For one of the most romantic dining experiences in Chicago, Geja’s Cafe in Lincoln Park consistently tops the rest. A Chicago veteran of more than 45 years, Geja’s juxtaposes European, American and other cultural traditions to create a unique environment surrounding the magic of fondue. 

A typical meal starts with a salad of greens and Provencal dressing (French) – oily, tangy and refreshing. A Swiss Gruyere cheese and port wine fondue follows, paired with French and pumpernickel bread cubes, apples and grapes. The main course consists of a boiling pot of oil (Asian influence) and a platter of raw ingredients to your specification: chicken breast, filet mignon, shrimp, scallops and lobster tail are combined at different price ranges. The meats are paired with routine raw vegetables – onions, bell peppers, potatoes and broccoli – and every ingredient is of the freshest quality.

The server explains the cooking times for each ingredient – two minutes for medium steak, three minutes for well-done chicken, etc. – and describes the provided eight savory dipping sauces. The server skews a piece of meat or vegetable for each guest and sets it in the oil to get them started – the rest is up to the diner.

Couples in curtained booths and candle-lit two-top tables giggle as they fish for pieces of meat that have fallen into the depths of boiling oil. The lighting is dim and the atmosphere is thick with smoke. A mysterious man near the entrance plucks at a guitar, his fingers dancing along to Flamenco melodies (Spanish).

The meal ends with a succulent Belgian chocolate fondue dessert (American), flamed table-side with Brandy. Diners roast marshmallows over the flames and dip the marshmallows, apples, grapes and pound cake into the velvety sweetness after the flames retire.

For a delicious meal to impress your sweetheart – look no further. Geja’s Cafe will likely be here for another half-century – and maybe longer.