Hau`oli Lâ o Lono-i-ke-aweawe-aloha! (Happy Valentine's Day!)

Punxsutawney Phil might be waving his mysterious, shadowy wand this month to predict the end of these daunting winter weeks, but instead of dreading the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder, brighten your spirits and bask in the warmth at sola Restaurant. We've hit the ground running following our four-year anniversary and show no signs of slowing down; we'll keep providing a tropical-Midwestern shield to save you from the chilly gusts of the Windy City.

Executive Chef Carol Wallack and Chef de Cuisine Alex Shalev have electrified the shortest month of the year with aphrodisiacs, tropical drinks, chocolate creations, and an Urban Luau on the North Side. Sola mainstays like the Thursday Triple Threat and our weekly Prix-Fixe Menu also return to tickle your tastebuds. Stay tuned - February will amp up the excitement at sola.

Ingredient of the Month: Chocolate

There are some folks out there who are self-described 'chocoholics.' To combat the overbearing cocoa-tastic urges of 'chocoholism,' one might think to participate in a few meetings of Chocoholics Anonymous, but such a person would be mistaken. Only Executive Chef Carol Wallack has the medicine for chocolaty night terrors, and it's an indulgent remedy. Try some Chocolate Pave with an almond crust, lychee-raspberry-rosewater gelee and candied rose petals, a highlight of sola's aphrodisiac-laden Valentine's Day menu.

Facts About Chocolate

* Eating chocolate makes you romantic - it contains phenylephylamine, the same hormone the brain triggers when you fall in love
* Chocolate also makes you happy, if not elated, and not just because it's delicious. Chocolate produces serotonin, which is known as the "happy chemical"
* Chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac because it contains substances that increase energy, stamina and feelings of well being.

$30 Prix Fixe Menu

Stop by sola Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and partake in the coveted $30 Prix Fixe Menu, which weaves our ingredient of the month throughout three appetizing courses. Make a reservation or just stop by for one of the best deals this side of Wrigley Field. Each generous course can be complemented with expertly selected wine pairings for an additional $15. February is the perfect time to take advantage of this inexpensive luxury.

Drink of the Month - Rum Relief for Haiti

In a time of disaster we must all do our part, however small, to be good to each other and lend a hand. That's why sola has mixed up the Rum Relief cocktail, a blend of Barcardi, Malibu, and Myer's Dark rums, pineapple juice, orange juice and guava puree over ice. The cocktail is $10 and $5 of it will go to the Haiti relief fund. Great drink. Great cause.

+ Vist the MercyCorps Website

Valentine's Day

Taste succulent specials like Lobster with Smoked Oysters, fingerling potatoes, baby romaine, lobster broth and caviar; Hamachi, Salmon, and Oysters with avocado seaweed and wasabi; Foie gras soup with Brioche, truffle, ginger, candied orange and radish; Seared Opaka Paka with parsnip-miso puree, grilled asparagus, confit leeks and jasmine rice; Grilled Wagyu New York Strip, wilted beet greens, sweet potato, trumpet mushrooms, crispy onions and truffle pesto.

But what night of romance is complete without something sweet? Finish off the night with a scrumptious Chocolate Pave with almond crust, lychee - raspberry - rosewater gelee and candied rose petals.

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is one of the nation's premiere culinary and wine events. Taking place February 25th - 28th, the four-day event features the biggest stars in the food industry as well as the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers. This is Wallack's second consecutive year participating in the fest and she has big plans after a successful first round - in 2009, Wallack competed in Rachel Ray's Burger Bash and took home the prize for "Best Potatoes" for her parmesan truffle fries.

Chefs Wallack and Shalev will be serving Allen Brothers Wagyu New York Strip with Fingerling - Oxtail Hash with a Slow Cooked Quail Egg, Shallots, Swiss Chard, 5-Spice Jus and Truffle Pesto. Wallack will be one of 41 chefs from around the U.S. participating and just one of three from Chi-town.

The Best of the Best event is an indulgent affair, incorporating cutting-edge cuisine, reserve wines, local and national celebrity, and a palpable vibe that sweeps the crowd into a frenzy of excitement. Stay up to date - dine at sola and ask about our progress!

Urban Luau Sundays

From the Big Island to the city of Broad Shoulders, guests can experience the fare that Hawaiians gather with family to enjoy. The menu, which changes weekly, is available every Sunday during dinner and is served family-style for everyone at the table to share.

Guests can choose two dishes along with a Hawaiian-inspired salad or soup, plus one of Chef Wallack's sweet and savory desserts. The Urban Luau Menu is $30 per person and children only pay their age - it's the perfect way to get a taste of paradise in our welcoming Northcenter neighborhood.

Burger, Bacon, and Beer Thursdays - The Triple Threat

What could possibly be more dangerously delicious than the combination of Burgers, Bacon and Beer? Well... probably nothing - which is why we dare to go there every Thursday night. Indulge yourself every Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. with sola's legendary Wagyu "Kobe" Burger, typically only available for lunch, which is sandwiched between a chewy pretzel roll with house-made bacon, caramelized onions, fresh arugula and melted cambazola cheese. Follow that up with a local craft beer and special dessert featuring our unique and appetizing bacon and you'll be swimming in Triple Threat Heaven. Previous specials include bacon buttermilk ice cream with a malasada, hot fudge, wild strawberry compote and hazelnut brittle and Two Brothers' Ebel Weiss beer, brewed here in Illinois. Join us once and you'll be dreaming the Triple Threat until Thursday rolls back around.