Geja's Cafe Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary, 7/1

Geja's Café, 340 W. Armitage, the legendary fondue and lovers' landmark, will celebrate its 45th anniversary with a series of special events Sunday, June 27th through July 1, 2010. To share in the commemoration of this important milestone, Chicago's most romantic restaurant will feature a unique marriage vow renewal ceremony and champagne reception for all couples that became engaged at Geja's Café over its forty-five year history. In addition to offering its traditional anniversary discount of 45% off all food bills during the 5-day Anniversary Celebration, Geja's will also host a special recipe contest, the winner to be featured on the menu, and will honor prices on any original Geja's receipt presented from the 1960's.

On Sunday, June 27th, over 50 couples who got engaged at Geja's Cafe will return and relive the romance at a special wedding vow renewal ceremony on the restaurant's patio beginning at 1 p.m. Pastor Joe Riccardi of Park Community Church of the Lincoln Park Campus, 2233 N. Clark St., will oversee the non-denominational service. A reception will precede the ceremony with complimentary champagne and Geja's trademark cheese and chocolate fondues. Participating couples will also receive corsages and goody bags loaded with special treats, including gift certificates to Lincoln Park Massage and The Belden~Stratford Hotel. Family and friends of the couples are encouraged to stay and celebrate with dinner at Geja's Café.

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, send your recipe and tell Geja's why your sauce should be served on Geja's Café's entrée board. The winning recipe, in addition to being featured at Geja's during the month of June, will win a $100 gift certificate. Please submit your recipe to Jefflawler@gejascafe.com. In the subject line please put Recipe Contest. All recipes must be in by May 15, 2010.

Geja's has been the site of 127,671 first dates and 15,464 engagements and diners have enjoyed over 290 tons of cheese fondue and over 926,187 bottles of wine over its forty-five 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.

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