Mercat a la Planxa: Enjoy a multi-course, family-style Christmas Day dinner of tapas (including my favorite: bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with almonds). Mercat's regular menu will also be available. Reservations: 312-765-0524. Price: $68.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse: A place made for sports fan, and fans of the late, great Harry Caray, whom the resturant is named after, Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse will have a Christmas Eve dinner featuring many of its famous Italian specialties, including my favorite chicken parmasean, as well as anything else off the menu. Reservations: 312-527-9700. Price: Entrees start at about $16.
Vermilion: Vermilion is serving a six-course "Indian-Latin" Christmas dinner with dishes such as sweet potato empanada, mango-and-cumin glazed ham and eggnog creme anglaise. Reservations: 312-527-4060. Price: $50 ($45 for vegetarian menu).
Lockwood: Lockwood, located inside the historic Palmer House Hilton hotel, will be having a high-end Christmas buffet with entrees such as prime rib and maple honey molasses roasted turkey breast. Lockwood's full à la carte menus will be available after 5 p.m. Reservations: 312-917-3404. Price for the buffet: $58 adults; $48 seniors; and $25 children (6-12).
33 Club: Enjoy a three-course dinner featuring stuffed organic chicken breast with chanterelle mushrooms and baby spinach along side 33 Club's 1930s post-prohibition inspired decor with 20-foot tall mahogany ceilings and walls and a grand staircase and balcony that overlook restaurant. (Vegetarians can dine on butternut squash ravioli with hazelnuts and parmigiano-reggiano). Top off the meal with a slice of red velvet cake. Reservations: 312-664-1419. Price: $49.
