After the barkeep has flipped on the lights and you have polished off that last beer, many night owls need to find that special all night diner that serves up more than a bad cup of coffee and silver dollar pancakes. Fortunately for us, we Chicagoans have quite a few options available to us that have nothing to do with the “International” chains. Here’s my picks!

Hollywood Grill: Located within walking distance of the Wicker Park / Bucktown scene, this retro diner is where just about everyone goes. Stick with the eggs, get some decent coffee and chill for an hour while you people watch! And be sure to tip the wait staff well, because boy howdy do they earn it!

White Palace Grill: Yes, there’s a lock on the front door, but “Why?” begs to be asked – they never close! Almost everything here is home made, and it shows! Try the veal parm or the Greek chicken – you’ll be really impressed!

Huck Finn Donuts and Snack Shop: Just what praytell is all that “Nom Nom Nom”-ing all about? The food is decent but nothing too special, the coffee is surprisingly good but nothing fancy, so what is it? Why, the fresh donuts, of course! You’ll never look at other donut shops the same way again! (Boston creammmmmmm!) Just be sure to hit the one on Archer, because that’s where all the cool kids are at!

Golden Nugget Pancake House: If you’ve spent more than a week in Chicago, you have probably found yourself at one of these seven locations. Golden Nugget is an institution around these parts and have probably employed half of all diner waitresses over the last forty years. The decor is awful tacky, but the pancakes are incredibly good and the prices can’t be beat. Oh – and be sure to go either the one in Ravenswood or the one in Irving Park; they’re the best overall.

Golden Apple Restaurant: They changed the Nugget to an Angel, and they improved on the speed. That’s really the major difference here. Well, that and their biscuits and gravy are pretty good. Just good, plain ole greasy drunk food, located in a good spot. If it’s before 11pm or after 5pm, go to Sam and George’s across the street instead!

So go ahead and check a few of these out. Your waistline won’t be too happy about it, but who cares – it’s good!

Want to go out with some friends in Wrigleyville without paying too much for drinks and having to yell at each other to talk over the game on TV? Pass Wrigley Field and continue west on Addison until you see the Guthrie's Tavern sign.

The red sign and corner door remind you of an English pub. Although you will find Newcastle, Sam Smith and Guinness on tap here, the interior of the bar feels more like an American den. Art posters stick to the walls and funky paintings cover the ceiling. The back room still feels like a screened-in porch, even with its heater and fan and red picnic cloths cover the tables.

Bartenders here are experienced and friendly. House cocktails include a creamsicle orange drink with whipped cream or juicy rum punch for $6, each a good deal. Your non-drinking friend can drink cider or hot chocolate here (depending on the weather) for $1.75. Beer drinkers will find plenty of domestics and imports, even my favorite Lindeman’s Framboise, the Belgian raspberry ale. The hard cider here is Woodchuck , which tastes like green apples.

Guthrie’s claim to fame is the huge wall of board games across from the bar. They not only have the everyday games like Trivial Pursuit and Monopoly, but also Balderdash, Scattergories, Operation and dozens of new and old games I had never heard of. Round up all your friends and go to Guthrie’s for a game night. There’s no loud crowd, jukebox or noisy TVs to interrupt your concentration at Scrabble or Apples to Apples. Plus, you can make the loser buy you a Sam Smith’s Nut Brown Ale.

Guthrie’s has a sparse and modest menu, just mozzarella sticks, buffalo wings and a few basic pizzas. However, they more than compensate for this by stockpiling takeover menus at the bar. No one here will object if you call for Mongolian beef, California rolls or a piping hot calzone from a neighborhood restaurant. When I played Taboo with my friends at Guthrie’s, a nice man came in selling six tamales for five dollars; I hope he is a regular because I am definitely going back.

Guthrie’s has served drinks here since 1986 but this location has been a bar since 1933 when the Moretti family opened it after Prohibition. The name Guthrie comes from a developer from the 1800s who contributed many buildings to the Lakeview neighborhood. With so many fun games and good drinks, all your friends can feel like winners at Guthrie’s.

In the former location of a Lakeview hardware store, the Wilde Bar opened in November 2007. Featuring two full bars, authentic Irish food, and a beautiful interior, the bar would not disappoint Oscar Wilde. Were he alive today, the great gay Irish playwright would feel comfortable here eating a plate of bangers and mash, drinking whiskey in the back with a boyfriend or seated by the fireplace writing something witty.

Inside, the Wilde Bar is much longer and broader than the narrow storefront would lead you to expect. Amber and bronze chandeliers hang over the two long dark bars, the leather booths and two fireplaces with portraits of Oscar Wilde. Portraits of other Irish writers like William Butler Yeats and Samuel Beckett hang on the walls. Two stained glass windows in the ceiling show red dragonflies and Celtic knots. The décor reminds you of Wilde’s insights about aesthetics; even the tile and wood beam floor looks beautiful. Two plasma TVs silently show basketball and other sports, so you can keep up with the games and keep up a conversation at the same time. Like a pub in Ireland, the bar features some booths with walls on three sides, called “snugs”. At night you could drink privately here with a date.

The menu features old-fashioned Irish with staples like lamb, chicken pot pie, champ (mashed potatoes with milk, scallions and butter ($2.95) and the enormous savory Irish breakfast with bungers, bacon, grilled tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, two eggs, toast and black and white (sausage) puddings. Other menu items put an Irish spin on American food like the burgers with Irish chips and coleslaw or the chicken salad with Irish cheddar and bacon. Two soups are on the menu; one is always vegetarian. Desserts include a Guinness chocolate cake, sticky toffee pudding and lemon syllabub with wine sauce. For a brunch, dinner or dessert date, portions are generous and satisfying. My only complaint about the menu is that beer does not come cheap here; Guinness is $6 and Bud and Coors or $4. This would move me to skip directly to whiskey and other drinks.

Service was prompt and attentive here and the food was the best I’ve had since I visited Dublin. The Wilde Bar and Restaurant combines old-fashioned beauty with American comfort and great Irish food and drink. There are DJs here on weekends and private parties. I have nothing to declare but its genius.

No longer relegated to the thing parishioners do after church on Sundays, brunch has taken on a whole new meaning for couples who want to spend some time together but also want to keep it a little more casual than a formal evening meal. Many restaurants around the city have added brunch to their menus, and they have also gotten pretty creative with them, too! Check out some of these locations for great alternatives to the standard fare anytime of the year!

Cafe 28: Take a pass on the usual Bloody Mary and go with the minty freshness that is Mojito! The perfect mix of authentic Cuban and Mexican fare, right alongside the Americana favorites gets a huge thumbs up from every patron.

Jane’s Restaurant: For folks who want to add a little simple elegance to their experience but don’t want to take out a loan to do so, Jane’s serves up some fantastic and healthy alternatives to what you might be used to. The menu changes along with the seasons, but certain favorites stick around even in the dead of winter.

The Signature Room: There is probably no better view of the city when dining than from the top of the Hancock, and when you want to really want to have a romantic experience along with your meal and don’t mind dropping a little more cash, then this is the place to go! With a place like this available, who said question popping needs to be reserved for dinner only?

Lula Cafe: This is probably one of the most popular brunch spots on the north side, and for good reason! Just be sure to get down there earlier in the day, because it tends to get rather crowded as brunch time wears on.

Twisted Spoke: Burgers for breakfast? No, not quite, but the fixins here are darned good eatin’! And hey, these guys got inventive enough to mix a Bloody Mary right in the pan, so no need for a celery stick!

The Chicago Diner:A new twist to old favorites, the guys down at the Diner offer the Vegan Brunch starting at $5.95, and I swear you’ll never miss the grease! So many delicious options to choose from, and what’s more, you can get this special any day of the week! Be sure to try one of their shakes!!!

This is probably the worst time of year for most kids here in Chicago, whether they attend school or are home schooled. The weather is at its coldest now and the holidays have become a distant memory, so cabin fever has definitely set in by now. What’s worse is us moms and dads are feeling the winter blahs right along with them. With at least a month to go before regular outside play becomes a reality, it’s time to start hitting all those wonderful indoor activities the city has to offer!

The first thing that comes to mind are all the great museums we’re so fortunate to have! Besides the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, places kids beg to return to again and again include the Museum of Science and Industry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. The Shedd is especially wonderful at this time of year, since there are a lot less tourists than in the summer, and getting even a taste of a warmer climate is just so good for the soul. Just keep in mind each one of these places can run the average family up to and possibly over $100 a day, so hitting the local library for a museum pass can really help curb the sticker shock!

On those rare winter days where the weather provides a spring sneak peek, go play hookie and head down to the zoo or the park! We have two major zoos in the area, the Brookfield Zoo and the Lincoln Park Zoo, which just so happens to be free! Getting out and walking around with the kids is good for getting in some much needed exercise, is educational and yes, it’s an excellent way to bond. If we get REALLY lucky and we get one of those freakish 60 degree days, take full advantage of it and head up north to Indian Boundary. If you’ve never been there, let m assure you it’s truly one of the city’s biggest hidden treasures for kids and is just so worth discovering.

If you feel like packing up the wagon and taking a drive, jump on I-94 and head due north. No, I’m not talking about the giant outlet mall, and Bugs Bunny is still in deep hibernation, though discount shopping is always tempting! What I’m talking about is Lambs Farm out in Libertyville. Besides having a plethora of wonderful family oriented things to do and places to eat, you’ll leave with a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that you directly contributed to helping a large group of special individuals.

So whatever it is you do, just be sure to get out there and have fun together!

This store front Thai restaurant serves up some pretty good noodles and more, adding a fair amount of spice at the right price and has become a local favorite over several years. They're not the best in the world and the servers could stand to smile once in a while, but it sure is some darn good eatin' and fills you up when your palate craves a little something different.

Since I live a few blocks away, the location couldn't be any better. I tend to get take out on most occasions and chill with a Thai iced or bubble tea while I'm waiting, but when I do eat in with my entourage, we're never disappointed and usually need a box to take some home! The Vietnamese spring rolls are good, as is the Pad Thai and cury dishes. Crab rangoons are always good, and well, it's a recipe that's pretty hard to mess up. Now if you are a noodle nut like I am, keep this place in mind, because like I said, price per portion, the servings are pretty large, and this is where they really do their Thai justice! For people who don't particularly care for traditional Thai flavorings, they offer a speckling of standard Chinese fare – the orange chicken and Mongolian beef are better than average.

The overall décor is charming, fairly lit and unassuming, and I admit to being a sucker for wood. The seating can be a little tight, but that goes without saying for quite a lot of Chicago restaurants these days. However, I wouldn't call this a place you could impress a date with, since while the food comes out fast and consistently good, the wait staff are notoriously curt and sometimes not very pleasant. It's better for hanging out with friends while chilling over a few BYOB drinks instead – enjoy your meal and forget about the owners. What's nice about this place however is they offer fast and reliable delivery service, in case you decide to keep it in for the evening, so it might be a good idea to keep that tidbit of info on the back burner for another time.

If you are really trying to make a good first impression or want to celebrate a mile stone, this is the ultimate place to take that special someone. Fondue is fun, communal and slow paced – a great way to get to really know and spend time with each other! With the very dark setting, soft candle lighting and gentle guitar strumming, it really sets up the night for all that is romance. And yes, there is just something so sexy and seductive about watching your date slowly ease a hot and decadent morsel of food off a skewer with his or her mouth, perhaps dripping a bit of melted cheese onto the corner and licking it ever so gently.

Now when I say dark, I mean it! In fact, I suggest going later in the evening so that your eyes will be better suited for adjusting when coming in from the outside. And while the food is certainly not for the health conscious, since anything this sinful usually carries extra calories along for the ride, there is no mistaking its absolute deliciousness. And for those who don't quite have their fancy table etiquette down pat, this formal dining style takes all the worry out of the bag. It's little wonder why fondue is making such a big come back!

To make the most out of the overall experience, go with one of their premier fondue dinners. The salad is pretty slim but fresh, but everything else brought out to you is very well deserving of its price tag. That, and all those wonderful dipping sauces for the high grade meats and seafood are simply superb! Appetizers and dessert are included, so it helps to take the stress out of what to order as well. The only thing left to choose is from their ample wine list, of which the servers are more than helpful and knowledgeable on.

Geja's is so popular and sought after with couples that they begin booking Valentine's Day a month ahead. However, I suggest going on a week night, since the place really books up on weekends and seating can be a little tight. Also, parking in the area is notoriously painful, so it's a good idea to take them up on their $8 valet service offer. Mondays offer half bottle wine specials, which is good for couples who choose to load up on the food instead of the alcohol, and it's also the easiest night to score a secluded booth.

For hundreds of years, men have swooned women from their lofty abodes with poetry and literature. Even in today’s society, serving up a good book as the main course of your Valentine gift giving is a classic that us ladies still very much enjoy! (Just remember to steer clear of anything revolving around dieting!)

First off, avoid shopping at the Big Box stores if at all possible. There are so many wonderful Mom and Pop stores that will take the time to find just the one your partner will truly enjoy, and will ensure your gift has that uniqueness to it that says you really care. Transitions over by the North Avenue Whole Foods has a wide variety of spiritual, meditative and uplifting books and gifts that should prove to make your choices more clear. Of course, if you want something even more on the Crafty side, Alchemy Arts will certainly do the trick, with each page heavy with the scent of incense to boot! Of course, those who want to stir some real passion may want to (re)discover Early To Bed for a myriad of sexy and romantic topics. (And perhaps pick up a new toy or two!) And of course, art lovers would be thrilled to receive something special from Art Effects, too!

Now the trick to giving a book on the most romantic of holidays is to include it in a gift basket. Depending on the intimacy level your relationship is at, you will want to theme the basket accordingly. For example, Transitions shoppers may include a little Buddha statue and tiny gong, while the folks who went to Art Effects would add a variety of supplies based on his or her favorite medium. Of course, those who want to add a little magic to their lives would enjoy hand made candles and soaps from there! And oh my yes, those who found themselves at Early to Bed will have no problem finding the perfect side dishes for spicing up the evening!

All that’s left then is having a basket to put it all in. Believe me, it’s not hard at all! Just find some quality Easter basket basics at just about any store and fill it up with the goodies! Then, “wrap” it in a appropriately sized gift bag with tissue paper to cover the top. Viola! The perfect gift your partner will cherish for years to come!

Boy, I sure do love to check out brand new establishments, and this one is just within ear shot of my home, so that made me extra happy. The menu is a nice addition to the other restaurants nearby, Americana with pizazz, and they are already getting a lot of regulars, so there holds a lot of promise here. I would say though that they have a few kinks to work out, but I'll save the complaints for later. For now, let's just dive in to all the good they have to offer.

The first thing you'll notice is how this place looks an awful lot like an upscale hunting lodge, especially with that antler chandelier! It doesn't quite match the exterior, and I found it to be a little creepy yet alluring at the same time. The overall warm, cozy and inviting, modern vibe does it for me, and with it being pretty chilly out there right now, I can definitely take that. It would be nice to see a fire place in there to add to its overall woody charm, but I digress. The volume level is good too, making it a good place to relax with that special someone.

Now onto the food! There seem to be quite a good number of selections to go by, but since the place is so new, I am not a judge of all of them. I liked the endless flat bread, though a dipping sauce of sorts would have done it a bit more justice. The gouda macaroni and cheese is warm, creamy and has just a nice bit of crunch to it, chalking it up a few notches past what I can whip up at home. The vegetable pot pie is very comforting, and I liked that they include sweet potatoes as a new twist. And the fish and chips was a pleasant surprise, as it's very fresh. Others rave about their Rustik burger, which is a patty stuffed with gouda, bacon and chorizo (interesting!), though the tiny fries I could live without. And others still swear by the bef burgundy stew. Oh and go with the German butter cake for dessert... heavenly!

Now it's no secret this place is brand spanking new, but I do need to mention the slow, spotty and overall unsure service so far, which is again probably because they are new, too. The other thing is Wow! That front area is mighty chilly! Getting a vestibule set up might not be such a bad idea! So, if you stop by, be sure to request a table further back.

So tomorrow is the big day, with Valentine's Day falling on a Thursday. If you can spare it, and you two really want to fan the flames, why not schedule Friday off and stretch out the holiday as a three day weekend! I’ve got some fantastic last minute ideas for you that won’t break the budget, nor will it cause you to drive all that far!

Besides heading down to Millennium Park for some ice skating and checking out the beautifully colored ice, or perhaps hopping on a horse drawn carriage through Lincoln Park, there are other wonderful ways to embrace the peak of winter!

Head up north just beyond the border to get in some skiing or snow boarding! Wilmot Mountain is one of Chicagoans’ best kept secrets for folks who want to squeeze in a little more powder time. Thanks to all the snow we’ve had lately and a prediction for a little more, along with doable temperatures, it is just so worth the hour drive! And if you don’t have any gear, relax, because they rent just about everything you need. Hopefully, they’ll one day get around to extending the Metra train so folks can ditch the car altogether.

And hey, while you’re in the area anyway, why not get in some cross country skiing at the nearby Chain O’ Lakes State Park. The various trails are ideal places to explore, as the winter forest is just so majestic and enchanting. Those wanting to cruise about on their snowmobiles are welcome to do so from various frozen lake water access points, but not on in the park itself. However, the frozen Fox River serves up as a pretty awesome snowmobile highway! And if you get a little too chilly, feel free to warm up in the park office.

Those of you wanting to drive just a little further may choose to head into Lake Geneva just over the border. The town is just so picturesque with wonderful places to shop, eat and play year round. Needless to say, there is a plethora of bed and breakfasts in the area to accommodate all tastes and budgets. In fact, there is even one that is just for vegetarians called Inn Serendipity!

Of course, nothing beats snuggling in front of a fireplace in a cabin out in the wilderness and letting the flames lick your face. If you can score a reservation this late in the game and don’t mind splurging a little, Starved Rock Lodge is your best bet! The surrounding state park is natural beauty defined, making it the absolute perfect setting for popping the question.