My wife and I always do something fancy, food-wise, for Valentine’s Day, but we’ve never insisted that it take place specifically on Feb. 14. Who wants to crack open a bottle of expensive bubbly on a school night? Not us. Not now, anyway.
That’s an attitude you might adopt when looking around for Valentine’s Day reservations. Those who insist on dining specifically on Feb. 14 are going to find the pickings somewhat slim. OpenTable.com says that Chicago restaurants are booking fast this weekend, and the most sought-after tables are for (spoiler alert) Monday.
That’s particularly true of Chicago’s most romantic restaurants, which, according to an OpenTable poll, are Geja’s Cafe, Les Nomades, Il Mulino, Cite and Merlo on Maple. As of last week, only Cite and Merlo still had peak-time tables available for Monday; the others were booked solid, though some before-6:30 and post-9 tables were still open.
However, those who can fulfill their romantic responsibilities with dinner on Friday, Saturday or even Sunday (you might want to secure significant-other approval on that one) will find that many restaurants are offering their Valentine packages throughout the weekend.
The $40, three-course menu at Three Aces (1321 W. Taylor St., 312-243-1577) is available Friday through Monday, for instance. Ditto for the a la carte Sweetheart menu at Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave., 312-521-7275), the $50 four-course dinner ($65 with wine pairings) at Chalkboard (4343 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-477-7144), the $70 four-course menu (Saturday through Monday) at Sepia (123 N. Jefferson St., 312-441-1920) and the Valentine tasting menu ($85) at one sixtyblue (1400 W. Randolph St., 312-850-0303).
Dine early, sez me. Monday, pop some corn and watch a rom-com in your jammies. For the weekend, pick a restaurant that corresponds to where you’re at, relationally speaking. Such as:
Places to be seen: When your partner wants to show off that killer outfit, or you just want to show off your arm candy, there’s the sushi and cocktail package at Rebar (Trump International Hotel, 401 N. Wabash Ave., 312-588-8034), consisting of one maki roll, two glasses of champagne and two chocolate truffles for $55 per couple. Or sashay over to Sunda (110 W. Illinois St., 312-644-0500) for the Asian Valentine menu offered Sunday and Monday for $120 per couple (glass of sparkling wine included) or the candlelit Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard St., 312-645-6000) for a la carte specials.
Early dating spots: When you don’t want to set the bar too high (leave some room for next year), places that won’t overwhelm the evening include Nana (3267 S. Halsted St., 312-929-2486), whose $65 package includes four-course dinner, cocktail, tax and tip; Mon Ami Gabi (2300 N. Lincoln Park West, 773-348-8886; 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, 630-472-1900), whose a la carte menu includes a beef Wellington special and its ever-popular champagne cart; and Carnivale (702 W. Fulton St., 312-850-5005), which will offer specials such as king crab ceviche along with its regular menu.
Grand gestures: Nothing says love like taking a big hit to the bank balance. Spend freely at Avenues (Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6685), featuring a five-course “Love Bites” tasting menu for $125, or Henri (18 S. Michigan Ave., 312-578-0763), where the $150 Valentine menu can be augmented by wine pairings ($50 additional), shaved truffles ($25 per dish) or white sturgeon caviar ($130 additional). Dine at Ria in the Elysian (11 E. Walton St., 312-646-1300), featuring a three-course dinner for $135 (wine pairings $75 additional) or at Le Titi de Paris (1015 W. Dundee Road, Arlington Heights, 847-506-0222), featuring a five-course dinner for $72 (wine pairings $47 additional).
Or opt for the Valentine’s Day deal at Seasons (Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Place, 312-280-8800); if you augment your $95 five-course dinner with a $425 bottle of Dom Perignon (or just order the bubbly solo in Seasons Bar), the hotel will throw in an overnight stay in an Executive suite — that night, or for a later date.
Just the two of you: You don’t need a scene, just a nice dinner with stuff to share. Check out Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush (437 N. Rush St., 312-222-0101), offering a three-course menu of shared shrimp appetizer, chateaubriand for two and dessert for $90 per couple. West Town Tavern (1329 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-6175) will feature a shared appetizer platter, choice of entrees and shared dessert platter for $48 per person (available Monday only).
Let’s just hang: Keep things simple and don’t spend a fortune. RedFlame (2417 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-462-0486) is offering a $30-per-couple deal that includes appetizer or salad, signature pizza and a bottle of wine, and it’s good all weekend. Gemini Bistro (2975 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-525-2522) offers a laid-back neighborhood vibe and its regular menu along with specials. Old Town Social (455 W. North Ave., 312-266-2277) offers a charcuterie menu with drink (champagne, cocktail or wine) for $35, plus a few pricier options.
Unattached options: Perhaps you haven’t met the love of your life yet. Or she moved to California. Either way, you’ve got the Last Chance for Love singles party at 10 p.m. Saturday at Hub 51 (51 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-0051), featuring DJ tunes, and half-price champagne in lower-level Sub51. Get a Hub 51 heart tattoo and it’ll be good for 20 percent off brunch the next morning.
There’s also Monday’s Lost Lovers Hook Up party at DMK Burger Bar (2954 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-360-8686); the $50 admission includes unlimited craft brews, burgers and fries, along with “lusty movies” (“Fatal Attraction,” “Body Heat,” “Barbarella,” “Y Tu Mama Tambien”), from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.
Watch Phil Vettel’s reviews weekends on WGN-Ch. 9’s “News at Nine,” CLTV and online at wgntv.com/vettel.
