Tati Bistro

Sweet, somewhat romantic, and not outrageously expensive, Kensington Kitchen was a hidden gem. With KK gone (RIP), the rickety space on Harbord Street now houses yet another semi-secret jewel. The revered Kitchen was always a Valentine's favourite, and Tati, like dating your late wife's sister, can provide the same kind of magic. Retaining most of KK's attributes, Tati Bistro is more of an update than an overhaul. French and fabulous, the fare includes the Filet Mignon (the most expensive item on the menu at $32), accompanied by a zesty béarnaise sauce, a generous pile of frites (as we had requested), and a side of grilled vegetables (the kitchen's favourite finishing touch). Teatro diners will remember that Chef Laurent Brion likes to add vegetables to anything and everything: not just a mere garnish, but a generous mix of green beans with roasted garlic, grilled zucchini, and crisp (yet cooked) carrots. Enjoy. 24 Harbord Street, 416-962-8284




Thuet

Toronto, by way of Alsace, powerhouse spatula wielder, Marc Thuet's eponymous (inherently) French bistro prepares excellent fare for a pocketbook, weekly-racquetball, malevolent-laugh crowd of fine diners. A vast, open 90-seat dining room emanates a soothing, innocent and intimate mood, while the kitchen churns out heart pleasing excellent French cuisine, intricately created, flavourful and sensuous. It's heavy on the leather and what's Valentine's without a little leather (I mean the seating, you pervert). Thuet never misses and the evolving, seasonal menu employs only the best ingredients. At Thuet you can't go wrong. 609 King Street West, 416-603-2777




Torito Tapas Bar

You don't believe in sharing. That's okay, if you did you'd be a pinko and McCarthy would blacklist you. However, it's alright to be share-curious (I won't tell anyone). Besides, it's Valentine's Day and that's a good time to touch someone else's food. Torito will help you. Anything but a typical Kensington Market café, Torito defies easy categorization. The setting is modest but crisply appointed: exposed brick walls, local artwork and elegant olive oil and piquillo peppers methodically lined up on display. The bucolic picnic table seating arrangements are, more often than not, full so, plan accordingly. As for the food, if you can pronounce it, try the Shrimp al Ajillo, which is superlative but, more importantly, sounds very cool in a you're-a-well-traveled romantic way. 276 Augusta Avenue, 647-436-5874




Trevor Kitchen and Bar

Wellington hip and gastro cool, Trevor Kitchen and Wine Bar ups the ante of eponymous restaurants by eschewing the punctuation pariah: the apostrophe. This rebellious joint will provide an atypical Valentine's experience, with signature mini Kobe Burgers replacing staid and stale love food (fondue and grape sharing is so passé). Chef and namesake, Trevor Wilkinson has whipped up a trendy eatery soundtracked with Nirvana and opera. Try the tender Macadamia Nut Crusted Berkshire Pork Loin with Pear and Pancetta Tartlette ($23) and finish off with the epitomical romance dessert: a Banana Split for two ($9). 38 Wellington Street East, 416-941-9410