Are you staying at Swissotel Chicago this Valentine’s Day weekend?  Then add a unique Valentine’s gift that is sure to put smiles on both of your faces.  Learn to share the gift of touch this Valentine’s under the expert tutelage of our licensed massage therapist.  Your 60-minute, private session is designed to teach you and your partner how to perform a 30-minute soothing and relaxing head, neck and shoulders massage. What better way to show you care then by rubbing away their aches and pains.  Windy City Massage will provide all the equipment and leave behind a take home gift of Pangea Organics Eccocentric Clary Sage and Lavender massage oil.

$175

Available in room only

For reservations or questions please call 1.312.946.3000 or email info@windycitymassage.com to connect with one of our Spa Services specialists

August: Osage County at Cadillac Palace Theatre

http://www.broadwayinchicago.com

Black History Month at DuSable Museum

http://www.dusablemuseum.org

Taming of the Flu at The Second City

http://www.secondcity.com/Performances/Detail/4

Garfield Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show

http://www.garfield-conservatory.org

Fantasea

http://www.sheddaquarium.org

On February 2, people will anxiously wait to see whether America’s favorite groundhog will see his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. But instead of dreading more cold, get inside and warm up with a Groundhog Day promotion at The Lobby Lounge at Swissôtel Chicago. From February 1-7 guests can enjoy a custom menu and a special Groundhog Day cocktail. If you’re a true “Groundhog Day” movie fan, answer the trivia questions correction and you’ll receive a complimentary appetizer.

Groundhog Day Menu

A selection of German brats

Made with Executive Chef Dan McGee’s handmade accompaniments

Handmade organic bretzels from Hannah’s Bretzels™

Served with Executive Chef Dan McGee’s signature dipping sauce

Whole grain bretzels: hearty and healthy encrusted with Flax, oats, millet and sunflower seeds

The Swabian bretzel: traditional hearth baked with coarse salt

The Ground Hog: Sweet Vermouth served on the rocks with a lemon twist

Anti-Valentine’s Day Party In The Lobby Lounge

This party is for all of the men and women that want to protest Valentine’s Day! You are invited to dress in the new pink, black. And ladies, if there were ever a time to store up all of the horrible dating stories, now is time to bring em’ out. If you share your awful date/ horrible Valentine’s Day story, not only will you receive discounts on appetizers for the evening but you could be crowned with “That is the worst date story I ever heard”. The winner of this contest will receive a complimentary girls weekend at Swissôtel Chicago.

This event will be from 7pm-11pm and the winner will be crowned at 10:30pm. And if that’s not enough to get you there, they are offering specialty cocktails throughout the evening and even a special rate of $99. What better excuse do you have to sleep in luxurious accommodations (after all the next day is a holiday)?

The specialty cocktails include:

Put A Ring On It- inspired by Beyonce’s Single Ladies

Citrus Vodka

Chambord

Champagne

Par 11- Inspired by Tiger Woods recent transgressions

Ginger Lychee mix

Ketel One vodka

Ice wine

The $2 Million Affair- Inspired by David Letterman’s extortion

Midori

Southern Comfort

Peach Schnapps

Peach liquor

Sweet sour

You’re Just Not That Into Him- Cause let’s face it the movie got a few things wrong

Strawberry mix

Lemonade

Myer’s Dark Rum

Pineapple juice

Throughout the month of February, Swissôtel Chicago is offering a “Romance in the City” getaway. The package includes luxurious accommodations, champagne and chocolate covered strawberries upon arrival, breakfast-for-two in the hotel restaurant, complimentary use of our 42nd floor fitness center and pool and late check-out, base on availability.

Rates are subject to change and availability.

To Book:  Romance in the City

In celebration of National Soup Month, Chef McGee would like to share two of his favorite soup recipes.  

Roasted Pepper Soup

Yield 10 to 12 servings

½ cup           olive oil

2                  onions, chopped

3                  stalks celery, chopped

6                  cloves garlic, chopped

2#                roasted peppers, chopped

2 #               raw pepper, chopped

2                  quarts vegetable stock

                   Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)

4 Tbsp.         butter

12 vegetable purses

1.                  Heat olive oil in a large soup pot.  Add onions, clelery, raw peppers and garlic.  Cook over low heat for three minutes, stirring occasionally.

2.                  Add all the other ingredients except butter.  Cover and simmer over low heat for one hour.

3.                  Puree soup in a food processor.

4.                  Return soup to pot and bring to a simmer.  Add butter and whisk until butter is blended into soup.  Cook till soup is thickened.  Correct seasoning.

Soup Vichyssoise

(Potato & Leek)

(Approximately 6 Servings)

1                                            Leek (white and some green parts) sliced thinly.

½                 Onion (sliced thinly)

2 tbsp.                   Butter

2                  Idaho potatoes (peeled and sliced)

1qt.              Chicken stock

1½  cup                  Heavy Cream

                   Salt and Pepper to taste

3 tbsp.                    Chopped Chives

1.      Wash the leeks in cold water to remove any sand residue.

2.      Sauté in butter with onions until translucent.

3.      Add the potatoes and cook 2-3 minutes longer.

4.      Cover with chicken stock and simmer for 45 minutes.

5.      Puree the soup with a blender and then strain through a fine mesh.

6.      Add the cream and chives, then check for seasoning.

You Had Me at Free

Things to do while visiting Swissotel Chicago

Daley Bicentennial Plaza, Grant Park
337 E. Randolph St.
Admission: Free

Skate rental is available: $6

Open Skate Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday: 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Friday: 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park

Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets

Admission: free 

Skate rental is available: $10

Open Skate Hours:

Monday – Thursday:  12:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

Friday: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM 

Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM 

Sunday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM 

Snow Days Chicago

Grant Park • Spirit of Music Garden (at Balbo and Michigan) 

Admission: Free

For More Info:

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/snow_days_chicago.html

Polar Adventure Days

Northerly Island • 1400 S Lynn White Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Admission: Free

For More Info:

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.results/park_id/5235d96e-2f1c-4c63-80b7-c9e7c589e0ba.cfm

City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower

806 N. Michigan Ave.
Admission: Free

For More Info:

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/attractions/dca_tourism/water_tower.html

Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

Navy Pier

Admission: Free

For More Info:

http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/smith_museum.html

Chicago Cultural Center

78 E. Washington Street

Admission: Free

For More Info:

http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/attractions/dca_tourism/Chicago_Cultural_Center.html

Still Your Mind and Awaken your Senses with a Yoga Class at Swissotel Chicago.  Expand your Yoga techniques with a rejuvenating yoga class that will take place 42 stories above the city, overlooking Lake Michigan. 

Monday & Wednesday Evenings

5:30p - 6:30p

42nd Floor Matterhorn

Watch Swissotel Chicago’s Chef McGee on WCIU and learn how to make fondue -

http://www.wciu.com/youandme.php?assetID=10000864

Chocolate Fondue

Serves Four

● 16 ounces of heavy cream

● 16 ounces of milk chocolate

● 1 Tablespoon of honey

● 1 Tablespoon of Amaretto liquor

● 4 ounces of Strawberries

● 4 ounces of Pineapple (large cubes)

● 4 ounces of Bananas (large slices)

● 4 ounces of Pound Cake (large cubes)

● 2 ounces of marshmallows

Place chopped milk chocolate in a medium bowl.  Scald the milk.  Pour over the chocolate and let sit.  Add the honey and amaretto.  Stir together.

Serve the fruit, pound cake and marshmallows on the side.

Cheese Fondue

Serves Four

● 16 ounces of Grated Groyerc

● 16 ounces of Emmental (grated)

● 1 clove of garlic

● 3 cups of Sauvignor Blanc

● 2 Teaspoons of Kirschwasser (Cherry Schnaupps)

● 2 Teaspoons of Corn Starch

● Fresh ground black pepper and nutmeg

● 1 piece of French Baguette cut into cubes of 1 inch by 1 inch

Rub the inside of the Fondue pot with garlic.  Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer.  Add the cheeses; stir continuously with a wooden spoon.  When the mixture almost reaches the boiling point, stir in the corn starch (blended with the Kirsh).  Continue to stir, adding the pepper and grated nutmeg (to taste). 

Serve the bread separately.  Using a fork, dip the bread into the Fondue.  Remember to stir the Fondue with each piece of bread.  The Fondue should be kept at a simmering point while eating.

Note the Fondue should be creamy, not too thick, but sufficient to coat the bread well. 

Recommended drinks – dry white wine or tea (without milk).  If you like it spicy, add chili flakes and tomato puree.  Other accompaniments are boiled baby potatoes, pearl onions, gherkins, cut apples and pears.

Include Fido in your Overnight Holiday Stay

You want to plan a fabulous holiday vacation, but Fido doesn’t make your plans very easy. Whether your dog walker is out of town or you just don’t want to leave your pet at home, why not include your pet in your plans? Swissôtel Chicago is now presenting the Pampered Pet Getaway, a pet-friendly package, pampering your pooch in true Swiss style.

Upon check-in Fido will receive a VIP greeting and personal escort to your room. You’ll even receive a photo of you and your pet and a welcome amenity. From there, the Pampered Pet Getaway provides a pet massage and a 30-minute dog walk.

The package also includes everything a human companion needs to keep Fido happy – from a pet bed, bowls and dog toys to a leash, a bag and portable water dish. Swissôtel Chicago will also make a donation to PAWS.