Are you missing your cozy romantic candlelit dinners at Escoba Wine & Influenced Cuisine? The wait is over! Escoba has reopened its doors to the eager and dedicated clientèle, such as yourself, and are located conveniently across from the Globe Theatre. Prime dinner date and a movie (one can only hope there will be hanky panky) territory.

The new spot is cozy and employs a European bistro aesthetic with gentle lighting that creates a romantic atmosphere - perfect for swooning. Most of the dishes combine wine (sometimes known as liquid panty remover) with delicious natural flavours. Just try not to get drunk during dinner - cleaning vomit off your date really ruins the moment.

The wine menu may seem overwhelming at first, but there's no need to despair (or have your oenophile friends on speed-dial). Many vino are offered by the glass, so feel free to sample away. The staff is also trained to assist you in choosing a wine that perfectly complements your meal (doubtful they're compensate on par with trained sommeliers, though). The menu has the wines divided up into various categories such as aromatic, light, medium, and full wines. The process of selection is also helped by the divided wine menu that separated the full from the aromatic, the light from the medium, etc. If only evolution was this easy!

While playing oenophile is a bit daunting, everyone is generally familiar with food. But, for those that need a simplified dining menu, Escoba can help (and if you ask nicely, the waiter might also hold your hand during the process). “Cool Starts” are meant to whet your appetite, with choices such as Ahi Tuna Tartare ($14) or a do-it-yourself cheese plate (4 selections for $16). Following a brief sample of finger foods, the next section for your perusal is “Hot Beginnings” (am I detecting a Dairy Queen "Hot Eats/Cool Treat"s rip off here?). With menu choices such as Tiger Prawn Bong (oh if only), Baked Camembert, and Coconut Curry Mussels, you may have to remind yourself that you still have an entrée to go. Other selections range from soups to a 3-cheese pesto fondue if you're in the dipping mood.

Onto the big guns…the entrees! Every single menu item is unique and might produce a bit of reader’s drool - you've been warned. The Stuffed Chicken is filled with Italian sausage, feta, and comes with gorgonzola “smashed” potatoes, sun-dried tomato pesto, and parmesan crisp. A Bouillabaisse is sprinkled with tiger prawns, digby bay scallops, PEI mussels, white clams, chorizo, white wine saffron-tomato broth, and French bread. If you aren’t salivating like Pavlov’s dog by now, then you either can’t read or haven’t heard the signal bell. Ding!