As Valentine's Day approaches, the city of Chicago is buzzing with love and romance. Numerous eateries are rolling out special heart-shaped dishes to make your date night unforgettable. From classic deep dish pizzas to innovative sushi rolls and decadent desserts, these establishments are going above and beyond to create memorable experiences for couples. Some restaurants are even offering Galentine's Day events and take-home packages, ensuring that everyone can celebrate in style. Whether you're dining out or enjoying a romantic evening at home, there's something delightful for everyone this Valentine's season.
In the heart of Chicago, Lou Malnati’s, a renowned deep dish pizza specialist, has reintroduced its beloved heart-shaped pizzas. Available throughout February, these nine-inch pies come with options like plain cheese, sausage, or pepperoni. A portion of each sale will support local food banks through Feeding America, adding a charitable touch to the celebration. For those who prefer Asian cuisine, Sunda New Asian offers a unique Beating Heart Maki roll, filled with spicy tuna, pickled daikon, tobiko, and sweet soy butter. This special creation is available until February 16th, providing an unconventional yet romantic dining experience.
Gene & Georgetti, Chicago’s oldest steakhouse, isn’t just about the beef. This Valentine's Day, they’ve introduced house-made heart-shaped ravioli stuffed with ricotta, accompanied by blistered tomatoes, peas, and lobster jus. Meanwhile, Pizzeria Portofino invites couples to enjoy a picturesque riverside dinner along with their signature heart-shaped pizzas. The restaurant also hosts a Galentine’s Day cocktail class on February 17th, allowing friends to gather for craft cocktails and heart-shaped pies. Tickets for this event are priced at $90.
Stan’s Donuts has teamed up with Margie’s Candies to offer a limited-edition heart-shaped box of treats. Each box contains eight mini turtle donuts and six turtle candies, perfect for sharing. Additionally, customers can indulge in Stan’s iconic glazed yeast donut, shaped like a heart and adorned with strawberry glaze and sprinkles. For those planning a romantic dinner at home, Sicilian street food specialist Sfera provides a package for two. This includes a heart-shaped Sicilian-style pizza, arancini, meatballs, arugula salad, and a mini chocolate torta, all for $55.
Giordano’s, known for its stuffed pizzas, adds a romantic twist by serving heart-shaped pies for dine-in, carryout, and delivery orders. Robert’s Pizza and Dough Company not only serves heart-shaped pizzas but also offers a luxurious menu for two, featuring a glass of prosecco or cocktail, starters, salad, pizza, and dessert, priced at $150. Ramen-san ensures a sweet ending to meals with heart-shaped hot donuts and a heart-topped ube Basque cheesecake at its Fulton Market location. Lastly, DeNucci’s and Miss Ricky’s provide heart-shaped pizzas and waffles, respectively, while Lowcountry rounds off meals with heart-shaped beignets at its three locations.
This Valentine's season, Chicago’s culinary scene promises to delight both romantics and food enthusiasts alike. With a wide array of heart-shaped offerings, from traditional favorites to innovative creations, there's no shortage of ways to make your celebration special. Whether you choose to dine out or stay in, these unique dishes and events will undoubtedly add a touch of romance to your day.