Something for everyone on your Valentine’s gift list can be found at Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago 312-575-0306) this February. Thirty-two unique vendors offer everything to set the stage for a perfect Valentine’s weekend, from foods to desserts and gifts, you’ll be able to find something that’s unique and in your price range. Don’t forget to place orders early. Also this February, the Market introduces Saturday Specials. Many vendors are offering incentives.
February 2014 Specials and Features
Bello Tea Valentine’s Gift
Create your own perfect tea gift set for the special someone in your life. Bello Tea at the Chicago French Market will customize the set or you can purchase one that’s already been created. Each set contains a tea that is fruity and floral; the second tea is bold and strong. Prices start at $16 and up depending on tea selected. Pick any favorite teas for your Valentine. She or he won’t be disappointed. The Tower of Love offers a 3 tier tin filled with 1 oz. teas of your choice for $25 and up (depending on tea selections). The Bello Tea Matcha Gift Set is perfect for those wanting to stay healthy. Keep your New Year’s resolution during the Valentine’s season by giving Japanese Matcha-and feel the love. $22 for flavored matcha set, $35 for premium matcha.
City Fresh Market
Nothing says “I Love You” better than a home-cooked Valentine’s Day meal. City Fresh Market is making it easy for you to celebrate by providing everything that’s necessary for the perfect dinner, start to finish. Start your meal with a wonderful Surf & Turf (Lobster Tail & Fillet Mignon). You can pick up the lobster and other fresh seafood as well as filet mignon and other cuts of meat at City Fresh Market at Chicago French Market. City Fresh Market also offers a complete line of home-baked desserts and specials like chocolate covered strawberries, heart shaped home-made cakes and assorted sweets and boxed chocolates.
Da Lobsta
Celebrating Valentine’s weekend with special friends and family is an annual tradition and serving luscious lobster makes the occasion even that much more tasty. Da Lobsta at Chicago French Market has created The Perfect Party with its catered options. Create your own platter featuring a variety of Da Lobsta rolls (Traditional, Asian, Mexican, Green, Indian, Surf & Turf, and The Skinny), awesome sides (Lobster Mac-N-Cheese, Lobster-Crab Spinach Dip, Coleslaw, Spicy Butter Pickles and Cape Cod Chips) and you’ll win the hearts and palates of all of your lucky friends.
Celebrate National Surf & Turf Day February 29 with Da Lobsta’s awesome Surf & Turf Lobster Roll. Who said that enjoying surf and turf has to break the bank? Enjoy Da Lobsta’s creative twist with its Surf & Turf Lobster Roll, only $12.95 at both Chicago area locations, including the Chicago French Market. Bet you can’t just eat one! The Lobster BLT delicious sandwich features beautiful Lobster Claws and meat, Apple Smoked and Maple Glazed Bacon, and Tarragon Mayo served on a New England-style toasted garlic bun. Yum.
Delightful Pastries
February is the perfect time to celebrate great pastries and Delightful Pastries at the Chicago French Market is your go-to spot for picking up gifts that are sure to please your significant other. Delightful will custom create a special Valentine’s gift Delightful Pastries Valentines Cookies et box or you can pick up one that’s been pre-made with customer favorites. Think chocolates, homemade cookies, homemade truffles and fabulous French macarons in any combination. Also special for Valentine’s Day are Delightful Pastries’ luscious extra-large hand-dipped in bittersweet dark chocolate strawberries, available for $2.50 each or a baker’s dozen special (13) for $30 (the extra one is complimentary).
Buy your sweetheart a gift box ($30) including gingerbread sugar cookie hearts, raspberry and chocolate Parisian macarons, cookie bag of your choice, and ¼ lb. handmade chocolate bark or ¼ lb. handmade truffles.
The Delightful Pastries Amazing Gift Box is, simply said, AMAZING. For $50, you get a heart cookie sandwich with chocolate butter cream, black and white cookie – cupcake; a large box of raspberry, passion fruit and chocolate Parisian macarons; a box of rum balls – chocolate pecan turtle; maple cranberry almond granola and two chocolate dipped strawberries.
And perhaps the most romantic (and certainly customer favorites) are their heart-shaped chocolate mousse torte for two ($6.75) made with a chocolate mousse and finished off with ganache made with bittersweet Belgian chocolate, and Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Tart ($30.00) with sweet buttery tart dough layered with chocolate ganache and covered in fresh raspberries with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Delightful Pastries is offering a baker’s dozen special: Buy a dozen paczki and GET ONE mystery flavor PACZEK FOR FREE, offer good through 2/19/2014. Did someone say Drunken Donuts? You heard us right. Delightful Pastries has made their Drunken Paczki famous. Three varieties that you’ll be over the moon about: … Jameson Whiskey with Chocolate Custard; Vodka and Custard with Madagascar Vanilla, and Lemon Curd with Moonshine (available at all three Delightful Pastries locations.
Lavazza Espression.
Fall in Love with Coffee January 27 through February 14, receive a complimentary “Falling in Love with Coffee” cotton shopper or coffee tin with the purchase of a pound of whole bean coffee. Decadent white chocolate combined with raspberry, espresso, and steamed milk. $3.95-$4.95
Les Fleurs
You can never go wrong giving flowers for Valentine’s Day. Whether your special someone isRoses et a lover, friend or family member, Les Fleurs at Chicago French Market offers both flowers and gifts in every price category. Les Fleurs features beautiful Ecuadorian roses, known as the best quality rose in the world. Mixed flower bouquets feature flowers from the premiere green houses in Central California. Les Fleurs also is featuring exquisite cut cymbidium orchids from Holland. You can order in advance, arrange delivery with a two-day minimum notice or pick up at Les Fleurs.
Oh Olive!
Oh Olive! at Chicago French Market will discount $5 on any 3 “Chocolate” product purchases during the month of February. Think outside of the box. Oh Olive offers: Dark Chocolate Balsamic, Crème au Chocolate Tea, All Natural Chocolate Bars, Ambrosia and Pretzel (gluten free, dairy free, and vegan), Oh Olive Chocolate Dessert Pasta with Sweet Chocolate or Cocoa La-Mocha Topping, and amazing chocolate olive oil soap, a true chocolate lover’s delights.
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine
Let Pastoral help you make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. With a curated selection of wines, the finest in small batch confections and, of course, the perfect cheeses to give your gift a perfectly unexpected twist, Pastoral’s talented staff is ready to help you make the perfect one-of-a-kind gift basket for your sweetie.
Superior Nut and Candy
Superior Nut and Candy at Chicago French Market will be offering gourmet chocolates including dark & milk caramels, mints, creams, truffles, freshly dipped chocolates, and strawberries in assorted Valentine’s boxes starting from $4.99 and up.
Wisma
Wisma introduces several new winter menu items: House Sausage & Potatoes ($10) – House made Italian sausage, slow braised gold potatoes, fresh basil, natural jus, and roasted garlic; Cape Cod Pollock ($12) – Slow braised with lemon, potatoes in a Moroccan vinaigrette; Penne & Goat Cheese ($10) – Roasted tomatoes, baby spinach, black olives, oregano, creamy Parmesan Linguini and Brussels Sprouts ($11) – Roasted garlic, brown butter, fried onions, and Rich Winter Cous Cous ($12) – Broccoli, hearty mushroom ragout, and roasted tomatoes.
Also new to the Wisma menu are two pizzas, Bacon Alfredo ($9) and Feta, Olives, Roasted Tomato ($9). All dishes are available prepared and easy for home cooking. Think about a Wisma meal for Valentine’s weekend.
Saturday Savings
These savings can only be found on each Saturday in the month of February at The Chicago French Market. City Fresh Market is offering 10% off its entire selection on Saturdays ONLY. Choose from the finest meats, fish, produce and European groceries. Oh Olive! will be offering 10% off any purchase of $25.00 or more. Produce Express also will be offering 10% off their entire selection. Choose from fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly made salads and spices. Saigon Sisters If you haven’t tried Vietnamese foods, Saturdays in February at Chicago French Market are perfect for you. Enjoy a Saigon Sisters great combo deal: Pho Soup and 1 Bao of your choice for $10 (value at 11.50).
February 2014 Chicago French Market Events
Lee Barrie
Saturday, February 1
11-2pm
Lee Alec Barrie is a contemporary jazz guitarist whose style has been compared to Larry Carlton, Chuck Loeb and other popular contemporary jazz guitarists. Barrie was professional by age 14, starting out with a teenage rock band, playing Beatles, Beach Boys and Chuck Berry tunes plus some classic R&B.
These early musical relationships lasted well into his twenties and he had the privilege of recording with Lipps Inc., a Minneapolis-based band best known most for its number one hit “Funkytown” in the late 70’s. Barrie’s evolution as a guitarist was accelerated when he began to experiment with a Roland guitar synthesizer, which allows his electric guitar to take on the sound of a wide range of instruments. He now has the opportunity to solo as a saxophonist, flutist, organist, violinist and many others, all while playing on the guitar. He chooses the instrument based on the style and mood of the song.
Barrie’s idea for a “virtual band project,” in which he plays solo over his pre-recorded jazz backing tracks, evolved naturally. Having taken a break from professional performances for a number of years, he became a self-taught jazz pianist, which gave him the technical and musical skills to arrange and record his own instrumental backing tracks at his home recording studio.
A lunch hour featuring the live music of Lee Alec Barrie, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 1 is sure to be an energizing and memorable experience.
Ashleigh Ashton
Saturday February 8
11-2pm
Ashleigh Ashton will entertain lunchtime guests of the Chicago French Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 8. Ashleigh has been singing and playing her guitar in bars and at open mics since the age of 9. Today, at 18, she loves connect with people by sharing her original music. Joining her on stage is her older sister on keyboards and younger sister on guitar. The trio shares a natural sibling harmony and love of music. Her message is one of self-empowerment, a theme that resonates throughout all of her original songs. She hopes to inspire people to stand tall and believe in their dreams!
Ashleigh’s first big break came in the summer of 2009, when she traveled to New York to record three original songs, produced by Grammy Award winning producer Barry Goldstein. Following that, she went on to Castle Nine Studios in Rochester, New York to record her song “Break In Two”, co-written and produced by Richard Fink IV and Johnny Cummings.
At a casting session late last year in Chicago, she was introduced to MashPlant.com founder and Executive Producer Jason Brett, who invited Ashleigh to become MashPlant.com’s first Rising Star.
Ashleigh balances schoolwork with a rigorous performing schedule at musical venues throughout the Midwest. With six siblings pursuing their own interests in the creative arts, Ashleigh hopes to inspire other young artists to FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS! Come break up your day and see this talented young performer, who may inspire you.
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine Tasting
Thursday February 13
4:30-6:30pm
Think rosé wines are strictly for summertime enjoyment? Think again! The Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine’s team at the Chicago French Market loves sipping on pink wines year ’round and they have curated a selection of rosés that work all winter. Stop by Pastoral at the Chicago French Market on 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. February 13 taste a delicious selection of their favorite pink wines and pick-up a bottle to share with your sweetie on Valentine’s day.
Anselmo Marquez
Saturday February 22
11-2pm
Singer and solo guitarist Anselmo Marquez has played a variety of music genres for more than 35 years. His repertoire includes pop, rock, jazz, classical, folk, blues, Latin and flamenco music. This will be Anselmo’s first time playing at the Chicago French Market. He performs frequently at the Mecenat Wine Bistro in Western Spring and has performed at the French Market in Western Springs and Lisle. Anselmo also performs with rock and blues bands as a lead guitarist and singer. You can catch Anselmo at the Chicago French Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 22.
