Picture this: It's Christmas morning, you're swimming in pools of gifts (or maybe ponds, considering our current economic crisis), and the entire family's itching to get out of the house. Or maybe you're the lone Jew in a sea of candy-cane suckers, always at a loss for "joy" on this supposed "holy day." If cooking whatever you've got in the cabinet or warming those questionable leftovers just doesn't sound appealing, we've got news: There are more than a handful of restaurants open on Christmas (and Christmas Eve). And no matter what your views on the holiday, make sure to tip your server with something more than good cheer.
Have a Middle Eastern Christmas at Reza's (Andersonville and River North) or Andies (Andersonville and Lincoln Square)
Ask a group of Andersonville residents where to eat Middle Eastern food in their neighborhood, and you'll likely spark a spirited debate regarding these two competing spots. The choice doesn't get any easier on Christmas day, as they'll both be open for business. Many go for the family-style menu at Reza's, which includes your choice of three appetizers and three entrees (e.g. broiled salmon, sea scallops, boneless chicken breast kabobs) for under $30 a person; a typical entree will set you back $15-$18. Andie's prices are slightly lower; chicken and kefta kabobs ring in at only $10.50. You decide which is merrier.
Dine with the Chanukah reindeer at Bagel (Lakeview and Old Orchard)
Do you own multiple menorahs, a Chanukah bush or a reindeer that wears a yarmulke? Then you've probably been to Chicago's quintessentially yenta restaurant. Gaze at old movie posters as you wait for homemade matzo ball soup ($4/pint or $8/quart) or sweet and sour cabbage borscht (a steal at $3.50/pint or $7/quart). And who could forget the lox-and-bagel and the corned beef sandwiches? Kids who want other snacks can get a hot dog or a grilled cheese sandwich. Just don't forget to finish the meal with raspberry, apricot or cinnamon rugelach. Take that, Santa!
Go meatless at Soul Vegetarian East
Spread cheer to your vegan and soul food-lovin' friends at this South Side standby. If you live up north, it's worth the hike. And because it's run by African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, they're open Christmas day. Break away from your meaty traditions with appetizers like battered cauliflower or hearty brown lentil soup. Try the wheat gluten Garvey Burger, named after Marcus Garvey, the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL). If it's available, don't miss the vegan sweet potato pie for dessert.
Choose this Chinese restaurant: Phoenix Restaurant
Overwhelmed by the amount of Chinese restaurants open on Christmas? Here's a solution: Go wild with dim sum, which actually comes to tables on the traditional silver carts, at this popular Chinatown standby. Each of the two red-carpeted dining rooms offer a southern view of the majestic Chicago Loop. Dim sum options include barbecue pork-filled buns, steamed shrimp dumplings, fried sesame-seed balls, seaweed shrimp rolls, steamed pork dumplings and even chicken feet. Take your pick.
It's just another business day at Indian Garden (Streeterville and Devon)
When asked if Indian Garden was open on Christmas, the hostess replied, "we're open 365 days a year." The North India-influenced cuisine includes meaty options like chicken tikka masala (chicken blended with yogurt and spices that's served with a creamy tomato sauce). Satisfy vegetarians with pea-and-potato-filled samosas, chana masala (chickpeas cooked with a blend of Indian spices). Go for the vegetarian-friendly lunch buffet, which is a true steal for under $12.
Christmas from the sea at Shaw's Crab House (River North and Schaumburg)
All of Shaw's locations will be open for lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve. Cut through your holiday stress with the restaurant's special hearty holiday menu or belly up to Shaw's oyster bar for some lighter fare. On Christmas Eve, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and will feature special menus. Lunch and dinner hours vary with each location; call Shaw's for details.
A two-day French feast at Cafe des Architectes
Chefs Martial Noguier and Suzanne Imaz, both formerly of one sixtyblue, have crafted two holiday prix-fixe menus ($49 each) for this French-fueled restaurant. On Christmas Eve, Noguier and Imaz will feature seasonal dishes like Peking duck confit (with glazed quince, watercress salad and spiced syrup), beef tenderloin (with chanterelle mushroom, Swiss chard and garlic confit) and a buche de noel for dessert. The following day brings out some serious Christmas treats with plates of homemade gnocchi, candied beet salad, roasted venison and a selection of holiday-inspired sweets to finish.
Celebrate all day long at NoMI
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, NoMi will open its doors at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast and will stay open until 10 p.m. for lunch and dinner. On Christmas Day, the restaurant will open just as early and beginning at 11:30 a.m. will offer guests a holiday buffet ($130 per person, $35 children 5 to 12) with all the trimmings and seasonal favorites. NoMi will close at 8 p.m. on Christmas Day.
Take a load off at Sixteen
Executive Chef Frank Brunacci is offering guests a chance to relax this Christmas with his holiday-inspired menus. On Christmas Eve, Brunacci will feature a seven-course tasting menu including dishes like fois gras, wild salmon, artisan cheeses and buche de noel with praline ice cream. Diners looking for something even more adventurous should check out the chef's 10-course blind tasting menu. On Christmas Day, Sixteen will offer an all-day brunch, complete with artisan breads, veggies, carving stations and an assortment of homemade desserts. Even the little ones can take delight in a visit from Santa, along with a personalized, wrapped gift from Trump International Hotel and Tower. Additionally, each family dining at Sixteen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will receive a packaged stollen (traditional German holiday cake) and an ornament from Chicago's Christkindlmarket.
You can't spell Christmas without C-House
4-8:30 p.m.; $75
C-House will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to offer guests a special prix-fixe menu, prepared by Executive Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner. The four-course meal includes butternut squash soup with lobster, duck risotto, poached duck egg, pan seared skate, dry aged New York strip steak, and gingerbread doughnuts with hard cider sauce or a warm chocolate hazelnut tart with creme fraiche hazelnut ice cream for dessert. A limited a la carte menu will also be available.
Go rustic at Farmerie 58
5-10 p.m.; $45
This brand-new "farm-centric" restaurant is already prepared for the holidays with its four-course prix-fixe menu. The meal will feature double cream brie wrapped in pastry dough, wild mushroom and roasted chestnut soup, mustard-brined-stuffed pork chop and pecan-crusted pumpkin pie.
More merry dining options:
Kaufman's Bagel and Delicatessen
Get your lox, bagels, sugar cookies and pickles to go at this Skokie standby.
Bin 36
Expect wine, cheese and servers wearing all black on the brightest day of the year.
Dine
Despite the seemingly simple name, the food here's all dressed up and eager to please.
Pump Room
Prepare to spend over $25 per entree at this glitzy spot.
Weber Grill
Get grilled meats every day at this restaurant where summer lasts forever.
Osteria di Tramonto
Celebrity chefs Gale Gand and Rick Tramonto whip up rustic Italian in the 'burbs.
Ann Sather
In lieu of its regular menu, the Swedish bakery and restaurant will serving a selection of holiday meals, including roasted duck breast with lingonberry glaze.
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