I LOVE Valentine’s Day. Probably an abnormal amount… but nothing is better than getting the chance to wear lots of pink, send cute sparkly cards, eat chocolate, buy flowers, and celebrate love. Plus I love the fact that everything is kind of dark and depressing in February and in the midst of that dark month you get this beautiful romantic holiday to break up the monotony of all of it. Although it is not even February yet, restaurants book up for Valentine’s Day far in advance so it is always safe to think ahead.
1. Go Ice Skating at the Ribbon on Millennium Park. Get hot chocolate and hold hands. Bring dinner from the Soup Box for slight picnic feel or grab breakfast for dinner at Wildberry (only open for breakfast or lunch) across the street.
2. Dinner at a romantic, cozy restaurant. The following restaurants are dimly lit and warm- perfect for Valentine’s Day. Italian is always a good romantic bet.
- Le Colonial
- Ralph Lauren Restaurant
- A Tavola
- RM Champagne Salon
- Rose Angelis
- The City Winery
- Le Creperie
- The Boarding House
- Sapori Trattoria
- Lula Cafe
3. Stop by for Drinks or Dessert
- Drumbar
- Soho House
- D.O.C. Wine Bar
- Bar Pastoral (for cheese instead of dessert)
- Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
- Celeste
- RM Champagne Salon
4. Create your own dessert [bar] crawl. Spend the night going from one dessert place to the other getting a different dessert at each spot. The crawl could be cupcake themed (ie stop by MORE Cupcakes, Sprinkles, Magnolia Bakery, Molly’s Cupcake, Sweet Mandy B’s, and just little bakeries along the way). The crawl could also be ice cream themed where you go to Bobtail’s Ice Cream and then Jeni’s in Southport. Or candy themed where you start at Dylan’s Candy Bar and then go to Chiradellis and Hershey’s, etc. Or donut themed.. etc. you get the idea. If you need some help and want someone to plan the crawl for you, check out the Great Chicago Food Tours.
5. Take a Cooking Class at the Chopping Block.
6. Go to a Concert.
Remember Rainer Maria? Well they will be in Chicago ON Valentine’s Day at Lincoln Hall. Tickets are $20. Also on February 13th, Marc Broussard will be playing at the The City Winery.
7. Romantic Movie Marathon. Make gourmet popcorn (think truffle oil, rosemary, lots of fun seasonings), order carry out (… good carry out) and watch obviously 1) The Notebook, 2) The Vow, 3) Gone with the Wind.
8. Get Pedicures Together. … so I know this one may be slightly controversial, BUT it is ok for a man to get a pedicure as long as there is no nail polish wearing and no manicures! It’s just a slightly indulgent fun treat to enjoy together. Plus men like pedicures more than they would like to admit…
9. Spend a Night Out in Lake Geneva. Stay in Lake Geneva for a little fun weekend getaway and explore the town in the end of winter for a slightly different feel away from the city.
