Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, the legendary fondue and lovers’ landmark, will celebrate its 46th anniversary with a series of special events the week of Sunday, June 26th through Thursday, June 30th. In addition to offering its traditional anniversary discount of 46% off all food bills during the 5-day Anniversary Celebration, Geja’s will also host its second annual recipe contest, as well as a poetry challenge.
Last year, Chicago’s most romantic restaurant hosted a unique marriage vow renewal ceremony for couples that became engaged at Geja’s Café. This year, Geja’s will honor its 46th year with poetry, the traditional anniversary gift, by inviting its devoted diners to compose original poetry about the Lincoln Park institution. Poetry submissions will be accepted between now and June 15th. The poetry will be posted on Geja’s Café’s Facebook page and open to public voting. Geja’s team will then select from the top three selections and announce the winners just prior to the anniversary kick off week. The first place prize will include a dinner for 6 with premium wines selected by General Manager Kirby Matthews.
Geja’s also invites all aspiring fondue foodies to submit an original dipping sauce recipe to accompany Geja’s meats and seafood entrée. To enter, contestants should send their recipe and explain why the sauce should be served on Geja’s Café’s entrée platter. The winning recipe, in addition to being featured at Geja’s during the anniversary week, will also win a dinner for 6 with selected fine wines. Recipes must be submitted by June 15th to be considered.
Both recipes and poetry entries should be submitted to Jefflawler@gejascafe.com. In the subject line please put Recipe or Poetry Contest.
Geja’s has been the site of 130,000 first dates and 16,000 engagements and diners have enjoyed over 300 tons of cheese fondue and over 900,000 bottles of wine over its forty-six year existence. John Davis founded Geja’s Café in 1965 on Wells Street in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. For six years, Geja’s operated in that location, serving as a Bohemian enclave for artists and writers. In 1969, Davis began the Geja’s Wine Society, one of the nation’s oldest tasting groups, and the restaurant began to be known as Chicago’s first “wine bar.” In need of additional seating, Davis relocated Geja’s to its current Armitage Avenue location in 1971, where the restaurant continues to thrive. The original 1965 bar and many of the fixtures are still a part of Geja’s charming atmosphere. Today, Geja’s Cafe continues to be voted “Chicago’s Most Romantic Restaurant” by numerous local and national publications. In 1993, CNN featured Geja’s as the “Best Fondue Dining” in North America. In 2008, Food Network Channel featured Geja’s as the Ultimate Romantic Dipping Place in North America and in 2010 Geja’s was named one of America’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants by OpenTable.
Known for romantic fondue dining – food one prepares and shares – and an extensive list of fine, moderately priced wines, Geja’s Café features over 20 different types of fondue entrees including cheese fondue and chocolate dessert fondue. An enchanting wine cellar atmosphere, private booths, and subdued lighting contribute to its intimate surroundings. Live flamenco and classical guitarists provide romantic accompaniment.
Hours for Geja’s Café are Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Valet parking is available. For more information, please call 773.281.9101, or visit www.gejascafe.com.
