You would expect restaurants and bars to do something special for Valentine’s Day or the preceding weekend. The conundrum is that Chicago and suburbs are a foodies’ heaven with thousands of good choices. To help in the decision process, here are just a few suggestions:
Wine and Cocktails with a view
Before heading to your Valentine’s Day dinner spot stop for a cocktail at the Bar at Lockwood in the Palmer House Hilton’s lobby and look up.
Look for Venus, Apollo and Aphrodite because the romantic mythological gods and goddesses are playing and smiling down on guests. The ceiling has just been restored in time for Valentine’s Day. Hotel staff will be around to answer questions.
For more information call 312.917.3404 or visit Lockwood. Lockwood Bar and Restaurant, Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603
Panoramic views have made the Signature Room at the 95th one of Chicago’s top Valentine’s Day destinations. Indeed, proposals seem to be a specialty of the house even if not on the menu. But a reservation at the restaurant up on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center is often hard to snag. (The restaurant has a $95 per person four course gourmet special Feb. 11 and Feb. 14.)
However, guests get much the same panoramic view and even a more intimate feeling in the Signature Room Lounge above the restaurant on the 96th floor. For more information visit the Signature Room Restaurant and Lounge or call 312-787-9596. The Signature Room at the 95th and the Signature Room Lounge on the 96th are at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Valentine’s Day special menu, gift or price
It may be hard to spot Les Nomades in a turn of the last century brownstone on Ontario Street east of the “Mag Mile.” But the high quality of the kitchen is worth the search if looking for someplace special for Valentine’s Day.
After recently partnering with Chef Arun at Le Lan, Bob Djahanguirito at Old Town Brasserie and Gabriel Viti at Miramar Bistro, famed Chef Roland Liccioni (think Carlos and Le Francais), is now back at Les Nomades where he originally took over the kitchen in 2000.
To celebrate Valentine’s weekend and day the restaurant is gifting a limited edition rose champagne glass with each request for Laurent-Perrier Champagne as long as supplies last beginning Feb. 11.
For information and reservations visit Les Nomades or call 312-649-9010. Les Nomades is at 222 E. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar comes through when good food, service and wine is important. So a $25 Dining Card to for Valentine’s Day celebrants is not really needed to convince guests to return. However, every couple dining at Fleming’s Feb 12, 13 or 14 will be given the card towards a future dinner. Those days will have a special menu of a choice of filet Mignon and prawns, prime New York strip and King Crab or Lobster tail with lobster mac and cheese for $69.95 per person (not include tax and tip) in addition to the regular menu. The $25 gift card is valid Feb. 15 through March 31, 2012 at all Fleming locations.
In the Chicago area Fleming’s is at 25 E. Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60611 and 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, IL 60069. For more information or reservations in Lincolnshire call 847-793-0333 or visit Flemings Lincolnshire. For Chicago call 312-329-9463 or visit Flemings Chicago
Francesca’s Intimo is well named. The Lake Forest location of the popular family-owned Chicago area Italian restaurant group, fits snuggly into a tiny store-front space a block south of the suburb’s Market Square.
Smaller than the usual Francesca’s restaurant, the only problem with coming here for Valentine’s Day may be getting a reservation. The restaurant, a local favorite, is often packed. But the food the kitchen turns out from tender calamari to flavorful fish and pasta specials is worth the try.
For Valentine’s weekend and day the Francesca’s restaurants including Intimo but not Forno, are making Ravioli Tartufati, heart-shaped cheese-filled pasta with a garlic Parmesan sauce, fresh tomatoes and drizzle of white truffle oil for $16.99. The treat will be available Feb. 10-14, 2012.
For information and reservations for Francesca’s Intimo call 847-735-9235 or visit Intimo Francesca’s Intimo, 293 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
For information, location and reservations of other restaurants in the group see Francesca’s
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