With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, love is in the air and in our stomachs. If you’re looking to set the mood, fan the flame with an evening of fine dining at one of these romantic restaurants – some delicious fuel for an intimate night of loving and fun.
Whether it be a long-burning flame or new spark, getting into your better halves good graces is sometimes easier said than done. What’s easier than pleasing every one of your S.O.’s long-standing wishes? Pleasing their stomach! And lucky for you, Toronto has Valentine’s Day dinners aplenty – a tasty smorgasbord of a la carte and prix fixe menus that will not only ignite the fire in their stomach but also their loins. Take a look at 12 romantic restaurants to book for Valentine’s Day in Toronto below.
STK
153 Yorkville Ave
Yorkville’s newest and sexiest spot isn’t letting up on the ambiance – expect the darkly lit room to set the mood on Valentine’s Day, or as they’re calling it Vibe Day. The specially curated menu will further ensure the vibe, oozing romance in every sip and bite. Fall in love over Cupid’s Fizz, a perfect blend of Tanqueray Gin, fresh lemon juice, house-made raspberry cordial, topped with egg white; then seal the deal with Sticky Toffee Pudding, Maldon sea salt, caramel sauce, crumbled caramel comb, Madagascar vanilla, and Chantilly quenelle.
Bar Reyna
158 Cumberland St
Skip the usual prix fixe menu and order from Bar Reyna’s impressive a la carte menu crafted by one of Toronto’s best underrated chefs, Omar Ma. The Meditterrean-inspired cuisine paired with the heated outdoor patio and cozy, eclectic interior will have you and your Valentine feeling like you’re 1,000 miles away from your own backyard.
Cafe Boulud
60 Yorkville Ave
If any culture knows romance best, it may have to be the French. Lavish and indulgent, tantalize your taste buds with a $125 four course prix fixe menu at Cafe Boulud. The offering features scrumptious bites like Terrine de foie gras, Raviole de courge butternut, roasted venison, ribs, souffle and more. While not the cheapest of options, you can’t put a price on love. See the full menu here.
The Drake Hotel
1150 Queen St W.
Swipe right, the Drake’s cooking tonight. For $55, the trendy Queen West spot will be offering a V-day prix fixe menu for you and your Valentine or Pal-entine (single folk can celebrate too!). Not to mention, it also happens to be “Treat Yourself Tuesday” half price wine night. Take your pick of red, white or both from their rotating list of wines.
Miku Toronto
10 Bay St #105
If you and your S.O. love sushi, book a table at Miku Toronto and then head home fast for a sexy night. Sushi happens to be an aphrodisiac and the $98 a la carte Valentine’s Day Menu will be no exception. Specializing in Aburi Sushi, each piece of seafood is flame-seared to produce a slightly altered flavour. They’ll be making magic on a bed of rice – you’ll be making magic on a bed.
Lavelle
627 King St W.
Treat your Valentine to not only an amazing meal but also a spectacular view from the Lavelle rooftop. The five-course dinner is almost as impeccable as the city skyline with an equally enticing $75 price tag. But if you really want to impress your better half, we suggest forking up an extra $150 to add on a bottle of champagne and a dozen roses. Guests are also invited to stay and dance the night away.
Momofuku Daisho
190 University Ave
If steak is the way to you and your lover’s hearts, Momofuku Daisho’s fusion menu will hit a home run. The $97 prix fixe menu boasts Grilled Striploin with Dungeness crab, caramelized onions and roasted Jerusalem artichoke, along with other delicacies like Rooster Crest Macaroni, duck sausage, tarragon, lemon; Fluke, persimmon, tobanjan, lime; Molten Lava Cake, chocolate, Saskatoon berries, creme fraiche; and more – your hearts will be soaring.
The Carbon Bar
99 Queen St E.
This one is for the carnivores in love. Known for their meat platters, The Carbon Bar will be dishing out a special five-course Valentine’s Day Menu for $75 including the Pit Master Platter, pork ribs, beef brisket, fried chicken and dill pickles (FYI: that’s only one course). Add on oysters for an extra $3 to make your meal an aphrodisiac.
East Thirty-Six
36 Wellington St E.
If your date is a cocktail buff, you’ll want to take them to East Thirty-Six. You and your love interest will fall, as Queen Bey would say, drunk in love, while sipping on signature his & her cocktails in this romantic candlelit cocktail bar. As for the menu, while it’s sure to impress. Indulge in seasonal flavours and French-inspired plates from an à la carte menu that’s perfect for sharing. We suggest the Cauliflower with caper, preserved lemon, brown butter, hazelnut, parsley; the Short Rib served with sous vide carrots, jalapeno, pecorino semolina, cilantro that’ll melt in your mouth; and the perfectly tender Humboldt Squid with togarashi mayo, cilantro, yuzu salt, cucumber.
Blu Ristorante
17 Yorkville Ave
What’s more romantic than an intimate dinner? An intimate dinner with live music. Cozy up with your S.O. and be serenaded by guitar and piano at Blu Ristorante, while you wine and dine from a four-course prix fixe Italian-inspired menu ($95 per person). Wet your toes with a delectable choice of fromage/charcuterie, followed by two choices of antipasti; a long list including Nova Scotia Lobster, Wild Boar, Striploin, Pan Seared Duck Breast and more. Finally, cap the night with Dolci, the chef’s tasting plate for two.
Colette Grand Cafe
550 Wellington St W.
Another purveyor of French cuisine, the airy appearance of Colette Grand Cafe will have you feeling dreamy and in love, and so will the menu. For $65 per person, indulge in hor d’oeuvres perfect for sharing like Chestnut Veloute, Cured Lake Trout or Venison Tartare; a choice of Seabass, Shortrib or Carrot for main; then finish it off with some dessert foreplay, Crepes Suzette, Coconut Chocolate Sundae or White Chocolate and Raspberry.
The Good Son Restaurant
1096 Queen St W.
The Good Son is a good place to wine and dine this Valentine’s Day. With a focus on locally sourced and seasonal organic ingredients, the set four-course menu offers dishes like Hamachi Crudo, radish, tomatillo, lemon; Ricotta Gnocchi, braised rib cap ragu, oyster mushroom, Grana Padano; Pan-Roasted Atlantic Halibut, roasted squash, fregola, Beurre Meuniere; Dark Chocolate Brownie, espresso gelato, Amarenza cherries; and more ($70 per person). If the meal doesn’t win your lover’s heart, the option of roses for the table might.
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How are you amping up the romance this Valentine’s Day? Let Vv Magazine know in the comment section or tweet us at @ViewtheVibe.
