GROUPON GUIDE TO CHICAGO

Unconventional Valentine’s Day Eats

BY: Nathalie Lagerfeld | Feb 3, 2014

Tired of same-old French-bistro dinners with your boo? Head to these three off-the-wall events this February 14 and 15. Hearts Dinner at Frontier (Wicker Park | 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave.) Leave it to weird-meat-loving Chef Brian Jupiter to take Valentine’s Day symbology literally. Three out of four courses on his $60 set menu include actual hearts from a wide range of animal species, including veal, duck, and bison. Luckily, the dessert course—a “bleeding heart” filled with chocolate-raspberry ganache—seems to be meat-free. February 14 and 15; $60 per person; buy tickets here. Making Whoopie at Deca Restaurant and Bar (Streeterville | 160 E. Pearson St.) No one can accuse Deca Restaurant and Bar of not taking Valentine’s Day seriously. Not content to serve a six-course tasting menu, the 2014 Michelin Bib Gourmand winner will also host two sessions of a romantically themed cooking class on Valentine’s weekend. Of course, the “whoopie” in “Making Whoopie” isn’t the type that usually goes on in the rooms of the Ritz-Carlton upstairs. Instead, pastry chefs will guide couples through the steps of creating a whoopie pie—a classic, cream-filled New England dessert. Participants will also nibble hors d’oeuvres and sip glasses of champagne. February 14 and 15 at 6 p.m.; $40 per couple; buy tickets here. Eat Your Heart Out at Chop Shop (Wicker Park | 2033 W. North Ave.) Wicker Park’s newest performance-venue-slash-butcher-shop serves up locally sourced meat with a side of rock-and-roll. During the roughly five-hour event, local bands such as Soft Speaker and White Mystery soundtrack samplings of hors d’oeuvres such as Amish lamb sausage and grass-fed meatballs. Between sets, guests get to watch pro butchers from Chop Shop and Red Meat Market break down a whole goat and whole lamb onstage. Admission includes two complimentary drinks. February 15 at 6 p.m.; $50 per person; buy tickets here. Photo of whoopie pies by Huge Galdones, courtesy of Deca Restaurant and Bar.

BY: Nathalie Lagerfeld

Guide Staff Writer

Nathalie is a writer and editor on the Guide's food team. Originally from Virginia, she now lives in Chicago, where she regularly indulges her love of tortas, bibimbap, and Cheez-Its. Follow her on Twitter @maviswillsaveus.