A Polish colleague once told the Czarina of a New Year’s cultural superstition that has driven us to frenetically find sparkly things to do every New Year’s Eve for the past four years.

This co-worker, during a discussion about parties, innocently said, “We believe that how you spend your New Year’s is how your year will be.”

Right after she reported this interesting fact, the Czarina felt cold – she envisioned 365 days of watching reruns of VH1s “I Love The 90s, Part Deux” and crying for the Lost DotCom Boom while eating stale Nutty Bars in dirty sweatpants and listening to the Small Palace Dog goad the Large Palace Dog into chasing him by biting her ankles.

No, no, no. That will never do. I’m now a hamster on the NYE bling treadmill and I can’t get off. The only way I can feel better about being stuck adhering to a superstition that doesn’t even belong to me is to pass it on to you. Don’t say your monarch never does anything for you!

To get your hamster-life started, I’ve summed up some of the most fun-looking events going on in Chicagoland for NYE. The Czarina’s experience has been that it is essential to make reservations now for the best selection! Feel free to submit your own if you know of any goings-on that meet the foodie/bling/oenophile/fab criteria.

Follow up:

Here are some events to get you started. Editorial comments are in italics. Seating times mean you can schedule your seating within the time spread. Second seatings will see you through the stroke of midnight.

Alhambra Palace
“Champagne Supernova”
1240 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607
312-666-9555

Includes an open bar, appetizers, a belly dancer, a champagne toast, party favors and an add-on five-course dinner (8 p.m.). $120-190/person.

I’m not sure how I feel about belly dancers. Jealous of their abs, mostly.

Alinea
1723 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614
312-867-0110

Chef Achatz is offering a 10-course menu for the early seating (5:00-6:30) and a 15-course menu for the second seating (8:00-9:30)including a champagne toast.

Alinea is a once in a lifetime experience, so if you’re interested in splurging, the Czarina highly recommends it.

Avenue M
695 N. Milwaukee Avenue
312-243-1133
$75 for open bar from 8-midnight in the upstairs lounge, with a sparking wine toast at midnight. The price includes all alcohol as well as hors d’oeuvres.

Dinner downstairs will include an abbreviated menu that hasn’t been decided as of yet. You will need to hold a reservation with a credit card but can pay on New Year’s Eve.

Avenues
The Peninsula Chicago is holding a black tie gala with a 5:30 seating for a three course dinner ($95/person) for the pre-theater crowd, and a 10 course dinner ($285/person) at 8:30. Wine pairings are extra. Choose from dinner at Avenues or The Lobby. There will be dancing, a balloon drop, and bagpipers at midnight. The bar is holding a cash bar celebration as well, with a $40 cover charge after 8:00. That event is “smart casual,” if you’re not a black tie kind of person.

Blackbird
619 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60606
312-715-0708

Blackbird is offering a 7-course tasting at $135 per person, with champagne included.

The Czar and I feel that Blackbird is overrated. When I called to get information on NYE I wasn’t treated very well on the phone. Many people argue that Blackbird is a destination restaurant, so you might have the best night of your life here. We’ve done it once, and that was enough for us.

Café Absinthe
1954 W. North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
773-278-4488

Absinthe is offering a four course prix fixe menu for two seatings. The first seating is from 5:30 to 7, and costs $75. The second seating is from 8:30 to 10:30 and includes a champagne toast for $85.

The menu sounds very interesting this year, with every course being offered in pairs, like scallops and ostrich, soup and salad. Cafe Absinthe is a well kept secret and is a favorite of the Czar and Czarina for ambiance. Very romantic.

Cafe Matou
1846 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
773-384-8911

Café Matou, a French restaurant, is offering their regular menu and a five course prix fixe menu for about $45.

When I asked if they were doing something for midnight, the guy on the phone said, “Yeah. We say Happy New Year.” After I laughed, he said they plan to bring out the champagne.

Charlie Trotter’s
816 West Armitage
Chicago, Illinois 60614
773 248-6228

This year Charlie Trotter’s is doing something different. Doors open at 7:30, and this deconstructed NYE offers luxury food stations and wine tastings. There will be dancing and tours of the wine cellar and the kitchen. You are free to come any time after the doors open and stay as long as you like. Food and wine is included at $395 per person but tax and service is extra. Chef Trotter is slated to “surprise” people with random happenings throughout the evening.

This actually sounds fun. I’ve been ignoring Charlie Trotter’s because it was feeling tired and a bit played out to me. I’m so glad they decided to do something new. It’s expensive but keep in mind it includes wine, and wine pairings for NYE at such places can run $150 or more.

Metromix New Year’s Eve Party
Fulton Lounge
955 W. Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607
312-942-9500

$115 per person includes tax and tip, as well as premium open bar, DJ, party favors, video countdown, and a champagne toast.

Japonais
600 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60610
312-822-9600

Japonais has a downstairs dining room and an upstairs lounge. There are two seatings for each. The first seating is at 5:30-7:30 and costs $100 for the dining room and $75 for the lounge, and the second is from 8:30 to 11:00. The second seating costs $125 for the dining room and $100 for the lounge. Downstairs the whole dinner menu is available, and cocktails, wines, and champagnes are included in the price. Whole bottles are extra. In the lounge, there is a more limited menu.

Martini Park
151 W. Erie St.
Chicago, IL
312-640-0577

Martini Park is having an open bar from 9 pm until Midnight, at which time you can buy more martinis via their cash bar. Admission is $125 per person or $175 for table seating per person. Appetizers, a champagne toast, and party favors are included.

Moto Restaurant
945 W Fulton
Chicago, IL 60607
312-491-0058

Come see the laser-inspired fabulousness that is Homaru Cantu. Moto Restaurant will be offering a ten course menu. $125.00 per person plus tax and gratuity. Moto Restaurant will also offer a wine pairing for and additional $75.00 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Last year the Czar and Czarina spent NYE here and we got a tour of the kitchen and a bit of extra champagne at midnight. Very fun people and very interesting twists on food!

Nacional 27
325 W. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-664-2727

Executive Chef Randy Zweiban is offering prix-fixe menus for two seatings. The 5:30 seating costs $39.95 and the 9 pm costs $75, including a champagne toast. As always, salsa and merengue music and dancing.

NoMI
800 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-239-4030

NoMI is offering two seatings. The first will be from 5:30 to 7 and is a three course prix fixe menu for $105/person, wine not included. The second seating is a five course prix fixe menu for $200/person that includes a champagne toast and party favors.

Call early and ask for a window table. The view of Michigan Avenue and the lake is incredibly beautiful.

One SixtyBlue
160 North Loomis
(1400 W. Randolph)
Chicago, IL 60607
312-850-0303

One SixtyBlue is offering two seatings. The first will be between 5 and 7 pm, and will include a three course prix fixe menu for $65. The second seating will be at 8:30 and includes four courses and a champagne toast for $75/person, with the wine pairing additional.

People Lounge
1560 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-227-9339

Ring in the New Year with a four course tapas dinner, a DJ playing Latin, pop, and dance, an open bar, a champagne toast, and NYE party favors! $130/person.

Piece
1927 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-772-4422
“The Anti-Black Tie New Year’s Party”
For $75 a person, come in jeans or whatever you want to wear to Piece Brewery and Pizzeria. All the house beer and food you can drink and eat. If you’re not a dress up kind of person, this is your place for NYE.

Plan B Bar + Kitchen
1635 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-252-2680

Open bar, appetizers, DJ, a champagne toast and party favors for $120/person.

TRU
676 North Saint Clair
Chicago, IL 60611
312-202-0001

TRU is offering two seatings. The first will be between 5:00 and 6:30. There will be a three course prix fixe menu at $125, and two tasting menus. One tasting is $225 and the other is market price, estimated at $300-325, because it is a tasting menu focused on black and white truffles. The second seating is between 8:30 to 10:30 and will consist of the two tasting options, a champagne toast, and jazz.

All you have to do is say “truffle” to me and I’m all over it, like a pig in dirt. Over $300 for a dinner is outrageously expensive, and most likely doesn’t include wine, but the Czarina loves TRU. The caviar staircase singlehandedly made me like caviar – wasabi caviar, yum!

If you’re proposing or you just became insanely wealthy, I can’t imagine a better way to ensure your New Year is prosperous and gilded, if our Polish friends are correct.

Non-traditional countdown for families:

Brookfield Zoo
First Avenue and 31st Street
Brookfield, IL 60513-1060
708-485-0263
Tickets $6-10
Countdown at 8 pm.
Family activities include visits with animals, live entertainment, crafts and more.
NO BOOZE.

Personally, I need booze in order to look at bats without vomiting, but your mileage may vary.

…And for hangover relief:

New Year’s Day Brunch

Silver Cloud Bar + Grill
1700 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-489-6212

A champagne fountain for mimosas will be the centerpiece of the brunch.

23rd Annual 5k Fun Run
773-868-3010
January 1 : 11 a.m.
$25-$30. Proceeds benefit the Lakeview Citizen’s Council
Route goes along the lakefront to Diversey Harbor and back.

The idea of running – after a night of debauchery – makes my head hurt just thinking about it. But I know there are crazy people out there that disagree.

Remember, check back…I’ll be updating this post as places firm up their plans.