Theoretically, dinner on Valentine's Day means a fancy meal at an expensive restaurant that has a grand reputation. Practically speaking, the meal with your significant other usually ends up being a lot less formal and in a familiar and comfortable eatery. Knowing that the latter is the reality of most, Lee Gerstein gives his take on a Wicker Park restaurant that would ably serve as a Valentine's destination.

Silver Cloud Supper Club | 1700 N Damen Ave | 773.489.6212 | www.silvercloudchicago.com

Burgers, fries, mac and cheese. It's not surprising to find these items on the menu of every bar & grill in town. But grilled tuna steak? Salmon? A roasted veggie plate?

You can ponder both the traditional and the new at Silver Cloud, a longstanding restaurant in the thick of Wicker Park. Hummus and beer? Why not? Or, maybe hummus and a mojito? Or martini, or any of the other trendy cocktails now in vogue.

That's what has made and kept Silver Cloud so popular for so long. Beer drinking buddies can be sitting next to Prada clad high-heeled gals, and no one seems to mind. One table orders sloppy Joes, and the other orders a spinach salad, but it's hard to predict which group will order what.

Inside is all old-school. Curved booths, a dark wood bar, and scattered tables. A TV and a friendly bartender. Outside, on their popular patio, blessed with an abundance of shade trees, diners can sit just off the main drag, and watch what seems like half the world go by.

Lunch is a good time to try one of their classic sandwiches, like turkey or meatloaf, a filling portion that, with its cheese and side of mayo, will put you right in the mood for a nap. Their half -pound burger isn't much of a lighter alternative, but you probably won't regret it anyway.

While kids, and some adults, are happy munching away on a grilled cheese sandwich, the side of Campbell's tomato soup usually goes untouched. Bigger folks can opt for comfort food with a sophisticated edge, from a white pizza to a Jerk chicken sandwich. Soups (homemade, not Campbell's) and salads also abound, including a nicely done Nicoise, topped with a grilled tuna steak, and surrounded by potatoes, eggs, and green beans.

Dinner items are bigger, and surprisingly well crafted. A lot of thought has gone into choosing items that go beyond the norm for bar food (i.e. Lemon Chicken and Beef Stroganoff), but still aren't off-putting to that crowd. This approachable food is a notch below the ambitions of a gastro pub, but miles ahead of the options found elsewhere.

Other worthy restaurant options on Valentine's Day include:

Charlie's Ale House | 5308 N Clark St | 773.751.0140 | www.charliesalehouse.com
This Andersonville favorite cooks up daily specials and features entrée salads and six varieties of flatbread pizzas.

Fireside Restaurant | 5739 N Ravenswood Ave | 773.561.7433 | www.firesidechicago.com
This north side stalwart serves up food that's both simple and the sophisticated and features a special Valentine's menu that includes Chicken Portofino, Lamb Chops Oreganato, and Prime Rib.

Jack's On Halsted | 3201 N Halsted St | 773.244.9191 | www.jacksonhalsted.com
A bit more upscale, the relaxed atmosphere here is a perfect complement to the global cuisine that incorporates Asian, Mediterranian and New World influences for a uniquely American gourmet experience.