Grand Geneva Resort & Spa (7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wis., 262-249-4795, www.grandgeneva.com) – Grand Geneva has a special New Year’s Eve celebration in store. From 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, guests are invited to gather in the grand ballroom for the Rockin’ the Grand event featuring open bar and live entertainment by band Déjà Vu. At 10 p.m., a complimentary late night refreshments station filled with sweets and coffee will be available. At midnight, everyone will receive a celebratory flute of champagne for a proper toast to the new year ahead. For overnight guests, the resort is offering two, two-night packages, Dining with Dazzle and Rockin’ the Grand, which provide access to the evening’s festivities and other special amenities. At the resort’s nightclub Evolve, guests can enjoy performances from DJ Downtown Harrison from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. The resort’s two restaurants are also offering special menus including multiple courses for guests on New Year’s Eve. Guests who dine between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. will receive complimentary access to the Rockin’ the Grand celebration. Guests who dine after 6 p.m. can purchase discounted Rockin’ the Grand tickets. For families staying at the Grand Geneva on New Year’s Eve, the resort offers a Grand Fireworks show at The Mountain Top ski hill at 11 p.m.
La Petite Creperie (115 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, 815-337-0765, www.lapetitecreperie.net) – La Petite’s December special is cassoulet, a traditional French dish that is made with duck confit, smoked ham and Great Northern white beans in a tomato sauce. For the month of December, it will offer all bottles of wine half half off on Mondays and Tuesdays. It will be open for lunch only on Christmas Eve. On New Year's Eve, it will be open for lunch and dinner offering its regular menu along with a special three-course prix-fixe menu.
Duke’s Alehouse and Kitchen (110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake, 815-356-9980, www.thedukeabides.com) – Known for comfort foods and craft brews, Duke’s will be open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The day after Christmas, Duke's opens at 6 p.m. for the Christmas Karaoke Pajama Party. The restaurant will be offering seasonal food specials and holiday-themed cocktails. Duke’s is open New Year’s Day.
Warsaw Inn (217 N. Front St., McHenry, 815-344-0330, www.warsawinn.com) – Stop in at this iconic Polish buffet on Christmas Eve for turkey, pork loin, sweet potatoes and other holiday favorites (reservations recommended). After 28 Year’s, the restaurant will go out with a bang on New Year’s Eve during a special party. Hosts Bernice and Joe Zubrzycki would love to share some final memories with you (call for ticket information).
Big Foot Inn (11508 N. Rt. 14, Harvard, 815-943-4740, www.bigfootinn.com) – Enjoy the Christmas Eve dinner special, as well as a special New Year’s Eve menu that includes chicken, beef, prime rib and lobster. It will be open New Year’s Day with a regular menu featuring traditional American dishes, seafood and Greek cuisine.
Niko’s Grill & Pub (11900 Freeman Rd., Huntley, 847-669-6644, www.nikosgrillandpub.com) – Come in on Christmas Eve for a special menu to be announced. Niko’s will also be open New Year’s Eve with a special menu including four appetizers, surf and turf, chicken, ribs and pasta, a special drink, desserts and live entertainment.
Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant (230 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake, 815-455-7398) – Olé for the holidays! Pablo’s will be open on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Daily specials include: $2.75 Margarita Mondays; Taco Tuesdays (half off tacos); $2 pints of Dos Equis and Negra Modelo on Wednesdays; $2 Corona and Corona Light on Thursdays; $1.50 domestic Miller Lite pints on Saturdays; and Sundays, kids receive a free ice cream sundae with a kid’s meal.
Deeter’s (15105 Rt. 14, Woodstock, 815-338-6550, www.deetersrestaurant.com) – Known for its authentic German fare, Deeter’s will be hosting a New Year’s Gala in its banquet room featuring a prime rib buffet, dancing, live music and party favors (reservations recommended). Its dining room will also be open New Year’s Eve serving its regular menu. Starting in January, Deeter's will be celebrating Oktoberfest certain weekends year-round due to its huge popularity. Call for specific dates.
La Trattoria (9541 Ackman Rd., Lake In the Hills, 847-669-9840, http://latrattoriarest.com) – Indulge in the taste of Naples with La Trattoria. The restaurant will be open New Year’s Eve and is working on the details. The Italian restaurant offers fresh, homemade dishes such as the popular linguini pescatore with mussles, clams, shrimp and calamari in a red sauce.
Chris’ Coach House (6414 Hilly Way, Cary, 847-639-9675) – Celebrate the holidays with some sticky, lip-smacking ribs! Chris’ will be open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve for dinner between 4 p.m and 9 p.m. serving its regular menu and specials.
Pirro’s Restaurante (288 Main St., Woodstock, 815-337-9100, www.pirrosrestaurante.com) – If you’re looking for a warm slice of pizza during the holiday rush, Pirro’s will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. In addition to made-from-scratch pizza, lasagna is the restaurant’s most popular pasta dish.
Brunch Café (935 Rte. 22, Fox River Grove, 847-516-0409, 414 S. Rt. 31, McHenry, www.brunchcafe.com) – Warm up your family with a delicious breakfast or lunch around the holidays. Brunch Café will be open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day serving “unique specials.”
Doyle’s Pub (5604 Mill St., Richmond, 815-678-3623, http://doylespubrocks.com) – Enjoy a New Year's Eve meal at Doyle’s, which will feature a special menu until closing at 9 p.m.
Odd Fellows (214 Main St., Woodstock, 815-527-7250, www.oddfellowswoodstock.com) – Celebrate the holidays early with Odd Fellows’ annual Ugly Sweater Party December 11 at 9 p.m. Odd Fellows has two great ways to ring in the new year – first is the 2nd Annual Eve Before the Eve Party on December 30 at 9 p.m. featuring Music in Motion DJ-Tim spinning all your favorite music all night long. The New Year's Eve Ballroom Event starts at 8 p.m. on December 31 with band Barefoot Fred and four hours of open bar (9 p.m. to 1 a.m.). Space is limited for New Year’s Eve – get tickets today!
