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Jan 2011  |  By Julie Chernoff  |  Comments

The Most Romantic Restaurants

Drink to me only with thine eyes… then pass me the bottle of Pinot Noir so I can polish it off! Love is all about sharing.

Any time of year is a good time for romance, but February seems to be the month when most of us feel compelled to share a dinner a deux with our significant other. And restaurants are more than happy to accommodate: special menus abound, filled with notorious libido enhancers like oysters, foie gras, champagne and dark chocolate.

Arm yourself with our list of romantic dining spots and you’re sure to find one that fits your fancy, whether you dine out with your sweetie on February 14 or any other night of the year. Vive la romance!

Arlington Heights:
La Tasca
847-398-2400 | Review
Sipping sangria and devouring tapas puts you in the mood for el amor.

Le Titi de Paris
847-506-0222
Frenchified and lovely; no one makes better Lobster Bisque.

Barrington:
Barrington Country Bistro
847-842-1300 | Review
Feed each other the Grand Marnier Soufflé. Et voila.

Deerfield:
Wildfish
847-317-9453
Ask for a booth in this dark and very groovily designed place; eat sushi and get busy.

Evanston:
Bistro Bordeaux
847-424-1483 | Review
The Duck Confit. The Steak Frites. Pascal. Yum.

Campagnola
847-475-6100
If the Wood-Fired Octopus with Black Olive Coulis doesn’t do it for you, nothing will.

Quince
847-570-8400 | Review
The presentations are a little like food porn… and that’s a good thing. Liquid Cauliflower Ravioli? Yowza!

Glenview:
Flight Wine Bar
847-729-9463
Sharing small plates + tasting many interesting wines = romance.

Highwood:
Carlos
847-432-0770
The Degustation is the way to go. You won’t even need sex afterward.

Froggy’s
847-433-7080
The twinkly lights, the beautiful greenery, and yummy French cuisine are conducive to love.

Highland Park:
Abigail’s American Bistro
847-849-1009 | Review
Cozy, crowded, but the food is inspired and you will be, too.

Libertyville:
Tavern
847-367-5755
The Roco-cozy room will arouse you, the Caviar Potato Chips will finish you off.

Lake Forest:
Lovells of Lake Forest
847-234-8013
Ask to be seated in the Conservatory and drink a few of the Apollo XIII Martinis. Be happy.

Mundelein:
Karma

847-970-6900 | Review
Zen calm and a beautiful wall of water.

Skokie:
Shallots Bistro
847-677-DINE
Kosher can be sexy.

South Barrington:
L’Eiffel Bistro & Creperie
847-428-4783
What’s more romantic than a bistro? Pretend you’re in Paris.

Wheeling:
Pete Miller’s
412 N. Milwaukee Ave.
847-243-3700 | Review
Big booths for cuddling, live jazz music, plenty of red meat and shellfish.

Winnetka:
Restaurant Michael
847-441-3100 | Review
Feel coddled by the pristine service and luxe food.

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About The Author

Julie Chernoff

Julie Chernoff graduated from Yale with a major in English, which she now speaks fluently. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Julie has a varied food background, including stints as Asst. Food Editor of Weight Watcher's Magazine; personal chef to Boz Scaggs; manager of Wolfgang Puck's Postrio in SF and Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill/Topolobampo in Chicago; caterer; and cooking teacher to kids and adults alike. She likes to eat.

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