Restaurant Review: Noshing through ‘Eight Crazy Nights’ of Hanukkah in Chicago
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, faith and freedom. Today, we celebrate with special menus, menorahs, games and family togetherness. From Sunday, December 14-Monday, December 22, many Chicago restaurants will be offering special dine-in, carryout and delivery options for the occasion. Dean’s Team Chicago is proud to present the following:
River North’s ema, 74 W, Illinois Street, has a full Hanukkah menu with modern twists, such as Sweet Potato Latkes with avocado and jalapeno crema during weekend brunch, lunch and dinner and Shawarma-Spiced Roasted Chicken with potato puree, roasted carrot and pan jus during dinner, in addition to the regular menus between Sunday, December 14th – Monday, December 22nd. The specials will be available for dine-in, carryout and delivery. To reserve via Open Table, click here.
Wrigleyville’s Graystone Tavern, better known as 8 Crazy Nights, 3441 North Sheffield, the original (and only) Hanukkah pop-up bar. serves a full menu as well as board games like Mitzvah Match and a Schmear Build-A-Bagel card game. Nosh on Matzo Ball Soup, Latkes, served traditional or loaded with beef, bacon, cheddar or sour cream, or ricotta and orange marmalade for an upcharge (no mixing and matching, sorry!) Brisket is served with Crème Fraiche and dill, while their handhelds include a Challah Grilled Cheese w/ Tomato Soup, Brisket Sloppy Joe, and a Messiah Melt (ask your server for details!) . Don’t forget their booze-filled jelly donuts! For reservations and information, click here.
At Andersonville’s Fiya, 5419 N. Clark Street, the ‘Soul Food of the Levant,’ they’re offering ala carte items in addition to the regular menu from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, December 21. Among the tasty items are Kreplach, filled with potato and caramelized onion, then fried in brown butter and lemon sage. Potato Kugelhas creme fraiche, smoked trout roe, pickled onion, Brisketis made with braised American wagyu beef, and served with griddled onions and caramelized apples. Blintzes come with sweetened cream, tart cherry, or lemon. At brunch on Saturday and Sunday, Sufganiyot (deep-fried, round, jelly-filled doughnuts) withspiced apple butter and honey glaze is served. For reservations on Resy, click here.
On the West Side, Aba, 302 N. Green Street, 3rd Floor, meaning father in Hebrew, is a Mediterranean restaurant, is offering Hanukkah specials such as Potato, Parmesan & Brussels Sprout Latkes with scallion crema and apple compote and Braised Australian Lamb Shank with yogurt whipped potatoes, roasted carrot and black truffle sauce during dinner, between Sunday, December 14th – Wednesday, December 24th. The specials will be available for dine-in, carryout and delivery. For reservations on Resy, click here.
In Lincoln Park, Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted Street, celebrates Hanukkah until Tuesday, December 23 with Chef Ben Goodnick’s Classic Latkes, served with house-made apple sauce and sour cream. Along with Goodnick’s Mediterranean-inspired cooking, the latkes are available for dine-in, carryout, and delivery. For reservations, click here.
In River North, Schneider Deli, 600 N. LaSalle Drive, has a full menu of options for catering your Hanukkah celebration, including Latkes with Sour Cream and Applesauce, Eunice’s Brisket with Sweet Mustard Jus, Matzo Ball Soup, and Sweet Kugel made with cranberries, diced pears and orange marmalade. To order, click here.
Get your orders in NOW for The Goddess and Grocer in Fulton Market, 911 W Randolph and its other locations on the Gold Coast and Bucktown. Pickup or delivery is from December 13-15. Among the delicacies are Chicken Matzo Ball Soup, Veggie Matzo Ball Soup, with house made vegetable broth, carrots, celery, onions and saffron, Goddess Kale Salad with roasted tomatoes, parmesan, almonds, golden raisins, and white balsamic vinaigrette.
Entrees include Chicken Marbella, a whole roasted chicken with prunes, dried apricots, red onions and olives in a white wine and brown sugar glaze, Horseradish Crusted Beef Brisket in a balsamic and red wine reduction, potato and carrot garnish and Butternut Squash Ravioli crispy sage, brown butter, spiced walnuts and goat cheese. Leave room for their Chocolate Decadence Cake, Hanukkah Cupcakes, and Hanukkah Cookies. So much more available! Order online by clicking here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
