The Chicago Traveler

Romance shouldn’t be reserved for just Valentine’s Day. As the temperatures begin to cool down, you can keep your relationship hot by visiting one or more of the ten best romantic date spots (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. Shanghai Terrace. With elegant art and a beautiful view, this Asian restaurant offers delicious sophistication.
9. Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar. The River North eatery serves French basics amidst casual, rustic surroundings.
8. Le Bouchon. Authentic and delicious French dishes at remarkable prices make this bistro one of Bucktown’s best.
7. Angelina Ristorante. In Lakeview, the popular date spot provides authentic Italian in a comfortable …read more

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you’re lovesick or sick of love, there’s something in town for you.
• All three locations of Adobo Grill in the Chicagoland area will be putting out a menu made for love. Dishes include empanadas con pétalos de rosa (empanadas stuffed with Oaxacan cheese, fresh corn, and chipotle-rose-petal salsa), parrillada de corazón (adobo-marinated lobster tail, grilled lamb chops, sea scallops, beef tenderloin, and homemade chorizo), and corazón de chocolate (Mexican chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry-corazón tequila sauce). (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., menu prices) (map) (link)
• You may not …read more

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Whether you’re lovesick or sick of love, there’s something in town for you.
• There are three little words that every woman wants to hear: “wine, cheese, chocolate.” Go all out, and buy your beloved a $96 glass of bubbly. Eno will be serving Dom Perignon Rose 1996 by the glass. If your date is not beloved but “beliked,” try the glasses of 1997 Terra Valentine Cabernet for $25 each. (4:00 p.m. – 12 midnight, menu prices) (map) (link)
• What could be more romantic than a Valentine’s Day cruise? Odyssey Cruises will provide you …read more

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Le Lan—“Le” meaning “the” in French and “Lan” meaning “orchid” in Vietnamese—serves a delicate array of French-Vietnamese fare in an elegant, upscale atmosphere. The chefs use classical preparations and techniques along with Asian accents and elements to highlight the dishes and create new flavor combinations that you never would’ve imagined. Tea-smoked duck breast is served alongside a savory bread pudding, and creative pairings include the zucchini-wrapped tilapia with flageolet beans.
This is more than just “fancy Vietnamese food.” The chefs have put a lot of effort into creating the menu and bringing just the right flavors together. After all, “unique” doesn’t …read more

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The environment and ambience of Le Colonial will take you to a place you’ve probably never experienced before: 1920s Saigon. Slow-moving ceiling fans and black and white photos will take you back to the beauty and romance of French colonial Southeast Asia. As I reclined beneath a palm tree in a cushy chair, the calm serenity and great food provided an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets just outside the front door.
“The food is Vietnamese food,” says executive chef Quoc Luong. “It’s not ‘fusion’ food; it’s not French.” The restaurant has attempted to take a cuisine …read more

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