For the Parisian ambience
GERALDINE
The absinthe and oysters flow freely at this seafood-centric restaurant with a belle époque vibe. The mint green walls warmed by candlelight make this date spot sexy, and it’s just loud enough to give you an excuse to lean in closer. For Valentine’s Day, a five-course $65 tasting menu (plus an extra $65 for booze pairings) includes delectable dishes like Acadian sturgeon ceviche and seared foie gras with smoked duck breast, and for dessert, a chocolate eclair and truffles. Absinthe and oysters are a must-try pairing, but also check out cocktails with names like Midnight In Paris, The Courtesan, Cigarettes & Smiles and Parisienne Milk Punch.
1564 Queen West, 647-352-8815, geraldinetoronto.com, @GeraldineResto
Michael Watier
Mark shares a laugh with Nathaniel while playing a game of Hedbanz at Snakes & Lattes board game café.
For the un-romantics
SNAKES & LATTES
If you just started dating someone and don’t want to go full on in the romance department – or just want to hang out with friends because being single is awesome – take the pressure off on an affordable but fun group date at Snakes & Lattes or its sister pub, Snakes & Lagers (488 College, it has beer!). Suggestions for relationship-building games: Cards Against Humanity (obvious), Settlers Of Catan (is this the person you can build a civilization with?) and Jenga (nimble fingers are important… very important).
600 Bloor West, 647-342-9229, snakesandlattes.com, @SnakesAndLattes
For the trend haters
FOXLEY
Chef Tom Thai‘s Foxley was on Ossington long before it became the gentrified hipster hub it is now, and was (and still is) serving some of the city’s best ceviche before the Latin wave hit. There’s an understated confidence to the tapas-style menu – delicious food best described as modern Asian but without the pretension and smoke and mirrors usually associated with fusion cuisine. If your date loves trying something different but despises foodie-ism, come here and split some sticky short ribs and kale salad.
207 Ossington, 416-534-8520
For a dinner and movie combo
LUMA
The upstairs, fancier (than Canteen) restaurant inside the TIFF Bell Lightbox is the way to go for an all-in-one-place kind of evening, especially if you don’t feel like braving the winter weather. The menu leans toward familiar Canadian ingredients like wild sockeye with butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, braised rabbit and gnocchi, venison loin, and seared scallops with curried cauliflower, so it’s a good bet if your date isn’t too adventurous in the food department. Luma offers a prix fixe menu on V-Day but I’d stick to the à la carte menu for the best value. What’s playing at the Lightbox on Valentine’s Day? Appropriately, Moonrise Kingdom and (yes!) the ultra-quotable Heathers.
350 King West, 647-288-4715, oliverbonacini.com/luma
For ultra-cool vibes
DAISHO
The third-floor Daisho with its floor-to-ceiling windows gives a pretty view of bustling University Avenue below and exudes a hip, young vibe. (It is a Momofuku restaurant, after all.) February 13 to 15, the restaurant offers a Valentine’s Day prix fixe ($65 for three courses, $95 for four), with plates like fluke paired with blood orange and black rice, or lobster with grits and bacon. Dessert’s included, but be sure to save room for some extra sweets when you visit the little Milk Bar shop downstairs. Hey, nothing says romance like a slice of crack pie. There’s also a Valentine’s Day à la carte brunch with a large menu that includes fried chicken with kohlrabi slaw, spicy tripe salad and eggs benedict with king crab.
190 University, 647-253-6227, momofuku.com/toronto/daisho
David Laurence
Kalwin Cappa mixes the Dark And Stormy at Rhum Corner.
For the laid-back boozers
RHUM CORNER
If making reservations isn’t your thing and you just want to meet up for rummy cocktails and share some accra (fried salt cod) and patties, make your way to the Black Hoof’s Haitian offshoot. The chill island party vibe, as well as the nude pin-up sketches (men and women!) in the washrooms, will get your mind racing throughout the evening. If the conversation heats up, cross the street to the Hoof’s Cocktail Bar for some post-dinner drinks.
926 Dundas West, 647-346-9356, rhumcorner.com, @TheBlackHoof
For something different
LAMESA FILIPINO KITCHEN
For less conventional Valentine’s Day fare, try chef Rudy Boquila‘s take on the Filipino dishes he ate growing up: chicken adobo with a side of perfumy garlic rice, large plates of lechon kawali (deep fried pork belly) ,and whole roasted chicken stuffed with Filipino sausage and boiled eggs and for dessert, purple yam flan. The atmosphere might not be romantic, but if you want something more than the standard prix fixe, head here.
669 Queen West, 647-346-2377, lamesafilipinokitchen.com, @LamesaTO
For the homebodies
RUBY WATCHCO
Chefs Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk‘s Leslieville restaurant has a homy, rustic vibe: exposed brick, dark woods and pantry shelves stocked with preserves and Le Creuset ware. This is perfect for cuddling couples who want a low-key, home-cooking-style meal rather than something fancier. A set menu, great for the chronically indecisive, is created each night. Spend a reasonable $49 and you’ll leave full. Think slow-roasted meats, hearty salads with a citrus zing and desserts of cheese with aromatic honey to warm you up for the evening.
730 Queen East, 416-465-0100, rubywatchco.ca, @RubyWatchco
For a low-key night
EASTSIDE SOCIAL
This Maritime-themed seafood spot in the east end hits all the right notes for a romantic but casual night out: comforting favourites like skate schnitzel, grilled octopus and fried calamari, cute but not cartoonish nautical decor, and a neighbourhood vibe that makes Eastside a place to go in jeans and a sweater rather than Casanova regalia. The place strikes the right balance between special occasion and easygoing night out.
1008 Queen East, 416-461-5663, eastsidesocial.ca, @Eastside_Social
For classic Italian
NOCE
This is the place for the old-school experience, complete with tables topped with white linen, tapered candles and multiple wine glasses. Start the evening with a bottle of white, some olives and cured Italian meats, then move on to ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and tossed with white truffle butter. Then perhaps a grilled 34-ounce porterhouse for two before splitting a tiramisu over coffee. If it’s warm enough, go for a walk in Trinity Bellwoods Park across the street and end the night with a kiss.
875 Queen West, 416-504-3463, nocerestaurant.ca
