Romantic Valentine's Day Dining at Chicago Restaurants and in the Suburbs --

75 W. Algonquin Rd.

Arlington Heights, Ill.

(847) 427-4242

http://www.birchrivergrill.com/

Couples can snuggle by the rustic fireplace for Valentine's Day at Birch River Grill - An American Kitchen. On February 14, the restaurant offers a pre-fixe menu at $44.95 per person. Begin the romantic evening with Purple Endive and Delicate Greens Salad, with citrus supremes, toasted almond slices and ruby red grapefruit vinaigrette. Customers will enjoy an appetizer of Herb Crusted Tuna Loin with winter squash, caper relish and tarragon vinaigrette. Entrée selections include: the Duet of Petite Filet Mignon, with Boursin cheese butter and horseradish crust, purple potato crush, peppercorn bacon Brussels sprouts, or Wild Striped Bass with black beluga lentils, blood orange cream and wilted escarole. For dessert, indulge in the Manage et Trois Chocolate, a trio of chocolates, mousse of white, milk and dark chocolates and Grand Marnier genoise.

Birch River Grill's Valentine's Day dinner is available noon to 11 p.m. for $44.95 per person. Additionally, the regular menu is available. Birch River Grill - An American Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. The lounge stays open one hour later daily. All major credit cards are accepted. Complimentary parking is available. For reservations or more information, please contact Birch River Grill - An American Kitchen at (847) 427-4242 or visit them on the web at http://www.birchrivergrill.com/.

DINE

733 W. Madison St.

Chicago, Ill

(312) 602- 2100

http://www.dinerestaurant.com/

Valentine's Day Spend a music-filled Valentine's Day at Dine, featuring jazz guitarist Lee Barrie from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. February 14. Barrie's smooth jazz will serenade guests, while Dine offers a special Valentine's Day menu Friday February 13, and Saturday February 14 in addition to its regular menu.

For starters, choose from Spice Rubbed Prime Tenderloin, Champagne vinaigrette, Brussels sprouts-horseradish salad ($11), or West Coast Evening Cove Oysters with a trio of caviars ($12). Enjoy Dine's special Valentine's Day soup, Oregon Pink Shrimp Bisque, with orange fennel relish and tempura shrimp ($7). Entrée selections include Grass Fed Strip Steak rubbed with Valrhona cocoa and New Mexico Chili Yukon potatoes ($28), or Pole Caught Virginia Striped Bass with grilled ramp, red Russian fingerling potato and a sweet pea emulsion ($27). Complement the dinner with featured wine pairings; either three wine selections for $9, or let Dine's wine steward select the perfect bottle.

For the finale, choose between Dine's signature heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake for Two with cream cheese frosting and pecan praline ($11), hand-dipped Chocolate Covered Strawberries for two ($9) or a sparkling glass of Champagne ($5).

Dine's Valentine's Day drink menu includes Bleeding Love, Stoli raspberry and vanilla topped with apple juice and chocolate covered raspberries, served in a chilled martini glass glazed with deep red raspberry flavored coloring ($12), Shoot the Cupid, a chilled shaken and stirred brew of Grey Goose L'Orange and Effen raspberry, finished with a bubbly mixture of sparkling grape juice and Champagne ($12) and Happily Ever After, a strong burning collage of Grey Goose pear and White Crème De Cacao, topped with a rich frothing of cream and coated with chocolate sprinkles ($12).

GLEN PRAIRIE LOCAL FLAVOR FINE FOOD & DRINK

1250 Roosevelt Rd.

Glen Ellyn, Ill.

(630) 613-1250

http://www.glenprairie.com/

Valentine's Day Menu A Valentine's Day dinner of passion awaits at Glen Prairie Local Flavor Food & Drink. Glen Prairie's pre-fixe menu is available February 13 and February 14 for $40 per person. For starters, couples will enjoy Cupid's Salad of Love with baby greens, Mission figs, toasted pistachios, shaved red onion and balsamic vinaigrette; followed by the Cuddle with Me Soup with wild mushroom and fennel.

For the main course, choose from Will You Be My Valentine, lump crab stuffed Amish chicken Oscar, saffron hollandaise, gaufrette potatoes and grilled asparagus, or Love Me Tender, Iowa farmed bone-in filet mignon, truffle mashed potatoes, cognac cream sauce and braised carrots. End the night with It's Orgasmic, flourless chocolate cake, vanilla bean gelato, or You Sweet Thing, strawberry, peaches and cream trifle.

KARMA - ASIAN FOOD & WINE

510 E. Route 83

Mundelein, Ill.

(847) 970-6900

http://www.karmachicago.com/

Valentine's Day SpecialsSweethearts are in for a treat with Karma's special Valentine's Day menu. The romantic dining experience commences with Oysters on the half shell served with tempura asparagus and ponzu sauce ($10). Choose from three alluring entrées like the Fire Roasted Game Hen stuffed with shiitake mushrooms and forbidden rice with a pineapple tamari glaze ($28); Grilled Veal Chop atop a bed of baby bok choy and Napa cabbage plus an Asian pear demi glace ($38); Lobster Tail, Prawns and Scallops poached in a star anise and yuzu broth, with a scallion rice cake and baby vegetables ($45). Karma offers intimate endings for dessert including Desserts to Share, warm heart-shaped chocolate brownies with Tahitian vanilla ice cream and fresh berries, ganache and crème anglaise for dipping ($10), or the Dessert Sampler, Ginger Crème Brulee, Chocolate moelleux cake and coconut rice pudding ($12).

Karma offers two special Valentine's Day cocktails, the Crimson Mimosa with blood orange puree and sparkling wine ($8), and the Strawberry Kiss with rum, strawberry liqueur and Godiva chocolate liqueur ($8).