PRIVATE DINING
Developed by lifelong friends and North Shore natives Josh Kaplan and Mark Newman, Ballaro is at its heart a destination-worthy neighborhood restaurant. Here at Ballaro, we ve created a warm and lively urban space - a city experience in the suburbs. We look forward to welcoming you to Ballaro. WINE & BEVERAGE MENU We offer a contemporary, yet rustic take on Italian fare such as handmade pasta & hearty entrées, inspired by Palermo s Ballaro market in Italy. Chef Mark Newman utilizes seasonal Midwestern ingredients in his scratch kitchen, making as much as possible in-house including all of the pastas, pizza dough, pancetta, duck prosciutto and more. He melds Italian and French techniques in a modern, Midwest kitchen. When I lived in Italy it was all about the regional cuisine and every region has its cuisine. I ve loved Italian food all my life, but Chicago is my region, so I use ingredients that are local to me Besides living and working in Italy, Chef Newman s extensive experience includes premier Chicago restaurants, such as MK, Cibo Matto and Piccolo Sogno Due. Our eclectic wine list is focused on small production, value driven wines from Italy and America. We also offer a strong selection of hand crafted signature cocktails, aperitivi and digestivi. Josh Kaplan selects the wine list with care, looking for small production wineries utilizing sustainable growing methods as well as organic and biodynamic growers. Before Ballaro, Josh worked at many renowned restaurants, including General Manager and Sommelier of MK. He was named Chicago s Rising Star Sommelier (Starchefs.com), was selected as runner-up for Best Wine Service (Chicago Social), his recipe for The Ipanema was published in Food & Wine s Cocktails and one of his beer lists was recognized by the New York Times. Josh holds an introductory Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. GUIDE Dinner Menu page 3 3 course Dinner Packages page 4 4 course Dinner Packages page 5 Beverage Packages page 6 Lunch Menu page 7 Lunch Packages page 8 PRIVATE DINING Capacity: 60 People for Sit Down Events 80 people for reception style events Availability: Evening Events: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday Day time events: Any day Please inquire about full restaurant buyouts (seated capacity for both rooms is 120) available any day of the week. Food and Beverage Minimums: Evening Event: $1000 min Lunch Event: $1000 Min + $500 room fee Menus: Customized printed menus will be presented. Vegetarian and Gluten Free Items Available, please inquire with any special requests or dietary restrictions Amenities: Valet (Complimentary) Coat Check (Complimentary) Floral Arrangements Contact: For inquiries contact Josh Kaplan 847.780.3396 or Ballaro214@gmail.com 847.780.3396 BALLARO214@GMAIL.COM 2
DINNER MENU SELECTIONS Passed Appetizers Plated Appetizers Oyster on the Half Shell Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp Shrimp Cocktail Crudo, Lemon, Dill Red snapper crudo, toasted garlic, chili relish crispy crab rolls Arancini, fontina, cured tomatoes Bacon Wrapped Dates Grilled New Zealand lamb chops, herbed yogurt baked meatballs, rich tomato sauce, Goat cheese crostini, sundried tomatoes, oregano Artichoke Crostini, lemon aioli, pine nuts Caprese Bruschetta Pizza Four Cheese Fresh & Smoked Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, Toasted Pine Nuts, Spinach House Made Sausage Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella & Fontina, Fennel Pollen, Pickled Fennel, Basil Duck Prosciutto Fontina, Smoked Mozzarella Cream, Charred Scallions, Tomato Sauce Pasta (Appetizer Portions) Haricots Verts, Basil Pesto, Baked Ricotta Salata, Potato Crisps, Parmigiano Reggiano Calamari, Lemon & Chili Relish, Garlic, Mint, Toasted Breadcrumbs Short Rib Bolognese, Parmigiano Reggiano Tagliatelle & Clams Salsa Verde, Bottarga Dessert Amarena Cherries, Amaretti Cookie Crumble Banana Bavarian, Chocolate Caramel Crunch Vanilla Pastry Cream, Seasonal Fruit, Apricot Glaze Chocolate Hazelnut Pastry Cream, Marshmallow Fluff Topping White Chocolate Ganache, Raspberry Sauce Hearts of Romaine, Tomatoes, Foccacia Croûtons, Lemon Caper Vinaigrette Celery, Cucumber, Olive Oil Tomatoes, Lemon Vinaigrette Parmigiano Reggiano, Pickled Fennel, Lemon Vinaigrette Roasted Beets, Gorgonzola Dolce, Candied Nuts, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinaigrette Seasonal Vegetables, Mozzarella Crostini Calabrian Chili Sauce, Ricotta, Honeycomb, Toasted Breadcrumbs Fried, Tomato Fuso, New Potatoes, Roasted Garlic & Caper Relish Beef Carpaccio Chive Aioli, Herbed Crostini, Pickled Onions Entrées Haricots Verts, Basil Pesto, Baked Ricotta Salata, Potato Crisps, Parmigiano Reggiano Calamari, Lemon & Chili Relish, Garlic, Mint, Toasted Breadcrumbs Short Rib Bolognese, Parmigiano Reggiano Tagliatelle & Clams Salsa Verde, Bottarga Swordfish Broccolini, oven roasted tomato, Castelvetrano olives, Brown Butter, lemon aioli Cauliflower Puree, Haricots Verts, Caramelized Apples Braised Artichokes, Fava Beans, Artichoke and Carrot Puree, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Lemon Vinaigrette Grilled Asparagus, Ricotta and Parmigiano, White Wine Sauce Veal Milanese {$6 supplement} Arugula Panzanella Salad, Sundried Tomato Puree Grilled Scallions, Parmesan Polenta Fries, Red Wine Sauce 8 OZ Filet Mignon {$12 supplement} Parmigiano fingerling potatoes, caramelized onion marmalade, red wine sauce 14 oz Delmonico {$10 supplement} Parmigiano fingerling potatoes, caramelized onion marmalade, red wine sauce *Our house made gnocchi is gluten free 3
DINNER (3 COURSE PACKAGES) $45 CHOICE OF: 2 APPETIZERS 2 ENTRÉES 1 DESSERT $50 CHOICE OF: 2 APPETIZERS 2 ENTRÉES 2 DESSERTS $55 CHOICE OF: 3 APPETIZERS 3 ENTRÉES 2 DESSERTS Appetizers: Choose 2 (Appetizer Portion) Appetizers: Choose 2 (Appetizer Portion) Appetizers: Choose 3 (Appetizer Portion) Beef Carpaccio Entrées: Choose 2 Entrées: Choose 2 Entrées: Choose 3 *Our house made gnocchi is gluten free Squid Ink Spaghetti Squid Ink Spaghetti Fluke Dessert: Choose 1 Desserts: Choose 2 Dessert: Choose 3 Add to Any Package (Per Choice per Person) Add to Any Package: Passed Appetizers (Per Choice per Dozen) 8oz Filet Mignon $12 14oz Delmonico $10 Veal Milanese $6 Sides (served Family Style) Sautéed Spinach $3 Creamed Spinach $3 Wild Mushrooms $3 Hand Cut Fries $3 Whipped Potatoes $3 Seasonal Roasted Vegetables $3 Artichoke Crostini, $32 dz Arancini with fontina $32/dz Goat Cheese Crostini $32/dz crispy crab rolls $38/dz Bacon Wrapped Dates $36/dz Crudo $36/dz Red Snapper Crudo $38/dz Caprese Bruschetta $36/dz Custom Menus with your selections will be printed Oyster on the Half Shell $38/dz Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp $38/dz Shrimp Cocktail $38/dz baked meatballs $36/dz Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops $48/dz Passed Pizzas $16 ea/16 pcs. (Choice of Four Cheese, Duck Prosciutto, House-made Sausage, Classic Cheese, Classic Pepperoni) 4
DINNER (4 COURSE PACKAGES) $65 CHOICE OF: 3 STARTERS 3 PASTAS 3 ENTRÉES 3 DESSERTS $75 CHOICE OF: 4 STARTERS 4 PASTAS 4 ENTRÉES 4 DESSERTS Appetizers: Choose 3 Appetizers: Choose 4 Beef Carpaccio Pasta Course (Half portion) Pasta Course (Half portion) *Our house made gnocchi is gluten free Tagliatelle & clams *Our house made gnocchi is gluten free Entrées: Choose 3 Entrées: Choose 4 Swordfish Desserts: Choose 3 Dessert: Choose 3 Add to Any Package (Per Choice per Person) Add to Any Package: Passed Appetizers (Per Choice per Dozen) 8oz Filet Mignon $12 14oz Delmonico $10 Veal Milanese $6 Sides (served Family Style) Sautéed Spinach $3 Creamed Spinach $3 Wild Mushrooms $3 Hand Cut Fries $3 Whipped Potatoes $3 Roasted Seasonal Vegetables $3 Artichoke Crostini, $32 dz Arancini with fontina $32/dz Goat Cheese Crostini $32/dz crispy crab rolls $38/dz Bacon Wrapped Dates $36/dz Crudo $36/dz Red Snapper Crudo $38/dz Caprese Bruschetta $36/dz Oyster on the Half Shell $38/dz Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp $38/dz Shrimp Cocktail $38/dz Baked meatballs $36/dz Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops $48/dz Passed Pizzas $16 ea/16 pcs. (Choice of Four Cheese, Duck Prosciutto, House-made Sausage, Classic Cheese, Classic Pepperoni) 5
BEVERAGE PACKAGES (Available for day-time or evening events) If you would like to know the full cost for your event in advance we recommend selecting a beverage package. All beverage packages require 2 hour minimum, with an option to continue on consumption afterwards. We are happy to customize the beverage options to meet your event requirements. THE GREEN BAY ROAD PACKAGE $16 per guest for the first hour +$6 Each additional hour Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks One House Red and White wine All bottled beer Soda, juices, coffee & tea THE HIGHWOOD PACKAGE $19 per guest for the first hour +$7 Each additional hour Wine, Beer, Liquor and Soft Drinks One House Red and White wine All bottled beer House Liquor Soda, juices, coffee & tea THE NORTH SHORE PACKAGE THE BALLARO PACKAGE $23 per guest for the first hour +$10 Each additional hour $26 per guest for the first hour +$12 Each additional hour Wine, Beer, Premium Liquor and Soft Drinks One Premium Red and White Wine All bottled beer All Premium Call Liquor (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, bourbon, rye) Soda, juices, coffee & tea Wine, Beer, Top Shelf Liquor, Specialty Cocktail and Soft Drinks One Premium Red and White Wine All bottled beer All Top Shelf Liquor One Specialty Handcrafted Cocktail Soda, juices, coffee & tea ON CONSUMPTION Per guest s selection On consumption selection can be customized to meet your requirements, such as specific wine selections or only offer beer and wine 6
LUNCH MENU SELECTIONS Passed Appetizers Plated Appetizers Oyster on the Half Shell Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp Shrimp Cocktail Crudo, Lemon, Dill Red snapper crudo, toasted garlic, chili relish Baccala Fritter, Preserved Lemons, Capers Arancini, wild mushrooms, cured tomatoes Bacon Wrapped Dates Grilled New Zealand lamb chops, herbed yogurt Beef Tartare, Dijon, Shallots, Hard Boiled Egg Goat cheese crostini, sundried tomatoes, oregano Artichoke Crostini, lemon aioli, pine nuts Caprese Bruschetta Hearts of Romaine, Tomatoes, Foccacia Croûtons, Lemon Caper Vinaigrette Celery, Cucumber, Olive Oil Tomatoes, Lemon Vinaigrette Parmigiano Reggiano, Pickled Fennel, Lemon Vinaigrette Roasted Beets, Gorgonzola Dolce, Candied Hazelnuts, Mixed Greens, Balsamic Vinaigrette Seasonal Vegetables, Mozzarella Crostini Salads can be supplemented with a selection of proteins: Grilled Shrimp, Scottish, Idaho Filet, Bavette Steak, Breast Pizza Pastas Four Cheese Fresh & Smoked Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmigiano Reggiano, Toasted Pine Nuts, Spinach House Made Sausage Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella & Fontina, Fennel Pollen, Pickled Fennel, Basil Duck Prosciutto Fontina, Smoked Mozzarella Cream, Charred Scallions, Tomato Sauce Rigatoni Alla Norma Roasted, Tomato Sauce, Fresh Basil, Ricotta Salata Cheese Penne Bolognese Short Rib Bolognese, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Bucatini Cacio e Pepe Pecorino Romano Cheese, Cracked Black Pepper, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Linguine with Clams and Sausage {$4 supplement} Sandwiches Dessert Baby Clams, Pork Sausage, Clam Juice, Pickled Fennel Ballaro Burger Balsamic Caramelized Onions, Brigante and Fontina Cheeses, Bread and Butter Pickles, Hand Cut Fries Mortadella Panini Crispy Mortadella, Fontina Cheese, Garlic Aioli, Bread and Butter Pickles, Arugula, Hand Cut Fries Caprese Panini Fresh Mozzarella, Cured Tomatoes, Pesto Aioli, Hand Cut Fries Panini Crispy, Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Hand Cut Fries Amarena Cherries, Amaretti Cookie Crumble Banana Bavarian, Banana Budino, Chocolate Caramel Crunch Vanilla Pastry Cream, Seasonal Fruit, Apricot Glaze Chocolate Hazelnut Pastry Cream, Marshmallow Fluff Topping Sides (Served Family Style) Sautéed Spinach Creamed Spinach Wild Mushrooms Hand Cut Fries Whipped Potatoes Notes: Customized menus with your selections will be printed for each guest Complimentary Valet and coat Check are available Flower Arrangements Available for a fee All Dinner packages outlined on Pg 4-5 are also available Beverage packages outlined on pg 6 are available All Day time functions are subject to $1000 Food & Beverage minimum + $500 Room fee 7
LUNCH PACKAGES TWO COURSE $27 CHOICE OF: 3 MAINS 2 DESSERTS THREE COURSE $35: CHOICE OF: 2 STARTERS 3 MAINS 2 DESSERTS Mains: Choose 3 Salads can be supplemented with a choice of proteins: (Additional $6 for 2 choices) Grilled Shrimp, Scottish, Idaho Filet, Bavette Steak, Breast Appetizers: Choose 2 Salads can be supplemented with a choice of proteins: (Additional $6 for 2 choices) Grilled Shrimp, Scottish, Idaho Filet, Bavette Steak, Breast Ballaro Burger Mortadella Panini Caprese Panini Panini Rigatoni Alla Norma Penne Bolognese Bucatini Cacio e Pepe Linguine with Clams and Sausage {$4 supplement} Mains: Choose 3 Ballaro Burger Mortadella Panini Caprese Panini Panini Rigatoni Alla Norma Penne Bolognese Bucatini Cacio e Pepe Linguine with Clams and Sausage {$4 supplement} Desserts: Choose 2 Dessert: Choose 2 Add to Any Package (Per Choice per Person) Passed Appetizers (Per Choice per Dozen) Sides (served Family Style) Sautéed Spinach $3 Creamed Spinach $3 Wild Mushrooms $3 Hand Cut Fries $3 Whipped Potatoes $3 Roasted Seasonal Vegetables $3 Artichoke Crostini, $32 dz Arancini with fontina $32/dz Goat Cheese Crostini $32/dz crispy crab rolls $38/dz Bacon Wrapped Dates $36/dz Crudo $38/dz Red Snapper Crudo $36/dz Caprese Bruschetta $36/dz Oyster on the Half Shell $38/dz Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp $38/dz Shrimp Cocktail $38/dz Baked meatballs $36/dz Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chops $48/dz Passed Pizzas $16 ea/16 pcs. (Choice of Four Cheese, Duck Prosciutto, House-made Sausage, Classic Cheese, Classic Pepperoni) 8
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Location & Contact Ballaro is located at 214 Green Bay Road in Highwood, Illinois 60040 Tel: 847.780.3396 or Ballaro214@gmail.com Parking & Coat Check Valet parking in our private lot and coat check are available free of charge. Accessibility: Our Private dining room lower level is wheelchair accessible with ADA compliant restrooms on the same level. Capacity: Our private dining room seats 60 people and holds 80 people for a standing event. Full buyout capacity (both dining rooms) is 120 seated and 140 standing. Customized Menus: Customized menus for your event will be printed free of charge. You can add a personalized message upon request. Cake cutting fee: If you would like to bring in an outside dessert, the cake platting/cutting fee is $2 per person. Payment Methods: Acceptable forms of payment include cash, and all major credit cards - Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Personal checks are not accepted. Lost And Found: If you believe you have left an item at Ballaro, please call to let us know. Food allergies and Dietary Restrictions: Our chefs will go to great lengths to accommodate dietary needs. We take food allergies extremely seriously, and welcome vegetarian, gluten free and vegan diners. We can prepare any pasta dish gluten free. If you have special requirements, please let us know. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Food And Beverage Minimums: All events require a food and beverage minimum as specified. Tax and gratuity are not included in the minimum expenditure. If the minimum expenditure is not met, the difference will be applied to the final bill as a room charge, adding applicable state sales tax for the shortfall. Gift Certificate purchases are not included in minimum expenditures. Deposit: Upon receipt of signed agreement, a deposit in the amount of 50% of the event s food and beverage minimum will be charged to confirm the reservation upon receipt of the agreement. Rooms cannot be held or confirmed until deposit is received. Cancellation Policy: Deposits are fully refundable if the cancellation is made 15 business days or more prior to the event and 50% refundable if the cancellation is made 10 business days prior to the event. To obtain a refund, please provide written communication of cancellation to Ballaro s representative. Cancellations made 7 business days prior to the scheduled date will forfeit the full deposit. If Client cancels the event less than 5 business days prior to the scheduled date or fails to show for the event, Client will be charged the balance of the full food and beverage minimum (including any room fees if applicable). Guarantee of Attendance: Final attendance number must be provided no later than FIVE BUSINESS DAYS in advance of scheduled event date. Client will be charged for up to 5 less than the guaranteed number, e.g.: client confirms for 30 people, only 21 attend, client will be charged for 25 people. If the guaranteed number increases on the day of the event, client will be charged accordingly. Client agrees to begin and end the scheduled event at the designated times. If client or guests are late in arriving or do not return the room at the agreed upon end time of the event, a rate of $50 per 30 minutes will be applied. Menu Selection: Client must confirm menu selections no later than TEN DAYS in advance of scheduled event date. Please note that menu options are subject to change due to seasonality and availability. Ballaro reserves the right to make substitutions accordingly. Client will be notified by a Ballaro manager of any menu change prior to the event. Gratuity and Taxes: A single master invoice will be presented at the end of your event and will include the prevailing sales tax and gratuity of your choice. The addition of a gratuity to the bill is completely voluntary and not negotiated by the restaurant; it is solely at the discretion of the guest. 100% of the gratuity will be distributed to the service staff. The sample gratuity for large parties is 20%. Should you wish to per-authorize gratuity, please indicate the percentage on page 4 of your contract. You may also add gratuity at the conclusion at your event. Final Payment: Final payment is due at the conclusion of your event. Ballaro accepts cash and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover). Personal checks are not accepted as form of payment. We are happy to accept up to 4 separate payments for the final event bill. Liability: Ballaro assumes no responsibility for personal property and equipment brought into the restaurant or left in vehicles. Other: Ballaro reserves the right to refuse alcohol service to any guest. Client agrees to fully compensate Ballaro for any and all damage incurred to Ballaro property as a result of guest activity. Should damage occur, Ballaro will inform client and provide billing estimate for repairs. 9