Valentine's '09 - where to blow $200??

OK.

I made reservations at Aigre Doux after reading some decent reviews in various Chicago publications - I want something upscale that falls outside the contemporary american/french canon.

Basically, I did a bad job with the LTH search, because a few days later (today) this Aigre Doux thread turns up that has been silent for months that basically leads me to believe the place ain't worth blowing the above-mentioned $200 bones on.

So - I want some recommendations from the esteemed LTH community. My problem is that despite being well-versed in the cheapo cabbie haunts of our glorious city, I just haven't hit the income range (been a student too damn long) to make an educated pick from the variety of 2/3 star places strewn about Chicago.

My criteria: I can spend up to $250, I want strong flavors (not just cream, blech - I like sour, spicy, sweet, funky), and the atmosphere has to be decent enough to make it look like I really tried on this V-Day.

I realize this may be a lot to ask. Any help would be much appreciated. And I have a feeling this info may be useful for quite a lot of people who may have been stung my cupid's arrow this past year.

Muchas Gracias, Shukran Geziran in advance.

M

On valentines day tell her you got her north pond or blackbird reservations for a month later

In a minute, my recommendation would be Bonsoiree. It's got great ambiance and the food is excellent. The fact that it's BYOB will help your budget. You can do the seven course menu for $85 each and with tax, tip, and a couple of decent but not expensive bottles, you'll be inside the $250 pretty easily. Here's the LTH thread. You better hurry though, as they have a small place and a big following, so they might be booked already.


Bonsoiree
2728 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, Il.
773-486-7511
http://www.bon-soiree.com/

Bonsoiree is a no-go; booked.

There are some worthy candidates on the GNR list: a tavola and Sweets and Savories come to mind immediately. I'm sure you would also have a wonderful time at Sabatino's or Myron and Phil's, but I don't think they would be considered upscale. With Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday, I think restaurants that night are going to be a complete zoo. I like gleam's suggestion. Personally, we're going to Avec on a weeknight before V-Day. (That's Mr. X's price for going on a golf weekend to Arizona over Valentine's Day...it's a win-win as far as I'm concerned. No Valentine's night zoo and I get dinner at Avec!)

Sweets and Savories, Tizi Melloul, May Street Market, Picolo Sogno, all written up on LTH.

I agree on Sweets & Savories as well. I think the best recommendation though is to take her out on another night. Then on V-Day, make her dinner at your place. It's cheaper, and chicks dig it.

I agree that cooking at home is a great idea, but I do it often, and have already hinted that we are going out - something she really wanted to do.

Funny thing is, I think I have her convinced that we are going to eat fondue or something equally schmaltzy. As a testament to what a great woman she is, when she found out she forced a smile, and after swallowing her incredulity at how someone with my taste would pick something so stupid, remarked "that's great baby!"

BTW - no offense to anyone who likes fondue, it's just that I know for a fact she dislikes the idea of dipping meat into hot oil as a fancy dinner.

Thanks for the recs so far!

I know you want to something a little more avant-garde, and I know you want atmosphere, but I attended Patrick Chabert's dinner on January 17th, and it was absolutely stunning. My guests and I were all astonished.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=22101

Otom could be really cool. Le Bouchon for something french.

Oceanique in Evanston. Ya can't go wrong there. Very romantic! Ditto Michael in Winnetka - great food, and largely undiscovered as of yet. Chef Lachowicz is definitely an Occasion Guy.

What might be kind of fun to do is to take the lady friend up north on Metra - Oceanique is just across Chicago Ave. on Main St. (get off at the Main St. stop on the UP North Line), and Michael is perhaps half a block south of the Indian Hill stop on Green Bay Road on the same line.

I can absolutely flat-ass guarantee you that you will not be disappointed in either place. BTW, I like your fondue ploy very much!

Geja's Cafe will fulfill your fondue promise.

http://opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx? ... &ref=10051

Geja's Café
340 W. Armitage
Chicago, IL 60614

I've done Otom before on Valentines days past. It's been very good, although not memorable enough that I can tell you what I had.

I'll be at Michael's. Great menu and a steal at $55 per person!

I think the best recommendation though is to take her out on another night. Then on V-Day, make her dinner at your place.

As a chick, I can say that if my boyfriend did this, I would totally dig it.