Quality time with your Hunni is so very important. Although the classic dinner + a movie combo has its merits, it's fun to spice things up every once in a while with something a little more adventurous. Check out our unique and creative winter date night ideas for every budget when your planning your next night on the town.
Skating + Hot Chocolate at Nathan Phillips Square
@nathanphillipssquare
Bundle up and glide around this iconic Toronto landmark hand-in-hand with your sweetheart. The lights are so romantic! When you are ready for a break, there are plenty of vendors with hot chocolate and snacks at the ready! And, if you don't have skates, there are very reasonable rentals on site. Located at 100 Queen Street West.
Live Jazz + Cajun Cuisine at Reservoir Lounge
It's like travelling back in time when you walk through those double doors into this beloved oasis! Five nights a week you can find incredibly talented musicians on stage (complete with a piano and horn section) playing jazz, blues and swing music. Dancing is encouraged. The menu has a cajun flare to it with plenty of seafood and chilli spice but also has delicious wood-oven pizza section and assortment of tapas so, there's something for everyone. My advice, save room for a dessert martini. Their 'Chocolate Storm' is a chocolate lover's heaven! A beautifully chilled and shaken combination of Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Absolut Vanilla Vodka, and a house-made Swiss chocolate ganache is the stuff of dreams.
For more information, visit http://reservoirlounge.com/.
Culture and Cocktails at the AGO
@agotoronto
Enjoy art, live performances, and cocktails on the first Thursday of every month at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The event takes place from 7pm-11:30pm. It's a 19+ event and advanced tickets are highly recommended. The next event, coming up on Thursday, February 2, will include musical, theatrical and dance performances, pop-up talks with artists, a special collection of art work on display, hands on art making, and, of course, food and drink. The event will also be Deejayed by two artists in different areas. In addition to admission to the event, your ticket also grants to admission to the current exhibit Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh, + more.
For more information, visit http://www.ago.net/firstthursdays.
Tutored Tastings + Cooking Classes at the LCBO
@courtneymelissa2
Try something new at 1 of 3 specially equipped LCBO's in the GTA: Summerhill, Bayview Village, or the Millcroft Centre. Tutored Tastings give you and your sweetie the opportunity to learn about and taste everything from single malt scotches, to beer, to a variety of new and old world wines, and even inspired cocktails among many other choices. They also offer cooking classes to teach you how to create some special menu items at home. Chefs from fantastic restaurant all around the city come in to share with you their specialties. At the Summerhill location, Barque Smokehouse will be teaching a Refined Indoor BBQ class on Tuesday, Jan 31 and on Feb 7, Terroni's Executive Chef Giovanna Alonzi will be teaching a class on the flavours of Northern Italy.
For my information, visit http://www.lcbo.com/content/dam/lcbo/PDFs/2017_winter_taste_gta.pdf
Sushi + a Swim at the Grand Hotel
booking.com
Cuddle up in the cozy lounge of Citrus Restaurant inside the beautiful and luxurious Grand Hotel and enjoy some of the best sushi in the city. Sushi by Eddy, one of the best kept sushi secrets, is available Mon-Fri from 5pm-10pm and it is amazing! He offers sushi, sashimi, specialty rolls and hand rolls as well as his Chef Signature Specialties including, my personal favourite, the Sweet + Spicy Spoon with tuna, salmon, a scallop, and rice with sweet and spicy sauce. Yum! After dinner, and possibly a little siesta in your room, put on your plush bathrobes and head up to the roof to take in the breathtaking view of the skyline from the rooftop hot tub. *This romantic stay-cation can get a little pricey, but it is totally worth it for a special occasion.
For more information, visit http://grandhoteltoronto.com
Cuddle up in the cozy lounge of Citrus Restaurant inside the beautiful and luxurious Grand Hotel and enjoy some of the best sushi in the city. Sushi by Eddy, one of the best kept sushi secrets, is available Mon-Fri from 5pm-10pm and it is amazing! He offers sushi, sashimi, specialty rolls and hand rolls as well as his Chef Signature Specialties including, my personal favourite, the Sweet + Spicy Spoon with tuna, salmon, a scallop, and rice with sweet and spicy sauce. Yum! After dinner, and possibly a little siesta in your room, put on your plush bathrobes and head up to the roof to take in the breathtaking view of the skyline from the rooftop hot tub. *This romantic stay-cation can get a little pricey, but it is totally worth it for a special occasion.
For more information, visit http://grandhoteltoronto.com
French Fare + The Art of the Teese
@ditavonteese
A glamorous take on a mainstream staple. Enjoy a romantic candle light dinner at the always elegant Le Select Bistro. They offer a traditional French menu with all the favourites like duck confit, salmon tartare, and boeuf bourguignonne (among many other dishes) as well as an impressive wine selection of over 1200 labels from their cellar. After dinner, hop into an Uber and in only 8 minutes you can be at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in time for the show. On Saturday, February 11, Dita Von Teese will be preforming her Art of the Teese burlesque revue. Her shows are notoriously playful, sexy and imaginative and embody an almost forgotten art lost in time. This would certainly be a night to remember.
For information on Le Select Bistro, visit http://www.leselect.com/. For ticket information regarding The Art of the Teese, visit http://m.ticketmaster.ca/dita-von-teeses-the-art-of-toronto-ontario-02-11-2017/event/1000513BBC977474.