Dear reader,
The current economic situation doesn’t exactly scream “date night,” but the rising cost of everything won’t stop Valentine’s Day from coming. During a time when the most romantic gesture might be covering the weekly grocery bill (seriously, that’s pretty hot), planning a special dinner out could be challenging, even with the HST break. On top of everything else—like a slap in the face of St. Valentine himself—the price of chocolate is up 20 per cent.
But a romantic night out doesn’t necessarily need to involve multi-course meals, champagne bottles on ice or remortgaging your home. Sometimes all it takes is a really good burger or a well-made cocktail. We asked some of Toronto’s top chefs and restaurateurs for their favourite date-night spots, and what they order at each. Unsurprisingly, places like Edulis and Scaramouche got shout-outs but so did a west-end dive bar and a Pakistani small-plates spot. Read on for inspiration. And don’t forget that Winterlicious is still ongoing, with more than 230 restaurants across the city offering prix-fixe menus at affordable prices.
Also in this week’s newsletter: what could be more sensual than sharing a NSFW Jell-O shot with your person? Belle Isle, the new snack and cocktail bar from the Lake Inez team, is making boozy, jiggly shots that spell out a spicy—and might we say, apropos—message. The vodka- and Galliano-based gelatin creation arrives on a plate and you can eat it with a knife and fork, so it’s both sassy and classy.
For more of our food-and-drink coverage, visit torontolife.com or subscribe to our print edition.
