Romance is in the eye of the beholder. Sure, some people might like classic red roses and candlelit dinners—others, though, might be more interested in intimate speakeasies or buzzing lounges. Ultimately, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, it’s the quality time that matters most. Whether with a romantic partner, a platonic friend, or even a table for one, spending time with those we love is always a grand gesture worth making.
That said, good food and drink certainly don’t hurt, either. To mark the day of love, we’ve unearthed some of the most interesting and intimate bars and restaurants across Canada. From a cozy wine bar in Toronto, to a lively cocktail lounge in Montreal, to a trendy shared-plates restaurant in Halifax, here are some ideas for where to spend this Valentine’s Day.
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Nero Tondo (Vancouver)
Nero Tondo quietly opened in East Vancouver one year ago, and it’s quickly become one of the city’s most sought-after restaurants for its local, seasonal, and inventive Pacific Northwest cuisine. The 18-seat restaurant feels like a cherished secret, with bar seats offering the best views of the small staff pumping out delicious and (a little quirky) share plates. The menu changes on the fly based on what ingredients are available—and while there are various a la carte options offered nightly, the tasting experience is the best way to understand Nero Tondo’s vision. Order a glass of low-intervention wine or a non-alcoholic cocktail and indulge in dishes such as soft sauteed savoy cabbage with puffed quinoa, black garlic, and a creamy thousand island-style dressing; comforting squash tempura with white ponzu made from buddha’s hand citrus; and fresh albacore tuna with shiitake mushrooms, lemon leaf, shoyu, and BC-grown rice. Adding to the fun is the fact that there is no written-out tasting menu for diners to peruse; instead, simply notify the servers of any allergies and then let the team do what they do best: surprise and delight.
Bar Piquette (Toronto)
For one of Toronto’s most interesting wine lists, head to Bar Piquette in Parkdale, where the ever-changing bottle list is a who’s-who of forward-thinking international purveyors. The bar’s heated back patio is a true hidden gem, and it’s open seven days a week—even in winter. Designed like the terrace of a Parisian bistro, the patio is perfect for a quiet date over some wine, along with the bar’s famed mortadella sandwich, which is stacked high with decadent, thinly-cut meat between slathers of mayo, strips of white onion, and slices of soft, bouncy bun. Bar Piquette also does great riffs on classic cocktails, from a filthy martini to a coffee negroni.
Marcus Lounge + Bar (Montreal)
Looking for something lively and a little sexy? The swish Marcus Lounge + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Montreal is a place for seeing and being seen—where the music is loud and the people are beautifully dressed. The ever-rotating cocktail list features seasonal ingredients, whether it be the Golden Hour (Cointreau, Hennessey Very Special, honey, pear puree, lemon, cardamom bitters, chamomile) or the Matcharita (Patron Silver, lime juice, greek yogurt, vanilla syrup, matcha). On the food side, enjoy nibbling on kanpachi ceviche, a caviar latke (as decadent and amazing as it sounds), octopus skewers, or a fried chicken burger.
Field Guide (Halifax)
An open-concept kitchen is the focal point of Field Guide, a cozy restaurant in the North End of Halifax serving inventive yet accessible share plates. Created to bring those who cook our food closer to those who eat it, Field Guide emphasizes what is local and in-season by partnering with growers and purveyors from the area. In the glass, that might look like the cream ale from Halifax’s own Stillwell Brewing; on the plate, it might be a charcuterie board of local cheeses and meats or crab salad with celery, new potatoes, scallions, capers, and apples. The restaurant’s pumpkin spice panna cotta might just be the perfect pairing for the words “I love you.”
Ten Foot Henry (Calgary)
The only downside of bright, bustling, plant-filled Ten Foot Henry in Calgary’s Beltline is that you’ll have a hard time narrowing down which dishes to order. The vegetable-forward menu has many delights, from salted cucumber with daikon, nori, and walnut beet puree, to tomatoes with whipped feta, herbs, and sourdough. On the pasta side, the Gigli with kale pesto, grana padano, and pistachio is a must-order; and for anyone who does eat meat, the dry-rubbed striploin with crispy potatoes should not be missed (this is Alberta, after all). The rotating wine list is excellent, and the knowledgeable, genuinely friendly staff make any visit here a lovely experience. Looking for a daytime date? Perfect: Ten Foot Henry also does brunch.
Feature image by Patricia Brochu.