[image]
[title]Custom House Tavern
With its “custom”-made four-course tasting menu, CHT allows diners to choose from among options such as roasted carrot risotto andgrapefruit Napoleon with yogurt-rosemary mousse. 500 S Dearborn St (312-523-0200).
[node:15113119 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
EPIC
In the four-course meal put forth by chef Mark Pollard, one can expect selections including crab and coconut bisque, pomegranate-glazed pork belly, filet mignon with lobster mashed potatoes and a chocolate-covered strawberry coupe. 112 W Hubbard St (312-222-4940). 5:30–10pm; $60 per person.
[node:15113125 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
The Florentine
Todd Stein’s V-Day menu of tagliatelle pasta with Périgord black truffles and oysters with cucumber mignonette should impress almost anybody, except those who don’t give a damn about truffles and oysters. JW Marriott Chicago, 151 W Adams St (312-660-8866). 5–11pm.
[node:15113127 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
The Franklin Tap
Combine Young’s Double Chocolate Stout with Timmermans Strawberry Lambic and what do you have? Beer goggles. Also, the Franklin Tap’s signature V-Day cocktail, “Chocolate Covered Strawberries.” 325 S Franklin St (312-212-3262). 11am–midnight.
[node:15113127 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Geja’s Café
Famous for its romantic sensibilities (romantic circa 1982, that is), Geja’s will beef up its fondue offerings with live flamenco and classical guitarists and photo keepsakes. 340 W Armitage Ave (773-281-9101). Seatings at 5, 7:30 and 10pm; $105 per person.
[node:15113129 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Giordano’s
Deep dish in the shape of a heart. Diamond rings wish they were this romantic. Available for dine-in, carryout, delivery and shipping nationwide. Locations throughout Chicago. Pizzas start at $17.
[node:15113129 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Klay Oven
The three-course meal by chef Hiran Patel will fill you with spices from India with offerings such as samosa appetizers, palak paneer and galub jamun. A glass of prosecco is provided to wash it all down. 414 N Orleans St (312-527-3999). 5:30–9:30pm; $25 per person.
[node:15113119 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Lockwood
Aphrodisiacs! They work! Or they don’t. Test them out here, where chef Gregory Elliott serves a five-course tasting menu featuring Kumamoto oysters, sea urchin risotto, filet mignon and a chocolate dessert. 17 E Monroe St (312-917-3404). 5–11pm; $85 person, additional $30 for wine pairings.
[node:15113127 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Longman & Eagle
Oysters, caviar, lobster, lamb, chocolate soufflé. Who knew Logan Square would go soft on V-Day? 2657 N Kedzie Ave (773-276-7110). Seatings at 6:30, 9pm; $85 person, additional $35 for wine pairings.
[node:15113129 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
MarketHouse
Scott Walton’s four-course prix fixe menu includes every imaginable Valentine’s Day cliché: lobster bisque, chateaubriand (requires a three-day pre-order) and chocolate mousse cake. 300 E Ohio St (312-224-2200). 5–10pm; $65 per person, additional $33 for wine pairings.
[node:15113129 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Mercat a la Planxa
In his festive four-course dinner of Catalan delectables, chef de cuisine Cory Morris will prepare items such as Kobe beef and beet tartare, oysters with lavender cucumber soda and rabbit agnolotti. 638 S Michigan Ave (312-765-0524). 5–11pm; $85 per person, additional $40 for wine pairings.
[node:15113123 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Mity Nice
A shareable, $25 1-pound burger with crispy onions and blue cheese, flanked by fries and two beers. Is this gross? Or is this love? We’re going with the latter. 835 N Michigan Ave, mezzanine level (312-335-4745).
[node:15113119 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Mon Ami Gabi
Surprise! The V-Day meal here doesn’t end with chocolate. Instead, you’ll cap off this dinner of mushroom tartine and sautéed sea bass with a large slice of red velvet cake. 2300 N Lincoln Park West (773-348-8886). Mon–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm; Sun 5–9pm.
[node:15113123 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]
Vincent
Chef Chrissy Camba’s three-course menu features duck-leg confit, Indonesian spice–marinated tofu, foie-gras torchon and other cliché-free foods. 1475 W Balmoral Ave (773-334-7168). 5:30–10pm.
[node:15113119 noterms cck=field_caption; cck=field_credits;]