Jumping on Valentine's Day

[Folly]

What are some restaurants in Chicago it would be a good idea to make reservations to now because there will be zero chance in three weeks?

[Ed Zotti]

There are something like 6,000 restaurants in Chicago. Setting aside McDonald's, the Billy Goat Tavern, etc., you still have quite a few that would qualify as romantic in somebody's book. Could you be a little more specific, e.g., type of cuisine, preferred location (neighborhood), price range, and desired ambience? Alternatively, you might try the Reader Restaurant Finder at:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/cgi-bin/rrr/form.cgi?/

... which I can tell you from personal experience is an excellent guide with numerous useful sorting options.

[Folly]

I was hoping by keeping it a little vague I would get ideas I wouldn't normally think of.
But since traffic is a little light, lets say American food at $30-$70 per person not including alcohol.
Of particular interest would be places that typically get booked solid early on.
Location isn't a big deal. Anything from downtown to the western or northern suburbs. Thanks!

[Gaudere]

Bandera if you want American--on Mich avenue. "American" is not as common as italian or french or thai or whatever. Shaw's Crab house if you'll do seafood.

[Folly]

Shaw's Crab house isn't a bad idea, I like that place.

Bandera doesn't seem 'valentiney' enough, but I've never been there.

[Kalhoun]

I love Cafe Mateau http://cafematou.com/. Small and intimate, and really good food. Quite affordable, too. I've been there twice and was impressed by both the food and the service.