I used to think that the best thing about Valentine’s Day was that boxes of Godiva chocolates would go 1/2 price the day after. That was until I moved to Chicago.

The Windy City and its diverse inhabitants are great at making special days into special weekends and having something available for everyone.

This is what I am doing for V-day weekend:

FRIDAY:

8 pm, “Schtick With Us: A Vaudeville Burlesque” at Skokie Theatre

Photo by Peter leGrand

Question: What is sexier than celebrating a weekend of love by watching a burlesque show?

Answer: Absolutely. nothing. :o)

Chicago-hot-dog-vendor-turned-burlesque-force-of-nature, Red Hot Annie leads an all-burlesque-star cast in this Vaudeville-inspired burlesque show. You can watch boys and girls shake their tail feathers while laughing along with the titillating performance!

Bonus points: Take your sweetie to Duffy’s Cocktail Lounge (aka Skokie’s oldest bar!) for drinks before the show.

SATURDAY:

Don’t just cook dinner for your sweetie! Cook her/him the finest local meal and show them that you care about their tastebuds.

  1. Make a stopover at Green City Market to pick up local ingredients and be inspired by Chefs Liz Tokarczyk, John des Rosiers and Bernie Laskowski (all RSVP only!). May I recommend picking up some fresh Bennison’s bread, Brunkow cheese, steaks from Heartland and potatoes.
  2. On your way back stop at the Logan Square Kitchen (from 10 – 3) to pick up treats made by some of Chicago’s best artisan confectioners and pastry chefs. Believe me, nothing says love like gourmet French macaroons and cakes. Plus it shows that you put more thought into it than the Russell Stover box of Wal*Mart chocolates.
  3. Before you two have dinner, do something fun and quirky and swing over to see Cupid Cats, the acrobatic cat troupe that will have you purring with delight! This is a MUST SEE!!!

    Big awww!

    OR if cats are not your thing then nix the above plans and head over for a good laugh at iO theater where The Cupid Players will make you laugh about love, relationships and having weird fetishes.

  4. Cook and eat dinner then ring in Valentine’s Day with an after hours jazz party at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. It will be mellow and invigorating, and you can cuddle with your baby in a booth. The perfect ending to a perfect day!

SUNDAY:

Sorry, just because you did it up the last two days does not mean you can skimp on the actual day. Or does it?

Perfect for the anti-Valentine’s person or for a couple who just wants to take it easy: Sleep in and then head down to Chinatown for a unique V-day experience.

Chinese New Year 2009

Watch the Chinese New Year parade (take the red L to Cermak/Chinatown) and then pop into Three Happiness Original Restaurant (NOT the Three Happiness on the corner, but the one on 209 W. Cermak) for dim sum.

Bonus points: Pop around the corner to Saint’s Alp Teahouse for some bubble tea and a romantic chat with your sweetie!

Have a very happy Valentine’s Weekend and an even better Chinese New Year!

Dev xx