Halloween High Tea, Vintage Circus Dinner Coming To St. Charles

ST. CHARLES, IL — Guests at The Graceful Ordinary’s Halloween dinner last year had a hand in deciding what they’ll encounter when they walk through the doors this Halloween.

The St. Charles riverfront restaurant will transform into a vintage circus for its third annual Halloween Dinner on Oct. 31, with a four-course menu inspired by Big Top performers, roaming entertainers, a costume contest and a new late-night celebration.

The circus theme was actually selected a year ago, Graceful Ordinary co-owner Megan Curren told Patch.

“Every year, we narrow it down to two or three themes and let the guests at that evening’s Halloween Dinner vote on the theme for the following year,” said Curren, who runs the restaurant alongside her husband, Chris Curren. “The Big Top was selected by guests who joined us for last year’s BeWitched dinner."

The restaurant, at 3 E. Main St., will close for lunch on Halloween so staff can begin transforming the space early in the day.

“The goal is to create a fully immersive experience by transforming the restaurant, which is why we strongly encourage guests to wear costumes — it only adds to the experience,” Curren said.

The Big Top Halloween Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and the four-course menu will take inspiration from classic circus acts.

Among the dishes will be The Fire Eater, featuring charred octopus; The Ringmaster, featuring prime short rib; and The Illusionist, featuring black truffle agnolotti with Parmesan espuma. After dinner, the restaurant will launch its new Late Night Circus from 9 p.m. to midnight, offering an open bar, carnival-inspired food and entertainment.

The late-night menu will include mini Wagyu corn dogs; browned butter caramel corn with smoked sea salt, bacon and espelette; twisted soft pretzels served with smoked onion dip, whole-grain mustard and beer cheese; and “poison apples,” made with pork and apple croquettes, cider glaze and charred apple mustard.

Desserts will put an elevated spin on circus staples including cotton candy, funnel cakes, candied apples and animal crackers.

Sobby the Clown will emcee the costume contest after dinner and continue entertaining guests during the Late Night Circus. Roaming entertainers and photo opportunities are also planned throughout the evening, Curren said.

Moving the dinner itself to Halloween marks a change for the restaurant. In previous years, the event was held on the Monday before Halloween.

Curren said the change opened the door to adding the late-night event, including an option for parents who want to celebrate after taking their children trick-or-treating.

“They can arrive after dinner to enjoy an open bar, amazing bites and a fun, immersive experience that isn’t in a traditional bar setting,” she said.

The dinner typically sells out at 75 guests, Curren said. The Late Night Circus will be capped at 100 people so entertainers have a chance to interact with guests.

Dinner tickets start at $121 per person, while Late Night Circus tickets start at $60.50.

Ten percent of proceeds from dinner ticket sales will benefit Lazarus House, a St. Charles-based nonprofit that provides shelter, food and other assistance to people experiencing homelessness or other hardships.

“Lazarus House is a local organization that contributes significantly to our community,” Curren said. “We feel very fortunate to have them in our own backyard, so we’re always happy to do what we can to support them.”

The Halloween Dinner isn’t the restaurant’s only celebration planned this month.

The Graceful Ordinary will host a Halloween High Tea at noon Saturday, Oct. 24, featuring live jazz, premium teas and Halloween-inspired food from Chef Chris Curren and Pastry Chef Martina Preradovic.

Costumes are encouraged, and the restaurant will offer one or two Halloween-themed craft cocktails for purchase. Children will receive a Halloween goody bag and a craft.

The High Tea also includes Halloween-inspired canapés, sweets and pastries, Curren said.

Tickets cost $35 for adults and $20 for children ages 3 to 12. Children ages 2 and younger can attend for free, and gratuity is included.

While both events will lean heavily into Halloween, Curren said she is particularly excited about the addition of the Late Night Circus.

“It’s a great opportunity for those who might not be able to attend the dinner, as well as anyone looking for a late-night option that feels a bit more elevated,” she said. “Guests can enjoy immersive fun, great craft cocktails and delicious snacks in a unique setting.”