Event Wed Feb 01 2012

Valentine's Dinner: How Not To F**k It Up

By Alexandra Moskovich

Want to know how? I'll tell you. It's really easy. I mean, you could sneak into your special person's apartment and spell out your initials in four different kinds of rose petals, careful to avoid yellow, 'cause it means "FRIENDSHIP." Or, instead of breaking and entering--do this, a gift from me to you: expend the least amount of energy (read: make a reservation) and impress your date with a cheesy explanation of what an amuse bouche is, in hopes of scoring that kiss! Nine times out of ten...

Whether it's in Logan Square or Near North Side, here's a list of talented and savvy restaurants that are sure to impress and are prepared to help you show your significant other that you care about good food just as much as you care about him/her.

Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie, across the street from the Logan Square Blue Line. Street parking available.
If your someone special is into fancy-meets-rustic, head over there for their Valentine's tasting menu. Seatings are at 6:30pm and 9pm. Among the menu items are a squab carpaccio, rack of lamb, and a Madagascan Chocolate Soufflé. If this sounds appealing to you (and it should)- call 773-276-7110 between 10am and 5pm, Monday-Friday. The tasting is $85 per person, with special wine pairings for an extra $35.

Telegraph
2601 N Milwaukee, also across the street from the Logan Square Blue Line. Street parking available.
If your sweetie is a wine connoisseur, or you're just trying to remain classy while getting them drunk, go to Telegraph restaurant and wine bar for their Valentine's Four Course Prix Fixe dinner. Ash rubbed krawford lamb saddle with blackened goat cheese, spaetzle pear mostarda and shaved turnips with a 2009 Andrea Calek "Babiole." Their menu is priced at $55, $85 with wine pairings (which you should probably splurge for). To make a reservation, call Telegraph at 773-292-9643. Leave a voicemail, they'll call you back within 24 hours.

Owen & Engine
2700 N Western. Reachable by the Western bus, or park in the movie theater garage for $2.
Owen & Engine is doing Valentine's a little differently, offering three-course shared appetizers for $30. What's better than downing oysters, Buffalo chicken hearts, or house-cured sausages with your lucky so-and-so? Faro, a tart and sweet ("like affairs of the heart") young lambic, and cocktails will be offered to compliment these appetizers for an additional $30 (two served per course). If the sausages are doing it for you, call 773-235-2930 to make a reservation.

Lula Cafe
2537 N Kedzie. Fancy that, also, across the square from the Logan Square Blue Line. Street parking also available.
Maybe your sweetie doesn't swoon over sausage. Try Lula for something a little more varied, while they do meat well, it's not the main focus--they are vegetarian-friendly. On the 14th, they'll be offering both a three-course ($45) and five-course ($65) menu, with wine pairings for an additional charge, or get a cocktail from their stocked bar. A Jerusalem artichoke soup with candied fennel, pinenut nectar, verjus and pomegranate, as well as an Illinois Flat Iron Steak with crosnes, roasted figs, winter baby carrots and cocoa are among the menu items. To make a reservation at Lula (so you can email me later to tell me about the torte), call 773-489-9554

MK
868 N Franklin. A short walk from the Chicago Brown Line stop. Valet and street parking available.
What? Logan Square doesn't scream ROMANCE? Go to MK. It was made for romance. Their staff is ready and waiting to make this a night to remember, and Executive Chef Erick Williams and Pastry Chef Tony Galzin have prepared a lovers' tasting menu ($79) boasting such items such as a beet salad, lobster, Kobe beef, that will, plain and simple, ensure you see some action. There's no other foreseeable outcome. To fall in love make a reservation, call 312-482-9179.

C-House and C-View
166 E Superior St, at the Affinia Chicago Hotel. Short walk from the Chicago Red Line. Valet and street parking (good luck) available.
Last, but certainly not least, if your loved one loves food enough to obsess over the Top Chef franchise, impress them by taking them to Top Chef Master Marcus Samuelson's restaurant, C-House. They are offering a special four-course tasting menu for $55 (featuring a sunchoke soup with crispy speck. Arctic char, flat iron stek and a chocolate torte), available not JUST on Valentine's but from February 10-12th and, of course, the 14th. They are also serving a vegetarian-friendly tasting menu. If just cocktails interest you, head to C-View on the hotel's 29th floor for a stunning view of the city. For a reservation at C-House, please call 312-523-0923.