Brought forth by the same team that cultivated Far Niente, Al Frisco's and Alice Fazooli's, Reds is that spruce, street-level wine bar you drive by so often. Sitting in the heart of the financial district, Reds has to be one the most accommodating restaurants in the city. Walk through the door, and you feel like you've wandered into an LCBO catalog shoot.

Think muted earth tones, soaring ceilings and one complete wall lined with wine. Homey, comfortable seating arrangements are set around the place in conversation-friendly clusters. Most of the room shows off that floor-to-ceiling window, providing a fantastic view of the noon-hour Adelaide Street grid. The seating in front of the window fills up first. Arrive early, or hang out and be prepared to swoop.

Study up on your wine-tasting vocabulary before you go and you're sure to wow your date. Even if you’re not a sommelier, the wait staff is a collection of wine knowledgeable and helpful folk; when you're seated, the server is immediately by your side. No snootiness here, just a pure welcoming vibe to help you through the many offerings here.

Chef Michael Steh's food menu features an assortment of wine-friendly appetizers: smooth, rich chicken liver mousse, house duck pate, scallops with beurre blanc, deep fired calamari. A great choice is the French brie baked in a wrapping of phyllo with toasted walnuts. And a sushi-grade tuna in a sublime tartare that was the star, yet not always available.

The entree lineup features an astonishingly tender maple-glazed duck breast served with herbed savoy cabbage, carrots, zucchini and blackberries. The cured salmon with citrus creme fraiche. A Snob Salad with foie gras parfait, asparagus, crostini and greens. Or, for either lunch or dinner, try the recommended seared 12-ounce New York Angus steak, with frites.