Valentine's Day Happenings at Chicago Bars and Restaurants

"How Bitter is Your Love?" at The Violet Hour-Learn to make homemade bitters while enjoying craft cocktails at The Violet Hour, Wicker Park’s award-winning drinking destination. Set in The Violet Hour’s back room, the 90 minute bitters workshop starts with an interactive tutorial on how to make the popular cocktail add-in, which will touch on herbal history and lore as well as basic cocktail concepts, and sample artisanal drinks that utilize the flavoring agent. Afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions with The Violet Hour’s master tenders. Not only will guests leave with invaluable knowledge, they will take away a custom blend of bitters and other goodies, which they can utilize at their home bars. "How Bitter is Your Love?” takes place between 6:30pm-8pm on Wed, 2/14. Individual tickets, which are priced at $115, and couples’ tickets, which are priced at $200 for two guests, can be purchased here.

“Meet Me In The Ladies’ Room” at The Ladies Room-this Valentine’s Day for a seafood omakase inside Fat Rice’s intimate speakeasy. On Wednesday February 14th from 5:30-10pm, acclaimed Chef Abraham Conlon will offer a 4-course menu of seductive seafood offerings ($40 per person), including Lobster Dumplings with creamy crustace emulsion, Tea Smoked Seabass with fennel, saffron and melted leeks and more. Guests can also add a 4-course cocktail and spirits tasting from Bar Manager Annie Beebe-Tron to pair with the omakase for an additional $35 per person. Offerings will include Rare Tea Cellars Rendezvous Picnic Punch, Hot and Steamy Korumatsu Sake cocktail and more. Lovers who prefer to stick to bubbles can add a bottle of Jerome Prevost Champagne for $80 per person, or Georges Laval Champagne for $95 per person. 

Each table will also receive a “Fortune Cookie Against Humanity” served with red velvet ice-cream. The sweet treat is an extra large fortune cookie made by pastry chef Elaine Townsend, and each giant cookie will have a cheeky fortune inside penned by the crew behind raunchy party game, Cards Against Humanity. The fortune cookies can also be purchased next door at The Bakery at Fat Rice from Tuesday Feb 13th - Sunday Feb 25th for $18.88 each, while supplies last.

Space at The Ladies’ Room is very limited and only available for parties of 2 or 4, tickets can be purchased here. *Please note: Prices do not included tax + gratuity. 

Blackbird's Five Course Valentine's Tasting Menu-Providing elegant and unforgettable Valentine’s Day dinners for the past 20 years, celebrate this February 14th with five incredible courses at James Beard award-winning Blackbird in the West Loop. Chef de Cuisine Ryan Pfeiffer and Pastry Chef Nicole Guini have thoughtfully constructed a special menu for this one-night affair with romance-inspired dishes using decadent ingredients such as foie gras, lobster, dark chocolate and more. The full menu can be found below and reservations are required. Reservations can be made here. 

Valentine’s Day Five Course Tasting Menu

foie gras macaroon with dark chocolate (amuse bouche)


lobster congee with smoked chestnut bouillon


skatewing with mussels and potato


venison with coffee and quince


brillat savarin with warm dried fruit


chocolate torte with bay rum leaf ice cream


$85 per person — $40 optional wine pairing — tax & gratuity not included

"Oyster and Caviar": Valentine's Day at Nico Osteria-This February 14th, treat your date to an experience at the critically acclaimed, Italian-inspired Nico Osteria in the Gold Coast. During dinner service from 5:00pm-10:00pm, guests can partake in a one-night-only prix fixe menu created by two-time Jean Banchet award-winner for “Rising Star” in 2017 and “Best Chef de Cuisine” in 2018 Bill Montagne and Jean Banchet “Best Pastry Chef” 2013 winner Leigh Omilinsky. Highlights from the savory side of the menu include an aphrodisiac-inspired “Oyster and Caviar” amuse bouche with balsamic caviar and oyster leaf, Scallop Carpaccio with watermelon radish and Slow-Roasted Bistecca made with bone marrow, baby beets and vino russo. Then on the pastry side, Omilinsky delivers both a Coconut Panna Cotta made with coconut shaved ice, angel food cake and prickly pear sorbet as well as a Boccone Dolce created with chocolate crema, crisp meringue and passion fruit sorbet. 

Playing off both sides of the menu, guests can also enjoy two a la carte Valentine’s Day cocktails created by Bar Manager Scott Stoemer. Offerings include:

• “Gilder”—  Featuring coconut-infused CH Vodka, Dimmi Liquore, and a scoop of Omilinsky’s prickly pear sorbet shaken together then topped with prosecco
• "Fickle Free” — A velvety creation using Letherbee Gin, Pasubio Vino Amaro, egg white, lemon, and roasted beet absinthe 

The full Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu is $75 per person (beverages, tax, & gratuity not included) and available for download here. Items will be available a la carte as well. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here. 

Love Chocolates + Ombre Chocolate-covered Strawberries from HotChocolate Bakery-HotChocolate Bakery by the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame newest inductee for 2018, Mindy Segal, presents two ways to spoil your lovebird this Valentine's Day with specialty boxes of assorted gourmet chocolates and chocolate-dipped strawberries. These will be available for pre-order through the Revival Food Hall website here and for purchase from the stall with limited quantities on Feb 14th. Full descriptions of the included flavors for each offering can be found below. 

Assorted Love Chocolates ($20) — Dozen total - 4 types (3 of each): - Caramelized white chocolate with smoked almond toffee brittle - Dark chocolate toasted marshmallow s’more - Pure white chocolate and peppermint candy - Dark milk chocolate peanut brittle  

Ombré Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries ($25) — Dozen total - 4 types (3 of each): - White chocolate with rainbow sugar - Caramelized white chocolate with chocolate crispy pearls - Milk chocolate with smoked almond toffee - Dark chocolate with crispy pearls.

The Publican Prix Fixe-One of Chicago’s most beloved restaurants — The Publican celebrates February 14th a special prix-fixe feast. To begin the experience, guests can opt for a fresh citrus salad tossed with burrata, hazelnuts, wheat berries and mint or a masterfully crafted foie gras and truffle terrine, made with grape, pistachio and dandelion green. Featured entrees include sustainable-caught hamachi served with sunchokes and persimmons, grilled pork collar with squash, apple, cipollini onions and spoon mustard as well as cauliflower accompanied by smoked eggplant, pomegranate seeds and almonds. For dessert, guests are treated to an elevated hot fudge sundae for two, created using marcona almonds, a chocolate brownie and salted caramel ice cream, house-made by Executive Pastry Chef Dana Cree. The Publican’s full Valentine’s Day menu can be found here and is priced at $75 per person (tax and gratuity are not included). Guests can also select from a variety of a la carte options from The Publican’s classic menu. Reservations can be made here. 

Queen of the Underground at Publican Anker-With aromatic and tasting notes reminiscent of flowers, the Queen of the Underground cocktail is better than receiving a bouquet for Valentine’s Day. Exclusively available at Publican Anker, One Off Hospitality’s gastropub and newest Wicker Park concept, the Queen of the Underground pays tribute to the Rolling Stones song “Dead Flowers." Envisioned by Eden Laurin of the Violet Hour (who also oversees cocktail development for Publican Anker) the libation features CH vodka and hibiscus-infused Dolin Vermouth. The drink is then rounded out with a splash of lemon, funkiness from Sfumato amaro, and is finished with lavender simple syrup and a sprinkling of freshly-picked lavender. The Queen of the Underground is available for $10 at Publican Anker.

Prix-Fixe Dinner for Two & Old School Soul + R&B at The Promontory-Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a scrumptious dinner in a low-lit space set to the tunes of your favorite R&B and soul grooves. The Promontory in Hyde Park puts you in the mood for love (and there’s plenty to go around) with a special prix-fixe menu for two on Wednesday, February 14th. The in-house sommelier recommends perfect wine pairings with each course to impress your date, if you want to. The dinner menu for the night includes:  
-  APPETIZER: Shared Crab Louie with jumbo lump crab, avocado, herbs, egg, espelette dressing
Suggested wine pairing: ’16 Domaine de Villargeau Coteaux du Giennois, Loire Valley, France

- ENTREE: Choice of  Hearth-Grilled Game Hen Roulade with poultry sausage stuffing
Suggested wine pairing: '14 Esporao 'Assobio', Douro, Portugal 
-OR- 
 Hearth-Grilled Branzino with cilantro mint relish
Suggested wine pairing: '16 Stefano Massone 'Masera' Gavi, Piemonte, Italy
 
- DESSERT: Shared Flourless Chocolate Cake with salted caramel ice cream, blood orange gastric, and peanut brittle 
Suggested wine pairing: '10 Valentina Cubi ‘Meliloto’ Recite della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy   
Each prix fixe order is $65 for two people. Wine pairings for two are $35. Champagne & Caviar and Hearth Leg of Lamb options are also available for preorder to enjoy on Valentine’s Day. For more information and to make your reservation, please email info@promontorychicago.com. Our regular menu is also available. 

Life, Love, luxurious dinner for two at Saint Lou's Assembly-You work so hard every night and day and now you get the pay back for Valentine’s Day dinner at Saint Lou’s Assembly in the West Loop. Get your life and level up on the love with this prix-fixe meal, designed to be shared, full of luxurious dishes for $40/person! Here’s what’s on the menu: - Foie Gras Ganache with cornmeal Johnny cake, blackberry compote

- Surf & Turf with smoked oysters, beef tartare, Caesar salad aioli, pickled lemons
- Choice of Mole Kalbi, a beef short rib served with pink peppercorn pepita crunch, hearts of palm salad and tahini-chile dressing -OR- Soy-Marinated Fried Snapper with charred sugar snap peas, miso hummus, and togarashi oil
- Calas served with a burnt cinnamon whipped cream and sorghum syrup
- Boozy Cone Cake Flight from Bon Vivant Cakes with cake flavors including chocolate bourbon, red velvet with red wine and fruit, boozy strawberry cream, and Bailey’s birthday cake with heart sprinkles

In addition to the Valentine’s Day Prix-Fixe, Saint Lou’s Assembly’s entire regular dinner menu will also be available. Reservations can be made here.

#THEORDINARY for two at Dusek's Board & Beer- Mosey over to the Pilsen neighborhood where Dusek’s Board & Beer is boasting a special date night version of #TheOrdinary dinner special. Available for dinner on Wednesday, February 14th only, the restaurant will offer a three-course dinner for two that includes a half-dozen fresh oysters with creme fraiche and osetra caviar, Dover Sole served with a lobster crust, cauliflower risotto, nage, sea beans and tarragon, followed by a decadent Pistachio Cake for dessert that includes red fruits, white chocolate mousse, Tahitian Vanilla and pink peppercorns ($85). The entire regular dinner menu will also be available all night. The bar staff will also serve a romantic shareable take on a French 75 cocktail for two for the special night. The drink will be served on a beer flight board with a mini bottle of Moet Champagne and two different bases, gin and cognac, for a create-your-own-adventure cocktail to help see where the night takes you ($18). Reservations can be made here.

The Get Down Presents: I Love Me Dance Party at The Whistler- Roses are red, violets are blue, The Get Down’s more fun than dinner for two. The Whistler is throwing an anti-Valentine’s Day  “I Love Me” version of their monthly The Get Down dance party for all the single people out who just want to love themselves! On Wednesday, February 14th starting at 9:30pm, dance away the V-day blues with a party that is an ode to the period of time that created a new cross section of music, dance and culture that began in NYC, introducing the city to hip hop, soul, disco and R&B, as well as breakdancing and b-boys/girls. Bar manager Julieta Campos will also craft a special menu of cocktails for the evening that will run the gamut from pretty pink sips, to bright red concoctions and of course, whiskey heavy libations. Offerings will include the “I Will Survive”, a mixture of mezcal, Aronia berry, lime, cucumber and cola bitters, as well as the “Love Train”, made with raspberry, guava, vermouth and lemon, and as many others. There is no cover to attend.

Loves Me & Loves Me Not Cocktails at Dove's Luncheonette-Toast Valentine’s Day at Dove’s Luncheonette with “Loves Me” and “Loves Me Not” cocktails, perfect for celebrating the holiday regardless of your relationship status. Crafted by Head Bartender Sam Carlton, the Valentine’s Day drink menu features two artisanal libations— the floral-infused Valentine’s Daisy and the peppery Lonely Heart. The Valentine’s Daisy starts with a splash of Lunazul Blanco sourced from the diner's extensive agave collection, and is paired with Spanish-style Licor 43, hibiscus, fresh lime juice and garnished with a vibrant, edible orchid. Featuring the fruity notes of Banhez Mezcal, the Lonely Heart is mixed with a blend of Carro Tinto dry red wine, Campari, black currant-infused Creme de Cassis, egg white and garnished with speckles of Peychaud’s Bitters and pink peppercorns. Both the Valentine’s Daisy and the Lonely Heart cocktails are priced at $7 each. 

Muffaletta for Two at The Ruin Daily-If stuffing your face with sandwiches for Valentine’s Day is wrong, then The Ruin Daily doesn’t want to be right. Whether celebrating your love for your significant other or are looking to wallow away single-dom with some carbs, the all-day boozy deli in the West Loop has you covered. All week long (Feb. 12-16), enjoy the Muffaletta for Two sando, a sandwich big enough for sharing that includes salami, ham, swiss cheese, provolone, mortadella and giardiniera ($24). They will also offer single serving of the monstrous sandwich ($12), as well as High West Double Rye, served as either two shots or a single neat/rocks pour ($8).