Tag chicago restaurants

Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas from Parties That Cook

Valentine’s Day is slowly creeping up on you. There are now just a little over 2 weeks for you to plan your MOST AMAZING Valentine’s Day ever! No need to freak out. Parties That Cook has a few options for you last minute romancers.

Book a spa visit with a couples massage, and you are sure to earn extra points from your honey. Talk about luxurious, Auberge Du Soleil in Napa Valley offers a Valentine’s Indulgence spa package that actually includes a milk chocolate bath for two in a private outdoor garden. Admit it, you’re melting just thinking about it. Finally, retreat back inside for a full body massage using a decadent massage oil of chocolate and spice. Filling your own tub with chocolate milk is NOT recommended.

Nice restaurants don’t have to come with an expensive prix fixe meal. While it may be easier to have one less decision to make that night, ordering a la carte is better for your wallet. Here’s a list of fine dining establishments in San Francisco and Chicago that stay true to a la carte menus.

Cooking a romantic dinner is another option that allows you to show your personality through food. Check out Parties That Cook’s Valentine’s Day Couples Cooking Classes! Sip on delicious sparkling wine (included) as you and your honey heat up the kitchen and learn to make dishes like Pancetta-Wrapped Plums with Blue Cheese and Sweet Honey-Balsamic Glaze.  The Chocolate-Raspberry Truffles are the cherry, wait, raspberry on top. Hosted in San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle, these events are sure to sell out.

Don’t have a sweetie? Find him or her at a Valentine’s Day Singles Cooking Class!  Guests are broken into co-ed cooking teams to work on recipes from the evening’s tapas menu. You’ll mix and mingle with other singles while sipping wine and learning how to prepare delicious new dishes. Trust me, it’s better than finding love through your car.

If you’re love life is laughable, check out Mortified SF/Berkeley/LA/Boston’s Doomed Valentines shows. Real stories of awkward Valentine’s Day mishaps may just make you feel better about yourself.

Dine About Chicago PTC Style: Our Favorite Chicago Restaurants

After doing a roundup of some of our favorite restaurants in the Bay Area, we decided it would be a great idea to ask our Chicago counterparts for their most frequented and most favorite.

Avec – a very popular, therefore very crowded, restaurant. Many reviews say it is worth the wait and the communal tables add a new twist on the old restaurant environment.

Blackbird – Noted for its innovative menu and small but solid wine list.

North Pond – With a gorgeous view and knowledgeable staff, this would be a great place for a special occasion or visiting guest.

Adobo Grill – This is a great location to get something different than your usual Mexican food, but also a good spot for a delicious margarita!

Piccolo Sogno – This upbeat joint has great appetizers as well as an array of wines served by the glass.

Big Star – These homemade and creative dishes are served at a great price!

MK – Great food in an intimate atmosphere that’s not too packed together.

Fronterra Grill – This restaurant works with top notch ingredients and serves up some delicious Mexican dishes along with great margaritas and a wide selection of Mexican beers.

Custom House – Our chefs love the Braised Short Rib!

The Publican – a pork and beer lovers dream!

The Avenues – They have a fantastic 15 course tasting menu, set in the beautiful Peninsula of Chicago.

Everest – Our chefs see this as one of their favorite staples.

Sola – Awesome food and drinks. The room has great sound as well – you can hear the person sitting across from you.

Spring – This restaurant has great food, drinks AND service. A few of the PTC favorites are the Seared Maine Sea Scallops, braised oxtail, wild mushrooms, sweet soy, and baby bok choy.

Spacca Napoli – The service is great – your pizza comes out 5-10 minutes after you order them. All of their pizzas are made in the in-house wood burning Pizza oven. The pizza special with porcinis and truffle cheese is a favorite.

Mixteco – Great mole and it is BYOB!

Any or all of these restaurants are great options to show visitors, try out for the first time, or put on your regular list of restaurants – as tested and proven by our own Chicago foodies!