Valentine's Day is one week away, and as some of you have already discovered, restaurant reservations are going fast.
That's the bad news. The good news is that Valentine's Day is one of the biggest days of the year for reservation no-shows. So if the restaurant you have in mind is full, getting on a wait list, or checking back at the last minute, might work out.
Allium. The Four Seasons restaurant will feature a "Valentine's Day Dom Over" on Feb. 15 and 16. The $500 dinner includes four-course dinner for two, bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, two keepsake Dom Perignon flutes and a gift certificate for a 55-minute massage at the Spa at Four Seasons Chicago. From Feb. 14-16, Allium will feature a prix fixe menu for $95, or $130 with glass of Dom Perignon. 120 E. Delaware Place, 312-799-4900.
Baume & Brix. Featuring a six-course menu for $70; regular menu also available. Reservations required. 351 W. Hubbard St., 312-321-0351.
Bistronomic. Valentine's Day through Feb. 17, Bistronomic will feature a three-course, $65 menu based entirely on Auguste Escoffier recipes. 840 N. Wabash Ave., 312-944-8400.
Boka. Featuring a five-course prix fixe menu priced at $85. 1729 N. Halsted St., 312-337-6070.
Carlucci. Limited a la carte menu available Feb. 14-17; live music Feb. 14 and 16. 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, 630-512-0990.
Carnivale. Will feature regular menu, augmented with a la carte specials, available Feb. 14-17. 702 W. Fulton St., 312-850-5005.
The Florentine. On Valentine's Day only, chef Chris Macchia will offer a special a la carte menu. Wine pairings available for $25. 151 W. Adams St., 312-660-8866.
Frontier. Featuring a "hearts dinner" of beef, lamb and duck hearts. Four-course menu $40 per person, $60 per couple. 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322.
GT Fish & Oyster. On Valentine's Day, the restaurant will feature a five-course menu, priced at $85. Regular menu will not be available. 531 N. Wells St., 312-929-3501.
Hub 51. On Valentine's Day, the restaurant will feature an expanded prix fixe menu, which includes a half-bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne (one per couple). Cost is $95. 51 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-0051.
Il Poggiolo. Regular menu with a la carte specials; complimentary biscotti dessert. Available Feb. 14-17. 8 E. First St., Hinsdale, 630-734-9400.
Japonais. Regular a la carte menu, plus Valentine specials available Feb. 14-16. 600 W. Chicago Ave., 312-822-9600.
Koi. Featuring a three-course menu with a glass of plum wine. $49.99 per couple. 624 Davis St., Evanston, 847-866-6969.
Libertad. Will feature a five-course Valentine's Day menu; $50 price includes glass of champagne. 7931 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 847-674-8100.
Maison. Regular menu available, along with "for two" specials such as Dover sole and chateaubriand. Special chocolate souffle with passion fruit ice cream dessert. 333 E. Randolph St., 312-241-1540.
MK. Tasting menu with wine-pairing options featured on Valentine's Day. Five-course menu $79, $119 with wine pairings. 868 N. Franklin St., 312-482-9179.
Park Grill. Valentine celebrations from Feb. 13-17; the restaurant will feature a 1920s-inspired a la carte menu, plus a $20 wine pairing flight (three wines). Purchase of wine pairing or bottle of wine includes a chance to win jewelry, theater and dinner-theater-hotel prizes. 11 N. Michigan Ave., 312-521-7275.
Phil Stefani's 437 Rush. "Oysters & Bubbles" special, $22, includes half-dozen oysters and split of prosecco sparkling wine. 1437 N. Rush St., 312-222-0101.
Restaurant Michael. Special four-course menu, with glass of champagne, available Valentine's Day. $79. 64 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, 847-441-3100.
Sepia. Candelight Valentine's Day menu features four-course menu for $90, $155 with wine pairings. 123 N. Jefferson St., 312-441-1920.
Slurping Turtle. Featuring a five-course "I Kind of Like You" menu for $50 and an eight-course "I Think I Love You" menu for $85. Movies, including "Casablanca" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" will be projected on restaurant wall. Menus available Feb. 14-16. 116 W. Hubbard St., 312-464-0466.
Tavern on Rush. A la carte menu available, plus a special chocolate fondue dessert for two ($14.95). 1031 N. Rush St., 312-644-9600.
Trattoria Trullo. Special a la carte menu available Feb. 14-17; live entertainment on Valentine's Day. 4767 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-506-0093.
Viaggio. Valentine's Day special: lobster ravioli for two plus bottle of wine, $65. 1330 W. Madison St., 312-829-1990.
Vivo. Act fast on this one: Make a Valentine's Day reservation via email by Feb. 7 and you'll automatically have a chance to win dinner for two on Valentine's Day at Vivo's famous Table 70 (one of the most romantic tables in Chicago). Winners will be announced on Vivo's Facebook page Friday. 838 W. Randolph St., 312-733-3379.
