Le Select

It's difficult to select - wait, sorry, that's brutal, let me start over. Navigating the plethoric Valentine's restaurant options can prove difficult. Here are a couple of rules to help you: first, you can't go wrong with French bistro; and secondly, make sure that your choice has an impressive aphrodisiacal dessert menu. Le Select delivers on both counts and its charm knows no bounds. Looking like it was airlifted from France, the main dining room is coloured in rich tones of burgundy and brown, with a bustling lounge up front and private dining areas at the rear. The hyper-attentive waitstaff strut about the whole scene looking stuffy and appropriately Parisian. Save room for dessert (you know what I mean). De rien. 432 Wellington Street West, 416-596-6405




Spice Room and Chutney Bar

Spicy food for Valentine's Day is paradoxically counter-intuitive and apropos. Unlike your average French/Italian bistro February 14th experience, Valentine's at Greg Couillard's Spice Room and Chutney Bar will prove novel and memorable. Not just a clever name, the menu is rife with hot products. Caveat: nothing ruins a romantic dinner like pre-bed sweats, so if you're adverse to the heat, you should stay away. Though, if you can handle the hotness then dinner here will be uniquely fantastic. Following dinner, take down some cinnamon hearts to prove your strength. 55 Hazelton Lanes, 416-935-0000




Splendido

Harbord, a gum-aided whisper, is accessible yet underused. Dotted by some of the unsung heroes of the Toronto restaurant scene, the street is a Valentine's ready promenade that encourages hand-held walks and longing looks. The star of the stretch, Splendido is a tried-and-true favourite. Chef de Cuisine David Lee keeps his guests returning year after year by constantly updating the menu to encompass the latest and greatest in modern cuisine the world over. The main plates centre on gourmet game and seafood selections like caribou, lobster, rabbit saddle, and boneless lamb shank. There are plethoric reasons why Splendido has captured the limelight of Toronto’s culinary world so, if you haven't yet made it out to the Harbord resto, Valentine's is as good a time as any. 88 Harbord Street, 416-929-7788




Susur

Come Valentine's Day you probably shouldn't spend that much time thinking about finding a suitable third-wheel. However, if you must invite someone else it should be a superstar chef. In Toronto, it doesn't get much better than revered cuisine-scene hero, Susur Lee. At Lee's original eponymous restaurant (not to be confused with its offshoot, Lee), the menu changes daily, depending on the market and season, and this malleability ensures quality. It also ensures a one-of-a-kind meal, especially on that most hallowed of romantic days. Scrape the cinnamon hearts from your teeth and settle into a minimalist marvel that will surely impress. 601 King Street West, 416-603-2205