La Palette

Kensington cool with French flare, La Palette is a great alternative to its stuffier bistro brethren. Patterned tablecloths, friendly Toulouse-Lautrec prints, and a barrage of accent circumflexes help this Augusta Street joint bridge the gap between romantic and fun. A neighbourhood favourite, it's pomp-free and cool. For those looking to impress with an under-the-radar affair that exceeds epicurean expectations, look no farther than Augusta Street (France is way too far). 256 Augusta Street, 416-929-4900




Perigee

When I think of romance, I think of whiskey, and nothing conjures thoughts of the sweet stuff like a trip to the Distillery. What better time of year to dine at Mill Street's hidden gem, Perigee. High concept and hard to find, Perigee is a tailor shop for your taste buds. Chef Pat Riley (not Coach Pat Riley) caters your meal to your predilections, preparing a fluid mix tape of culinary selections for your specific cravings. As a date spot, it's unique, atmospheric, and upscale enough to give you Valentine's cool points. Don't let the highly visible kitchen give you a guilt complex: think of Perigee's consultations as food therapy for the ineloquent grub craver. Perigee is a perfect place to build on dependency issues; happy Valentine's Day. 55 Mill Street, 416-364-1397




Rain

Normally I would not encourage heading into clubland for anything, ever, but for Rain you can make an exception. Since Valentine's falls on a Thursday, you can probably get away with entering the area, just tread lightly. In a city where everyone's always moving on to the next best thing, no one can get over Rain. The celebrities can't and our readers can't either. And now that the fickle heat has moved on to newer and shinier (if you can imagine) venues, the Rain concept is showing it’s true strength as not just a slick space, but also as a quality food emporium. Chef Guy Rubino’s much-lauded dishes haven't slipped a notch. The 13 mains ($9–$25) and five sides ($5–$8) are meant for sharing. The wine and front-of-house man is none other than Michael Rubino, who will complement your dinner with a great big glass of red. It's the perfect spot to smooth out those first date jitters while you romantically share spaghetti, Lady and the Tramp style. Just don’t be surprised if you end up with spaghetti sauce all over your chin; now that’s romantic. 19 Mercer Street, 416-599-7246




The Rosebud

Citizen Kane spent a small fortune on Susan Alexander in the hopes of garnering her fame and happiness. Here's a not-so-secret secret: your Valentine's date will be content if you cover dinner at a cool little bistro. The Rosebud will do the trick admirably. It’s small (40 seats), cool (An Avenue bartender’s first resto), nimble (a French bistro in an abandoned Mr. Pong’s), and it blows the doors off the average hulking restaurant. With less than a dozen tables, plus a few stools at the bar area, it doesn’t have much room to prove its heady stuff, so what you get instead is a charming, wood-paneled bistro, churning out plates these parts haven’t seen in ages. Rosebud is an acquired secret; those who wait patiently for reservations know that there's not enough room inside for attitude. French and slick, The Rosebud offers splendor, heart and flower ambiance, and quality cuisine. (Whispered) "Rosebud." 669 Queen Street West, 416-703-8810