Park Grill Appoints New Executive Chef Thomas Donnelly

Park Grill is pleased to announce the appointment of new Executive Chef Thomas Donnelly. Beginning today, Donnelly will lead the culinary team at the Millennium Park restaurant, where market-fresh, contemporary American cuisine is served in spectacular surroundings.  Chef Donnelly is passionate about food and is committed to using high quality, seasonal ingredients that reflect a farm-to-table approach. His teacher-by-nature spirit will certainly elevate the culinary team and dining experience at Park Grill.

Donnelly was born and raised in Chicago and is a graduate of the Culinary Arts program at Kendall College. He comes to Park Grill with over 15 years of restaurant experience that includes Le Bouchon, ten years with Levy Restaurants and Bistro 110, Bistro Margot, Lettuce Entertain You’s Brasserie JO and Sopraffina Marketcaffe. His most recent position was with Eurest Dining, a division of Compass Group International, as both a general manager and executive chef.

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

Valentine’s Day Weekend at Park Grill

Sweetheart Specials, Cocktail Duo and Half-Price Wines

Friday, February 10 – Tuesday, February 14

Capture the heart of your sweetie in the heart of the city this Valentine’s Day. Park Grill in picturesque Millennium Park will celebrate the weekend of love with sweetheart specials, themed cocktails (Sweetheart Martini, Bourbon Bubbly) and half-price select bottles of wine from Friday, February 10 to Tuesday, February 14.

As an added bonus, each day a pair of theater tickets will be raffled off to various performances at The Harris Theater and Chicago Opera Theater. On February 14, one lucky couple will take home a romantic Chicago “getaway package” that includes a one night stay at Hotel Burnham and dinner for two at Park Grill. Also on February 14, all ladies dining at the restaurant will receive complimentary chocolate covered strawberries.

Reservations are recommended, and may be made by calling 312-521-PARK (7275). The dinner hours at Park Grill are Friday and Saturday 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday through Tuesday 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Sweetheart Specials 

Cocktails
Sweetheart Martini – amarula, ketel one citreon, lychee syrup, fresh grapefruit juice, grenadine, garnished with a chocolate covered strawberry 11
Bourbon Bubbly – makers mark, crème de casis, champagne, raspberry garnish 11

Starters
East Coast Oysters – mignonette, ginger 12
Half Lobster – butter poached, parsnip, green beans, blood orange 16 

Entrees
Grilled Beef Tenderloin – pearls onions, asparagus, chanterelles, foie butter, bordelaise 35
Pan Seared Big Eye Tuna – black rice, shitake mushrooms, baby cabbage, champagne beurre blanc 29
King Crab – house made parpadelle, green beans, chives, ginger, crab broth 27

Desserts
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Trifle – chocolate chiffon layered with strawberry mousse, topped with champagne gelee 8

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

New “Supper Club” Starts at Park Grill

Weeknight Prix Fixe Menu, Three Courses $29

Available Sunday-Thursday
4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

$29 per person

This winter, Park Grill welcomes dining guests to partake in their new “Supper Club” series, a prix fixe dinner offered on weeknights. This club has no annual fees, no need for an exclusive invite -  simply enjoy a three course meal offered at $29. The “Supper Club” menu is available Sunday through Thursday, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Each month, a new menu will be released. January’s selected dishes include seared scallop, flat iron steak and blissfully sweet, vanilla crème brulee. The menu is outlined below; tax and gratuity is not included in the fee. Reservations are welcome, not required.

Supper Club Menu, January
$29

First Course
Seared Scallop with swiss chard, oxtail and squash

Second Course
Flat Iron Steak with baked potato and green beans

Third Course
Vanilla Crème Brulee with chocolate covered espresso beans

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

 

Power Business Lunch at Park Grill

Two Course Meal with Expedited Service

Offered Monday-Friday during Lunch

11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

$16 per person

Park Grill introduces the Power Business Lunch – a new, two course menu with expedited service. Downtown diners, from power suits to on-the-go entrepreneurs, are invited to work through an excellent meal while conducting business in one of Chicago’s most remarkable settings.

The Power Lunch combination menu is priced at $16 per person (plus tax and gratuity), and includes the choice of a hearty soup or fresh salad, and an entrée. Park Grill will satisfy your appetite while agreements are negotiated, sales are made and deals are struck – all while getting you back to the office on time.

Reservations are welcome, not required. Lunch is served Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Power Business Lunch

Choice of Soup or Salad
Squash Soup
Chicken Soup
Market House Salad

Choice of Entrée
Park Grill Burger
Sweet Potato Risotto
Chop Salad
Grilled Whitefish Sandwich
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

 

Girard Wine Dinner at Park Grill

Winemaker Zach Long Leads Napa Valley Vineyard Event

Wednesday, January 25
6 p.m.

$55 per guest

Park Grill will welcome Zach Long and Girard Winery for a reception and four course dinner on Wednesday, January 25. Starting at 6 p.m., participating guests will enjoy wine and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by the paired wine dinner. Long will lead the group through the award-winning Girard wines, his wine philosophies and the history of Napa Valley’s Girard Winery.

Park Grill’s Chef Alex Shalev has created a four course menu that highlights each of Long’s wine selections. The complete dinner menu with pairings (listed below) includes such dishes as lobster, Berkshire pork and blackberry pie.

Seating is limited, reserve a seat by calling 312-521-PARK.

GIRARD WINE DINNER 

RECEPTION
LOBSTER candied ginger, cucumber, apple
2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA

FIRST COURSE
MATSUTAKE MUSHROOM SALAD Asian pear, mache, fresh goat cheese
2009 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, CA

SECOND COURSE
LEG OF RABBIT baby turnips, pearl onion, crispy rabbit belly, watercress
2008 Artistry Meritage, Napa Valley, CA

THIRD COURSE
BERKSHIRE PORK quince, frisee, squash
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

FOURTH COURSE
BLACKBERRY PIE dark chocolate ice cream, red wine syrup, smoked coco nibs
2009 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley, CA

Girard Winery
www.girardwinery.com
Thirty years after planting our first vineyard, Girard continues our fine tradition of producing highly-rated wines. Gaining critical acclaim for excellent wines at great values, both the winery and winemaker Marco DiGiulio have been repeatedly hailed by Wine Spectator and others as among the best in the region.
Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

New Year’s Day Brunches Around Town

Contemporary Classics, Comfort Fare and Ethnic Eats in Chicago

Sunday, January 1, 2012

What better way to start new year’s day than with a beautiful brunch. The list below outlines a bevy of downtown options, from classic breakfast and lunch fare to ethnic eats and treats. The details for each service are included by restaurant.

BLT American Brasserie will offer their new Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Featuring Chef Laurent Tourondel’s exquisite, wide-ranging menu, guests may enjoy salads and starters, egg dishes and breakfast entrees, lunch items from the grill, sushi rolls, pizzettas and more. Each patron will receive a warm, from-the-oven popover to start the meal. Incredible bloody Marys (barbeque, balsamic and the BLT) and brunch cocktails will also be available.

Say ole! to new year’s day at Cantina Laredo. Cantina Laredo will offer their complete brunch menu featuring favorite Mexican dishes, housemade margaritasand bloody Marias from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (entrees include a mimosa, Bloody Maria or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice). Some of the dishes will include crab cake benedict, chicken fajita omelet, migas con huevos, steak and eggs with chimichurri and huevos rancheros.

The New Year’s Day Hangover Buffet at Park Grill will cure all that ails you from the night before.  Special hangover-happy foods (ham and cheese French toast, banana and nutella pancakes, mushroom and spinach benedict, flat iron steak with chimichurri, biscuits and spicy gravy), brunch cocktails and a Bloody Mary Bar will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $30 (adults) and $12 kids (ages 12 and under).

The Chicago Firehouse will feature Chef Kendal Duque’s new, winter a la carte brunch menu from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Duque’s dishes include a variety of eggs benedict, omelettes, scrambles and sweets, in addition to entree salads, soup, sandwiches and butcher offerings. Brunch cocktails may be perfect for the post-party day, from the BLT Bloody Mary and Hard Arnold Palmer to the 5-Alarm Coffee Cocktail and Spiked Sweet Tea.

Elate’s market-driven brunch from Chef Michael Noll will be available starting at 10:30 a.m. and will run until 2:30 p.m. Guests may enjoy bottomless mimosas (blueberry, mango, traditional) for $20 with the purchase of an entree. Noll’s menu ranges from sweets and savories to salads and sandwiches.

Start the new year with a show! The brunch at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club will be offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free-flowing bloody Marys, sangria and mimosas will be $10 with any brunch entrée purchase from Chef Mark Kasper’s menu of contemporary classics and comfort fare. Lively performances from Kit Kat’s one-and-only Madam X will take place throughout the day. Kit Kat is featuring half-price martinis from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The Hangover Brunch at The Red Canary will highlight a fan-favorite: “The Hangover” entree. The dish consists of skillet potatoes with melted cheddar, braised short ribs and a sunny-side egg on top for $14. Guests that partake in the bottomless mimosas ($18) or bottomless bloody Marys ($20) will receive a complimentary entrée from the weekend brunch menu. Brunch service is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The perfect place for a post-party hangover brunch is in Timothy O’Toole’s Pub’s subterranean setting. In addition to the brunch menu (scrambles, benedicts, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, waffles and more), the Pub will also offer a bottomless mimosa bar ($16) and bottomless bloody mary bar ($20) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the football fans, sip $16 Miller/Coors family buckets, $5 Jack Daniels and Jack Honey cocktails while tuning in to over 75 screens (open until 3 a.m.).

ZED451 will start off the new year with an unforgettable brunch experience. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., dining guests may partake in a mid-day meal that includes a bounty of breakfast and lunch selections. Brunch is $29 per person, mimosas will be offered for $3 and house-made bloody marys, complete with gourmet garnish, will be $5 each. (Returning guests that purchased the New Year’s Eve dinner or party package will receive bottomless bloody marys at brunch.) In the Fireside Lounge, New Year’s Day is all about football. ZED451′s 80-foot screen will show every play of the games, and from 10 a.m. to midnight, $5 ZED burgers and $3 pints of craft beer will be offered in addition to the full “Cravings” menu.

BLT American Brasserie
500 West Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60654
312-948-8744
BLTAmericanBrasserie.com

The Chicago Firehouse
1401 South Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
312.786.1401
ChicagoFirehouse.com

ELATE
111 West Huron
Chicago, Illinois 60654
312.202.9900
ElateChicago.com

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club
3700 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613
773-525-1111
kitkatchicago. com

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

The Red Canary
695 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312.846.1475
TheRedCanaryChicago.com

Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Chicago
622 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 642-0700
http://www.timothyotooles. com

ZED451
739 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.266.6691
ZED451.com

New Year’s Eve Dining at Park Grill

A Celebratory Evening Under the Bean

Saturday, December 31
6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Park Grill’s New Year’s Eve dinner parties, taking place in the heart of Millennium Park under the “bean” and adjacent to the picturesque outdoor ice rink, will consist of two custom packages.

The first dinner, the Wine and Dine package, is a family-friendly affair. Seatings, taking place between 6-9 p.m, will include a children’s menu ($5.95) complete with kid’s mocktails and gourmet hot chocolate ($4 each) for the little celebrants. Adult guests may partake in the three-course tasting menu ($50) with optional wine pairings ($35). As an added bonus for early New Year’s Eve guests, select bottles of wine will be available at a 50-percent discount. Entertainment will be provided by the Lizz & Rex Jazz Trio. The ice arena will be open for skating under the stars. The menus are listed below.

The second dinner party option is Park Grill’s Countdown Package. Taking place after 9 p.m., a five-course tasting menu ($80) will be offered with optional wine pairings ($45). These seatings include live jazz entertainment provided by the Lizz & Rex Trio, champagne toast at midnight, party favors and complimentary trolley rides home (within a two mile radius). The menu is listed below.

To secure your reservations, please call 312.521.PARK (7275).

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

MENUS

WINE AND DINE MENU
served 6-9 p.m.
tasting menu $50, wine pairings $35

FIRST COURSE 
guest to select
CHILLED OYSTERS ON A HALF SHELL mignonette, pickled ginger
HAMACHI cucumber, radish greens, meyer lemon vinaigrette, tobico
PRAIRIE FRUIT FARM GOAT CHEESE petite spicy greens, baby beets, local mustard jam
to be paired with 2010 Alamos Torrentes, Salta, Argentina

SECOND COURSE 
guest to select
SURF AND TURF American venison and blue prawn, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, coco nibs
COLUMBIA RIVER STURGEON lobster hash, buttered cabbage, demi
GRILLED FILET OF BEEF foie gras butter, cauliflower, sweet potato, bordelaise
to be paired with 2008 Cosentino “The Zin” Zinfandel, Lodi, California

THIRD COURSE 
guest to select
PECAN PIE bourbon caramel, sour apple ice cream
PRALINE MOUSSE CAKE chocolate pretzel cookie, Thai basil, praline tuille
SORBET FLIGHT seasonal flavors
to be paired with Mionetto Prosecco

CHILDREN’S MENU
ages 12 and under
$5.95, mocktails and hot chocolate $4

NIBBLES
Cup of Chicken Soup, Veggie Sticks or Romaine Salad

BIG BITES
Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Crispy Chicken Fingers, Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti, Cheeseburger, Hot Dog

SOMETHING SWEET
Homemade Ice Cream, Sorbet, Jumbo Cookies

COUNTDOWN MENU
served after 9 p.m.
tasting menu $80, wine pairings $45

FIRST COURSE 
guest to select
CHILLED OYSTERS ON A HALF SHELL mignonette, pickled ginger
HAMACHI cucumber, radish greens, meyer lemon vinaigrette, tobico
PRAIRIE FRUIT FARM GOAT CHEESE petite spicy greens, baby beets, local mustard jam
to be paired with 2010 Alamos Torrentes, Salta, Argentina

SECOND COURSE
guest to select
SEARED SCALLOP squash, oxtail, Swiss chard, five spice
CONFIT LEG OF MULARD DUCK crispy polenta, spinach, duck jus
CELERY ROOT DUMPLINGS matsutake mushrooms, leeks, mushroom broth, truffle
to be paired with 2010 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

THIRD COURSE
guest to select
SURF AND TURF American venison and blue prawn, pumpkin, Brussels sprouts, coco nibs
COLUMBIA RIVER STURGEON lobster hash, buttered cabbage, demi
GRILLED FILET OF BEEF foie gras butter, cauliflower, sweet potato, bordelaise
to be paired with 2008 Cosentino “The Zin” Zinfandel, Lodi, California

FOURTH COURSE
guest to select
CREAMY SEXY BLUE strawberry preserve, aged balsamic, brioche
AGED CHEDDAR house made cracker, local honey, apple
to be paired with Blandy’s Rainwater Madiera

FIFTH COURSE 
guest to select
PECAN PIE bourbon caramel, sour apple ice cream
PRALINE MOUSSE CAKE chocolate pretzel cookie, Thai basil, praline tuille
SORBET FLIGHT seasonal flavors
to be paired with Mionetto Prosecco

Christmas Eve Dining at Park Grill

Twinkling Lights and Twirling Skaters Set the Holiday Scene

Saturday, December 24
11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The picture-perfect holiday scene will be set this Christmas Eve at Park Grill. The restaurant, surrounded by twinkling lights and twirling skaters in the heart of Millennium Park’s Plaza, will offer two menus on Saturday, December 24. Chef Alex Shalev will present the traditional daytime lunch menu (with specials) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a holiday dinner menu from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The exclusive dinner offerings, listed below, include starters (butter poached king crab, crudo of Hawaiian tuna), soups/salads (spiced pumpkin, pear salad), entrees (grilled Amish chicken, braised lamb shank, whole roasted red snapper, sweet potato risotto) and side dishes, as well as suggested wine pairings.

Reservations are suggested, not required – please call Park Grill to arrange a table for your friends and family.

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
http://www.parkgrillchicago.com

Christmas Eve Dinner Menu

STARTERS

BUTTER POACHED KING CRAB house made pappardelle, long beans, pear, crab nage 16
CRISP EAST COAST CALAMARI spicy bloody mary sauce, lemon, pickled peppers 11
CRUDO OF HAWAIIAN TUNA olive oil, sea salt, caviar 16
POTATO GNOCCHI sunchokes, wild mushrooms, swiss chard, truffle 12

SOUP / SALAD

SPICED PUMPKIN SOUP brown sugar apples, pumpkin seed oil, chives 5/7
FRENCH ONION crouton, gruyere 8
PEAR SALAD pleasant ridge reserve, crispy mushrooms, shallots, arugula, truffle vinaigrette 10
PARK GRILL CAESAR focaccia croutons, tomatoes, coddled egg dressing 9
MARKET HOUSE greens, balsamic onions, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, tomato vinaigrette 8

ENTREES – with suggested wine pairings

PRIME RIB OF BEEF green beans, truffle mashed potatoes, horseradish cream, bordelaise 8oz 33 – 12oz 40
“Edge” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley CA 2008 Glass 14, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 19

GRILLED HALF AMISH CHICKEN buttermilk mashed potatoes, roasted garlic jus 21
Hahn Winery Merlot, Monterey CA 2007 Glass 10, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 14

ROASTED BERKSHIRE PORK LOIN braised shoulder, turnips, pearl onions, swiss chard, pickled raisin relish 29
Casa de Campo Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 2009 Glass 9, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 13

BRAISED LAMB SHANK zinfandel bbq sauce, buttermilk mashed potatoes, baby carrots, mint gremolata 24
Cosentino “The Zin” Zinfandel, Lodi CA 2008 Glass 11, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 16

GRILLED CENTER CUT FILET red wine, roasted fingerling potatoes, spinach 6oz 28 / 10oz 35
“Edge” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley CA 2008 Glass 14, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 19

AMERICAN KOBE BURGER balsamic onions, grain mustard, pretzel bun 17 gorgonzola cheese 2 / cured bacon 2
Cosentino “The Zin” Zinfandel, Lodi CA 2008 Glass 11, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 16

WHOLE ROASTED RED SNAPPER meyer lemon, garlic, fennel, fingerling potatoes 38
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand 2010 Glass 13, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 19

GRILLED SALMON butternut squash, maitake mushrooms, pumpkin seed pesto 25
Kings Ridge Pinot Noir, Oregon 2008 Glass 13, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 19

SEA SCALLOPS cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms 26
Newton “Red Label” Chardonnay, Sonoma CA 2008 Glass 14, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 20

SWEET POTATO RISOTTO pumpkin, sage, pine nuts, leeks, manchego cheese 16
Alamos Torrentes, Salta Argentina 2010 Glass 9, Quartino 8-ounce wine carafe 13

SIDES

BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES 5
HAND CUT FRIES, GARLIC AIOLI 5
SAUTEED SPINACH, GARLIC 6
ROASTED SQUASH, WILD MUSHROOMS 6
BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND BACON 7
BAKED MAC AND CHEESE, TASSO HAM 7
GRILLED ASPARAGUS, LEMON 7
GREEN BEANS, SHALLOTS 6

Park Grill’s Pastry Chef Offers Haute Hot Chocolate

Warm Up with Decadent Drinks, House-made Marshmallows and Seasonal Spices

Park Grill welcomes winter dining guests with a toasty-warm spot for pre- and post-skating sessions. This season, Pastry Chef Claire Hewson has created a variety of hot chocolate drinks that are as decadent as they are delicious. From liquor-infused marshmallows to classic kids’ cocoa, each winter warmer is a hand-made creation.

New, gourmet hot chocolate drinks will be introduced throughout the season.  The special drink menu may be ordered in the dining room, or in the cozy bar/lounge area (they may not be taken to-go).

Park Grill’s “Haute” Hot Chocolate Menu

Spiced Hot Chocolate
Valrhona dark chocolate; marshmallows infused with Jack Daniels honey whiskey, cinnamon and vanilla; cinnamon; nutmeg; all spice; ginger; clove; chocolate-dipped, hazelnut biscotti $6

Kids’ Hot Chocolate
milk chocolate; vanilla marshmallow; mini chocolate chip cookie $4

Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
spiked with Peppermint Schnapps; triple vanilla marshmallow; chocolate chip biscotti $6

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
www.parkgrillchicago.com

Gingerbread House Building Event at Park Grill

Sweet, Family-Friendly Afternoon Activity in Millennium Park

Sunday, December 4
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

$40 fee per house

Park Grill will hold a truly sweet, family-friendly event on Sunday, December 4. From 1-3 p.m., Pastry Chef Claire Hewson will lead participants through a gingerbread house making event. From construction to candies, Hewson will give tips on how to best craft a decorative and edible centerpiece for the holidays.

Families may order from the lunch menu throughout the event and Park Grill’s new, gourmet hot chocolate menu (adult and kids’ versions with homemade marshmallows) will also be available for seasonal sipping. Make a day of it by adding in ice skating on the Plaza at Park Grill’s outdoor rink.

The $40 fee covers two people per house and Park Grill will provide all materials. Reservations may be made by calling Park Grill directly.

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
http://www.parkgrillchicago.com