alentine’s Day may feel like yet another occasion created by the greeting-card industry to bilk us of cash but it in fact began as a mid-February festival in Rome called Luperalia, when young men picked damsels to be their sweethearts. Later, this love-fest was Christianized when Valentine, a Bishop of Interama, was caught secretly marrying off Roman soldiers to their loved-ones in defiance of the Emperor’s orders prohibiting his troops from marrying. For this affectionate spirit, Valentine was beaten to death with clubs.

So, with its history of lust and violence, the romance of February 14th soldiers onward, producing, if nothing else, the busiest night of the year for restaurants and bars. Many restaurants have been fully booked for weeks, and bars that lean toward the romantic side will be packed with more canoodling couples than the standard singles scene they usually see.

When canvassing around town for the most romantic restaurant, The Corner House, The Fifth and Senses come up often, and for bars, the usual suspects Roof Lounge, Souz Dal and Wish. But one name consistently tops both lists: Kalendar, a irresistible mood-enhancer that has attracted saccharine-afflicted couples for over nine years.

Kalendar shines in a role it seems to have been working toward all its peaceful life, from its early days as a small coffee shop, an expansion that secured its footing as a competitive restaurant, and onward to gain the dubious distinction, year after year, as the most romantic setting in the city.

The ambitious spot works well on a number of levels, depending on what you’re coming here for: daytime café, evening cocktail bar and low-key restaurant, all wrapped up in a tender love story. We study all this through the eyes of love-struck couples throughout the room; small gatherings of secret business meetings, romantic liaisons and any other one-on-one gatherings that require extreme discretion.

You feel it in the air, the coziness of a room amid the frantic pace and sensory overload of College Street. Kalendar’s antique chandeliers, hardwood floors, eye candy at other tables along with a truckload of French Martinis should wipe out any regrets over a loser date or a cheating ex-mate.

Forget tonight - on a regular-run Saturday night it's tough enough to find a seat. At times, couples stand three deep around the dark wood bar area awaiting champagne cocktails, martinis and top-flight bubbly by the glass, including Taittinger La Francaise and Veuve Clicquot Brut. A crowd of 30-ish yuppies and silver foxes comes here regularly, many using Kalendar as their annual Valentine’s Day tryst.

"Kalendar is 'hands down ' the most romantic spot in the city,"says regular Dan Sherven, who comes here regularly with, or without, his girlfriend, Jill. "And we’ll be back here on Valentine’s, staking out our table. I have no choice, that night is like Mother's Day -you have to go out or else you’re dead."

Not exactly Hallmark Card material, but it sums it up nicely as an ode to our Bishop of Interama. When it comes to organized feelings, Valentine’s Day is right up there with New Year's Eve, another holiday in which the entire planet seems sternly set to have a good time. Notes to self: Be romantic tonight.

Should you decide to spread that 'love thing’ throughout the year, Kalendar’s candle- and jazz-filled restaurant side and busy bar area is there for you. Add to this mix a fine meal and a few killer cocktails, and it only stands to reason that your chances of impressing your date here are very good. The only concern will be whether your companion is going to be too distracted by the good-looking waitstaff to pay proper attention to you. DE



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Reader Reviews

truly European feel.
Monika Zwolak, Toronto
August 28, 2004
Kalendar is located in Little Italy and has a truly European feel. Although space is limited on weekend nights, the bar service is friendly and helpful, the food is great and the atmosphere unpretentious.


2 cute 4 words
Peter Smentos, Toronto, ON
Nov.29, 2003
This is a cafe that is too cute for words. I have been here on date after date after date. And everytime is a thrill!