Love day is just around the corner. It's sad, but, this year, Care Bare Valentine's Day cards just won't suffice. Hershey Kisses won't work either. It's time to step it up a notch, my little cupids, and court your lover in the right way. February 14th is a big day and momentous occasions call for extra effort. To ease your fretful mind we at Martiniboys.com know how to make the night one to remember. Here are Montreal's best Valentine's Day spots. We can’t guarantee that you'll score, but we can give you some mojo. Read on.

La Montée
Long time Montée diners will know this Montreal restaurant's original location (and original name - La Montée de lait) on 371 rue Villeneuve est. That's where Montée began life as a small bistro celebrating all things dairy (hence the namesake: "cheese and milk"). With a brand new location at Bishop and St. Catherine as well as an opened up menu, the restaurant has come into its own. The opaque menu features small plates arrange by price and weight, from lighter to more substantial, and separated into cutely-coined categories. But, if you don't want to hazard the field of choices -- potentially losing face in front of your date -- just go with the seven-course chef's menu. Considering the swell room and skilled staff, it's a bargain, especially given the day.

Buvette Chez Simone
Created by a ragtag cabal of five wine-obsessed buddies (including Michel Bergeron of Bergerons Les Vins and Fabien Lacaille from Bily Kun), Buvette Chez Simone is the perfect place for a casual, yet not stingy Valentine's date. The wine bar, while simple, small, tastefully decorated and easy-to-miss, has an impressive selection of vintages and a refreshingly unpretentious allure. Though the fare is there to compliment the wine, it's not an afterthought. Low pressure yet classy, and with lots of alcohol this is the perfect place to close the deal. – R.T.


Barroco
The days of taking your Valentine's date to a hotel bar are behind you. Nowadays, if you really want to impress that special someone, it's Supper Club or bust. Barroco, with its combination of Pan-European cuisine, private import wines, and a rustic designer décor makes it an ideal spot to pretend you're in the know. Slightly off the beaten tourist track, yet firmly embedded within the most romantic stretch in Canada (Old Montreal), Barroco is a newcomer that's guaranteed to be a major player this February 14th. That said, this place is so cozy (read: small) that you'd better reserve soon. – R.T.

Kitchenette
The story behind the birth of Kitchenette is, appositely, a love story. Owner and chef Nick Hodge runs Kitchenette with his lovely wife Nathalie, treating the bistro as if it were their home. So, you'll either beam with appreciation for their Hollywood story, or scowl with envy as you strike out with your special date. As you might expect, the service is friendly and the tone lighthearted, but the eclectic fare is nothing to slouch at. The special four-course Valentine's menu begins with Oysters, moves onto Lobster Tao, then offers either Grilled Halibut or Spice-Rubbed Filet Mignon. Dinner is preceded by raspberry bubbly and finished with Cherry Coke floats (hopefully with two straws), just like an Archie comic. – R.T.

L'Assommoir
Despite the fact that this place's name alludes to Emile Zola's classic naturalistic tale about an unfortunate couple's decent into poverty, strife, and alcoholism, take your date to L'Assomoir and I promise you'll have yourself a decadent evening. This resto/salon/bar has a reputation for being one of the city's hottest nightspots, but that doesn't mean you'll have a bunch of drunken fools ruining your night. A special $110 dinner for two on February 13, 14, and 15 will offer a meal bursting with international flavour. Supplement that with one of 35 different or over 300 cocktails and you've got yourself one energetic Valentine's Day. I hope you don't mind a bit of grunge with your ceviches, head there on the Friday, when the Valentine's celebration shares billing with L'Assomoir's weekly tribute to the '90s. – R.T.

Chez L'Épicier
Chez L'Épicier is widely considered one of Montreal's finest restaurants, cash-in holiday or no cash-in holiday. Chef Laurent Godbout is recognized as one of Quebec's best culinary auteurs, marrying the province's ingredients to cosmopolitan fare. The menu tends to change based on what's in season, but for Valentine's Day the restaurant is offering a special table d’hôte that's sure to impress the pants off your date (perhaps literally). In case it's a little too rich for your blood, the regular à la carte menu is still available. They've got your back like that. – R.T.


Au Pied De Cochon
If your palette isn't refined but you don't want to take your date to McDonald's, Au Pied De Cochon is an excellent compromise. The fancy Plateau-Mont-Royal resto touts its decadent Martin Picard-prepared cuisine, but doesn't shy away from Quebecois comfort food standards. You'd rather have poutine than Carpaccio? No problem! At Cochon it's made with foie gras, so it'll satisfy your gourmet appetite while keeping in tact your plebian demeanor. Reserve in advance; as one of Montreal's most reputable restaurants, bookings tend to go quick. – R.T.


Toqué!
Toqué! (an expression for someone who accepts nothing but the best, naturally) seems custom built as a classy date spot. Better save up now, though, because as with most restaurants of this ilk, the prices aren't exactly budget. The restaurateurs expect a certain clientele: one with a charge card that they won't think twice to use and an insatiable appetite for salmon, foie gras, and prime cuts of meat. If you can afford that kind of luxury, by all means, get a reservation here. Valentine's Day is already booked, but the night before offers the same gourmet seven- and ten-course tasting menus. Shell out that kind of dough, and Toqué! will be little more than an appetizing and aesthetically pleasing weigh station between the front porch and the boudoir. – R.T.


L'Express
In a spy-friendly almost-clandestine space (the sign is barely even visible), L'Express lures locals and word-of-mouth charge diners of the fine smelling set. Popular at both lunch and dinner, the well-folded-napkin spot has a perpetual, though not overwhelming (perfectly whelming), bustle and din. For almost 30 years, L'Express has been serving a variety of starters and mains, many of which change daily. If I had to make a reservation, I'd tell you to go for one of the French specialties (Steak Frites is always a wise decision), and accompany it with one of the affordable bottles from the wine cellar and a homemade dessert. Oh, and don't worry about the title; you can stay as long as you want. – R.T.