Kalendar

While I lived in the Annex I had a go-to date that I would utilize over and over, feigning novelty. Amongst other things, it involved a walk down Palmerston and a nonchalant "oh, why don't we stop by Kalendar?" Kalendar has a casually romantic feel that doesn't conjure the Carpenter's "Close to You," but does inspire clandestine hand touches and longing looks. The heavy-on-the-wood interior and vaguely Middle Eastern menu, as well as the solid booze and bean/bag bev card keep things tranquil, tasteful, and smooth. The requisite candle light and unobtrusive soundtrack provide an apropos, laissez-faire amorousness. 546 College Street, 416-923-4138




Kultura
Local restaurant icon, Hanif Harji adhered to a two-word ethos ("hip dining") when creating his fleetingly iconic Blowfish Restaurant, but his latest big-budget resto-lounge eschews the Japanese restaurant's pastel glamour in favour of hard-edged, in-your-face design. Nestled into a historic building on King East, Kultura has fast garnered a reputation for its contemporary art plates. The buzz is well-deserved. Though far different from the traditional tablecloth-and-bowtie ideal of Valentine's dining, Kultura provides one hell of a cool alternative, replete with stunning lines and a forward-thinking design. Its three distinct levels will please everyone and its fantastic fare will encourage sharing. 169 King Street East, 416-363-9000




Lai Toh Heen

Stepping into Lai Toh Heen is like stepping into a film noir, and nothing culls romance like fast-talking and fedoras. This sister restaurant to Lai Wah Heen is a 130-seat, two-level, Mount Pleasant dining room that has been reconfigured to emulate Shanghai in the 1930’s. Executive chef John Kwan's menu includes pan-regional signature dishes and experimental new takes on classic Cantonese fare. The food is fantastic and after dinner it's natural to sit and relax in the airy space, soaking up the welcoming ambiance. The Lounge at Lai Toh Heen is attractive, though its tea-coloured onyx bar is typically ignored. Luckily, the dining room is kitsch-free. I considered writing, "LTH is sure to Wu," but decided against it at the last second. That's your Valentine's Day present. 692 Mount Pleasant Road, 416-489-8922




One

Try not to spend all of Valentine's listening to U2. You're not Ross Geller. Besides, there's only one good U2 song and this Hazelton Hotel-based restaurant shares its name. Problem? With a design that borrows heavily from the Windsor Arms' paradigm, the space, designed by Glenn Pushelberg and George Yabu of YabuPushelberg, consists of a 250-seat dining room and a 70-seat, wrap-around patio. Furthermore, One has a stunningly strong Toronto epicurean pedigree, including manager Tim Salmon (Bymark) and co-owner, Mark McEwan (Bymark, North 44). The décor employs a pure hotel restaurant aesthetic: velvet upholstered walls, polished woods and tiger-eye onyx. With both its big-budget hotel-ish interior and shockingly hip patio (a big redeemer), the restaurant stands tall and confident among its pricey peers. It’s that hazy dichotomy that makes One a success. While not quite a sleeper, it’s definitely a worthy Yorkville addition. Hazelton Hotel, 118 Yorkville Avenue, 416-963-6300