—LKH Management—the group behind Lake View's Hydrate, Replay, Elixir Lounge and VII as well as Andersonville's Replay and Elixir—announced that it will close Halsted's Bar & Grill, 3441 N. Halsted St., on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 10 p.m. The company will introduce a new neighborhood-oriented food and beverage concept this spring.
—GreenRiver, 259 E. Erie, has added Pastry Chef Ji Hyun Yoon. Yoon most recently served as Executive Pastry Chef at Acadia, the two Michelin-starred contemporary American restaurant on Chicago's Southside, where she worked with GreenRiver Executive Chef Aaron Lirette. Some highlights of her recently launched dessert menu at GreenRiver include fresh fruit-focused seasonal dishes such as root beer panna cotta with ginger snap, apple and parsnip ice cream; coconut custard with pineapple, mint and hibiscus sorbet; chocolate ganache tart with dulce de leche, horchata ice cream; and chocolate with praline, feuilletine and passion fruit.
—Two Chicago restaurants made the cut for OpenTable's poll of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the United States—Geja's Cafe and Les Nomades. These awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 20,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
—Cocoa + Co., 1651 N. Wells St., is offering chocolate-related items for Valentine's Day. They include lips filled with coffee-flavored liquid caramel, from Veruca Chocolate; sweet-and-spicy gold-flecked hearts, from Cacao Atlanta; heart-shaped ganache bonbons from Chocolat Moderne; and European-style drinking chocolates.
—Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave., is offering specials for Valentine's Day weekend. On Friday-Sunday, Feb. 12-14, there's a selection of special entrees such as one-pound lobster Tail, eight-ounce Filet Oscar or a six-ounce filet with an eight-ounce lobster tail with two seasonal sides for $55 per person. Guests are also invited to enjoy Valentine's Day dinner all weekend long at Devon Seafood Grill's more upscale downstairs dining room. See DevonSeafood.com/Chicago .
—The Tortoise Club, 350 N. State St., will have live jazz in the lounge Feb. 12-14 (Valentine's Day weekend). The restaurant will also have roses for all couples and some specials in addition to its regular a la carte menu. Specials will include surf and turf (six-ounce filet with shrimp scampi) as well as pistachio-encrusted red snapper with black trumpet mushrooms, gnocchi and lobster sauce. See TortoiseClub.com .
—Lincoln Park's Nothing But Bundt Cakes is offering items from coffee mugs to napkins and dish towels to aprons and cake servers, allowed people to customize gifts for their loved ones. Special orders can be placed by calling 773-697-9263, and pricing ranges from $6 to $50.
—Magnolia Bakery, at Block 37 at 108 N. State St., is offering various treats for Valentine's Day, including chocolate bars ( $5.25 each ), red-velvet whoopie pies ( $4 each ), heart cookies ( $6/bag ) and cupcakes ( $3.75 each ).
—ENO Wine Room, 505 N. Michigan Ave., is offering a flight of sparkling Rose wines from around the world with a choice of a paired chocolate flight ( $20 ) for Valentine's Day. Also, ENO is currently offering boxes of Sweet Margy's toffee with any purchase of sparkling wine.
—At Shaw's Crab House in Chicago, there will be a four-course menu for Valentine's Day; options include chilled seafood platter for two, lobster bisque, mixed greens salad, salmon, filet mignon, king crab legs, ricotta cheesecake and triple-layer chocolate cake. The price for the dinner is $80 per person or $120 per person with an optional wine pairing ( excluding tax and gratuity ). Shaw's full a la carte menu will be offered in addition to the prix fixe. Call 312-527-2722.
—Bring your sweetheart to Revolucion Steakhouse. 3443 N. Broadway, or El Mariachi, 3420 N. Broadway, and celebrate Valentine's Day with a special three-course prix fixe menu for $45 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Also, the regular menu will be available.
—Acadia, 1639 S. Wabash Ave., will feature a five-course Valentine's Day tasting menu for $115 per person, or $190 with wine pairings. Including two canapes and optional upgrades of white Alba truffles and A5 Miyazaki beef throughout the meal, there will be other options like hiramasa and lobster pie. ( The standard 10-course menu is also available all weekend long. ) See AcadiaChicago.com .
—Earls Kitchen + Bar, 1538 N. Clybourn Ave., will feature a heart-shaped stenciled design on its Century Sour ( $10 ), a pisco-based cocktail, on Feb. 12-14. There will be the interestingly named Gold Digger Gelato, served with Italian vanilla and chocolate gelato, spiced candied pecans and tableside poured hot caramel toffee ( $8 ). Call 312-929-3952.
—The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, will host HiBall Events' Valentine's 2016 dinner & show for the second year, on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the legendary Empire Room within the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St. Diners seated at intimate tables arranged for two or four people enjoy a romance inspired, three course meal and dancing to live entertainment performed by Sam Fazio with his jazz quartet. Couples' packages are $179-$250; see www.palmerhousehiltonhotel.com/promotions/valentines-day-2-Feb. or ValentinesInChicago.com .
—For Valentine's Day, Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St., will offer a five-course tasting menu experience highlighting seasonal ingredients with a modern twist. A few of the options include roasted beet-and-leek soup, creme fraiche, vodka, caviar; caramel hibiscus float; rabbit sausage, celery root, black truffle; Jarrahdale pumpkin gnocchi, baby turnips, endive, miso butter; and chocolate marshmallow tart, salted caramel, peanut. The dinner is $110 each, with optional wine pairings for $70 or cocktails for $16; visit OpenTable or call 312-441-1920.
—GreenRiver ( 259 E. Erie St., 18th floor ) offers romance with a view for Valentine's Day weekend with a special five-course seasonal American tasting menu from Executive Chef Aaron Lirette on Feb. 12-14. Menu items include trout tartare with soy dashi and kumquat; cauliflower with black garlic, farro and leek; skate wing with mussels, curry, lentil and squash; duck with sunchoke, apple and swiss chard; and matcha eclairs with lychee and rose. The elegant Valentine's prix fixe menu is priced at $105 per person, with the option to add wine pairings for $55. See GreenRiverChi.com .
—The Ritz Carlton Chicago's Deca restaurant, 160 E. Pearson St., is offering a special Valentine's Day menu. Deca's three-course prix fixe menu for two is $195, including a bottle of rose champagne for the table. Options include the kale caesar salad with egg mimosa and white anchovies; the aparagus & black truffle risotto; the roasted Maine lobster with melted leeks, tricolor potatoes and chimichurri sauce; s'mores; chocolate fondue; and a half-dozen tuxedo strawberries with white and dark chocolate. See DecaRestaurant.com .
—At Sable Kitchen & Bar, 505 N. State St., Chef Lawrence Letrero has crafter a five-course Valentine's Day prix fixe for $55/person, with an optional cocktail pairing for $45. ( The regular menu will be offered a la carte as well. ) See SableChicago.com .
—At 312 Chicago, 136 N. LaSalle St., Chef Luca Corazzina has created a romantic Italian prix fixe menu, "Menu di Valentino," with four courses for $60/person + optional wine pairing for $85/person; available Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 13-14. Each course will have three different options so guests can select dishes based on dietary preference. Visit www.312chicago.com .
—Salero, 621 W. Randolph St., is offering Valentine's Day menu specials. They include Maine lobster, clam and calamari paella for two ( $60 ); and grill strip loin with rapini, salt-crusted potatoes and mojo sauce ( $42 ), among other dishes. See SaleroChicago.com .
—Couples who dine Friday-Sunday, Feb. 12-14, at a Fogo de Chao location will receive a Valentine's Dining Card good for a complimentary lunch or dinner toward their next visit. All Fogo de Chao locations—including Chicago, Rosemont and Naperville restaurants—will be open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. Reservations are highly recommended; visit FOGO.com .
—Rosemont's Estate at Gene & Georgetti, 9421 W. Higgins Rd., will transform into a supper club celebrating Valentine's Day with "A Fine Romance." The special evening includes a four-course dinner and live performances from Joan Curto, Tom Michael and Beckie Menzie on Sunday, Feb. 14. Seating for the show only begins at 7 p.m. and costs $25 per person plus tax and gratuity, with access to a cash bar. Reservations are required; call 847-653-3300.
—Cite—which is on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower, 505 N. Lake Shore Dr.—is offering a Valentine's Day menu as culinary director Martial Noguier recently began consulting for the restaurant as part of its reintroduction. Cite's Valentine's Menu will be available for $150 per person. ( Beverages, tax and 20-percent service charge are additional. ) Some of the options include American sturgeon caviar, prime steak tartare, Belgium endive and radicchio salad, rack of lamb, creme brulee and homemade chocolate truffle. Also, pianist Dean Rolando will play Feb. 14. See 312-644-4050.
—Beef & Barley Chicago & Gastropub, 3001 N. Ashland Ave., is doing a Walk of Shame brunch on Sunday, Feb. 14 ( Valentine's Day ). It's for all of those singles out there who were looking for love the night before. There will be some themed punch-bowl specials and a new brunch menu for guests enjoy, as well as an old-school photo booth with some Valentine's Day-themed props. There will also be a single's themed soundtrack during brunch service.
—Asians and Friends Chicago will hold its annual LGBT Chinese New Year's dinner—honoring the "Year of the Monkey"—at the Phoenix Restaurant, 2131 S. Archer Ave., on Saturday, Feb. 20. There will be cocktails and registration at 6:30 p.m., with a sit-down dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner includes a multi-course meal ranging from beef to fish to vegetable delicacies. A presale rate of $40 is detailed at www.afchicago.org . Tickets will be $50 at the door.
—The Fourth Annual Cider Summit Chicago will take place at Navy Pier on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Cider Summit Chicago is presented by Binny's Beverage Depot and will once again benefit Heartland Alliance and The Great Lakes Cider & Perry Association. Admission for the 21-and-over event is $35-$40; see CiderSummit.com .
—The Northalsted Business Alliance will host the Frost Fest Craft Beer Festival on Feb. 27-28. Admission is $35 for each event. Tickets are available exclusively on www.northalsted.com .
—Commonwealth Tavern, 2000 W. Roscoe St., invites people to watch the 88th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. With eight 70-inch plasma televisions, guests will have a guaranteed view of all the red carpet and award-show coverage. Patrons will enjoy special Oscars-inspired drinks for $5 each including the Red Carpet martini ( Patron, Patron Citronage, raspberry, cranberry ), Golden Statue cocktail ( Ciroc Peach, peach puree, champagne ) as well as a $5 Right Bee Cider. See CommonwealthChicago.com .
—Put on by Iceland Naturally immediately following the launch of Icelandair's direct route to Chicago O'Hare International Airport on March 16, Taste of Iceland will take place in restaurants, theaters and music venues across Chicago from Thursday, March 17 through Sunday, March 20. In celebration of bringing the tastes of Iceland to Chicago, Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson—one of three head chefs at LAVA Restaurant in Blue Lagoon—will collaborate with a local restaurant in preparing a limited-time three course pre-fixe menu. See icelandnaturally.com/article/taste-iceland-chicago-2016 .
—Bill Kim, owner and executive chef of Asian restaurant urbanbelly, has announced that a second location will open in Wicker Park in March. The four-time Michelin awarded restaurant also operates in West Loop's Randolph Street corridor, after relocating from its original location in Avondale in 2013. urbanbelly is just one of Kim's various Asian ventures in the Cornerstone Restaurant Group, which also includes bellyQ and Belly Shack.
—Pizza Barra—a unique dining concept by Rich Labriola and Chef Chris Macchia—joins the micro food hall Labriola Chicago at 535 N. Michigan Ave. The Deep Dish Pan Pizza uses focaccia dough with no side crust, and the classic Chicago Thin Crust is baked in the restaurant's deck ovens while being topped with traditional ingredients as well as Chicago favorites like Italian Beef. See PizzaBarra.com .
—As part of Chicago Black Restaurant Week ( which concludes Feb. 13 ), approximately 15 South Side and suburban restaurants are participating. A few of the participating businesses include Truth Italian Restaurant, Peach's, Mikkey's Grill, Bronzeville Jerk Shack and Thom's Turkey & BBQ. See ChicagoBlackRestaurantWeek.com .
—ZED451, 730 N. Clark St., has happy-hour specials—and the drinks mostly cost $4.51 at 4:30-7 p.m. The drinks are Manhattans ( Mondays ), margaritas ( Tuesdays ), half off select bottles of wine ( Wednesdays ), all draft and bottled beer ( Thursdays ) and Grey Goose drinks ( Fridays ).
—Sarah Jordan, chef/owner of Johnny's Grill in Logan Square, and Jay Schroeder ( Frontera Grill, Xoco, Red Door ) announced a new partnership in creating Mezcaleria Las Flores, a mezcal-focused bar concept in the existing bar portion of Johnny's Grill, 2545 N. Kedzie Ave. Johnny's guests will be able to eat and order food from Jordan's adjoining restaurant during the day until 5 p.m., when the mezcaleria becomes a bar, and guests can order from the Johnny's Grill menu upon request.
—After a two-year hiatus from the restaurant scene, chef Jason Vincent has announced his new restaurant, Giant, opening this spring in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood at 3209 W. Armitage Ave. Joining Vincent ( Nightwood ) in the kitchen is chef/partner Ben Lustbader, whose experience includes Citronelle, Lula Cafe, Nightwood and Publican Quality Meats. Ironically, Giant is a little 1,400-square-foot space that holds 40 seats.
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