Northern Illinois restaurants perfect for romantic Valentine’s Day dinner

Planning a Valentine’s Day date? Skip the stress of cooking and reservations at the last minute. These restaurants in northern Illinois are offering special menus and romantic ambience to make your evening unforgettable.

Valentine’s Day is Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

The Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

Enjoy an elegant five-course meal with a beautiful view of the evergreens and Meadow Lake in The Morton Arboretum Visitors Center’s Ginkgo Room. Each course is expertly paired with a wine selected by sommeliers. The menu includes an appetizer, soup, salad, Beef Wellington entree, and triple chocolate creme brulee for dessert. A vegetarian menu is also available. The cost is $120 and is for guests 21 and older. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mortonarb.org.

Lucille at Drury Lane

100 Drury Lane, Oak Brook

Treat your special someone to dinner and a show at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook. Begin the evening with a four-course dinner at 5 p.m., followed by a performance of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Ticket prices are $170 and include dinner and the show. For more information, visit lucillerestaurant.com.

The Turf Room

1033 Kilbery St., North Aurora

The Turf Room will be offering its full menu from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with seatings every two hours. Reservations are highly recommended. The menu has a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, brick oven pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, chops, and more. For more information, visit theturfroomrestaurant.com.

Leilani Asian Fusion

2 N. River St., Aurora

One of downtown Aurora’s newest restaurants is offering a three-course prix fixe Valentine’s Day dinner for $65 per person. The menu includes lobster tempura rolls, porterhouse steak with truffle aioli and soy-glazed broccolini, and a heart-shaped cocoa pavlova dessert with dark chocolate mousse. Reservations are recommended. Visit leilaniasianfusion.com to reserve a table.

The Beach House

700 La Salle St., Ottawa

Enjoy exquisite coastal cuisine and seafood in downtown Ottawa. The menu highlights a wide variety of fresh seafood appetizers and entrees, but features many additional non-seafood meals. The full bar specializes in handcrafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. Valentine’s Day specials will be available Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15. Call 815-313-5553 for more information, or visit beachhousegrille.com.

Lakeview Grille

604 W. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville

Begin your meal with steak medallions, spinach & artichoke fondue, or shrimp de jonghe before moving on to a steak, prime rib, seafood, chicken, or pasta entree. Decadent desserts include double chocolate cake, carrot cake, strawberry shortcake, or a brownie sundae. For more information, visit lakeviewgrille.com or call 630-553-3055.

The Table at Crate

35 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook

The Table at Crate in Oakbrook Center will offer a special three-course menu Feb. 12–16. Guests can begin their romantic meal with a choice of roasted red beets with black truffle vinaigrette and shaved radish or a warm baked brie served with roasted grape conserva. For the second course, diners can select from Asiago-stuffed gnocchi with pork shoulder ragout, red wine short ribs with dairy-free mash and caramelized pearl onions, charred salmon with baba ghanoush and fingerling potatoes, or roasted cauliflower with cashew butter and smoked chili sauce. Dessert is rich chocolate cake with blackberry ganache or banana bread pudding with salted caramel gelato. The menu is available for $45 per person, or $55 with a glass of Rosé Prosecco. Reservations are available now on their website.

Basil Tree Ristorante

123 E. 1st St., Dixon

Experience a taste of Italy in Lee County at Basil Tree Ristorante. This family-owned restaurant features a rustic Italian ambiance with a wide variety of appetizers, create-your-own pasta dishes, chicken, veal, steak, and seafood. Gluten-free pasta is available. For more information, visit basiltree2008.com or call 815-288-7555.

Ellwood Steak and Fish House

2219 Sycamore Road, DeKalb

Ellwood Steak and Fish House is a locally owned, upscale DeKalb restaurant with a varied menu for every taste. Appetizers include saganaki, calamari, baked goat cheese, and salmon cakes. The restaurant serves only Midwest-certified Angus beef in a variety of cuts, as well as pork chops, lamb chops, ribs, pasta, and seafood. A full wine and craft beer list will complement your meal; head to the adjacent 1879 Lounge for an after-dinner cocktail. For more information or to make a reservation, visit ellwoodsteakandfishhouse.com.

The James

317 S. Third St., Geneva

The James, which opened on downtown Geneva’s famed Third Street in May in the former Fiora’s location, is a perfect place for a dreamy night out. Start your evening off with ahi tuna, potatoes, and caviar, or try one of the many small plate offerings, including seared crab cakes, coffee-charred steak, or crispy baby brie. From there, enjoy filet mignon, miso-glazed salmon, or braised pork shank. Complement your meal with a side dish of butternut squash, grilled asparagus, or wild mushrooms. The James also has an extensive wine list and full menu of craft cocktails. For more information or to make a reservation, visit thejamesgeneva.com.

The Industrial

205 E. Third St., Rock Falls

The Industrial, located inside McCormick Event Center near the banks of the Rock River, prides itself on serving prime beef and Wagyu beef sourced from Crooked Horn Wagyu near Tampico, Illinois. The Industrial’s sophisticated atmosphere is the perfect backdrop for your celebratory meal. Reservations are recommended, but not required. For more information or to make a reservation, visit theindustrialgrill.com.

CUT 158 Chophouse

110 N. Chicago St., Joliet

This trendy steakhouse, located directly next to the legendary Rialto Square Theatre, is your ideal destination for a high-end meal and craft cocktail with that special someone. CUT 158’s menu is packed with high-quality beef, seafood, and veggie offerings, alongside an expansive selection of craft beers, house wines, and whiskeys. The menu offers specially sourced delicacies like steak tartare, grilled swordfish, 45-day-aged boneless 16-ounce ribeye, and garlic-crusted roasted rack of lamb. Starters include Oysters Rockefeller, crab cakes, shrimp, tuna, and comfort favorites like cheese curds and Caprese. The cocktail menu spotlights a wide variety of martinis and classics. For more information or to make a reservation, visit cut158chophouse.com.

Addison’s Steakhouse

335 Front St., McHenry

This family-owned restaurant creates a special Valentine’s menu that will be available Feb. 13 to 15. Some appetizer highlights include raw oysters, grilled avocados, and mozzarella rolls. Entrees include a variety of surf-and-turf combinations, steaks, pork chops, and roasted vegetable cavatappi. A Valentine’s meal wouldn’t be complete without a delicious dessert, and Addison’s has fudge cake, cheesecakes, carrot cake, tiramisu, and more on the menu. A variety of cocktails and wines will be available to complement your meal. For more information or to make a reservation, visit addisonssteakhouse.com.

HopScotch & Vine

24047 W. Lockport St., Plainfield

This trendy restaurant in downtown Plainfield features gorgeous chandeliers in a comfortable, casual atmosphere. The menu includes appetizers, salads, flatbreads, chicken dishes, seafood, chicken pot pie, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, and more. Pair your meal with a glass of wine from the curated list, or enjoy a craft cocktail. For more information, visit hopscotchandvine.com.

1776 Restaurant

3987 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake

This farm-to-table, 100% gluten-free restaurant is home to a made-from-scratch kitchen with appetizers like lentil cakes, octopus, crab cakes, and lamb meatballs. Entrees feature roasted acorn squash, osso buco, filet mignon, salmon, lamb Bolognese, and more. Soup and salads are also on the menu. Pair your meal with a selection from the 15-page wine list, or a specialty cocktail, bourbon flight, or craft beer. Don’t forget to end your evening with a delectable dessert; choices include apple turnovers, beignets, brownies, and homemade frozen custard. For more information or to make a reservation, visit 1776restaurant.com.

113 Main

113 Main St., Oswego

The restaurant 113 Main, in the heart of downtown Oswego, conjures a modern, industrial feel coupled with an “eclectic American” menu. Some of the options for your Valentine’s dinner include steamed mussels, smoked brisket poutine, cheese curds, and smoked brisket egg rolls to start. Entree choices encompass a variety of burgers, barbecued ribs, jambalaya, and much more. Pair a craft beer or craft cocktail with your meal before topping it off with a fudge brownie, carrot cake, or lava cake. For more information or to make a reservation, visit 113main.com.

Al’s Steak House

1990 W. Jefferson St., Joliet

This upscale American restaurant, one of the oldest in the city, is famed for its classic charbroiled steaks and variety of fresh seafood. Al’s is a top destination for mouthwatering Grecian-style cuts of steak, made exclusively with Angus beef and served with a double-baked potato. Appetizers include Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp de Jonghe, and fried calamari. Choose your entree from a variety of steaks, chops, seafood, and chicken dishes. Enjoy tiramisu, turtle pie, brandy ice, carrot cake, or chocolate cake to end your celebratory dinner on a sweet note. For more information or to make a reservation, visit alssteaks.com.

Montarra Grill

1491 S. Randall Road, Algonquin

Montarra Grill’s upscale atmosphere and design make it an ideal place for a cozy meal for two. The small plates menu includes delicacies such as maple-cured bacon-wrapped sea scallops, cherry and goat cheese croquettes, and lamb rack lollipops. Main courses feature a variety of hand-cut steaks and chops, as well as seafood, vegetarian, and vegan options. A full wine list is available. For more information or to make a reservation, visit montarra.com.

Uptown Grill

601 First St., La Salle

This Illinois Valley staple has been serving “polished, casual American cuisine” since 1985. A newly remodeled interior provides a chic, sophisticated atmosphere for you and your date, as well as a lounge featuring live music and full bar service. The bar menu includes an extensive wine, whiskey, beer, and cocktail list to suit any taste. Appetizers spotlight oysters on the half shell, crab Rangoon, truffle fries, and seared tuna nachos. An expansive array of salads, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chops, seafood, foie gras, pasta, and chicken entrees will tempt your taste buds. Some of the delectable desserts on the menu include white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, creme brulee, cookies, and gelato. For more information or to make a reservation, visit uptowngrill.com.

Camp Aramoni

818 N. 2219 Road, Tonica

Camp Aramoni in Tonica will host a Valentine’s Day dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 14 in the new event venue River’s Edge. Couples can enjoy a special menu and live music by piano/vocal duo Ben & Kate. The full bar opens at 5 p.m. with Valentine’s Day cocktails. For more information or to make a reservation, visit camparamoni.com.

Sorrento’s Restaurant

50 W. 187 Route 64, Maple Park

A long-time favorite for many folks in Kane and DeKalb counties, this old-school Italian steakhouse has been serving guests since 1974. Sorrento’s will have a special Valentine’s Day menu, featuring their famous prime rib, filet mignon, strip steak, lobster tail, salmon, chicken dishes, and more. All dinners come with a choice of soup, salad, and potato. Call 815-895-5466 to make a reservation. For more information, visit sorrentosranch.com.

LUXX The Restaurant

4001 E. Lincolnway, Sterling

Love flourishes at this new upscale restaurant in Sterling. Reservations are being accepted for a special night of romance, with seatings available between 4 and 10 p.m. Menu items include a variety of steaks, seafood, and pasta, complete with live piano music. For more information, visit luxxrestaurant.com or call 779-207-7020.