Do you Need a Little Christmas? Order it to Go!

Christmas morning may be the favorite part of the celebration for the kids, but Christmas Eve dinner is, for many adults, the true high point of the holiday. Of course, Covid-19 has put some serious road blocks in the way of celebrating this year. While your friends and relatives may have gathered around the table for a luscious feast in the past, this year you may find yourself alone or with only your immediate family, visiting them via Zoom. But what about the food????

Well, you could spend the day in the kitchen preparing a special meal yourself or take advantage of some local Oak Park resources you may not even realize are waiting to take your order.

The Little Gem Café on Marion St. is offering a special ala carte menu just for Christmas Eve.

This beloved local restaurant is offering some truly luscious options ala carte. Start off with an elegant appetizer like Stuffed Mushrooms ($16) or Oyster Rockefeller ($18). Then move on to your choice of three entrees - Slow Roasted Prime Rib Au Jus with asparagus and crispy potatoes ($34), a pasta dish, Lobster Pappardelle ($26) or a Vegetarian Whole Grain Farrow Jambalaya ($19). A potato side dish ($12) and special dessert ($9) can be ordered to round out the meal. You can also select anything on the regular menu as well. Pickup is from 11 am to 4 pm at 189 N. Marion or your order can be delivered by DoorDash or Gubhub.

In the Arts District, the charming Eastgate Café is preparing its own holiday gourmet repast.

Choose from two different entrees that can be served on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins with a Cranberry Relish Glaze or Chicken Wellington – a boneless chicken breast stuffed with spinach and feta cheese, wrapped in puff pastry and served with a special sauce. Packed family style for two, both of these traditional entrees come with organic mixed greens salad, 2 double-baked potatoes, veggie casserole and holiday rolls. There’s even a holiday dessert included – all for $28.95 a person.

The Eastgate also has a Special Gourmet Appetizer Tray – that’s perfect to begin the meal or for a late night snack. And if you want to toast Santa’s arrival with some bubbly, you can even get a mini bottle of champagne for just $6. Pick up at 102 Harrison St. is from 1 pm to 3 pm Christmas Eve or delivery can be arranged.

Make sure to place your order by Dec. 21 so you can relax and enjoy the holiday.

Remember, supporting local restaurants like the Little Gem and the Eastgate is a holiday blessing for our entire community. Ordering take out for Christmas Eve and after is the best way to ensure Oak Park’s hospitality services will survive and thrive until Covid-19 and the shutdown are behind us. Have a great holiday and a very joyous New Year!

Little Gem Café (thelittlegemcafe.com) – 189 N. Marion St., Oak Park – Call: 708-613-5491

Eastgate Café (Eastgatecafe.net) – 102 Harrison St, Oak Park – Call: 708-660-9091