemade Mortadella sausage. 


Sandwiches are ambitious: Tilapia Sandwich with lemon pickles, butter lettuce & gribiche sauce; the Duck Reuben featuring Pekin duck breast on marble rye with cranberry cream cheese spread; Cashew Butter and Jelly, made with fig jam and morbier cheese with stilton macaroni and cheese; Organic Montreal-Style brisket on sourdough rye, slow roasted, briefly smoked. For entrees, try the Loch Duart Salmon with cucumber-creme fraiche salad w/walnuts & mint, avocado-banana puree, plantain chips, mache, curry oil; pan roasted Poussin w/summer squash pancakes, minted English shelling peas, roasted carrot puree & herb oil; the Fish Stew is made from tomato-white wine fish broth, sweet corn, bell peppers, red onion, new potatoes, plus Lake Superior whitefish, Loch Duart salmon, Laughing Bird shrimp, Prince Edward Island mussels, and smoked salmon rouille. Another robust choice is the Grilled Gunthorp Farms Pork Tenderloin  with sautéed sweet corn, shallots, red peppers, mushrooms, sweet corn spaetzle and tomatillo salsa verde.


Jak’s Tap
901 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
(312) 666-1700; http://jakstap.com
STATS: Beers on tap: 48 | Bottled beers: 5
Tucked away in the Greektown/West Loop area is this fun neighborhood bistro where draft beer and a large comfort food menu are the main attractions. The beer selection includes a sizeable collection of American regional brews as well as German, Belgian and Irish favorites. The food is an eclectic variety of American, Southern, Mexican and Italian comfort foods covering lunch and dinner and late night, including excellent egg dishes.
Starters include the popular favorites such as nachos, quesadillas, hamburger or pulled pork sliders, wings and baby back ribs. There is a Six Gun Chili (vegetarian) as well as two Mexican inspired salads—Ensalada Del Rey with chicken, avocado, Yucatan pico, cheese, tomatoes, onion, cucumbers and tortilla strips, and the Fiesta, a taco turkey in a tortilla bowl with black beans, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese, avocado & sour cream.
Pizza lovers can choose from six thin crust varieties or they can concoct their own from a variety of toppings. Sandwiches include a Cubano and a decadent Grilled Cheese as well as a Reuben and Pulled Pork. The burger selection is huge (17 choices, to be exact). If you want to go for the gusto, you can choose entrees such as BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Burritos, Country Fried Chicken, Fish and Chips, and Southwest Steak,
Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro
3905 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
(773) 248-3905; www.irishbistro.com
STATS: Beers on tap: 15 | Bottled beers: 40
This Irish restaurant, owned by the same Murphy’s who own Murphy’s Bleachers next to Wrigley Field, is a Mecca for quality, modern Irish food and the beer selection is more than ample to pair with the cuisine. Your meal starts with amazing homemade Irish soda bread and then you can meander through a long menu that includes traditional Irish dishes and a wide variety of contemporary creations made from authentic ingredients.
Tasty, unique starters include the Duck and Crispy Brie, featuring “corned” duck breast, crispy brie cheese, arugula and candied walnuts and the Baked Cheese Rarebit, a blend of Irish cheeses with bacon and green onions served with a bread basket. Soups include a rich Guinness and Onion soup with white Irish cheddar and a Potato Leek soup. Salad choices include a Barbecue Salmon Salad with whiskey marmalade barbecue sauce and a Roasted Beet Salad with marinated beets, walnut vinaigrette and Irish Chimay Beer Cheese. Among the nicely conceived entrees are the Beef and Guinness Stew with roasted root vegetables and buttermilk mashed potatoes; Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin in a Murphy’s Bleachers Ale reduction; the Fisherman’s Chowder with Cod, Shrimp, Mussels, Littleneck Clams and Scallops, Yukon Gold Potatoes in a Tomato Saffron Broth and the Grilled Lamb and Figs with a fresh fig chutney, tomato-walnut butter, bleu cheese mash and vanilla balsamic cream.
Publican
837 W. Fulton Market; Chicago
(312) 733-9555; http://thepublicanrestaurant.com
STATS: Beers on tap: 12 | Bottled beers: 62
This handsome, wood-toned restaurant is the brainchild of chef Paul Kahan and his multi-award winning culinary team from Blackbird and Avec. There is no question about the quality of the food here. The raw oyster bar is stocked with eight kinds of oysters. Also on the menu are many fish and seafood entrées including yellowtail, ahi tuna, swordfish, scallops and trout. Ham lovers will enjoy the artisan aged ham selection, each served with goat’s milk butter and hearty peasant bread. Other inspired entrées feature suckling pig, sweetbreads, Pot-Au-Feu made with sausage, ribs and pork tenderloin; a delicious half-chicken with summer sausage and frites; ribeye steak and a ham chop with beets, leeks and saba.
Cindy Kurman Barrie and Lee Barrie are the principals of Kurman Communications, Inc., a Chicago-based marketing and public relations agency. Please subscribe to their blog at www.gotbuzzatkurman.com and check out all DineWise articles at www.dinewisechicago.blogspot.com.

Yelp Eats Offering $25 Dining Deals at 33 Chicago Area Restaurants June 21-27

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Yelp.com, the website that connects people with great local businesses, presents Yelp Eats, June 21-27, a week-long promotion dedicated to giving consumers the chance to try local restaurants at discounted prices.

Prix fixe dinner menus are being offered at 33 restaurants throughout Chicagoland for $25. 

Restaurants participating in the promotion include:

Chicago

1492 Tapas Bar, River North 
Bin Wine Cafe, Wicker Park
Bin 36, Near North Side
Blue 13, River North
Branch 27, Noble Square
Broadway Cellars, Edgewater
Corner 41, North Center
Duchamp, Bucktown
Eve, Gold Coast
Fontana Grill, Uptown
Green Zebra, Noble Square
Kinzie Chop House, River North
La Madia, Near North Side
LM Le Restaurant, Lincoln Square
LOKal, Wicker Park
Nacional 27, River North
Sapori, Lincoln Park
Scoozi, River North
Spring, Wicker Park
State & Lake, The Loop
Thalia Spice, River West
The Drawing Room, Gold Coast
Treat, Humboldt Park

Chicago Suburbs

Birch River Grill, Arlington Heights
Bluegrass, Highland Park
Glen Prairie, Glen Ellyn
Kama Bistro, La Grange
Karma Asian Food & Wine, Mundelein
Marion Street Cheese Market, Oak Park
Meson Sabika, Naperville
Oceanique, Evanston
The Stained Glass, Evanston
Vie, Western Springs
Zak’s Place, Hinsdale

These special menus are open to the public. Reservations should be made in advance by calling the business and mentioning Yelp Eats. For more information about the special menus, visit www.yelp.com/events/chicago-yelp-eats-3.

Mother’s Day: Time for a Sunday Drive and a Hearty Spring Feast in Chicago

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Mother’s Day is the unofficial beginning of spring. So hop in the car and enjoy a Sunday drive with the family, then sit down to a gracious brunch at one of these popular spots.

WEST: Glen Prairie, 1250 Roosevelt Rd., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) 613-1250; www.glenprairie.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $29 for adults, $12 for kids age 5-12, kids 4 and under are free

One of Chicago Magazine’s top new restaurants in 2008, the beautiful Glen Prairie has won a large following with its top notch locally produced contemporary American fare.
Highlights: Salad Station, with Grilled Vegetable Salad with herb and balsamic glaze or Spinach and Berry Salad; Bakery Station, with assorted house baked breakfast pastries, artisan rolls and maple thyme butter; Farm Fresh Buffet includes Omelets Made to Order, Broiled Tilapia, Scrambled Eggs with chives and aged cheddar, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Maple Sausage; Chefs Station offers Honey and Sage Roasted Turkey Breast with cranberry citrus relish and Herb Roasted Iowa Farmed Beef Sirloin with marchan de vin; Kids Corner, with French Toast Sticks, Amish Chicken Nuggets, Pasta with Marina Sauce, French Bread Pizzas and Fruit Cup. For dessert, indulge in the Sweet Table.

NORTHWEST: Birch River Grill, 75 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, IL; (847) 427-4242; www.birchrivergrill.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; $31.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids 5-10; kids under 4 are free.
Birch River Grill, with its comfortable lodge décor and rustic gourmet American cuisine, is a special restaurant in the Arlington Heights area.

Highlights: Seafood Station, with whole smoked King Salmon, whole smoked trout and peel and eat cocktail shrimp; Continental Station, with fresh baked bread, muffins, croissants, Danish, fresh fruit and berries; Made to Order Station featuring eggs, omelets, waffles, fresh Belgium waffles, country sausage links and peppered bacon; Carving Station, sirloin of beef and roasted turkey breast; Hot Buffet, fire roasted rainbow trout with wild rice pilaf and citrus butter; Salad Station; Kidz Buffet, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mac and cheese, pizza sticks, French toast sticks and fruit cups; Desserts, including their signature carrot cake, cakes and tortes.

SOUTH-SOUTHWEST: Courtright’s, 8989 South Archer, Willow Springs, IL; (708) 839-8000; www.courtrights.com
Mother’s Day All-Day Dinner, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; 4 courses, $55; 3 courses, $49; kids menu, $29.
Courtright’s has been a noteworthy fine dining staple in the southwest suburbs for years. It’s an attractive and welcoming restaurant, both inside and out, and the extensive wine collection is exceptional. Mother’s Day is an all-day feast, with 3- and 4-course menus and a special children’s menu.
Highlights: Starters such as Duck Terrine with Vidalia onion-rhubarb chutney; pan-seared scallops with artichoke-bell pepper terrine, tomatoes and basil-feta vinaigrette; or prosciutto-wrapped asparagus with sauce gribiche; entrees include roasted Alaskan halibut with fennel puree, saffron brandade, roasted peanuts, pearl onions and mussel jus; roasted rack of lamb with minted lamb sausage, bacon-spring pea puree, braised baby carrots and lamb jus; and beef tenderloin with celery root puree, shiitake mushrooms and Cabernet sauce. Dessert includes Grand Marnier-marinated strawberries with a chocolate waffle and Chantilly cream.

NORTH: Restaurant Michael, 64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, IL; (847) 441-3100; www.restaurantmichael.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; adults, $39; kids under 10, $19.50
Take the scenic route along Sheridan Road and then migrate to nearby Green Bay Road to enjoy iconic chef/owner Michael Lachowicz’s always amazing French fare.
Highlights: six appetizer choices including smoked salmon, Seared Scallops, Bacon and onion tarts, three entrées including Baby Lamb Chops, Roast Chateaubriand of beef tenderloin and Lobster Risotto, plus traditional omelets and Eggs Benedict, and four seasonal desserts.

WEST-NORTHWEST: Entourage on American Lane, 1301 American Lane, Schaumburg, IL; (847) 995-9400; www.entourageventures.com
Mother’s Day Brunch, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; adults, $36.95; kids 6-12, $15.95; kids under 5, free
Entourage is one of the best suburban restaurants to open in the past few years. It’s spacious and stylishly contemporary, with excellent food and creative drinks.
Highlights: Chef-carved prime rib, turkey and ham, omelet station, smoked salmon, cocktail shrimp, oysters on the half shell, egg specialties, lots of salads, French toast, pasta dishes, Hawaiian chicken, a children’s table and a decadent dessert station.

NORTH-NORTHWEST: Karma, 510 E. Route 83, Mundelein, Illinois, 847-970-6900, www.karmachicago.com
Mother’s Day brunch, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; adults, $27.95; kids, $12.95; kids under 5 free
Karma is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the Chicagoland area. For Mother’s Day, Karma will offer an eclectic brunch featuring contemporary American dishes as well as their signature pan-Asian fare.

Highlights: Seafood Station with citrus poached King Salmon and Creole Seafood Salad;
Omelet Station; Hot Food Station with Asian BBQ seared Salmon and Mustard Crusted Roast Pork Loin; Carving Station with Herb and Garlic Crusted Roast Beef and
Oak Roasted Turkey Breast; Dessert Station with assorted mini French pastries and bakery fresh Tortes and Pies

IN THE CITY: Dine, 733 W. Madison, Chicago, IL (312) 602-2100; www.dinerestaurant.com
Mother’s Day brunch, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; adults, $39; kids, $15; kids five and under, free
Dine’s generous, tasty brunch has been popular in Greektown for quite awhile. For Mother’s Day, they’re turning it up a notch with a down-home comfort food feast.

Highlights: Carving Station, with smoked bone-in ham, oven roasted turkey and beef tenderloin; Build Your Own Omelets; Breakfast Selections with peppered bacon and sausage links, biscuits and gravy, waffles with maple syrup, smoked salmon, fresh fruit and berries; Lunch Entrees, including stuffed chicken marsala, poached salmon, beef stir-fry; Build Your Own Pasta, featuring homemade sauce with fresh meats and vegetables; Assorted Seafood, including shrimp, oysters, clams and mussels; Kids Station, with macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, cheese pizza and creamed corn; Assorted Gourmet Desserts.