Valentine’s Day Events in Chicago

The month of February is a celebration of romance, chivalry, and affection expressed by lovers throughout the world.  The windy city will be whipping up specials before and during the holiday celebration. At Alternative Strategies, we’ve compiled a list for you to explore and choose from the area’s most romantic locales, from restaurants to sunset cruises. Check out the list below so you and your lover can make 2010 the most memorable Valentine’s Day yet!

At Flourish Studios, a learning gallery for all ages, your plans for your future are well-respected and attainable. Flourish features classes to teach, inspire, and guide you to reach and surpass your goals. Once you learn to take care of yourself, you can begin to care for others; Flourish Studios is celebrating romance this year with “Cupid’s Night Out,” a shopping event for men to buy their sweeties something special while sampling fine wines. The free event will be on February 11, from 6-8pm at our retail store and will feature a variety of Chicago based designers; bring the kids along, too, to find something for Mom and enjoy hot chocolate! For more information on the studio, classes, or our calendar of events call 773.281.8130, or visit http://www.icanflourish.com/.

Turn up the heat this Valentine’s Day at Bonsoiree in Chicago. The trendy hot-spot is offering an eight-course Aphrodisiac menu priced at $100-$130, featuring asparagus soup, winter point oysters, steamed abalone with fresh cherries and chocolate truffles. With its intimate yet explicitly sensuous atmosphere, this Valentine’s Day at Bonsoiree is sure to be a memorable one. For further inquiries and reservations please call 773.486.7511, or visit us at http://www.bon-soiree.com/.

If you let the kids munch on all the chocolate and candy hearts you get this Valentine’s Day, be sure to make an appointment with Yummy Dentals, one of the most popular children’s dentists in Chicago.  A regular on NBC news, Yummy Dentals provides a fun, interactive experience for kids rather than a fearful encounter. Dr. Yum is among the top pediatric dentists in the windy city and will even give your child a complimentary treatment on their first visit. Packages are available from tots to teens; Yummy Dentals wants you and your children to understand the importance or oral hygiene and dental maintenance.
www.yummydental.com

“It’s all about you.” At Michelle Rossfeld’s Chicago Women’s Fitness Camp that’s a health standard to live by. If you’d like to tone up before going on that Valentine’s Day getaway with your lover, make an appointment for a personal training session with the expert herself to get your body in shape and your muscles moving again. If personal training isn’t your thing, there are ample amounts of fitness camps to partake in, from kick boxing to yoga to combination classes. Hurry and sign up for the next 4-week camp, these classes fill up quick! www.chicagowomensfitnesscamp.com

Here’s a little list of places we think will enhance the romance this Valentine’s Day:
The Spirit of Chicago cruise line is going above and beyond this Valentine’s Day holding cruises all weekend long. Upon boarding the vibrant ship you and you significant other will be greeted with roses and two flutes of Champagne, followed by a satisfying buffet, and end by dance the night away with the Chicago skyline as your romantic backdrop. The grand event is $99 per person and will go from 6:30-10pm. A sample of what you’ll much on: toasted couscous salad, rigatoni frutti di mare, Thai barbeque beef, and a wonderful selection of cakes, cookies, and more.  To book tickets, call 866.273.2469 or make reservations online at http://www.spiritofchicago.com/ch/valentines_day_cruise.jsp.
If you plan to go all out this Valentine’s Day there’s one place that just can’t be topped. Wine and dine your darling Chicago’s famous Charlie Trotter’s, they’ll be offering 3 types of menus: the Vegetable Menu at $135; the Grand Menu at $165; and the Kitchen Table (a grandiose, imagined on-the-spot, experience) at $225. The vegetarian option includes items such as Ash Baked Eggplant with Green Curry & Chanterelle Mushrooms and Swan Creek Farm Ricotta with Vidalia Onion Marmalade, Brioche & Arugula, while the Grand alternative will encompass Arkansas Rabbit Loin with Curried Tortellini & Wilted Mustard Greens and Japanese Hamachi with Toasted Wild Rice, Braised Oxtail & Pomegranate, to name a few. All may be accompanied with wine pairings for an additional $100. To reserve your sensuous culinary experience, call 773 248-6228.