Places in the heart: dining spots for Valentine’s Day

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A balcony-level private booth enclosed by translucent curtains stands across from a baby grand piano at Benjamin in Highland Park. | Lee Litas Photos~For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: February 7, 2012 8:22PM

A loaf of bread and jug of wine may have sufficed in the Middle Ages but these days impassioned foodies prefer something a bit more substantial, especially for Valentine’s Day. Try these.

Benjamin, 1849 Second St., Highland Park. (847) 748-8737; benjaminrestaurant.com

This Soho-chic jewel bedazzled in rich elements of cobalt black and animal prints already pulses with a cool city vibe; but wait, there’s more. High above its rad interior stands a balcony with not one, but two cozy nooks just perfect for V-Day; one better than the next. The first, a private booth surrounded by iridescent black curtains that just happens to be positioned directly across from where pianist Greg plays his baby grand - just for you. And positioned right next to it is none other than a traditional ‘love seat.’

“I think this is my favorite table in the whole restaurant,” said chef/owner Benjamin Brittsan. “It’s very rare that you actually have something set up for side-by-side dining. A lot of times you see people scooting next to each other at the end of the meal or going around to the other side but it’s already there for you.”

Benjamin’s entire Valentine’s Day menu has been constructed around edible aphrodisiacs and includes: white wine and Perigord truffle fondue with brioche twist and accompanied by “SEX” sparkling rosé; raw oysters with blood orange caviar; a choice of sole en papilotte, Kobe beef medallions or stuffed Amish chicken leg with hazelnut and apricot stuffing under a honey bourbon glaze; and, of course, dark chocolate crème brulee for two. Cost: $45 per person; love seat and private booth $65 per person and include that bottle of rosé.

A gourmet destination in Libertyville since 1990, Café Pyrenees offers the best of French and Spanish cultures, reserving one day a week for traditional tapas and another for a four-course crepes menu which runs savory to sweet. In addition, they house some 8,000 vintages available at retail cost. Their wine cellar is an oft-reserved, cozy enclave.

CP Valentine’s Day menu offers a refined mix of: lobster and shrimp bisque ($8), crab salad and grilled sea scallop with mango dressing and truffle vinaigrette ($11); grilled Foie Gras on toasted brioche and orange reduction ($13); roasted pork loin stuffed with an apricot spinach veal mousse served with sweet potato puree and sage reduction ($18); herb encrusted rack of lamb ($29) / Surf ’n’ Turf with Maine lobster en croute and grilled prime beef sirloin with a merlot sauce ($33) / Spanish Paella with scallops, clams, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, chicken and salmon with saffron rice ($24); and choice of desserts that includes raspberry soufflé with vanilla creme Anglaise ($10) or chocolate tart with Mascarpone ice cream and a cherry coulis ($8).

Aiming to be the finest Irish Pub in the northern suburbs, owner and Galway transplant Nuala Kavanaugh brings a bit of the old country to her patrons with her authentic public house. Designed by Irish architect Liam Kavanaugh to represent an Irish village street complete with a London red telephone box; Bridie’s Victorian Bar, era photos and working-class Country Bar good for a pint, a whiskey and “a bit of craic (fun)” go a long way towards drawing out nostalgia. But nothing says tradition like Bridie’s “snugs.” These booths were once used in pubs for discretion by, oh, say, local police officers nipping in for a quiet pint; or the errant parish priest out for his evening whisky; perhaps clandestine lover rendezvous and ladies who were not permitted in the main area of the pub with the men. Bartenders would pass drinks to the patrons seated inside the snugs through a small window. Bridie’s has two such snugs and they are, by far, the most requested tables in the pub.

On Valentine’s Day, Bridie’s will be serving prime rib ($19) and Corvina with lemon-butter-caper sauce, Israeli Couscous and sautéed spinach ($17) starting at 5 p.m.

Voted Best New Restaurant in 2004 by the Zagat guide, this ultra-modern oasis in Mundelein specializes in Pan Asian cuisine. Holding pride of place down the center of the locale is a pond filled with cone-shaped salt replicas of Asian rice harvesting fields. Between the gentle gurgle of the water and the serene green glow from the blown-glass bamboo, guests are transported to the exotic lure of the East.

For Valentine’s Day, Karma’s menu includes: lemongrass scented lobster bisque ($10), Togarashi fried oysters dressed with a cucumber crème ($12); seafood ravioli with seared sea scallops in a coconut saffron broth and sweet potato straws ($28); grilled filet mignon with hoisin demi glaze, accompanied by ginger-butter poached jumbo prawns, black forbidden rice and wok-tossed vegetables ($32); and a dessert sampler for two that includes coconut rice pudding, ginger Crème Brulee and chocolate cheese cake ($12).

For something that really pulls at the heartstrings, Mickey Finn’s, which celebrates its 17th year as Lake County’s largest microbrewery, is offering an “evening of hearts” with a favorite Valentine’s Day production: “Love Letters.” This dramedy traces the relationship of a man and woman via the letters they wrote to one another from their first meeting in second grade throughout their lives. The special, one-night celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 14. In addition, cocktail hour will feature Libertyville’s Dawn Christine Crowther and Hawthorn Woods’ Laurel Ann Kaiser on piano. “Love Letters” starring Maggie Bieritz of Arlington Heights and Scott Metzger of Libertyville begins at 7:30 p.m.

Zingarella, 2300 Lehigh Ave., Glenview. (847) 657-0707; zingarella.com

Local and unassuming, Zingarella’s menus and ambiance are reminiscent of French bistros or Italian trattorias. Locally sourced and international wines and beers, dinners feature nightly chef selections. In addition to the regular menu, a special Valentine’s Day menu will be available Feb. 10-14 and includes: blood orange glazed jumbo scallops over polenta cake; honey-encrusted Moroccan lamb chops with mint and served with Israeli couscous with golden raisins, vegetables and almonds; Chilean sea bass served over wild mushroom risotto with grilled asparagus; Cannelloni Romana: pasta stuffed with chicken, spinach, Parmesan and ricotta and topped with Alfredo sauce and sautéed baby spinach. Bouillabaisse: Provencal fish stew with shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams and fresh fish in saffron white wine broth with garlic aioli crostini. And for dessert: red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting rustic cherry tart with cinnamon gelato ($11 - $22).

Viking Cooking School and Culinary Shop, 1140 N. Milwaukee Ave., Glenview. (847) 350-0705; vikingcookingschool.com

And for something totally hands-on for Valentine’s Day (and beyond), Viking Cooking School in Glenview offers “Date Night” classes. Learn new cooking tips and techniques under the guidance of professional chefs or come early by yourself to learn how to create lamb chop “lollipops,” lobster and wild mushroom risotto, herb-crusted goat cheese “truffles” or individual tiramisu trifles — the perfect, romantic dinner at home for the one you love. Date Night class choices include Gourmet Delight, Date Night in Paris, Date Night in Rio de Janeiro, Italian Dinner and Special Occasion. Classes run through March. Single class cost: $99-$129 per person.