Restaurants (and delis) for Rosh Hashanah

When I was growing up in my reformed Judaic household, Rosh Hashanah meant a few prayers whispered hurriedly by hungry family members, apples dipped enthusiastically into honey, challah hollowed out, and candles burnt down to their holders. It was comforting, it was frustrating and, for some reason, already nostalgic. However for those (including myself) who will not be enjoying a home-cooked meal this High Holiday season, the Chicago restaurant and catering scene offers many enticing alternatives.

Some restaurants are offering their Semitic sustenance in the form of upscale prix-fixe menus. The classic French bistro Mon Ami Gabi in Lincoln Park is featuring such a menu this week (Sep 28–29) for dinner. The meal is largely traditional Rosh Hashanah dishes (challah, apples and honey, brisket), but they manage to slip in a Tart Tatin with Caramel Sauce for dessert. The ritzy house of seafood Joe’s Stone Crab will also have a prix-fixe menu studded with quality gefilte fish, brisket, halibut, and, of course, apples and honey.

Chicago’s BBQ and steak joints are also getting ready for the High Holy Days by cooking up lots of moist brisket and kosher fixins. Stop by Real Urban BBQ in Highland Park for 14-hour Smoked Brisket, Challah Stuffing and Gravy, or good-ole-reliable Honey Cake, Sep 28–29. On those same two days, Lawry’s The Prime Rib will also be serving up classic Jewish cuisine like Mom’s Matzoh Ball Soup along with traditional steakhouse fare such as Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding and Crème Brûlée.

If you feel like staying at home, but don’t feel like hanging out in the kitchen all day e.leaven Food Company or The Goddess and Grocer have you covered. E.Leaven is doing a High Holy Days menu (Sep 29–Oct 8, since it includes Yom Kippur) with Angus Beef Brisket, Sweet Noodle Kugel (yum!) and lots more. The Goddess and Grocer are offering their Rosh Hashanah menu Sep 28–30 with intriguing offbeat options like Sweet Potato and Zucchini Latkes, Brisket in Red Wine with Herbs, and Lentil Pot Pie. Your friends will be pleased and your family will have no opportunity to criticize your cooking.

If you're looking for something more, you know, free, on Tuesday Sep 27 there will be a free tasting event run by Koval Distillery (an appropriately kosher distillery offering up such ambrosial beverages as Honey Chrysanthemum liqueur) at City Provisions. If that weren’t enough the City Provisions deli will offer a special holiday menu created by Chef Cleetus Friedman that includes potato latkes with apple ginger sauce, apple sponge cake, and mini macaroons. These items are also available for catering; orders should be placed 48 hours in advance.

Finally, former Assistant Pastry Chef at Charlie Trotter’s Sharin Nathan is making the sweet new year happen in a big way at Sweet Sensations. Sugary creations include Apple Bundt Cake, Caramelized Upside Down Pear Cake, Honey Cake and homemade Caramel Sauce to drizzle over all of it!

Happy New Year everyone! Drop in, eat on, plotz out.