dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Valentine's Day 2020: Suburban restaurants serving up sweet deals all weekend long

Valentine 's Day falls on a Friday this year , so you and your significant other can celebrate all weekend long if you want .
And suburban restaurants are cooking up a variety of romantic dinner specials for Feb. 14 .
Treat your special someone to a night out that she or he wo n't soon forget .
Executive chef Nicholas Landeweer will be creating Valentine 's Day specials featuring apps such as grilled shrimp wrapped in smoked salmon and lobster risotto ; a beets , apple and almond salad ; and main dishes including grilled filet mignon au jus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sautéed salmon Oscar .
End with a shared flourless chocolate cake or caramel mousse and raspberry sorbet .
Antico Posto extends its Valentine 's Day celebration from Thursday through Sunday , Feb. 13-16 .
Specials include grilled truffled mushrooms , lobster ravioli , beef tenderloin risotto and white chocolate cheesecake , perfect for two .
The full menu will be available .
Reservations requested .
Fans of murder mysteries wo n't want to miss the Arcada 's St. Valentine 's Day Massacre Murder Mystery Dinner .
Doors open at 6 p.m. Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the show from 8 to 10 p.m. Dine on salad , prime rib , potatoes , veggies , red velvet cake and more while trying to solve the murder mystery .
Tickets cost $ 65 .
A cash bar will be available .
Nothing says love like hand-decorated cookies at Beatrix .
Beatrix Valentine 's Day specials feature heart-shaped cookies , the rhubarb gin and tonic , the housemade truffled cheese ravioli with roasted wild mushrooms and asparagus and the Triple-Layer Coconut Champagne Cake with coconut buttercream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a special three-course Valentine 's Day Menu for Two , available Thursday through Sunday , Feb. 13-16 .
The menu includes an appetizer ( crab rangoon , Kung Pao chicken pot stickers , crispy Sichuan eggplant , chicken lettuce wraps ) to share , a choice of main courses ( Kung Pao chicken , General Tso 's chicken , beef and broccoli , yellow curry chicken , chef 's choice stir fry and more ) and a choice of dessert ( chocolate fudge cake or banana cheesecake ) to share .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including beverages , tax or gratuity .
The regular menu will be available .
From 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday , Feb. 14-15 , dine on a five-course dinner for two while enjoying live music .
Sup on shrimp de Jonghe or fried calamari , soup and salad , and a choice of filet and lobster , baked jumbo stuffed shrimp , skirt steak and stuffed shrimp or Parmesan-crusted twin filet mignon .
Dessert is warm bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream .
It 's $ 89.99 .
Reservations suggested .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner for two at Burnham 's Friday and Saturday , Feb. 14-15 .
Enjoy live music from Double Treble ( a dueling piano duo ) Friday and from Paul Strolia Saturday .
Dine on salad , mango sorbet , Kona-crusted tenderloin of beef with a lobster tail and crawfish etoufee , and an assortment of cheese and seasonal grapes .
Add paired wine tastings for $ 30 per person .
Reservations required .
Dine on a Kona-crusted steak at Capital Grille on Valentine 's Day .
The Capital Grille Make reservations for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Feb. 13 , when you can enjoy a special complimentary pairing of Veuve Clicquot Brut or Rosé and hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries .
Spoil your Valentine with a five-course tasting menu featuring baked Italian Brie in a puff pastry or grilled marinated octopus and shrimp , salad or homemade lobster bisque , homemade heart-shaped ravioli filled with lobster , scallops and shrimp or penne estivo , oven-roasted whole Mediterranean sea bass or a grilled 7-ounce beef tenderloin filet , and creme brulee or chocolate lava cake .
It 's $ 79 per person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reservations recommended .
Catch 35 celebrates love with Valentine 's specials Wednesday through Sunday , Feb. 12-16 .
Splurge on grilled filet mignon ( $ 38 ) , stuffed Maine lobster tail ( $ 49 ) or steak and cake ( grilled 6-ounce filet and Maryland-style crabcake for $ 45 ) .
The regular menu will be available .
Reservations recommended .
Chandler 's hosts an early Valentine 's dinner and show featuring The Chicago Rat Pack and special guest Sheri Winkelmann performing her tribute to Marilyn Monroe Saturday , Feb. 8 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner at 7:30 p.m. and the show from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Dine on a five-course meal for $ 60 , including tax and tip .
A cash bar will be available .
Reservations required .
Take the guessing out of Valentine 's Day with Che Figata 's $ 75 pre-fixe menu .
Dine on prosecco toast , baked oyster pie , orecchiette , lobster sausage and peppers , filet Rossini and for dessert , budino ( vanilla bean budino , chocolate dumante , strawberry jam , balsamic vinegar and pistachio crumble ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Feb. 14-15 , is for chocolate and dinner together at the Gurnee restaurant .
Take advantage of specials such as baked goat cheese and dark chocolate marinara ( $ 15 ) , pan-seared scallops with cocoa nib bacon jam ( $ 15 ) , charcuterie for two with meats , cheeses and chocolates ( $ 15 ) , 14-ounce beef Wellington for two featuring pastry with Valrhona dark chocolate and roasted potatoes ( $ 70 ) , 10-ounce New York strip and lobster surf and turf with cocoa-dusted oven-baked Parmesan fries ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sea bass with yuzu white chocolate coconut rice ( $ 38 ) , cocoa ginger-spiced fried tofu ( $ 22 ) , and special Valentine 's desserts and drinks .
Reservations required .
The Arlington Heights location is hosting a Valentine 's Day wine pairing from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday , Feb. 14 .
For $ 79.99 a person , the event begins with a toast of Scarletto before moving on to truffle bisque paired with Lux Chardonnay .
Next is roasted beet carpaccio paired with riesling before the main course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobster tail paired with Caspaña .
Dessert features salted caramel crème brûlée and flourless chocolate torte paired with Nightjar .
Buy tickets at eventbrite.com/ .
The other Cooper 's Hawk locations ( Burr Ridge , Downers Grove , Morton Grove , Naperville , South Barrington , St. Charles , Wheeling ) will be serving a special a la carte Valentine 's menu featuring filet medallions and Parmesan-crusted lobster tail for $ 36.99 , twin Parmesan-crusted lobster tails for $ 38.99 and dark chocolate flourless torte for $ 8.99 .
Wine and dine your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ menu featuring seared ahi tuna ( $ 13 ) , Bookbinder soup ( $ 10 ) , surf and turf for two ( $ 75 ) , duck breast ( $ 34 ) , pan-seared T-bone steak ( $ 38 ) , and desserts of lava cake ( $ 7 ) , chocolate surprise ( $ 8 ) and trio de bonbons ( $ 8 ) .
Enjoy live music in the lobby starting at 7 p.m. Friday , Feb. 14 , and 7:30 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 15 .
Reservations recommended .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glenview , Gurnee , Hinsdale , Lake Forest , Lake in the Hills , Libertyville , Lincolnshire , Naperville , Palatine , Park Ridge , Schaumburg and Wheaton ; einsteinbros.com/ Now through Friday , Feb. 14 , Einstein 's will be baking up plain , chocolate chip and cinnamon raisin heart-shaped bagels .
A single bagel runs $ 1.49 , while a half-dozen is $ 11.99 and a baker 's dozen costs $ 15.79 .
Celebrate Valentine 's with tapas , postres and a glass of complimentary champagne .
The Día de San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , features pan con tomate y serrano for $ 11 , a lamb rack paired with crème brûlée sweet potato and Brussels sprouts for $ 42 , and sweets such as arroz con leche for $ 9 and tarte de chocolate for $ 10 .
Reservations required .
Fat Rosie 's celebrates Dia de San Valentin Wednesday through Sunday , Feb. 12-16 .
Specials include sopa de tortilla for $ 8 , crepas de huitlacoche ( two serrano-cilantro crepes filled with huitlacoche ) for $ 12 , sopes de langosta ( three masa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 22 , carne a la mexicana ( grilled 12-ounce rib-eye marinated in adobo ) for $ 28 and gansito ( strawberry and vanilla layered cake ) for $ 8 .
The Itasca restaurant will be serving up Valentine 's specials such as lobster bisque , crabcakes , Chef Ron 's Cioppino , truffle risotto filet and chocolate lava cake this weekend .
On Thursday , Feb. 13 , Seasons 52 will be serving a special Valentine 's Day Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail entree .
Francesca 's Restaurants Locations in Arlington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lake Forest , Naperville , Northbrook , St. Charles and more .
miafrancesca.com/ Take time out for a romantic Italian dinner Wednesday through Sunday , Feb. 12-17 , at Francesca 's .
The menu includes Maine lobster bisque , insalata mista con lamponi , ricotta and truffle-filled cappellacci , seared 8-ounce prime filet topped with Maine lobster and heart-shaped red velvet mascarpone mousse cake .
Take your date out for a fun time to GameWorks ' Valentine 's Day Treat for 2 .
For $ 15 , get a Lover 's Lane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shake ) , plus two one-hour game cards or one hour of Esports play for two .
Enjoy a memorable Valentine 's weekend dinner at the Rosemont steakhouse .
Specials include shrimp de Jonghe ( $ 24 ) , heart-shaped ravioli Valentino ( $ 28 ) , King crab legs ( $ 69 a pound ) , surf and turf ( 8-ounce prime filet mignon and grilled shrimp for $ 75 ) , bistecca fiorentina for two ( 40-ounce dry-aged T-bone for $ 98 ) and white chocolate mousse ( $ 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special four-course dinner for two and a bottle of rose is $ 96 .
Reservations required .
Lombard : Start off your Valentine 's weekend -- Friday through Sunday , Feb. 14-16 -- with specials including the lobster bisque ( $ 5.95 ) , domestic waygu strip steak ( $ 40.95 ) and surf and turf ( $ 46.95 ) .
For dessert , try the Breaking Ball ( $ 24.95 ) , which is a white chocolate dome that you break open with a keepsake mini Harry Caray 's baseball bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with cappuccino chocolate chip gelato , espresso crème anglaise and mixed berries .
Reservations recommended .
Rosemont : Specials Feb. 14-16 include lobster bisque , porcini-dusted Chilean sea bass ( $ 34.95 ) , espresso-rubbed 6-ounce filet mignon and colossal sea scallops ( $ 52.95 ) and the Breaking Ball dessert ( $ 24.95 ) .
On Friday , Feb. 14 , The Heritage will be plating a special `` Lovebirds '' stuffed quail plate with a hominy salad , chimichurri , roasted rutabaga , squash and a cider mole .
Make reservations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day dinner , offering seatings at 4 , 6 and 8 p.m. Feb. 14 .
The Compass Rose Quintet will provide music during the 6 and 8 p.m. dinners .
The first course features an avocado and arugula salad , sweet potato bisque or Ibérico croquettes .
Next up is a choice of braised halibut , baked chicken gnocchi , or surf and turf ( $ 10 upcharge ) .
End with bananas Foster souffle , deep chocolate pot de crème or crème brûlée cheesecake .
It 's $ 35 at 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seatings .
Reservations required .
Nothing says romance like Hofbräuhaus ' seven-day Sausage Fest , running Friday through Thursday , Feb. 14-20 .
Dine on the Sausage Tower ( six sausages with haus-made kraut ) ; The Southerner ( skewered andouille sausage with shrimp over Cajun rice ) ; The Northerner ( a foot of sausage on a bun topped with kraut and fried onions ) ; The European ( smoked pork sausages paired with cheesy pierogies ) ; and The Big Daddy ( eight sausages and meats with potato salad , sauerkraut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group the Milwaukee Mullers will provide entertainment from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 15 .
Make it a date with a Valentine 's Day four-course meal , including a champagne toast with dessert , before seeing a performance of `` An American in Paris . ''
Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday , Feb. 14-15 , featuring a seafood tower for two or charcuterie , a red romaine wedge , a choice of carved chateaubriand or pan-roasted barramundi and chocolate roulade for two .
It 's $ 65 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday , Feb. 16 .
Dine from 10 gourmet food stations and sip on unlimited champagne .
It 's $ 45 for adults , $ 20 for kids 6-12 , $ 15 for kids 3-5 , and free for kids 2 and younger .
Reservations required .
You have time to savor Kona Grill 's Valentine 's specials , which run from Friday , Feb. 14 , through Saturday , Feb. 29 .
Enjoy the Grand Kona for Two featuring two glasses of bubbly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sea bass , pan-seared scallops , Brussels sprouts and Kona whipped potatoes for $ 90 .
Other specials include lobster pot stickers ( $ 8 ) , coconut shrimp bisque ( $ 10 ) , pan-seared salmon ( $ 25 ) , 8-ounce filet with lobster butter ( $ 33 ) and red velvet butter cake ( $ 10 ) .
Reservations requested .
412 E. Devon Ave. , Elk Grove Village , with other locations in Chicago , Evergreen Park , Hillside and Homewood .
See krispykreme.com/ .
Express how you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 edible phrases such as `` BE MINE , '' `` DREAMY '' and `` ILYSM . ''
Available now through Friday , Feb. 14 , doughnut flavors include Cake Batter , Strawberries and Kreme , Original Kreme and Chocolate Kreme Filled .
• Make it a funny Valentine 's this year at Maggiano 's Valentine 's Day Comedy Show from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday , Feb. 14 , in Naperville .
Dine on a family-style dinner while Chicago Comedy Scene Radio provides the laughs .
Tickets cost $ 60 for adults @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash bar will be available .
Note : This is an adult-themed show ; 21 and older only .
Maggiano 's is at 1847 Freedom Drive , Naperville , ( 630 ) 536-2280 , maggianos.com/ .
• If music is more your style , Maggiano 's Oak Brook hosts a Dueling Piano Valentine 's Day event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday , Feb. 14 .
Tickets , which cost $ 75 for adults 21 and older , include a family-style dinner and a prosecco toast plus music from Windy City Dueling Piano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be available .
Maggiano 's is at 240 Oakbrook Center , Oak Brook , ( 630 ) 368-0300 , maggianos.com/ .
On Friday , Feb. 14 , enjoy love potion cocktails and jazz standards and the Great American Song Book from the Mark Bettcher Trio Live starting at 7:30 p.m. No cover .
Celebrate your sweet with a four-course dinner featuring a soup or salad , tapas for sharing , a choice of entree ( pan-roasted Scottish salmon , mushroom risotto , rib-eye or Tuscany chicken ) and a dessert ( chocolate cake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) for sharing .
It 's $ 90 per couple , which includes a complimentary glass of bubbly .
Michael Jordan 's Valentine 's weekend special menu for two features two apps , two entrees ( steak and lobster , Chilean sea bass , crab-crusted 24-ounce bone-in rib-eye , Tomahawk at a $ 30 upcharge ) , two sides and two desserts ( peanut butter pie , Key lime pie , chocolate mousse and raspberry `` martini '' ) for $ 65 per person .
Reservations required .
Now through Friday , Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strawberry Amaretto Margarita featuring a blend of Sauza Tequila with Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur , strawberry and lemon-lime juice and served on the rocks with a sugar rim , lime and strawberry .
Also , bottles of wine are 50 % off on Thursday and Friday , Feb. 13-14 .
The Salmon Coulibiac is a Valentine 's Day special at Mon Ami Gabi .
Mon Ami Gabi The French bistro is offering three limited-time Valentine 's specials , from Thursday through Wednesday , Feb. 13-19 .
During that time , try the French Kiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dessert Trio of passion fruit crème brûlée , mini chocolate tart and raspberry macaron .
Reservations are strongly encouraged .
Locations in Barrington , Bartlett , Hoffman Estates , Lake in the Hills , Mount Prospect , Rosemont and Schaumburg .
morettisrestaurants.com/ Moretti 's Valentine 's specials , available Friday through Sunday , Feb. 14-16 , include shrimp prosciutto di Parma ( $ 8.99 ) , zuppe di pesce ( $ 23.99 ) , grilled swordfish ( $ 21.99 ) , twin beef tenderloin filet and shrimp scampi ( $ 21.95 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Lover 's Cheesecake for Two ( $ 10.99 ) .
Reservations requested .
From Saturday , Feb. 8 , through Saturday , Feb. 15 , dine on an 8-ounce filet mignon paired with a 1¼-pound lobster topped with lobster butter sauce , grated Parmesan and a puff pastry for $ 59 .
Locations throughout the suburbs .
See olivegarden.com/ .
Order in this Valentine 's Day with Olive Garden 's 2 ToGo dinner starting at $ 35 .
Start with soup or salad and breadsticks , a choice of five-cheese marinara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entree of five-cheese ziti al forno or chicken Alfredo ( upcharge ) , and black tie mousse cake or tiramisu to share .
You have a few extra days to enjoy 151 's Valentine 's Day menu as the restaurant will be offering it Wednesday through Sunday , Feb. 12-16 .
For $ 45 , treat your love to a champagne toast , a sweetheart salad , an entree of hangar steak or scallops with Cupid 's Rissotto and chocolate-covered strawberries .
Reservations recommended .
Share Pennyville Station 's Housemade Red Velvet Cake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pennyville Station Chef Jose Alvarez will be whipping up some specials just for Valentine 's Day .
On Feb. 14 , enjoy the special crabcake appetizer for two ( $ 16.95 ) , 8-ounce filet and crabcake surf n ' turf entree ( $ 49 ) and housemade red velvet cake ( $ 10 ) .
Reservations are strongly recommended .
Celebrate your Valentine with the Rare and Well Done Valentine 's Day dinner Friday , Feb. 14 .
The prix fixe menu starts with lobster bisque , French onion soup , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wedge or the Caesar salad .
Main course options include the 8-ounce Filet Perry , 14-ounce prime New York strip , 14-ounce prime rib-eye , Perry 's Famous Pork Chop , grilled salmon , lobster truffle risotto and chicken Oscar .
Dessert is a choice of white chocolate cheesecake , chocolate crunch or the dessert trio .
It 's $ 60 per person for reservations at 5:30 p.m. and earlier and $ 75 per person for reservations at 5:45 p.m. and later .
Reservations required .
On Valentine 's Day , the wood-fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a heart .
As a bonus , eat dinner at Pinstripes Friday and receive a complimentary champagne toast and a slice of Frangelico chocolate cake .
Portillo 's heart-shaped chocolate cake is back , now through Sunday , Feb. 16 .
Portillo's Locations across the suburbs .
See portillos.com/ .
The restaurant 's famous heart-shaped cake is back for Valentine 's Day .
The single-layer chocolate iced cake , which is $ 15.99 , is available now through Sunday , Feb. 16 , in store .
Portillo 's will donate 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 25,000 ) of the heart-shaped cake to the American Red Cross .
Make reservations now for the Valentine 's Day dinner , which will include specials such as barbecue braised brisket with mashed potatoes and mirepoix of vegetables , grilled Ora king salmon with sautéed garlic broccoli and Mom 's Cherry Pie .
The full dinner menu will be available .
How does a Valentine 's Day Spanish Tapas Wine Dinner sound ?
Starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday , diners can nosh on 10 courses paired with four wines .
Try the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smoked salmon tostada , sauteed shrimp , cheese- and spinach-stuffed mushrooms , chocolate macadamia cookie and more .
It 's $ 140 per couple .
For reservations , contact Erin Bobsin at ebobsin @ prairielanding.com or ( 630 ) 208-7633 .
On Friday , Feb. 14 , treat your Valentine to a $ 21.99 three-course dinner .
Start with a cup of soup or salad and then choose an 8-ounce grilled sirloin steak with seasoned vegetables and cheddar mashed potatoes or the simply grilled Atlantic salmon with seasoned vegetables and Spanish red rice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kona ice cream pie , mint chocolate chip pie , peanut butter pie or salted caramel cheesecake .
Plus , take advantage of half-priced bottles of wine and the $ 7 Cherry Pom Sweetheart Cosmo .
On Friday and Saturday , Feb. 14-15 , treat your sweet to a four-course Valentine 's Day tasting menu for $ 98 a person .
Dine on a first course of beef tataki , robata grilled scallops and shrimp tempura before moving on to the sashimi platter and lobster maki .
Next up is Chilean sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and truffle mashed potato .
Finish with a chocolate strawberry lava cake and vanilla ice cream .
The optional wine pairing is $ 49 per person and the cocktail pairing is $ 29 each .
Reservations required .
The Rose Hotel has joined with The Prisoner Wine Company for a special Valentine 's Day pairing dinner on Feb. 14 hosted by John Samaritano .
Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. before the 7 p.m. dinner from Executive Chef Nicholas Malloy .
Start off with scallops paired with `` Snitch , '' then enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with `` Cuttings . ''
Next is braised lamb shank paired with `` Eternally Silenced . ''
End with red wine cheesecake paired with `` Prisoner . ''
Tickets are $ 80 per person .
Reservations required .
Enjoy the piano and vocal talents of Johnny Burnett during Valentine 's Day Dinner Friday , Feb. 14 .
Share a Pre-Valentine 's prix fixe dinner featuring a four-course couples ' menu specially curated by chef Matt Gillie from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday , Feb. 13 .
The $ 99 meal , which includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and squash or lobster bisque , oysters on the half shell or salmon tartare , filet mignon au poivre or fire-roasted halibut , and tiramisu or apple tart .
The dinner also will be available on Friday and Saturday , Feb. 14-15 .
A credit card is required to secure the tasting menu .
Start off with the lobster ravioli appetizer at Seasons 52 .
Seasons 52 Seasons 52 celebrates five days of Valentine 's starting Monday , Feb. 10 .
Monday , there 's a special lobster ravioli appetizer on the menu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your significant other with a Raspberry Rosé Martini ( vodka , rosé , St. Germain and lemon ) .
Wednesday , it 's the Red Velvet Raspberry Rose Mini Indulgence .
Thursday , indulge in the Valentine Pairing for 2 featuring two filet mignon and Maine lobster tail entrees , caramelized grilled sea scallops to share and two 6-ounce glasses of Vanderpump Dry Rosé for $ 99 .
Friday is the big day : Couples who get engaged at Seasons 52 on Valentine 's Day will receive with a complimentary toast every time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Reservations required .
Finish your meal at Seasons 52 with the Red Velvet Raspberry Rose Mini Indulgence .
Shaw 's Crab House Friday through Sunday , Feb. 14-16 , dine on a four-course dinner for two that starts with a sparkling toast and an oyster sampler to share .
Then choose a Caesar salad or the lobster bisque before noshing on filet and lobster Bearnaise and double baked potato and ending with chocolate pot de crème with fresh berries .
The special is $ 150 .
The dinner menu also will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra sweet with a box of 10 chocolate-covered mini cake or red velvet doughnuts for $ 12.95 .
Other Valentine 's specials include the Sweetheart Stan ( a chocolate-glazed red velvet cake doughnut with a candy conversation heart ) for $ 3.75 , or the Turtle Cake , Chocolate-Covered Strawberry or V-Day Sprinkled cake and glazed doughnuts for $ 2.75 .
Wash them down with a chocolate-covered cherry hot chocolate , a chocolate-covered cherry mocha or a cherry chocolate lightning ( cold brew coffee , chocolate milk and cherry syrup ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just for Valentine 's Day at Stolp Island Social .
Stolp Island Social Over Valentine 's weekend , sip on the specialty cocktail the Clover Club ( egg white , CH gin , lemon juice and crème de casis black currant liqueur ) for $ 13 .
Surprise your special someone with a three-course $ 79 Love at First Bite prix fixe menu , available Friday and Saturday , Feb. 14-15 .
Start with a Caesar salad , iceberg lettuce wedge or shrimp and lobster bisque , then choose from a 16-ounce rib-eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fresh fish , then end with bananas Foster bread pudding , New York-style cheesecake or Key lime pie .
Reservations required .
The special Valentine 's Day menu features edamame dumplings ( $ 10 ) , mac and cheese to share ( $ 12 ) , surf and turf featuring skirt steak and shrimp quinoa fried rice ( $ 36 ) , and baked Alaska ( $ 10 ) .
Plus , sip on a glass of Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose for $ 9 .
The specials are available Valentine 's Weekend only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy the specialty Red Velvet Fusion Cake dessert .
It 's a white chocolate cheesecake batter atop red velvet cake with chocolate chips , cream cheese icing and a drizzle of chocolate ganache for $ 9 .
Reservations recommended .
From Thursday through Saturday , Feb. 13-15 , enjoy a special three-course prix fixe Valentine 's menu .
Choose from beet salad carpaccio or carrot ginger soup to start , then choose an entree such as pan-seared scallops , strip steak or sweet potato risotto .
Finish with a dessert duo of raspberry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tart .
It 's $ 45 per person .
Reservations requested .
Tokio Asian Fusion will be offering the Korean marinated filet hot rock over Valentine 's Day weekend .
Tokio Asian Fusion Valentine 's specials Feb. 14-15 include the Love Drunk Martini ( cherry vodka , maraschino liquor , fresh citrus juices , simple syrup ) , heart-shaped pressed sushi , Korean marinated filet hot rock , Szechuan lobster tails with bok choy and jasmine rice , and strawberry mochi with strawberry puree .
The regular menu will be available .
Offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's will be mixing up the TruLuv cocktail featuring dry ice smoke , vodka , cava , chambord , pineapple juice and raspberries .
Dinner specials include the tuna tartare tower , lobscargot , miso-glazed sea bass , pan-seared scallops and Alaskan king crab cluster .
For a treat , try the Chocolate Malt Cake , baked Alaska or carrot cake , all made in-house daily .
It 's time to get all gussied up for Two Brothers ' Valentine 's Day Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Friday , Feb. 14 .
Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cocktail hour before moving on to the prix fixe seven-course meal paired with beer .
The menu 's theme is `` Traveling the Spice Trail : Explore the culinary world through spices as we travel from Africa , through India and into Asia . ''
Tickets cost $ 100 , not including tax and gratuity .
Reservations required .
Take advantage of Valentine 's specials all week long , such as surf and turf , Dover sole , homemade pastas , lobster tail , sea bass and Alaskan king crab legs .
Celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 13 , and receive a free dessert .
Reservations requested .
From Thursday through Sunday , Feb. 13-16 , take advantage of the Valentine 's Day specials featuring the Wild Hibiscus Kiss cocktail for $ 14 .
Also on offer are the lobster bisque , strawberry goat cheese salad , cast-iron shrimp scampi , plancha-seared sea scallops , filet mignon Oscar , raspberry swirl cheesecake and white chocolate crème brûlée .
Locations across the suburbs .
See whitecastle.com/ # valentines-day .
For those who love Sliders , share your affinity with your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day Dinner that includes a sit-down dinner with hostess seating and tableside service in a decorated room .
Reservations , which are available from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday , Feb. 14 , at participating locations , can be made through opentable.com .
Treat your special someone to a four-course Valentine 's Menu for Two , available Thursday through Sunday , Feb. 13-16 .
Dinner includes a starter ( crab-stuffed mushroom caps , jumbo shrimp cocktail ) and salad ( Caesar or Wildfire chopped ) to share , a choice of Wildfire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steak , petite filet mignon , fresh fish or oven-roasted lump crabcakes , and a dessert ( chocolate cream pie , homemade carrot cake , Key lime pie ) to share .
The menu is $ 99.95 per couple , plus tax and gratuity .
The regular menu will be available .

Valentine's Day 2020: Suburban restaurants serving up sweet deals all weekend long
End your Valentine's Day meal with the chocolate espresso cake at Capital Grille. Courtesy of Capital Grille
Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year, so you and your significant other can celebrate all weekend long if you want. And suburban restaurants are cooking up a variety of romantic dinner specials for Feb. 14. Treat your special someone to a night out that she or he won't soon forget.
Allgauer's on the Riverfront
Hilton Chicago Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, (847) 664-7999, allgauers-on-the-riverfront.business.site/
Executive chef Nicholas Landeweer will be creating Valentine's Day specials featuring apps such as grilled shrimp wrapped in smoked salmon and lobster risotto; a beets, apple and almond salad; and main dishes including grilled filet mignon au jus paired with lemon roasted jumbo shrimp, and sautéed salmon Oscar. End with a shared flourless chocolate cake or caramel mousse and raspberry sorbet.
Antico Posto
118 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9200, antico-posto.com/
Antico Posto extends its Valentine's Day celebration from Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 13-16. Specials include grilled truffled mushrooms, lobster ravioli, beef tenderloin risotto and white chocolate cheesecake, perfect for two. The full menu will be available. Reservations requested.
Arcada Theatre
105 E. Main St., St. Charles, arcadalive.com/event/valentines-murder-mystery/
Fans of murder mysteries won't want to miss the Arcada's St. Valentine's Day Massacre Murder Mystery Dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, with the dinner from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the show from 8 to 10 p.m. Dine on salad, prime rib, potatoes, veggies, red velvet cake and more while trying to solve the murder mystery. Tickets cost $65. A cash bar will be available.
Nothing says love like hand-decorated cookies at Beatrix. - Courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 491-1415, beatrixrestaurants.com/beatrix/oak-brook/
Valentine's Day specials feature heart-shaped cookies, the rhubarb gin and tonic, the housemade truffled cheese ravioli with roasted wild mushrooms and asparagus and the Triple-Layer Coconut Champagne Cake with coconut buttercream. Reservations requested.
Big Bowl
215 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 808-8880, and 1950 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-8881, bigbowl.com/
Treat your sweet to a special three-course Valentine's Day Menu for Two, available Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 13-16. The menu includes an appetizer (crab rangoon, Kung Pao chicken pot stickers, crispy Sichuan eggplant, chicken lettuce wraps) to share, a choice of main courses (Kung Pao chicken, General Tso's chicken, beef and broccoli, yellow curry chicken, chef's choice stir fry and more) and a choice of dessert (chocolate fudge cake or banana cheesecake) to share. It's $45.95 per couple, not including beverages, tax or gratuity. The regular menu will be available.
The Blossom Cafe
8349 W. Lawrence, Norridge, (708) 453-5300 or theblossomcafe.com/
From 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15, dine on a five-course dinner for two while enjoying live music. Sup on shrimp de Jonghe or fried calamari, soup and salad, and a choice of filet and lobster, baked jumbo stuffed shrimp, skirt steak and stuffed shrimp or Parmesan-crusted twin filet mignon. Dessert is warm bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream. It's $89.99. Reservations suggested.
Burnham's Restaurant
1401 Nordic Road, Itasca, (630) 694-5899 or eaglewoodresort.com/
Celebrate Valentine's weekend with a candlelit dinner for two at Burnham's Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15. Enjoy live music from Double Treble (a dueling piano duo) Friday and from Paul Strolia Saturday. Dine on salad, mango sorbet, Kona-crusted tenderloin of beef with a lobster tail and crawfish etoufee, and an assortment of cheese and seasonal grapes. Add paired wine tastings for $30 per person. Reservations required.
Dine on a Kona-crusted steak at Capital Grille on Valentine's Day. - Courtesy of Capital Grille
87 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 627-9800, and 5340 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 671-8125, thecapitalgrille.com/home
Make reservations for a special Valentine's Eve dinner on Thursday, Feb. 13, when you can enjoy a special complimentary pairing of Veuve Clicquot Brut or Rosé and hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries.
Carlucci Rosemont
6111 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 518-0990, carluccirosemont.com/
Spoil your Valentine with a five-course tasting menu featuring baked Italian Brie in a puff pastry or grilled marinated octopus and shrimp, salad or homemade lobster bisque, homemade heart-shaped ravioli filled with lobster, scallops and shrimp or penne estivo, oven-roasted whole Mediterranean sea bass or a grilled 7-ounce beef tenderloin filet, and creme brulee or chocolate lava cake. It's $79 per person, which includes a champagne toast. Reservations recommended.
Catch 35
35 S. Washington St., Naperville, (630) 717-3500, catch35.com/valentines-day-2020/
Catch 35 celebrates love with Valentine's specials Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 12-16. Splurge on grilled filet mignon ($38), stuffed Maine lobster tail ($49) or steak and cake (grilled 6-ounce filet and Maryland-style crabcake for $45). The regular menu will be available. Reservations recommended.
Chandler's Chophouse
401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, (847) 885-9009, chandlerschophouse.com/
Chandler's hosts an early Valentine's dinner and show featuring The Chicago Rat Pack and special guest Sheri Winkelmann performing her tribute to Marilyn Monroe Saturday, Feb. 8. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m. and the show from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Dine on a five-course meal for $60, including tax and tip. A cash bar will be available. Reservations required.
Che Figata
2155 CityGate Lane, Naperville, (630) 579-3210, chefigatakitchen.com/specials-events
Take the guessing out of Valentine's Day with Che Figata's $75 pre-fixe menu. Dine on prosecco toast, baked oyster pie, orecchiette, lobster sausage and peppers, filet Rossini and for dessert, budino (vanilla bean budino, chocolate dumante, strawberry jam, balsamic vinegar and pistachio crumble). Reservations requested.
The Chocolate Sanctuary
5101 Washington St., Gurnee, (224) 944-0808, thechocolatesanctuary.com/
Valentine's weekend, Feb. 14-15, is for chocolate and dinner together at the Gurnee restaurant. Take advantage of specials such as baked goat cheese and dark chocolate marinara ($15), pan-seared scallops with cocoa nib bacon jam ($15), charcuterie for two with meats, cheeses and chocolates ($15), 14-ounce beef Wellington for two featuring pastry with Valrhona dark chocolate and roasted potatoes ($70), 10-ounce New York strip and lobster surf and turf with cocoa-dusted oven-baked Parmesan fries ($35), 8-ounce miso-marinated Chilean sea bass with yuzu white chocolate coconut rice ($38), cocoa ginger-spiced fried tofu ($22), and special Valentine's desserts and drinks. Reservations required.
Cooper's Hawk
798 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, (847) 981-0900, chwinery.com/
The Arlington Heights location is hosting a Valentine's Day wine pairing from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. For $79.99 a person, the event begins with a toast of Scarletto before moving on to truffle bisque paired with Lux Chardonnay. Next is roasted beet carpaccio paired with riesling before the main course of surf and turf filet medallions and Parmesan-crusted lobster tail paired with Caspaña. Dessert features salted caramel crème brûlée and flourless chocolate torte paired with Nightjar. Buy tickets at eventbrite.com/. The other Cooper's Hawk locations (Burr Ridge, Downers Grove, Morton Grove, Naperville, South Barrington, St. Charles, Wheeling) will be serving a special a la carte Valentine's menu featuring filet medallions and Parmesan-crusted lobster tail for $36.99, twin Parmesan-crusted lobster tails for $38.99 and dark chocolate flourless torte for $8.99.
The Drake Oak Brook
2301 York Road, Oak Brook, (630) 571-0000, thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com/colonial-room.htm
Wine and dine your date with the special Valentine's Day menu featuring seared ahi tuna ($13), Bookbinder soup ($10), surf and turf for two ($75), duck breast ($34), pan-seared T-bone steak ($38), and desserts of lava cake ($7), chocolate surprise ($8) and trio de bonbons ($8). Enjoy live music in the lobby starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Reservations recommended.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Locations in Barrington, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Gurnee, Hinsdale, Lake Forest, Lake in the Hills, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Palatine, Park Ridge, Schaumburg and Wheaton; einsteinbros.com/
Now through Friday, Feb. 14, Einstein's will be baking up plain, chocolate chip and cinnamon raisin heart-shaped bagels. A single bagel runs $1.49, while a half-dozen is $11.99 and a baker's dozen costs $15.79.
El Tapeo
2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook, (630) 828-2044, eltapeorestaurant.com/
Celebrate Valentine's with tapas, postres and a glass of complimentary champagne. The Día de San Valentín menu, available on Feb. 14-15, features pan con tomate y serrano for $11, a lamb rack paired with crème brûlée sweet potato and Brussels sprouts for $42, and sweets such as arroz con leche for $9 and tarte de chocolate for $10. Reservations required.
Fat Rosie's
47 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, (630) 328-0060; 870 N. Meacham, Schaumburg, (847) 807-2850; 28 Kansas St., Frankfort, (815) 534-1640, fatrosies.com/
Fat Rosie's celebrates Dia de San Valentin Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 12-16. Specials include sopa de tortilla for $8, crepas de huitlacoche (two serrano-cilantro crepes filled with huitlacoche) for $12, sopes de langosta (three masa boats filled with Maine lobster) for $22, carne a la mexicana (grilled 12-ounce rib-eye marinated in adobo) for $28 and gansito (strawberry and vanilla layered cake) for $8.
Fox & Turtle
400 E. Orchard St., Itasca, (630) 773-1801, foxandturtle.com/
The Itasca restaurant will be serving up Valentine's specials such as lobster bisque, crabcakes, Chef Ron's Cioppino, truffle risotto filet and chocolate lava cake this weekend.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, Seasons 52 will be serving a special Valentine's Day Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail entree. - Courtesy of Seasons 52
Locations in Arlington Heights, Barrington, Bolingbrook, Elmhurst, Lake Forest, Naperville, Northbrook, St. Charles and more. miafrancesca.com/
Take time out for a romantic Italian dinner Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 12-17, at Francesca's. The menu includes Maine lobster bisque, insalata mista con lamponi, ricotta and truffle-filled cappellacci, seared 8-ounce prime filet topped with Maine lobster and heart-shaped red velvet mascarpone mousse cake.
GameWorks
Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Suite 115, Schaumburg, (847) 330-9675, gameworks.com/
Take your date out for a fun time to GameWorks' Valentine's Day Treat for 2. For $15, get a Lover's Lane Milkshake (strawberry, cheesecake, graham and shake), plus two one-hour game cards or one hour of Esports play for two.
Gene & Georgetti
9421 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, (847) 653-3300, geneandgeorgetti.com/gene-and-georgetti-rosemont/
Enjoy a memorable Valentine's weekend dinner at the Rosemont steakhouse. Specials include shrimp de Jonghe ($24), heart-shaped ravioli Valentino ($28), King crab legs ($69 a pound), surf and turf (8-ounce prime filet mignon and grilled shrimp for $75), bistecca fiorentina for two (40-ounce dry-aged T-bone for $98) and white chocolate mousse ($12).
Hampton Social
705 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge, (630) 219-0009; 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, (224) 633-5414; 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, (847) 307-5207; thehamptonsocial.com/
On Valentine's Day, a special four-course dinner for two and a bottle of rose is $96. Reservations required.
Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse
70 Yorktown Center, Lombard, (630) 953-3400, and 10233 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, (847) 699-1200, harrycarays.com/
Lombard: Start off your Valentine's weekend -- Friday through Sunday, Feb. 14-16 -- with specials including the lobster bisque ($5.95), domestic waygu strip steak ($40.95) and surf and turf ($46.95). For dessert, try the Breaking Ball ($24.95), which is a white chocolate dome that you break open with a keepsake mini Harry Caray's baseball bat. Inside is a flourless chocolate cake with cappuccino chocolate chip gelato, espresso crème anglaise and mixed berries. Reservations recommended.
Rosemont: Specials Feb. 14-16 include lobster bisque, porcini-dusted Chilean sea bass ($34.95), espresso-rubbed 6-ounce filet mignon and colossal sea scallops ($52.95) and the Breaking Ball dessert ($24.95).
The Heritage
7403 Madison St., Forest Park, (708) 435-4937, theheritageforestpark.com/
On Friday, Feb. 14, The Heritage will be plating a special "Lovebirds" stuffed quail plate with a hominy salad, chimichurri, roasted rutabaga, squash and a cider mole.
Hey Nonny
10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750, heynonny.com/
Make reservations now for Hey Nonny's three-course Valentine's Day dinner, offering seatings at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Feb. 14. The Compass Rose Quintet will provide music during the 6 and 8 p.m. dinners. The first course features an avocado and arugula salad, sweet potato bisque or Ibérico croquettes. Next up is a choice of braised halibut, baked chicken gnocchi, or surf and turf ($10 upcharge). End with bananas Foster souffle, deep chocolate pot de crème or crème brûlée cheesecake. It's $35 at 4 p.m. and $40 for the later seatings. Reservations required.
Hofbräuhaus Chicago
5500 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 671-2739 or hofbrauhauschicago.com/
Nothing says romance like Hofbräuhaus' seven-day Sausage Fest, running Friday through Thursday, Feb. 14-20. Dine on the Sausage Tower (six sausages with haus-made kraut); The Southerner (skewered andouille sausage with shrimp over Cajun rice); The Northerner (a foot of sausage on a bun topped with kraut and fried onions); The European (smoked pork sausages paired with cheesy pierogies); and The Big Daddy (eight sausages and meats with potato salad, sauerkraut and salted pretzels). The folk group the Milwaukee Mullers will provide entertainment from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15.
Lucille
Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-8300, lucillerestaurant.com/all-events/#vdaydinner
Make it a date with a Valentine's Day four-course meal, including a champagne toast with dessert, before seeing a performance of "An American in Paris." Dinner starts at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15, featuring a seafood tower for two or charcuterie, a red romaine wedge, a choice of carved chateaubriand or pan-roasted barramundi and chocolate roulade for two. It's $65 per person. Or there's a Valentine's Day Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. Dine from 10 gourmet food stations and sip on unlimited champagne. It's $45 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, $15 for kids 3-5, and free for kids 2 and younger. Reservations required.
Kona Grill
3051 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 515-8395, konagrill.com/
You have time to savor Kona Grill's Valentine's specials, which run from Friday, Feb. 14, through Saturday, Feb. 29. Enjoy the Grand Kona for Two featuring two glasses of bubbly, filet with lobster butter and miso sea bass, pan-seared scallops, Brussels sprouts and Kona whipped potatoes for $90. Other specials include lobster pot stickers ($8), coconut shrimp bisque ($10), pan-seared salmon ($25), 8-ounce filet with lobster butter ($33) and red velvet butter cake ($10). Reservations requested.
Krispy Kreme
412 E. Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village, with other locations in Chicago, Evergreen Park, Hillside and Homewood. See krispykreme.com/.
Express how you're feeling with Conversation Heart Doughnuts, featuring 24 edible phrases such as "BE MINE," "DREAMY" and "ILYSM." Available now through Friday, Feb. 14, doughnut flavors include Cake Batter, Strawberries and Kreme, Original Kreme and Chocolate Kreme Filled.
Maggiano's
• Make it a funny Valentine's this year at Maggiano's Valentine's Day Comedy Show from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in Naperville. Dine on a family-style dinner while Chicago Comedy Scene Radio provides the laughs. Tickets cost $60 for adults, including tax and gratuity. A cash bar will be available. Note: This is an adult-themed show; 21 and older only. Maggiano's is at 1847 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 536-2280, maggianos.com/.
• If music is more your style, Maggiano's Oak Brook hosts a Dueling Piano Valentine's Day event from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Tickets, which cost $75 for adults 21 and older, include a family-style dinner and a prosecco toast plus music from Windy City Dueling Piano's Entertainments. A cash bar will be available. Maggiano's is at 240 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 368-0300, maggianos.com/.
The Martini Room
161 E. Chicago St., Elgin, (847) 741-0349 or martiniroomelgin.com/
On Friday, Feb. 14, enjoy love potion cocktails and jazz standards and the Great American Song Book from the Mark Bettcher Trio Live starting at 7:30 p.m. No cover.
Mezé Mediterráneo
680 Mall Drive, Schaumburg, (847) 598-6393, mezewine.com/
Celebrate your sweet with a four-course dinner featuring a soup or salad, tapas for sharing, a choice of entree (pan-roasted Scottish salmon, mushroom risotto, rib-eye or Tuscany chicken) and a dessert (chocolate cake, Greek yogurt mousse, lemon sorbet) for sharing. It's $90 per couple, which includes a complimentary glass of bubbly.
Michael Jordan's Restaurant
1225 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, (630) 828-2932, michaeljordansrestaurant.com/
Michael Jordan's Valentine's weekend special menu for two features two apps, two entrees (steak and lobster, Chilean sea bass, crab-crusted 24-ounce bone-in rib-eye, Tomahawk at a $30 upcharge), two sides and two desserts (peanut butter pie, Key lime pie, chocolate mousse and raspberry "martini") for $65 per person. Reservations required.
Miller's Ale House
Locations in Aurora, Chicago Ridge, Lombard, Norridge, North Riverside, Orland Park and Schaumburg; millersalehouse.com/
Now through Friday, Feb. 14, sip on the special Valentine's-themed Strawberry Amaretto Margarita featuring a blend of Sauza Tequila with Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur, strawberry and lemon-lime juice and served on the rocks with a sugar rim, lime and strawberry. Also, bottles of wine are 50% off on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 13-14.
The Salmon Coulibiac is a Valentine's Day special at Mon Ami Gabi. - Courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-1900, monamigabi.com/
The French bistro is offering three limited-time Valentine's specials, from Thursday through Wednesday, Feb. 13-19. During that time, try the French Kiss Oysters, the Salmon Coulibiac, and the Dessert Trio of passion fruit crème brûlée, mini chocolate tart and raspberry macaron. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria
Locations in Barrington, Bartlett, Hoffman Estates, Lake in the Hills, Mount Prospect, Rosemont and Schaumburg. morettisrestaurants.com/
Moretti's Valentine's specials, available Friday through Sunday, Feb. 14-16, include shrimp prosciutto di Parma ($8.99), zuppe di pesce ($23.99), grilled swordfish ($21.99), twin beef tenderloin filet and shrimp scampi ($21.95), roast prime rib ($22.99) and Lover's Cheesecake for Two ($10.99). Reservations requested.
Morton's The Steakhouse
1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 577-1372; 699 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-5111; 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, (847) 678-5155; and 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 413-8771, mortons.com/
From Saturday, Feb. 8, through Saturday, Feb. 15, dine on an 8-ounce filet mignon paired with a 1¼-pound lobster topped with lobster butter sauce, grated Parmesan and a puff pastry for $59.
Olive Garden
Locations throughout the suburbs. See olivegarden.com/.
Order in this Valentine's Day with Olive Garden's 2 ToGo dinner starting at $35. Start with soup or salad and breadsticks, a choice of five-cheese marinara or Alfredo dipping sauce, a shareable entree of five-cheese ziti al forno or chicken Alfredo (upcharge), and black tie mousse cake or tiramisu to share.
151 Kitchen Bar
151 N. York St., Elmhurst, (331) 979-7198, 151elmhurst.com/
You have a few extra days to enjoy 151's Valentine's Day menu as the restaurant will be offering it Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 12-16. For $45, treat your love to a champagne toast, a sweetheart salad, an entree of hangar steak or scallops with Cupid's Rissotto and chocolate-covered strawberries. Reservations recommended.
Share Pennyville Station's Housemade Red Velvet Cake with your sweet on Valentine's Day. - Courtesy of Pennyville Station
112 Main St., Park Ridge, (847) 720-4841, pennyvillestation.com/
Chef Jose Alvarez will be whipping up some specials just for Valentine's Day. On Feb. 14, enjoy the special crabcake appetizer for two ($16.95), 8-ounce filet and crabcake surf n' turf entree ($49) and housemade red velvet cake ($10). Reservations are strongly recommended.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille
5 Oakbrook Court, Oak Brook, (630) 571-1808 or perryssteakhouse.com/
Celebrate your Valentine with the Rare and Well Done Valentine's Day dinner Friday, Feb. 14. The prix fixe menu starts with lobster bisque, French onion soup, white bean pork chili, the signature wedge or the Caesar salad. Main course options include the 8-ounce Filet Perry, 14-ounce prime New York strip, 14-ounce prime rib-eye, Perry's Famous Pork Chop, grilled salmon, lobster truffle risotto and chicken Oscar. Dessert is a choice of white chocolate cheesecake, chocolate crunch or the dessert trio. It's $60 per person for reservations at 5:30 p.m. and earlier and $75 per person for reservations at 5:45 p.m. and later. Reservations required.
Pinstripes
1150 Willow Road, Northbrook, (847) 480-2323; 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook, (630) 575-8700; 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, (847) 844-9300, pinstripes.com/
On Valentine's Day, the wood-fired pizzas will be baked in the shape of a heart. As a bonus, eat dinner at Pinstripes Friday and receive a complimentary champagne toast and a slice of Frangelico chocolate cake.
Portillo's heart-shaped chocolate cake is back, now through Sunday, Feb. 16. - Courtesy of Portillo's
Locations across the suburbs. See portillos.com/.
The restaurant's famous heart-shaped cake is back for Valentine's Day. The single-layer chocolate iced cake, which is $15.99, is available now through Sunday, Feb. 16, in store. Portillo's will donate 100% of the purchase price (up to $25,000) of the heart-shaped cake to the American Red Cross.
Prairie Grass Cafe
601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, (847) 205-4433, prairiegrasscafe.com/
Make reservations now for the Valentine's Day dinner, which will include specials such as barbecue braised brisket with mashed potatoes and mirepoix of vegetables, grilled Ora king salmon with sautéed garlic broccoli and Mom's Cherry Pie. The full dinner menu will be available.
Prairie Landing Golf Club
2325 Longest Drive, West Chicago, (630) 208-7633, prairielanding.com/
How does a Valentine's Day Spanish Tapas Wine Dinner sound? Starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, diners can nosh on 10 courses paired with four wines. Try the gazpacho andaluz, peppercorn-crusted beef tenderloin, smoked salmon tostada, sauteed shrimp, cheese- and spinach-stuffed mushrooms, chocolate macadamia cookie and more. It's $140 per couple. For reservations, contact Erin Bobsin at ebobsin@prairielanding.com or (630) 208-7633.
The RAM
9520 Higgins Road, Rosemont, (847) 692-4426, theram.com/
On Friday, Feb. 14, treat your Valentine to a $21.99 three-course dinner. Start with a cup of soup or salad and then choose an 8-ounce grilled sirloin steak with seasoned vegetables and cheddar mashed potatoes or the simply grilled Atlantic salmon with seasoned vegetables and Spanish red rice. For a treat, choose from the Kona ice cream pie, mint chocolate chip pie, peanut butter pie or salted caramel cheesecake. Plus, take advantage of half-priced bottles of wine and the $7 Cherry Pom Sweetheart Cosmo.
Roka Akor Oak Brook
166 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 634-7652 or rokaakor.com/event/oakrbook-happy-valentines-day/
On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15, treat your sweet to a four-course Valentine's Day tasting menu for $98 a person. Dine on a first course of beef tataki, robata grilled scallops and shrimp tempura before moving on to the sashimi platter and lobster maki. Next up is Chilean sea bass, Snake River Farms wagyu filet and truffle mashed potato. Finish with a chocolate strawberry lava cake and vanilla ice cream. The optional wine pairing is $49 per person and the cocktail pairing is $29 each. Reservations required.
The Rose Hotel
5200 Pearl St., Rosemont, (847) 260-4770, tapestrycollection3.hilton.com/tc/the-rose-chicago/
The Rose Hotel has joined with The Prisoner Wine Company for a special Valentine's Day pairing dinner on Feb. 14 hosted by John Samaritano. Cocktail hour starts at 6 p.m. before the 7 p.m. dinner from Executive Chef Nicholas Malloy. Start off with scallops paired with "Snitch," then enjoy smoked short rib with cranberry polenta paired with "Cuttings." Next is braised lamb shank paired with "Eternally Silenced." End with red wine cheesecake paired with "Prisoner." Tickets are $80 per person. Reservations required.
ROX City Grill
Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-2100, hotelbaker.com/rox-city-grill/
Enjoy the piano and vocal talents of Johnny Burnett during Valentine's Day Dinner Friday, Feb. 14.
Santo Cielo
123 Water St., Suite 509, Naperville, (630) 323-0700 or stcielo.com/
Share a Pre-Valentine's prix fixe dinner featuring a four-course couples' menu specially curated by chef Matt Gillie from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. The $99 meal, which includes a glass of sparkling wine, zucchini and squash or lobster bisque, oysters on the half shell or salmon tartare, filet mignon au poivre or fire-roasted halibut, and tiramisu or apple tart. The dinner also will be available on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15. A credit card is required to secure the tasting menu.
Start off with the lobster ravioli appetizer at Seasons 52. - Courtesy of Seasons 52
3 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 571-4752, and 1770 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-5252 or seasons52.com/home
Seasons 52 celebrates five days of Valentine's starting Monday, Feb. 10. Monday, there's a special lobster ravioli appetizer on the menu. Tuesday, Feb. 11, toast your significant other with a Raspberry Rosé Martini (vodka, rosé, St. Germain and lemon). Wednesday, it's the Red Velvet Raspberry Rose Mini Indulgence. Thursday, indulge in the Valentine Pairing for 2 featuring two filet mignon and Maine lobster tail entrees, caramelized grilled sea scallops to share and two 6-ounce glasses of Vanderpump Dry Rosé for $99. Friday is the big day: Couples who get engaged at Seasons 52 on Valentine's Day will receive with a complimentary toast every time they dine at the restaurant for a year. Reservations required.
Finish your meal at Seasons 52 with the Red Velvet Raspberry Rose Mini Indulgence. - Courtesy of Seasons 52
1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg/
Friday through Sunday, Feb. 14-16, dine on a four-course dinner for two that starts with a sparkling toast and an oyster sampler to share. Then choose a Caesar salad or the lobster bisque before noshing on filet and lobster Bearnaise and double baked potato and ending with chocolate pot de crème with fresh berries. The special is $150. The dinner menu also will be available.
Stan's Donuts
529 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 590-1060, or 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, (224) 353-6092, stansdonuts.com/.
Make Valentine's Day extra sweet with a box of 10 chocolate-covered mini cake or red velvet doughnuts for $12.95. Other Valentine's specials include the Sweetheart Stan (a chocolate-glazed red velvet cake doughnut with a candy conversation heart) for $3.75, or the Turtle Cake, Chocolate-Covered Strawberry or V-Day Sprinkled cake and glazed doughnuts for $2.75. Wash them down with a chocolate-covered cherry hot chocolate, a chocolate-covered cherry mocha or a cherry chocolate lightning (cold brew coffee, chocolate milk and cherry syrup).
The Clover Club is a specialty cocktail made just for Valentine's Day at Stolp Island Social. - Courtesy of Galdones Photography
5 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 340-4980, stolpislandsocial.com/
Over Valentine's weekend, sip on the specialty cocktail the Clover Club (egg white, CH gin, lemon juice and crème de casis black currant liqueur) for $13.
Sullivan's Steakhouse
244 S. Main St., Naperville, (630) 305-0230 or sullivanssteakhouse.com/
Surprise your special someone with a three-course $79 Love at First Bite prix fixe menu, available Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14-15. Start with a Caesar salad, iceberg lettuce wedge or shrimp and lobster bisque, then choose from a 16-ounce rib-eye, herb brick chicken or simply prepared fresh fish, then end with bananas Foster bread pudding, New York-style cheesecake or Key lime pie. Reservations required.
The Table at Crate
35 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 590-9444, tableatcrate.com/
The special Valentine's Day menu features edamame dumplings ($10), mac and cheese to share ($12), surf and turf featuring skirt steak and shrimp quinoa fried rice ($36), and baked Alaska ($10). Plus, sip on a glass of Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose for $9. The specials are available Valentine's Weekend only.
Treat your sweet to Texas de Brazil's Red Velvet Fusion Cake. - Courtesy of Texas de Brazil
5 Woodfield Mall, Suite D312, Schaumburg, (847) 413-1600, texasdebrazil.com/locations/schaumburg/
On Friday, Feb. 14, enjoy the specialty Red Velvet Fusion Cake dessert. It's a white chocolate cheesecake batter atop red velvet cake with chocolate chips, cream cheese icing and a drizzle of chocolate ganache for $9. Reservations recommended.
Three Embers
10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0100 or threeembersrestaurant.com/
From Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 13-15, enjoy a special three-course prix fixe Valentine's menu. Choose from beet salad carpaccio or carrot ginger soup to start, then choose an entree such as pan-seared scallops, strip steak or sweet potato risotto. Finish with a dessert duo of raspberry angel food cake and chocolate salted caramel tart. It's $45 per person. Reservations requested.
Tokio Asian Fusion will be offering the Korean marinated filet hot rock over Valentine's Day weekend. - Courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 278-5181, tokioasianfusion.com/
Valentine's specials Feb. 14-15 include the Love Drunk Martini (cherry vodka, maraschino liquor, fresh citrus juices, simple syrup), heart-shaped pressed sushi, Korean marinated filet hot rock, Szechuan lobster tails with bok choy and jasmine rice, and strawberry mochi with strawberry puree. The regular menu will be available.
Truluck's Seafood, Steak and Crab House
9860 Berwyn Ave., Rosemont, (847) 233-9404 or trulucks.com/locations/rosemont-illinois/
Offered on Valentine's Day only, Truluck's will be mixing up the TruLuv cocktail featuring dry ice smoke, vodka, cava, chambord, pineapple juice and raspberries. Dinner specials include the tuna tartare tower, lobscargot, miso-glazed sea bass, pan-seared scallops and Alaskan king crab cluster. For a treat, try the Chocolate Malt Cake, baked Alaska or carrot cake, all made in-house daily.
Share the hiramasa sashimi at Truluck's. - Courtesy of Truluck's
30W315 Calumet Ave. W., Warrenville, (630) 393-2337, twobrothersbrewing.com/
It's time to get all gussied up for Two Brothers' Valentine's Day Dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Start off with a welcome beer during the cocktail hour before moving on to the prix fixe seven-course meal paired with beer. The menu's theme is "Traveling the Spice Trail: Explore the culinary world through spices as we travel from Africa, through India and into Asia." Tickets cost $100, not including tax and gratuity. Reservations required.
Victory Meat and Seafood
116 N. York St., Elmhurst, (630) 359-5599 or victorymeatandseafood.com/
Take advantage of Valentine's specials all week long, such as surf and turf, Dover sole, homemade pastas, lobster tail, sea bass and Alaskan king crab legs. Celebrate your special someone early on Thursday, Feb. 13, and receive a free dessert. Reservations requested.
Weber Grill Restaurant
2331 Fountain Square, Lombard, (630) 953-8880, and 1010 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, (847) 413-0800, webergrillrestaurant.com/
From Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 13-16, take advantage of the Valentine's Day specials featuring the Wild Hibiscus Kiss cocktail for $14. Also on offer are the lobster bisque, strawberry goat cheese salad, cast-iron shrimp scampi, plancha-seared sea scallops, filet mignon Oscar, raspberry swirl cheesecake and white chocolate crème brûlée.
White Castle
Locations across the suburbs. See whitecastle.com/#valentines-day.
For those who love Sliders, share your affinity with your love during White Castle's special Valentine's Day Dinner that includes a sit-down dinner with hostess seating and tableside service in a decorated room. Reservations, which are available from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at participating locations, can be made through opentable.com.
Wildfire
235 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 279-7900; 232 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 586-9000; and 1250 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 995-0100. wildfirerestaurant.com/
Treat your special someone to a four-course Valentine's Menu for Two, available Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 13-16. Dinner includes a starter (crab-stuffed mushroom caps, jumbo shrimp cocktail) and salad (Caesar or Wildfire chopped) to share, a choice of Wildfire beer-braised short ribs, feta-crusted New York steak, petite filet mignon, fresh fish or oven-roasted lump crabcakes, and a dessert (chocolate cream pie, homemade carrot cake, Key lime pie) to share. The menu is $99.95 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. The regular menu will be available.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--DuPage County clerk says bonuses totaling more than $100K were needed to keep staff

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek is defending her decision to spend more than $ 100,000 to give one-time , lump-sum bonuses to every employee in her office .
County board member Jim Zay this week questioned Kaczmarek about the 5 % bonuses distributed in December .
The Carol Stream Republican said Wednesday that he raised the issue because the clerk 's office is exploring the possibility of spending more than $ 300,000 to buy a mail sorting machine for its election division .
If Kaczmarek needed money for the purchase , Zay said , she should n't have spent roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office 's 2019 budget to give bonuses to 41 employees .
Kaczmarek , a Glen Ellyn Democrat , said during Tuesday 's county board meeting she decided on the across-the-board bonuses because of concerns about staff turnover following the merger last year of the clerk 's office and the former DuPage Election Commission .
`` There were a lot of things broken at the election division and the county clerk 's office , '' Kaczmarek said .
`` And it was more than equipment : It was people .
It was morale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges this year , including a big election in November .
`` We need every single person to do their job at the election division and at the traditional clerk 's office , '' she said .
`` Everyone is needed .
Everyone is important . ''
She said the clerk 's office ended the 2019 fiscal year on Nov. 30 with a budget surplus .
Even after the bonuses , Kaczmarek said , `` we still had quite a bit of money '' left over .
There are no plans to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We told our employees that it was a one-time thing , '' she said .
As a countywide elected official , Kaczmarek gets the final say on how she spends her budget -- a point Zay acknowledges .
`` She 's elected by the people , '' he said .
`` But then you ca n't come to the county board and ask for help when you 're not helping yourself . ''
Zay said there are county departments that had their budgets cut in recent years because of other spending needs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaining staff .
For the clerk to hand out bonuses when other departments are dealing with cuts , Zay said , `` the optics are bad . ''
On Wednesday , Wheaton Republican Jeanne Ives , who is seeking the GOP nomination in the 6th Congressional District , released an online ad criticizing Kaczmarek because of the `` Chicago-sized bonuses . ''
Ives and Gordon `` Jay '' Kinzler of Glen Ellyn are vying to run against freshman Democrat Sean Casten in November .
Meanwhile , several Democrats on the county board voiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been asked of Kaczmarek in the past year , board member Mary FitzGerald Ozog , a Glen Ellyn Democrat , said , `` I think that a one-time bonus across the board is about the most equitable way you could reward employees who have worked exceptionally hard . ''
Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson released a statement Wednesday saying Kaczmarek consulted with the county 's human resources department before issuing the bonuses `` to confirm that bonuses had been paid on multiple previous occasions by other DuPage County elected officials and department heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were one-time payments that , unlike raises , will not compound over time .
When Kaczmarek took office , roughly 33 % of the full-time positions in the clerk 's office were vacant and roughly 20 % of the election commission 's full-time posts were vacant , he said .

DuPage County clerk says bonuses totaling more than $100K were needed to keep staff
DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek is defending her decision to spend more than $100,000 to give one-time, lump-sum bonuses to every employee in her office.
County board member Jim Zay this week questioned Kaczmarek about the 5% bonuses distributed in December.
The Carol Stream Republican said Wednesday that he raised the issue because the clerk's office is exploring the possibility of spending more than $300,000 to buy a mail sorting machine for its election division.
If Kaczmarek needed money for the purchase, Zay said, she shouldn't have spent roughly $106,000 in surplus funds from her office's 2019 budget to give bonuses to 41 employees.
Kaczmarek, a Glen Ellyn Democrat, said during Tuesday's county board meeting she decided on the across-the-board bonuses because of concerns about staff turnover following the merger last year of the clerk's office and the former DuPage Election Commission.
"There were a lot of things broken at the election division and the county clerk's office," Kaczmarek said. "And it was more than equipment: It was people. It was morale."
Kaczmarek said the office faces many challenges this year, including a big election in November.
"We need every single person to do their job at the election division and at the traditional clerk's office," she said. "Everyone is needed. Everyone is important."
She said the clerk's office ended the 2019 fiscal year on Nov. 30 with a budget surplus. Even after the bonuses, Kaczmarek said, "we still had quite a bit of money" left over.
There are no plans to give similar bonuses in the future.
"We told our employees that it was a one-time thing," she said.
As a countywide elected official, Kaczmarek gets the final say on how she spends her budget -- a point Zay acknowledges.
"She's elected by the people," he said. "But then you can't come to the county board and ask for help when you're not helping yourself."
Zay said there are county departments that had their budgets cut in recent years because of other spending needs and some of those departments are having problems retaining staff.
For the clerk to hand out bonuses when other departments are dealing with cuts, Zay said, "the optics are bad."
On Wednesday, Wheaton Republican Jeanne Ives, who is seeking the GOP nomination in the 6th Congressional District, released an online ad criticizing Kaczmarek because of the "Chicago-sized bonuses."
Ives and Gordon "Jay" Kinzler of Glen Ellyn are vying to run against freshman Democrat Sean Casten in November.
Meanwhile, several Democrats on the county board voiced support for Kaczmarek.
Considering what's been asked of Kaczmarek in the past year, board member Mary FitzGerald Ozog, a Glen Ellyn Democrat, said, "I think that a one-time bonus across the board is about the most equitable way you could reward employees who have worked exceptionally hard."
Chief Deputy Clerk Adam Johnson released a statement Wednesday saying Kaczmarek consulted with the county's human resources department before issuing the bonuses "to confirm that bonuses had been paid on multiple previous occasions by other DuPage County elected officials and department heads."
The bonuses, he said, were one-time payments that, unlike raises, will not compound over time.
When Kaczmarek took office, roughly 33% of the full-time positions in the clerk's office were vacant and roughly 20% of the election commission's full-time posts were vacant, he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Crystal Lake student detained by ICE since October could be released soon

A Crystal Lake Central High School student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in October soon will return to her classes .
Meydi Guzman Rivas , 18 , a Honduran native and senior at Crystal Lake Central , is facing deportation .
On Wednesday , federal Judge Samuel Cole in Chicago ordered Rivas to be released on a $ 2,000 bond , and he moved to reopen her removal proceedings , allowing her to stay in the country for the time being .
`` She is free to go back to school , '' said attorney Nathan Reyes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro bono along with attorney Kevin Bruning with the law firm Bruning and Associates of Chicago , Crystal Lake and Schaumburg .
Rivas ' next court date has not been set .
It 's unclear how long her petition for asylum/withdrawal of removal could take , Reyes said .
`` It 's a huge win for us today , '' Sara Huser , her school counselor , said Wednesday .
`` We are beyond thrilled at this news and can not wait to get her home and back in school , '' Huser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Rivas , raising more than $ 10,000 toward her court costs and legal defense .
After hearing her release had been granted , Rivas started dancing , waving her hands in the air while on video chat with Huser .
`` She was absolutely ecstatic , '' Huser said .
Rivas came to the United States in June 2018 with her father , Fabio Guzman-Reyes .
They fled Honduras after Rivas was gang-raped and told she would become the property of that gang , Crystal Lake attorney Beth Vonau said .
Father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
But after they missed a court date last February , according to U.S. officials , their cases were continued until October .
When Rivas and her father appeared in court for their hearing on Oct. 16 , ICE agents were waiting to take them into custody .
Nearly four months in detention have taken a toll on Rivas , Huser said .
`` The whole thing was very traumatic because she 's a child , '' Huser said .
`` It 's a lot of things we 're going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move forward in a healthy way . ''
Crystal Lake community members and Central teachers rallying around her through letters and donations have kept Rivas ' spirits up , Huser said .
`` We have just been surrounded by encouragement and support , '' Huser said .
`` It 's just been amazing .
We really are so grateful for absolutely everything that people have done to help us and to support us on this journey . ''
Guzman-Reyes also was ordered to be released on bond Wednesday ; his status is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not being represented by his daughter 's attorneys .
Before her detention , Rivas was on track to graduate with her peers in May .
Huser could n't say for sure if Rivas could make up for lost time by then , but added she would be able to graduate by the end of summer .
`` The journey is not over as her case still needs to be determined and asylum granted , but the fact that she has been released and will be allowed to return to school in the meantime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .

Crystal Lake student detained by ICE since October could be released soon
Honduran teen Meydi Guzman Rivas, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in October, has been released on bond. The Crystal Lake Central High School senior came to the U.S. with her father in June 2018 seeking asylum. Courtesy of Meydi Guzman Rivas
Crystal Lake Central High School senior Meydi Guzman Rivas came to the U.S. with her father, Fabio Guzman-Reyes, in June 2018 seeking asylum. The Honduran natives were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in October. Courtesy of Meydi Guzman Rivas
Honduran teen Meydi Guzman Rivas, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in October, has been released on bond. The Crystal Lake Central High School senior came to the U.S. with her father in June 2018 seeking asylum. Courtesy of Meydi Guzman Rivas
A Crystal Lake Central High School student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in October soon will return to her classes.
Meydi Guzman Rivas, 18, a Honduran native and senior at Crystal Lake Central, is facing deportation.
On Wednesday, federal Judge Samuel Cole in Chicago ordered Rivas to be released on a $2,000 bond, and he moved to reopen her removal proceedings, allowing her to stay in the country for the time being.
"She is free to go back to school," said attorney Nathan Reyes, who is handling the teen's case pro bono along with attorney Kevin Bruning with the law firm Bruning and Associates of Chicago, Crystal Lake and Schaumburg.
Rivas' next court date has not been set. It's unclear how long her petition for asylum/withdrawal of removal could take, Reyes said.
"It's a huge win for us today," Sara Huser, her school counselor, said Wednesday.
"We are beyond thrilled at this news and cannot wait to get her home and back in school," Huser announced on a GoFundMe page she started for Rivas, raising more than $10,000 toward her court costs and legal defense.
After hearing her release had been granted, Rivas started dancing, waving her hands in the air while on video chat with Huser.
"She was absolutely ecstatic," Huser said.
Rivas came to the United States in June 2018 with her father, Fabio Guzman-Reyes.
They fled Honduras after Rivas was gang-raped and told she would become the property of that gang, Crystal Lake attorney Beth Vonau said. Father and daughter sought asylum in the United States. But after they missed a court date last February, according to U.S. officials, their cases were continued until October.
When Rivas and her father appeared in court for their hearing on Oct. 16, ICE agents were waiting to take them into custody.
Nearly four months in detention have taken a toll on Rivas, Huser said.
"The whole thing was very traumatic because she's a child," Huser said. "It's a lot of things we're going to have to work through so she is able to move forward in a healthy way."
Crystal Lake community members and Central teachers rallying around her through letters and donations have kept Rivas' spirits up, Huser said.
"We have just been surrounded by encouragement and support," Huser said. "It's just been amazing. We really are so grateful for absolutely everything that people have done to help us and to support us on this journey."
Guzman-Reyes also was ordered to be released on bond Wednesday; his status is unknown at this time. He is not being represented by his daughter's attorneys.
Before her detention, Rivas was on track to graduate with her peers in May. Huser couldn't say for sure if Rivas could make up for lost time by then, but added she would be able to graduate by the end of summer.
"The journey is not over as her case still needs to be determined and asylum granted, but the fact that she has been released and will be allowed to return to school in the meantime is a huge win," Huser wrote.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--Restaurant review: Algonquin's Black Bear Bistro game for innovative cuisine

By weaving a Latin flair through its creative New American menu , Algonquin 's Black Bear Bistro offers some of the most innovative dishes in the far northwest suburbs .
The menu features seafood , steak and vegetarian dishes .
But it also highlights less-expected fare , thanks to a chef who knows his wild game .
Chef Santiago Suarez served as executive chef for more than 25 years at 1776 restaurant in Crystal Lake .
Today he helms his own kitchen at The Black Bear Bistro , a cozy and simply elegant eatery that opened in late 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 48-seat space even in the thick of winter .
The minimalist design is a refreshing change from fussily decorated suburban restaurants .
The Black Bear Bistro does n't have a bar ( Suarez is thinking about putting in a small one in the future ) , but it offers craft and Mexican beers , wine and craft cocktails such as jalapeño margaritas and persimmon mojitos , all under $ 12 .
We arrived early and scoped out the starters -- an array of appealing appetizers that ranged from the vegan-friendly poblano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spinach , tomato and basil to crabcakes Michoacán style .
You can easily make a meal of apps and creative flatbreads , which can be prepared with gluten-free or vegan crusts for a slight upcharge .
Flatbreads are named for the chef 's family members .
Among the interesting options is Santiago Jr 's Mexico City flatbread , featuring filet mignon , serrano pesto , oyster mushrooms , onion , Chèvre cheese and balsamic .
Samantha 's Cabo San Lucas flatbread , meanwhile , was dolled up with shrimp , Chèvre , walnuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since we were diving into seafood entrees , we ordered the taquitos starter .
Three crisp tortilla tubes -- two with bison , one with chicken -- were framed by a zippy sauce and paired with a dollop of mashed potatoes .
The taquitos were light and tasty , and my dinner partner confessed to being tempted to lick the sauce off the plate .
Our friendly waitress said there was n't a bread course as she presented a small caldron with a warm but underwhelming gluten-free tortilla cut into four pieces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : a spicy Thai peanut and a mild blue cheese among them .
Next time in , I 'd go for the black garlic dressing .
On a cold winter night , soups such as the roasted poblano pepper with avocado and jalapeño popcorn draw attention , and Santiago pins the meter at a solid 10 on the comfort scale by offering a flight of three soups for $ 12 .
Choosing an entree from the one-page menu is confounding because Suarez offers tantalizing options .
If you like game , there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or wild game chili .
Some nights , you might find elk , wild boar or rabbit in the mix .
Traditional meat entrees are emboldened with modern additions : A grilled Angus filet mignon arrives enriched with bison bone marrow butter and tamarind port glaze , and grilled one-half chicken from local Alden Hills Organic Farm is perfumed with shrubs of rosemary and thyme and fried housemade pickles .
Vegetarians are n't overlooked , either , with dishes from grilled farm-to-fork vegetables to vegetarian jambalaya .
The menu is rife with seafood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much-ordered roasted poblano stuffed with lobster .
My dinner mate went for the special fettuccine with calamari and shrimp .
Although he thought the pasta was a smidge overcooked , he was thrilled with the perfectly prepared shrimp and calamari rings .
And I was positively gleeful about my Rushing Waters rainbow trout , draped over blue crab and expertly al dente mushroom risotto plus knobs of black garlic .
Both sated , we eyed a tray of housemade desserts that included Bailey 's crème brûlée , guava flan , flourless chocolate cake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay on the lighter side , we opted for a scoop of raspberry sorbet and ended our meal on a fruity , refreshing note .
Special dining offers allow patrons to sample and savor during the food-focused Happy Hour .
And cooking classes , led by Estela Suarez , the chef 's wife and Black Bear 's co-owner , showcase some of her mother 's recipes , giving home cooks the chance to create and devour their own bistro-inspired delicacies .
• Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit .
The Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can not recommend .
Hours : 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday ; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday ; 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday ; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday ; closed on Monday .
Happy Hour : 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday

Restaurant review: Algonquin's Black Bear Bistro game for innovative cuisine
By weaving a Latin flair through its creative New American menu, Algonquin's Black Bear Bistro offers some of the most innovative dishes in the far northwest suburbs.
The menu features seafood, steak and vegetarian dishes. But it also highlights less-expected fare, thanks to a chef who knows his wild game.
Chef Santiago Suarez served as executive chef for more than 25 years at 1776 restaurant in Crystal Lake. Today he helms his own kitchen at The Black Bear Bistro, a cozy and simply elegant eatery that opened in late 2018.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Chef Santiago Suarez and his wife, Estela, own The Black Bear Bistro in Algonquin.
White walls and tablecloths lend a brightness to the 48-seat space even in the thick of winter. The minimalist design is a refreshing change from fussily decorated suburban restaurants.
The Black Bear Bistro doesn't have a bar (Suarez is thinking about putting in a small one in the future), but it offers craft and Mexican beers, wine and craft cocktails such as jalapeño margaritas and persimmon mojitos, all under $12.
We arrived early and scoped out the starters -- an array of appealing appetizers that ranged from the vegan-friendly poblano stuffed with quinoa, black beans, spinach, tomato and basil to crabcakes Michoacán style. You can easily make a meal of apps and creative flatbreads, which can be prepared with gluten-free or vegan crusts for a slight upcharge. Flatbreads are named for the chef's family members. Among the interesting options is Santiago Jr's Mexico City flatbread, featuring filet mignon, serrano pesto, oyster mushrooms, onion, Chèvre cheese and balsamic. Samantha's Cabo San Lucas flatbread, meanwhile, was dolled up with shrimp, Chèvre, walnuts, bell pepper and Champagne sauce.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Chef Santiago Suarez serves up taquitos filled with chicken, elk and antelope at The Black Bear Bistro in Algonquin.
Since we were diving into seafood entrees, we ordered the taquitos starter. Three crisp tortilla tubes -- two with bison, one with chicken -- were framed by a zippy sauce and paired with a dollop of mashed potatoes. The taquitos were light and tasty, and my dinner partner confessed to being tempted to lick the sauce off the plate.
Our friendly waitress said there wasn't a bread course as she presented a small caldron with a warm but underwhelming gluten-free tortilla cut into four pieces.
Small mixed salads sported lovely housemade dressings: a spicy Thai peanut and a mild blue cheese among them. Next time in, I'd go for the black garlic dressing.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Bistro Jambalaya offers a hearty mix of andouille, shrimp, chicken and peppers in a red wine Cajun beef sauce at The Black Bear Bistro.
On a cold winter night, soups such as the roasted poblano pepper with avocado and jalapeño popcorn draw attention, and Santiago pins the meter at a solid 10 on the comfort scale by offering a flight of three soups for $12.
Choosing an entree from the one-page menu is confounding because Suarez offers tantalizing options. If you like game, there's roasted Texas quail, an ostrich/bison burger or wild game chili. Some nights, you might find elk, wild boar or rabbit in the mix.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Rushing Waters Rainbow Trout is served with blue crab and mushroom risotto at The Black Bear Bistro in Algonquin.
Traditional meat entrees are emboldened with modern additions: A grilled Angus filet mignon arrives enriched with bison bone marrow butter and tamarind port glaze, and grilled one-half chicken from local Alden Hills Organic Farm is perfumed with shrubs of rosemary and thyme and fried housemade pickles. Vegetarians aren't overlooked, either, with dishes from grilled farm-to-fork vegetables to vegetarian jambalaya.
The menu is rife with seafood, including a cedar-planked salmon and the much-ordered roasted poblano stuffed with lobster. My dinner mate went for the special fettuccine with calamari and shrimp. Although he thought the pasta was a smidge overcooked, he was thrilled with the perfectly prepared shrimp and calamari rings.
- Patrick Kunzer | Staff Photographer Chef Santiago Suarez plates a dish at The Black Bear Bistro in Algonquin.
And I was positively gleeful about my Rushing Waters rainbow trout, draped over blue crab and expertly al dente mushroom risotto plus knobs of black garlic.
Both sated, we eyed a tray of housemade desserts that included Bailey's crème brûlée, guava flan, flourless chocolate cake and Key lime cheesecake. Looking to stay on the lighter side, we opted for a scoop of raspberry sorbet and ended our meal on a fruity, refreshing note.
Special dining offers allow patrons to sample and savor during the food-focused Happy Hour. And cooking classes, led by Estela Suarez, the chef's wife and Black Bear's co-owner, showcase some of her mother's recipes, giving home cooks the chance to create and devour their own bistro-inspired delicacies.
• Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.
• • •
The Black Bear Bistro
107 S. Main St., Algonquin, (224) 678-9449, theblackbearbistro.com/
Cuisine: New American
Setting: Sleek and minimalist
Hours: 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday; 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed on Monday. Happy Hour: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday
Prices: Appetizers: $10-$16; flatbreads: $12-$15; soup: $5-$8; salads: $4-$16; sides: $4.50-$6.50; entrees: $12-$36; dessert: $7-$8, ice cream is $3.50 a scoop


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-13--'We will always remember': Aurora exhibit honors victims of Pratt shooting

Mary Clark Ormond wonders what will happen after the collection of teddy bears , candles , cards and photographs goes back into storage .
She knows those material things will last , but she does n't want the human stories from yet another mass shooting to get lost to history .
So she thinks about her successors at the Aurora Historical Society : `` How will they know what it meant to us ? ''
She 's been pondering those things in front of a display of five white crosses -- the emotional core of a new exhibit at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the Henry Pratt shooting in Aurora .
A year ago , those crosses stood outside the manufacturing warehouse as part of a makeshift memorial to the five victims : Russell Beyer , Vicente Juarez , Clayton Parks , Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner .
The mementos haphazardly left behind by mourners have been cataloged , organized and put back on display by the history center , but the exhibit remains a shrine to the five co-workers who lost their lives and the five Aurora police officers who were wounded .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crosses over and over again and thought about them and thought about their families , '' said Ormond , the historical society 's president .
She knows you have to spend some time there to absorb all the heartbreaking details .
Wehner , a 21-year-old from Sheridan , was just three months away from his college graduation when he was killed on the first day of his internship at Henry Pratt .
On his cross , his parents wrote `` I love you forever !
XOXO Mom '' and `` Love you always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 54 , is still wrapped in the string of a deflated balloon .
Attached to the cross for Beyer , 47 , is an `` Aurora Strong '' wristband in a nod to a movement started by the city to help the families and the community grieve .
The laminated pictures on the crosses for Parks , 32 , and Pinkard , 37 , show two young dads .
`` We 're looking at a lot of mementos here that represent people who actually lived and had families and went to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros said .
The other gallery walls show the outpouring of support for Aurora police .
The department received hundreds of cards from students , scout groups and law enforcement .
Ormond was struck by a message from a fourth-grader : `` Live in peace . ''
`` We want , first of all , for people to come out of this and remember the victims , but also to remember and appreciate our first responders who went and took fire and took the gunman down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Since the exhibit opened a week ago , Ormond has met with visitors , but she 's sometimes at a loss for words .
`` When we were putting this exhibit together , '' she said , `` we were asking ourselves , is this what we should be doing ?
Is this what people want ? ''
The historical society has tried to set a respectful tone .
It invited relatives of the victims to privately tour the collection outside of museum hours .
The exhibit will run until at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wehner 's mom already have visited .
`` From what I heard , they appreciated that these things were saved and that we were doing this , but again it 's very strong emotions , '' Jaros said .
So Ormond likes to give visitors their space .
One man told her something that helped dispel some of those questions , at least for now , about the future and how people will remember the shooting .
`` You 've said it all here , '' he told Ormond .
On Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a memorial ceremony at the history center , 20 E. Downer Place .
Students from Holy Angels Catholic School , a campus about a half mile away from the Pratt warehouse , will pass out flowers .
And at 1:24 p.m. , the gathering will hold a moment of silence to mark the time the first emergency call was received .
Karen Fullett-Christensen , Aurora 's poet laureate , also has written a poem , one example of the art created for the anniversary .
It 's called `` Hearts and Flowers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day hearts and fragrant flowers are on display but this year is different While others bask in the warmth of their lovers ' sweet surprises some of us sit with empty arms and broken spirits Longing to turn back the clock to the day before life was shattered Condolence cards and songs of mourning have done their work but the hole never closes Yes , we will go on , we will keep walking but we 'll never forget , we 'll never stop loving in visions and prayers we will always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always belong to dreams of you .

'We will always remember': Aurora exhibit honors victims of Pratt shooting
Mary Clark Ormond wonders what will happen after the collection of teddy bears, candles, cards and photographs goes back into storage.
She knows those material things will last, but she doesn't want the human stories from yet another mass shooting to get lost to history.
So she thinks about her successors at the Aurora Historical Society: "How will they know what it meant to us?"
She's been pondering those things in front of a display of five white crosses -- the emotional core of a new exhibit at the Pierce Art and History Center commemorating the anniversary of the Henry Pratt shooting in Aurora.
A year ago, those crosses stood outside the manufacturing warehouse as part of a makeshift memorial to the five victims: Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer A collection of teddy bears, candles, cards and photographs left at the shooting site is part of the exhibit.
The mementos haphazardly left behind by mourners have been cataloged, organized and put back on display by the history center, but the exhibit remains a shrine to the five co-workers who lost their lives and the five Aurora police officers who were wounded.
"I've sat in front of those crosses over and over again and thought about them and thought about their families," said Ormond, the historical society's president.
She knows you have to spend some time there to absorb all the heartbreaking details.
Wehner, a 21-year-old from Sheridan, was just three months away from his college graduation when he was killed on the first day of his internship at Henry Pratt. On his cross, his parents wrote "I love you forever! XOXO Mom" and "Love you always Dad."
The cross for Juarez, 54, is still wrapped in the string of a deflated balloon. Attached to the cross for Beyer, 47, is an "Aurora Strong" wristband in a nod to a movement started by the city to help the families and the community grieve.
The laminated pictures on the crosses for Parks, 32, and Pinkard, 37, show two young dads.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer "We want first of all for people to come out of this and remember the victims but also to remember and appreciate our first responders who went and took fire and took the gunman down and prevented more tragedy," Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros says.
"We're looking at a lot of mementos here that represent people who actually lived and had families and went to work one day and didn't come back," Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros said.
The other gallery walls show the outpouring of support for Aurora police. The department received hundreds of cards from students, scout groups and law enforcement.
Ormond was struck by a message from a fourth-grader: "Live in peace."
"We want, first of all, for people to come out of this and remember the victims, but also to remember and appreciate our first responders who went and took fire and took the gunman down and prevented more tragedy," Jaros said.
Since the exhibit opened a week ago, Ormond has met with visitors, but she's sometimes at a loss for words.
"When we were putting this exhibit together," she said, "we were asking ourselves, is this what we should be doing? Is this what people want?"
The historical society has tried to set a respectful tone. It invited relatives of the victims to privately tour the collection outside of museum hours. The exhibit will run until at least Feb. 29.
Beyer's family and Wehner's mom already have visited.
- Brian Hill | Staff Photographer The Aurora Historical Society's new exhibit memorializes the anniversary of the Henry Pratt shootings that claimed the lives of five employees -- Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner.
"From what I heard, they appreciated that these things were saved and that we were doing this, but again it's very strong emotions," Jaros said.
So Ormond likes to give visitors their space. One man told her something that helped dispel some of those questions, at least for now, about the future and how people will remember the shooting.
"You've said it all here," he told Ormond.
On Saturday, Ormond will give some brief remarks during a memorial ceremony at the history center, 20 E. Downer Place.
Students from Holy Angels Catholic School, a campus about a half mile away from the Pratt warehouse, will pass out flowers. And at 1:24 p.m., the gathering will hold a moment of silence to mark the time the first emergency call was received.
Karen Fullett-Christensen, Aurora's poet laureate, also has written a poem, one example of the art created for the anniversary. It's called "Hearts and Flowers," and it reads:
Valentine's Day hearts and fragrant flowers are on display
but this year is different
While others bask in the warmth of their lovers' sweet surprises
some of us sit with empty arms and broken spirits
Longing to turn back the clock to the day before life was shattered
before time stopped for eternity
Condolence cards and songs of mourning have done their work
caring, compassion, outpourings of sympathy helped ease the pain
but the hole never closes
Yes, we will go on, we will keep walking
but we'll never forget, we'll never stop loving
in visions and prayers we will always remember:
Our hearts and flowers will always belong
to dreams of you.