Ready, reserved

Balsan

Hot spots: More than 130 Chicago-area restaurants are holding reservations in the name Phil Vettel including Balena, pictured, in the Waldorf Astoria Chicago hotel. (Alex Garcia/Chicago Tribune / December 28, 2012)

Benny's Chop House. Three tables (up to six) at 10 p.m. Regular steak menu available, along with New Year's special. Live jazz, midnight sparkling-wine toast. 444 N. Wabash Ave., 312-626-2444

Big Jones. Table (up to four) at 7:30 and 9 p.m. Five-course menu, $69, $99 with wine pairings. 5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725

Bistronomic. Table for four at 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. Early seating features four-course chef menu for $60, $85 with wine pairings. Second seating features five-course gala chef menu for $80, $105 with wine pairings. 840 N. Wabash Ave., 312-944-8400

Bistro Voltaire. Table for two at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Special three-course bistro classics menu with glass of Champagne, $69. 226 W. Chicago Ave., 312-265-0911

The Boarding House. Table for four at 5 and 8 p.m. Four-course tasting menu, $85 first seating, $105 second seating. Regular menu also available. 720 N. Wells St., 312-280-0720

BOKA. Table for two at 8:30 p.m. Six-course luxury feast including lobster, foie gras and bison, $98; select and premium wine pairings available. 1729 N. Halsted St., 312-337-6070

Brassierie by LM. Table for four at 7 p.m. Three-course Midnight in Paris menu, $35. 800 S. Michigan Ave., 312-431-1788

Brasserie 54 by LM. Table for two at 7 p.m. Three-course Midnight in Paris menu, $36. 5420 N. Clark St., 773-334-9463

Browntrout. Table for two at 6:30 and 7 p.m. Five-course tasting menu $90, $140 with wine pairings; five-course vegetarian menu $69, $130 with pairings. Family-friendly three-course menu available 2-5:30 p.m.; adults $50, children 16 and younger pay their age. 4111 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-4111

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba. Tables for two and for four at 8 and 9 p.m. Regular a la carte menu with specials. $1 pintxos and $3 tapas at the bar 2-6 p.m., and half-price signature cocktails 4-10 p.m. Midnight toast. 2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000

Cafe des Architectes. Table for four, time flexible. Six-course tasting menu, $95. 20 E. Chestnut St., 312-314-4063

Cantina Laredo. Table for two at 7:30 p.m., table for four at 9 p.m. Regular menu, plus three-course menu ($35) with cocktail pairings ($15). 508 N. State St., 312-955-0014

Carlucci Restaurant. Four tickets to New Year's Eve celebration featuring full buffet, two drink tickets (cash bar subsequently), live music and dancing, Champagne toast. $75 per person includes tax and tip. 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, 630-512-0990

Carmine's. Table for four at 8 p.m. Regular menu with specials. Live music; midnight Champagne toast. 1043 N. Rush St., 312-988-7676

Carnivale. Table for two at 10 p.m. Regular menu. Live entertainment includes juggler, stilt walker, dancers and more. Midnight balloon drop and Champagne toast. 702 W. Fulton St., 312-850-5005

Ceres' Table. Table for two at 6:30 p.m. Five-course tasting menu with glass of sparkling wine, $65. Three-course menu, $45, available before 7 p.m. 4882 N. Clark St., 773-878-4882

Chez Moi. Table for four at 5 p.m. and table for two at 8 p.m. Special a la carte New Year's Eve menu, entrees $32-$35. Midnight Champagne toast. 2100 N. Halsted St., 773-871-2100

Chicago Cut Steakhouse. Tables for four at 7 and 9 p.m. Regular menu available; surf-and-turf special, $72, features 30-day aged prime filet with two lobster tails. Live jazz. Midnight balloon drop and Champagne toast. 300 N. LaSalle St., 312-329-1800

Chicago q. Table for four at 7 p.m. Regular menu with specials, discounted sparkling wines and midnight Champagne toast. 1160 N. Dearborn St., 312-642-1160

City Tavern. Table for four at 8:30 p.m., table for two at 9:30 p.m. Regular menu, plus specials. 1416 S. Michigan Ave., 312-663-1278

ct-dining-1227-save-the-tables-20121227
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