Ah, love!
With the days getting a little longer and the sun shining just a little bit brighter, we’ve noticed some all-around good vibes here at the OTT office and as more places have opened up, we’re starting to feel the love! And of course with Valentine’s Day upon us, we’re feeling a little extra mushy.
But the day of love can also be a day full of indecision. After all, if you and your special favourite human want to do something you have to figure things out. What to do? What to eat? Casual or fancy? Where do I buy only the best cakes and chocolates for my little snookums?
As always, we here at OTT are ready to help in your time of need so you don’t have to worry about what to do, leaving you to focus on the lovely evening ahead with your darling loved one. From scenic walks and chocolatey gifts to delicious food and morning-after options, we have your best Valentine’s Day date ever all planned out!
A Romantic Evening Walk
First thing’s first, nothing makes for a romantic evening like a beautiful stroll through one of the most scenic parts of the city, like enjoying the lights at St. Lawrence Hall and St. James Cathedral. And now that the weather is getting a bit warmer it’ll prove to be a cozy evening stroll for the ages! So grab a cup of one of the many delicious roasts at Fahrenheit Coffee or a delicious warm tea from Urban Cova and see the beauty of Old Town Toronto! Stroll along the Esplanade, marvel at the historical buildings such as St. Lawrence Market and Toronto’s First Post Office, take a picture in front of the iconic Flatiron Building, and sit for an intimate chat by the Berczy Park fountain.
A Box of Chocolates
Valentine’s Day is the Day of Chocolate. We see it everywhere and indeed, nothing sets the mood right than with a box of delicious, decadent, chocolatey delights. But don’t worry about stopping off at the drugstore for a box of Russell Stovers, we have you covered!
Neo Coffee Bar is currently selling their special Valentine’s Day truffle boxes. The gift box is adorned with roses and features four house-made, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffles, two each of the delicious bittersweet Uji Matcha and the velvety NEO Blend Coffee Bean.
And a quick visit to St. Lawrence Market will feature a variety of sublime chocolatey delights from places like ChocoSol, with a selection of their traditional stone-ground chocolates available in a gift box, and Aren’t We Sweet’s ready supply of premium chocolates from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada.
Fine Dining
Now this is the part of the evening where you’d be spoiled for choice! Sit down over a bowl of pasta or mouthwatering pizza at Cafe Oro Di Napoli, get a little intimate with the huge number of regularly rotating specials at Le Papillon on Front, or enjoy a divine lamb vindaloo at Benares Cucina Indian! Want to stay in? Order some sushi from Moegi Sushi or hearty pasta from Mangia & Bevi for takeout. There are even pre-prepared pizzas available over at Mercatto, who also offer a wide selection of good wines.
Want to hold off on the fanciness but don’t want to skimp on the deliciousness? We’ve talked before about how some of us here are addicted to the wraps at Big Pita on Front. And who doesn’t love a hearty burrito from Bolets Burrito or a good ‘ol fashioned burger from Big Smoke?
Dessert
Did you think the box of chocolates would be all there was to it? Not a chance!
For a limited time PizzaForno is offering their dessert pizza that’s essentially a cheesecake pie, Biff’s Bistro has a Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake, and our favourites over at Edible Arrangements have an entire line of Valentine’s Day treats for after dinner!
And in the market Eve’s Temptations is the place to go for the best desserts in town from high-quality bakeries such as Dufflets, Phipps and Chudleigh’s!
Spicing Things Up 😉
We’ve been asked a lot to include some things found in Old Town Toronto that would help “turn up the heat” and “really spice up the night”. There was often a lot of winking and eyebrow waggling involved when people would ask. Well, never ones to let people down, we here at the OTT BIA want you to know that we’ve heard you and are here to help!
SukhoTHAI on Wellington is now selling jars of their very own in-house chili oil! Reasonably priced and incredibly delicious, it’s the perfect condiment to add to your food order or to spice up your own dishes at home! Additionally, Lively Life Fine Foods in the Market is our go-to for a fantastic selection of spices found around the globe and if you’re looking for some true heat, we like munching on the wasabi peas found at Peter’s Natural Health Foods!
What? What did you think this was going to be about?
The Morning After
A special night deserves a special breakfast or brunch the next day, and fortunately there are some Toronto staples that are sure to make you smile. The famous Mystic Muffin is unbeatable for their bagel breakfast sandwiches, the Irish Embassy Pub & Grill offers a delicious brunch menu including Eggs Benedict served two ways and a Breakfast Quesadilla. We also suggest the longtime classic of Toronto, Paddington’s Pump, with hearty breakfasts and bacon sandwiches that will warm the soul!
