Welcome back to Patch Picks, our weekly feature highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.
You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more. Today we're featuring a list on Valentine's Day.
Want to suggest a list? Submit your idea in the comment box.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
Patch Picks: Valentine's Day
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
Union Pizzeria’s rustic atmosphere is perfect for Valentine’s Day. The restaurant is dimly lit with cozy seating for couples. Known for their small plates and pizza, the restaurant offers a variety of unique Italian dishes. Their specialty pizzas include prosciutto and arugula, sausage and sweet pepper, wild mushroom, margarita, and pepperoni and sausage among others. If you’re feeling hungry, you may be able to finish one of these personal pies on your own. If not, you can always take home the leftovers, which taste just as good the next day! Besides the romantic ambiance and the incredible food, is the full bar with imported beers and a wide range of wines. But the best part about a Valentine’s Day meal at Union is that it’s affordable. This restaurant doesn’t take reservations so if you do want to eat here on Valentine’s Day, make sure to arrive early.
Are you a sushi lover looking for some Japanese cuisine on this Valentine’s Day? Kansaku is the perfect spot. The restaurant’s best attribute is the creativity in its menu. Forget the typical sushi rolls and try something unique, like their spicy crunch roll. Spicy tuna lines the outside of this shrimp tempura roll. And with eel sauce combined with spicy sauce, it’s hard to say no to. Although this restaurant is a little expensive, it is worth the price. The exquisite interior decorations combined with the authentic food will make you feel like you’re actually in Japan.
Davis Street Fishmarket is the one of the best places in Evanston if you’re searching for the perfect seafood meal. Davis Street serves fresh seafood from all three coasts, which gives variety in the flavor of their fish. But the restaurant’s best attribute is their Raw Bar with fresh oysters and clams, crabs, and steamed Maine lobsters among other seafood items. And with their endless entrée options each prepared differently, there’s a choice for every customer. My personal favorite is their Pineapple-Ginger Glazed Atlantic Salmon, served on a bed of Teriyaki and white rice. If you can’t find a babysitter for the evening, don’t fret. This restaurant offers a kid’s menu featuring traditional child-friendly foods.
Pete Miller's Seafood and Prime Steak
With live music, a full bar, candlelit tables, and great service, this traditional steakhouse is the perfect date place for Valentine’s Day. The restaurant is divided into one large dining area with the bar and musical band, and other quieter more romantic dining areas off to the sides. This restaurant is a little bit expensive, but for the quality of food it is the worth the price. Their steak options range from a bone-in filet to a bone-in ribeye, known as Pete’s Signature Cut. Not a steak fan? Pete Miller’s also offers a number of seafood options such as yellowfin tuna and tilapia. But before you even eat the entrée, you have to try their incredible Caesar salad, with just the right amount of parmesan cheese and dressing. Make a reservation today before this steakhouse fills up.
If you’re searching for a fun and affordable restaurant, Tapas Barcelona is the way to go. From their drinks to their desserts, everything about this restaurant is fun. The word tapas literally means, “finger food” in Spanish. These plate sizes are small, all the more reason to share with your date. Order four or five different entrees and pass them around so you get the whole taste of Spain. My recommendations are their “tortilla” (Spanish style omelet with potatoes and onions), jamon con pan y tomate (tomato bread with ham), “datiles con tacino” (baked dates wrapped with bacon), and “pincho de solomillo” (beef tenderloin with caramelized onions and horseradish sauce). After living in Spain for four months last year, I can confidently say their food is extremely authentic. Combine their delicious food with their white or red sangria and you will leave Tapas a very happy customer.
