Family Thanksgiving Dinner Feast at Prairie Grass Cafe, November 28 in Northbrook

Dine In or Take Out, Prairie Grass Cafe Has You Covered

Sarah Stegner with Thanksgiving dinner

Prairie Grass Cafe’s (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-205-4433) popular Thanksgiving Dinner will once again be a delicious way to celebrate with family and friends on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28. Served from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the annual feast from co-chef/owners Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris will feature favorite holiday dishes elevated with the chefs’ unique touch. The menu is sure to please everyone from tradition-loving families to friends and hungry children. The price for this delicious feast is $63 per person for adults and $28 for children ages 3-10 years (not including beverages, tax or gratuity). Children 2 and under are free. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling Prairie Grass Cafe at (847) 205-4433 or visiting the website.

Begin the Thanksgiving celebration with a choice of appetizer: warm Butternut Squash Soup or Organic Mixed Green Salad with Pumpkin Seeds, Parmesan, and Pomegranate and Balsamic Dressing. Highlighting seasonal produce, the salad offers a fresh taste of fall’s bounty.

Organic Mixed Green Salad with Pumpkin Seeds, Parmesan, and Pomegranate and Balsamic Dressing

Then, enjoy Prairie Grass Cafe’s classic Oven Roasted Turkey served with Mashed Potatoes and Homemade Gravy. Simple and straightforward, this traditional dish is great on its own and absolutely heavenly when paired with the four available sides. The Apple Chestnut Stuffing is a flavorful blend of savory and sweet tastes, while the creamy Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash topped with homemade marshmallow is the ultimate indulgence for those with a sweet tooth. Other sides include Fresh Vegetables and Cranberry Sauce.

Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash topped with homemade marshmallow

End Thanksgiving festivities on a sweet note with a choice of dessert: Mom’s Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie or the decadent Double Chocolate Cake. Made in-house and inspired by a family recipe from Chef Sarah Stegner’s mother, Elizabeth, the transcendent pies make the dessert course truly special.

Thanksgiving To Go

Want the taste of a comforting homemade meal without the mess? Prairie Grass Cafe’s Thanksgiving To Go is the annual take-home feast for North Shore residents who want to host their dinner at home. Offering a complete ala carte feast, the menu includes all the dishes served at the restaurant’s Thanksgiving Dinner plus many other mouthwatering options like Apple Sage Stuffing, Homemade Sausage and Giblet Stuffing, Butternut Squash Soup, and Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Chestnuts.

Turkeys To Go can be purchased as whole turkeys (serves 10-14 people) or as half turkeys (serves 5-7 people). Side dishes are sold in quarts; some also are offered in pint sizes. Pies and cake are only sold whole (6 slices per pie; 10-12 slices per cake).

Advance orders are now being accepted by phone, 847-205-4433, and must be made by Friday, November 22 or until items are sold out – please order as far in advance of the deadline as you can to be sure everything is available. All orders will be available for pickup on Thursday, November 28 from noon to 2 p.m. View the full order form here. For more information about Thanksgiving To Go, please call Prairie Grass Cafe at (847) 205-4433.

About Prairie Grass Cafe

Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; Northbrook, IL; 847-205-4433), co-owned by chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, supports Chicago’s Green City Market and local sustainable farms, selecting the freshest ingredients to reflect the season. To make a reservation, please call (847) 205-4433 or visit prairiegrasscafe.com. Follow Prairie Grass Cafe news at newsline360.com/prairiegrasscafe, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SarahStegner, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/prairiegrasscafe, on Facebook at Facebook.com/PrairieGrassCafe

photo credit: Cindy Kurman, Kurman Photography

Thanksgiving To Go Order Form, Prairie Grass Cafe

Prairie Grass Cafe Plates Up a February Full of New Dishes

The farm-to-table restaurant Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; Northbrook, IL; 847-205-4433) is offering weekly specials to help combat the winter blues. Each Thursday evening, the family friendly North Shore eatery will feature a unique dish created by Chefs Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris. Additionally, the chefs are offering a Super Bowl Sunday Brunch and a delicious new Poached Pear Almond Financier dessert.

Thursday Night Game Specials
Each Thursday during the month of February, Prairie Grass Cafe will feature a unique dinner special. February 7 features Braised Duck in Red Wine Sauce with mushrooms, pearl onions and a layered potato, garlic and cream gratin ($28).

Valentine’s Day, February 14, features an assortment of special dishes. One option is a BBQ Pair of Quails with sage stuffing, sweet potato fries and apple slaw ($26). Another is the 1¼ lb. Maine Lobster “Out of the Shell” with fettuccine, vegetables and a rich lobster sauce ($32). The third choice is a “High Plains” Bison Filet with roasted winter vegetables and potatoes ($45).

On Thursday, February 21, a featured attraction is the Saddle of Rabbit with Mustard Sauce Braised Rabbit Legs served with sautéed spinach, onion, mushroom and bacon ($26). On February 28 guests can feast on the Braised Oxtail Ragout over creamy polenta and accompanied with Rainbow Swiss chard, leeks and kale ($18), with the option of adding on a Grass-fed Beef Tenderloin Filet (4 oz. $15, 8 oz. $30).

Prairie Grass Cafe will be open for lunch and dinner on all Thursdays in February; the full menu will be available in addition to the specials.

New Dessert
Each month throughout 2013 Prairie Grass Cafe will feature a new comfort dessert. This February, the chefs will be offering the Poached Pear Almond Financier. This light and moist French cake is a perfect way to finish up an exceptionally comforting meal at the Northbrook restaurant.

About Prairie Grass Cafe
Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd.; Northbrook, IL.; 847-205-4433) supports Chicago’s Green City Market and local sustainable farms, selecting the freshest ingredients to reflect the season. Prairie Grass Cafe currently serves lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner is served Monday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Prairie Grass Cafe also serves brunch Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, 9:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Light fare is available in the bar Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (847) 205-4433 or visit www.prairiegrasscafe.com.

Last Minute Mother’s Day Plans. Some great Chicago-area suggestions.

reprinted with permission from Got Buzz by Kurman Communications, Inc.

BISTRO ONE WESTBistro One West
1 W. Illinois St., St. Charles, Ill. 60174
(630) 444-0600
www.Bistro1West.com

Starting May 1, Bistro One West will keep its doors open for the first Sunday ever, making Bistro One West the ideal west suburban spot to celebrate Mother’s Day! Celebrate the day overlooking the beautiful Fox River on the Bistro One West deck. Enjoy from a delicious menu blend of all things special at Bistro One West including appetizers, entrées and desserts. Appetizers include Fresh Italian Cow’s Milk Burrata with roasted tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt for $11; Baby Wedge Salad with blue cheese dressing, cherry tomatoes and fruitwood smoked bacon for $9; Proscuitto

Deviled Eggs di Parma with seasonal fresh melon for $9; Deviled Eggs filled with buttered Maine lobster for $12; and Mixed Greens tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers and mozzarella with a garlic-thyme dressing for $7. Entrées include Sautéed Tilapia with sugar snap peas, wild mushrooms and roasted garlic butte for $19; Hawaiian Swordfish with grilled shitakes mushrooms, green onion and their signature cole slaw for $12;Sautéed Shrimp with green beans, house greens and lemon olive oil dressing for $12; Fingerling Potatoes with fresh farm egg, roasted asparagus and house greens for $10 (add crumbled ahi tuna, grilled steak or grilled chicken for $6); Meyer’s Farm Naturally Raised Half-pound Beef Burger for $10 (extras: cherry-wood smoked bacon for $3, caramelized onions for $1, fried egg for $2, Swiss, blue or cheddar cheese for $2, and sautéed wild mushrooms for $2); Natural Fruit-wood Smoked Bacon with lettuce, tomatoes, maple-orange aioli on cibatta bread for $10; Caged Free Egg Sandwich with assorted peppers, honey and white cheddar cheese for $8; and Grilled Wagyu served with potatoes and topped with an avocado butter for $26. Extra sides include fingerling potatoes, wild mushrooms or asparagus for $6 each.

Desserts include Butter and Bread Pudding with poached berry compote and vanilla sauce for $6; Caramelized Roasted Banana baked with cinnamon wonton and nutella cream for $6;French Butter Cookies with lemon curd, wild berry compote and chocolate sauce for $7; Vanilla Gelato with balsamic and strawberries or lemon sorbet with vanilla scented berries for $6; and Flourless Chocolate Cake with butter-cream and more chocolate sauce for $6.
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CHICAGO FRENCH MARKET

Chicago French Market 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill. 60661

Celebrate your Mom this Mother’s Day with treats and delights from Chicago French Market. Choose from a variety of vendors and their exceptional specials to make your Mom feel like a queen.

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine is happy to present their Mother’s Day gift box! Their gift for Mom features some of their most cherished products from local producers and a sparkling Rose from FPastoral Mother's Day Basketrance. Mom will be delighted with a Wabash Cannonball,a Farmstead Goat’s Milk Cheese from Capriole Farms in Greenville, Indiana; Quince and Apple brand fruit spread, a small batch preserved from Madison, Wisconsin; Potter’s Crackers, an artisan line of crackers from Madison, Wisconsin;Sweet Margy’s Handmade Toffee, made right here in Chicago; and abeautiful Veuve de Vernay Rose, a sparkling Tempranillo from Bordeaux, France. This Artisan Gift Box is $39.99 and will be available online for local delivery or shipping across the continental US, and can also be picked up at one of their three locations.

Pastoral Artisan is also offering a cross promotion with SpaSpace (161 N. Canal St., (312) 466-9585). Treat your Mother to something special. Let Pastoral cater your spa experience at SpaSpace and receive 10% off botSpa Spaceh your catering and your spa package. Must mention special when booking. Not valid with Spa Finder Certificates or any other offer. Not valid for gift certificate purchases. Offer valid 5/1/11 to 5/31/11. Call (312) 454-9644 or visit www.pastoralartisan.com for more information.

Sweet Miss Giving’s is offering specially decorated cupcakes to please any Mother. Call (312) 575-0212 or visit www.sweetmissgivings.com for more information.

Delightful Pastries will be featuring an array of natural, local and sustainable grown ingredients in a vast Mother’s Day Menu. Choose from gluten free desserts, mini pastries, beautiful mixed berry torte’s and savory quiches, Frittata’s, and Beet and Orange Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette, just to name a few. Call (312) 234-9644 or visit www.delightfulpastries.com for more information.

Abbey Brown Soap Artisan’s Spring Special is running now through May 9. Step into spring with handmade products by WomanCraft, an organization providing employment for women regaining their independence. Special items include olive oil soaps wrapped in handmade paper in refreshing scents including Lavender, Jasmine Blossom and Rosebuds; recycled cards and note card sets, made from office paper and perished flowers, handmade and available in a variety of colors; and seed card packs, see your handwritten notes become wildflowers when buried, watered and cared for! Call (312) 738-2290 or visit www.abbeybrown.com for more information.

Have you orLes Fleurdered your Mother’s Day bouquets yet? Les Fleur offers truly original arrangements, gorgeous bouquets, beautiful gift items and more. This Mother’s Day treat your Mom to an array of flower specials; mini cymbidium orchid bouquets ($25), spray rose bouquets in assorted colors ($18), tulip bunches in assorted colors ($10) and pink oriental lily bouquets ($20) just to name a few! Call (312) 463-1111 or email les.fleurs@yahoo.com for more information.

Vanille Patisserie is offering a Mother’s Day limited edition,three-tiered boxes filled with 1/2 poundFrench Macaroons, 1/3 pound assorted shortbread cookies and 1/3 pound buttery caramels for $45. They are also featuring a Rose Vanille 8″ cake for $40 or a 6″ cake for $30, and a Vanilla Bean Mousseline, raspberry marmalade, rose cream center, and Vanille PatisserieVanilla financier cake witha raspberry Glaze for $40. Call (312) 575-9963 or visit www.vanillepatisserie.com for more information.

Canady Le Chocolatier is offering beautiful handmadeChocolate Truffles and Bon Bon’s. A 12 piece box of these specialties is $18. Call (312) 454-8700 for more information.

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RESTAURANT MICHAELRestaurant Michael
64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, Ill. 60093
(847) 441-3100
www.restaurantmichael.com

Restaurant Michael is hosting a special three-course Mother’s Day brunch Sunday, May 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For $44 per adult and $19 per child (under 10 years of age), begin with choice of Tian of Pan-roasted scallop with baby spinach brie, tarragon-scented corn blini and truffle sauce; Duo of Sliced House-cured Smoked Salmon and Five-spice Seared Yellow Tail Tuna and a warm potato cake with chive and lemongrass crème frâiche; Caramelized Onion and Bacon “Tarte Flambé”; Early Spring Pea Soup with snow pea and fresh Maryland crab; Tossed Baby Greens dressed with choice of honey-truffle or champagne-herb vinaigrette.

For a second-course, choose from Filet of “Loup de Mer” in crispy potato scales with morels, fava beans and asparagus tips; Roast Breast of Duck and Foie Grass Strudel with door county cherries and natural jus; Roast Chateaubriand of Beef Tenderloin with potato gratin and sauce perigord; Duo of Baby Lamb Chops and “Karabuta” Pork Tenderloin Medallions with rosemary jus and baby French green beans; and Soft-shelled Crab Beignet over exotic mushroom risotto with crispy fried leeks and grilled asparagus. For a final dessert course, choose from Fallen Chocolate Soufflé and caramel gelato; Duo of warm bananas foster crepe and Tahitian vanilla panna cotta; Seasonal Sorbet and gelatowith toasted almond biscotti; Warm Berry Charlotte with brown sugar crème frâiche and cinnamon-nutmeg gelato;or Grand Marnier Chocolate Truffles.

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FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR Flemings
25 E. Ohio St., Chicago, Ill. 60611
(312) 329-9463

960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, Ill. 60069
(847) 793-0333
www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com

Mother’s Day Brunch May 8 –Fleming’s will open early at 11:30 am on Mother’s Day and offer a 3-course Brunch Menu until 3 pm, in addition to their regular menu. The Brunch Menu will be offered for $32.95 per person, and a Children’s Brunch Menu will also be available for $15.95. A specialty 99 calorie cocktail, the Tickled Pink, will also be available all day for $6.95. And to make the day even more special, every mother who celebrates at Fleming’s on Mother’s Day will receive a $25 Fleming’s Dining Card* to use for a future evening out. Reservations are now available and can be made online.

*$25 Fleming’s Dining Card valid from 5/9/11 – 6/12/11

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Prairie Grass & Prairie Fire

PRAIRIE FIRE
215 N. Clinton St., Chicago, Ill. 60661|
(312) 382-8300  www.prairiefirechicago.com

Prairie Fire is offering a special Mother’s Day three-course brunch menu for both adults and children 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8. For $42 per adult and $15 per child (under 10), begin the experience with Mini-croissants served warm to the table followed by selection from a three-course prix fixe menu. First-course items include Crispy Shrimp Roll with spicy dipping sauce; “Three Sister’s Garden” Pea Shoot Tendril Salad with arugula, asparagus, Dijon mustard vinaigrette and shaved aged cheddar;Prairie Fire Caesar Salad with romaine lettuce, homemade dressing, toasted croutons and shaved parmesan; and White Bean and Homemade Sausage Soup. Second-course items include Peeky Toe Crab Benedict with asparagus and citrus hollandaise Chicken Roulade with grilled vegetables; Parmesan Crusted Tilapia over creamed spinach and“Three Sister’s Garden” Micro Greens; Ancho Marinated Skirt Steak with mushroom ragout and potato wedges. Third-course dessert items include Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Icing; Double Chocolate Cake; Strawberry Cream Pie; Chocolate Cookie and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.

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PRAIRIE GRASS CAFE 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, Ill. 60062 847-205-4433 www.prairiegrasscafe.com

Prairie Grass Cafe is offering a special Mother’s Day prix fix brunch menu 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8 for bother adult and children. Select from the buffet and dessert buffet for $42 per adult and $15 per child (10 and under); tax, gratuity and beverage are not included. Buffet items include “Made to order” Omelet Station including choice of river valley ranch mushrooms, springonions, crumbled feta and spinach, and chopped fresh herbs; Fresh “Peekytoe” Crab with grated lemon and herbs for omelets; Hot Fresh Waffle Station with maple syrup; Applewood Smoked Maple Creek Farm Bacon; Roasted New York Grass Fed Beef Strip Loin with mushroom sauce and carved to order; Herb Roasted Little Red Potatoes; Spicy Braised Pulled Pork with Three Sisters Garden black beans, cilantro and avocado relish; Mint Creek Farm Homemade Lamb Sausage with chunky vegetable relish; Prairie Grass Cafe Signature Grass Fed Beef Shepard’s Pie; Parmesan Crusted Tilapia over creamed spinach;Platter of Asparagus with basil remoulade and sliced radished; Chopped Veggie Salad with crumbled Amish blue cheese, red wine vinaigrette (romaine, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers and tomato); Caesar Salad with romaine, homemade dressing, croutons and shaved parmesean;Fresh Housemade Farmer’s Cheese served savory with chives and fresh black pepper; Crusty Multi-grain Artisan Breads; Mini Chocolate Croissants; Cheese Danish; Raspberry Jam Danish and Sticky Pecan Rolls.

The desserts includes Crepe Station with valrhona and hazelnut spread, raspberry jam and whipped cream; Fresh Sliced Ripe Fruit; Platter of Berries; Double Chocolate Cup Cakes with butter cream icing; and Mom’s Fruit Cream Pie.