The Sweetest Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Chicago This Year

David M. Lissner

Move out of the way, Paris! Chicago is taking over as the city of love this Valentine’s Day. With elegant and decadent dining options like a table at Chicago’s Most Romantic Restaurant, a luxurious staycation at one of the city’s most swanky spots, an interactive mixer at the hottest new year-round rooftop bar and blowouts and bubbly with the girls, this year will be one for the books. Might you be interested in covering these special Valentine’s Day offerings? We’ve rounded up all the sweetest soirees and specials to help make this Valentine’s Day the ultimate evening of love (or just as an excuse to spend the night out admiring our amazing city!).

 

 

Cherish Your Love at Chicago’s Most Romantic RestaurantListen up, lovebirds! Geja's Café, 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago’s premiere fondue restaurant long-known as “Chicago’s Most Romantic Restaurant,” is spreading the love for a nine-day Valentine’s Festival. From Saturday, February 9 through Sunday, February 17, Geja’s Café will be magically embellished and will feature a selection of rosé sparkling wines and champagnes, delicious fondue cuisine, perfectly complemented with entertainment throughout the evening from live flamenco and classical guitarists. The Valentine’s Festival will also play host to the ever-popular Celebration of Marriage Night, where couples receive an added discount based on the years they have been married. Those looking to celebrate on February 14th can also indulge in the Valentine’s Dinner PackageRegardless of what you are looking for, one thing is certain: Geja’s wants all patrons to eat their hearts out. For more information, please visit Geja’s website.

 

 

Sip on Champagne and Spend a Day at the Spa. For those looking to relax and rejuvenate this Valentine’s Day, Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 222 N Columbus Dr., is the most luxurious destination to call home. This year, couples can enjoy the Romantic Escape Package, which includes overnight accommodation for two in a Fairmont Guestroom at 20% off the best available rate, late checkout, and a bottle of bubbles, starting at $189. Guests can upgrade their stay with a variety of add-ons, including one dozen roses, a blowout, ice skating for two at Maggie Daley Park and breakfast in bed with mimosas. Guests looking to restore and reconnect this year can treat themselves to a getaway at Fairmont Chicago’s spa. mySpa’s Be Mine Package offers a champagne toast for two, 25-minute soak in the infinity tub with a seasonal bath bomb, 50-minute couples myMassages, and 50-minute couples signature facials starting at $500 per couple on weekdays and $550 on weekends from February 1 – February 28. Fairmont Chicago is also inviting Fairmont Gold guests to a Valentine Soirée, the Some Like It Hot Fondue Party, in the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge, February 15 -16, featuring tableside fondue and signature cocktails crafted from local distilleries. Guests looking to take advantage of Fairmont Gold and join the Valentine Soirée may book the “Gold Rush Package,” receiving three nights for the price of two. For more information, please visit Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park’s website.  

 

 

Savor the Moment with a Special Meal. Located downstairs of the Renaissance Chicago Hotel, Staytion Market & Bar, will offer a special Valentine’s Day a la carte menu for singles and couples alike to enjoy, complete with delectable bites, cocktails, and sweet treats available Thursday, February 14 through Saturday, February 16 from 4pm to 10pm. Special items on the menu include Steak Tartare with capers, pickled red onions, herb salad, and espelette aioli complete with a cured egg yolk and a crispy crostini for dipping, and Gemelli Pasta Cacio e Pepe II with crispy cauliflower, parmesan, scallion, black pepper, and parsley gremolata. Dessert options include Raspberry Mouse Heart Cake with pistachio crunch and champagne sorbet, as well as Sacher Torte with caramelized hazelnut and espresso creamux. Themed cocktails on menu include El Corazon with Vida mescal, honey, and chocolate bitters, Flirty Fizz with FEW barreled gin, chai, lemon, and prosecco, and We’re Mint to Be with cucumber vodka, blood orange limoncello, lemon, mint simple, and soda. Live music will be provided by Aly Jados on February 14th and Robbie Gould on February 15th from 5pm to 8pm. For more information, please visit Staytion’s website.

 

Get Egg-cited for Red Velvet French Toast. Chicago’s home for brunch, Yolk, is inviting couples to enjoy a complimentary Sweet Single of Red Velvet French Toast with the purchase of any two entrees. Constantly pushing the envelope with new and creative breakfasts, specialty juices and its own private label premium coffee in urban, upscale settings, Yolk is known for its delicious breakfast and lunch fare. Yolk’s menu includes signature specialty dishes like gourmet five-egg rolled omelet, eggs florentine, a wide range of skillets and scramblers, pancakes, frittatas, crepes and many more scrumptious options, as well as all-star menu items from Yolk’s inventive Test Kitchen. This sweet special offer is available during normal business hours at each of the eight Chicago Yolk locations and must be redeemed in-store. 

 

Say “Be Mine” to an Exciting Event. Bringing the romance to Chicago’s Loop neighborhood this Valentine’s Day, Raised, An Urban Rooftop Bar, 1 W. Wacker Drive, is hosting a special Sweet and Sour event on Thursday, February 14 from 4pm to 12am. The year-round rooftop destination will offer a themed food and beverage menu, as well as live music to celebrate the special day. The Valentine’s Day menu, available Thursday, February 14 through Saturday, February 16, is set to provide a mouthwatering selection of crave-worthy items including Blue Point Oysters with candied lime zest, micro cilantro, and champagne mignonette, Lemon-Shitake Pappardelle with parmesan and herbed butter, and Candied Sweet Potato Flatbread topped with Mt. Townsend Trufflestack, béchamel, sautéed spinach, and charred red onion. Patrons craving a sweet treat can enjoy the Chocolate Cup Cake with a vanilla boozy, cream center or the Pork and Doughnuts, three crispy old fashioned doughnuts sprinkled with maple pork and a chili glaze. To complement the standout dining menu and embrace the love in the air, Raised Mixologists have created an innovative selection of beverage options including Cotton Candy Cocktail made with Cucumber and Orchid Infused Ketel One, Rinomato, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, egg white, and cotton candy, Float Your Boat served with Ford’s Gin, Koval Jasmin, grapefuit tonic, lemon sorbet, and Juniper berries, and Sour Heart with Rinomato, Orchard Apricot, simple syrup, orange juice, lemon juice, and egg white. For a twist on the normal cocktail, Raised will be also serving Gummy Hearts with hibiscus and honey syrup. Local music will be provided by Chase & Park on February 14th 4pm to 12am and DJ 5IVE on February 15th 5pm to 8pm. Daily happy hour specials at Raised will also be available during the Sweet and Sour event. 

 

Top