Balsan A three-course menu of “aphrodisiac” dishes includes a starter of oysters, cheese, and charcuterie; a choice of steak au poivre or lobster and chicken fricassee; and a chocolate tasting. $69, optional wine pairings are $36; also available Friday-Sunday. 11 E. Walton, 312-646-1400.
Blokes & Birds Chef Greg Cannon’s “Aphrodisiac Dinner” includes oysters (half-shell or Rockefeller), Muscovy duck, and butter-poached lobsters. $50; $25 extra gets you beverage pairings like Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, Fleur Chardonnay, and Timmerman’s Framboise Lambic. 3343 N. Clark, 773-472-5252, blokesandbirdschicago.com.
The Gage In addition to its regular dinner menu, the Gage is serving a la carte specials like an oyster gratinee with Pernod ($17); seared foie gras on a brioche doughnut with sherry gelee and gastrique powder ($23); “smoking” lobster with spicy greens and sweet potato puree ($42); and champagne-drizzled mascarpone cheesecake with strawberries and coconut ($10). To drink, there’s a special Love Potion No. 1 cocktail ($12): Pimm’s, port, pomegranate, and prosecco. 24 S. Michigan, 312-372-4243, thegagechicago.com.
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Jacky’s on Prairie Two six-course tasting menus are available: a meatcentric option includes jasmine petal soup with albacore and lychee; butter-poached lobster with arroz negro; and Iberico pork- and fig-stuffed quail with a rose petal chocolate sauce. For vegetarians, there’s avocado-mango tataki, pear salad with Fromager d’Affinois, and pan-seared queso fresco with “deconstructed vichyssoise,” roasted fennel, and grapefruit cream. $70 per person; also available Saturday and Sunday. 2545 Prairie, Evanston, 847-733-0899, jackysonprairie.com.
Morton Arboretum A V-Day brunch features stations with offerings like crab cakes with cajun remoulade, carved beef tenderloin with cocoa and coffee rub, creme brulee French toast, and omelets made to order. There’s also a kids’ station and a chocolate fountain. Seatings are at 9:30 AM, noon, and 2:30 PM; $42, $30 for kids. Sun 2/13. 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle 630-725-2066, mortonarb.org.
Ria Four-course prix fixe menu including scallops with harukei turnips, octopus, and fume blanc; lobster with chestnuts, fennel, and orange; aged strip loin with bone marrow, potatoes, and truffles; and chocolate with black cocoa, pomelo, and Aperol. $135 per person; add $75 for wine pairings. Also available Friday-Sunday. 11 E. Walton, 312-880-4400.
