Walking along College Street in Little Italy is like a hop, skip and a jump around the world – and you don’t need your passport. You’ll find every cuisine under the sun and plenty of romantic spots that offer the perfect vibe for your date night.
This is the ideal place to dine if you’re feeling a little nervous about a date because here, there’s nothing that can go wrong. The food is five-star with a menu that leans towards seafood, meats cooked in French style and homemade stuffed pastas. You get to sup on such divine cuisine in a restaurant that exudes no trace of stuffiness. Staff is attentive, friendly and helpful. Share the complimentary handmade truffles that come with the bill.
A beautiful bar area plus great wine and cocktail lists get the evening off to a buzzing start. When you’re ready to eat, the earthy colours and gentle lighting in the dining area create a relaxed ambience that helps you settle into a night of sharing stories and your linguini and cheese plate. The menu is small with a focus on quality. Chefs make fusion cuisine with French and Mediterranean influences, prepared with local ingredients.
Walking into Bar Isabel is like entering one of those fun and happening subterranean bars that line the streets in Barcelona. A floor with charmingly mismatched tiles and bistro-type furniture sets the tone for enjoying a Spanish-influenced menu. You can mix and match a variety tapas-style dishes with seafood, vegetables and cured meats. Cheese lovers will revel in a dedicated menu section. The cocktails have fun names like The Bicycle Thief. Plus, it's open until the wee hours.
This place occupies that comfortable spot between pub and bistro where you can let your hair down with your date and count on the food being a cut above. They have one of the biggest whiskey menus in Toronto, which may or may not be what you want for a date night but says something about the owners’ dedication to food and drink. There’s live jazz on a Friday, which can sweeten anyone’s mood, and may even lead to dancing.
You can’t mull over a date in Little Italy without including an Italian restaurant option in this eclectic part of town. This small restaurant is everything you look for in a traditional Italian spot. There’s burgundy seating and stained wood flooring, fine wines proudly parading every inch of shelf space, linen napkins and a reliable menu of pastas, risottos and fish dishes. There's also a small patio, complete with an awning, flower boxes and the Italian flag. It brings to mind Rome – and romance.