Let’s talk about Valentine’s Day. For the record, and surprisingly to my friends, I’m not into all the bells and whistles (or pressure) that comes with that day.
I met my husband when we were just finishing high school and we’ve been together ever since. Gifts as symbols of our love on this designated day… no thanks. In all honesty, I don’t need gifts to validate our relationship (but my birthday is another story). We’ll make nice dinner at home and maybe go out for ramen or dim sum over the weekend and we’ll definitely up our dessert game and dash into one of the local bakeries for something extra gooey!
So, with all the restaurants in the city and things to do, we were curious as to what other couples do to celebrate Valentine’s Day…
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JESSICA HOLMES (entertainer, comedian, motivational speaker) & SCOTT YAPHE (actor)
How long have you been together?
We’ve been married for 12 years and dated for 4 years before that.
What are your Valentine’s Day Plans?
We’re going out for dinner at a private club with some friends. There will be a pianist and really good food. We’re usually not fancy but I figure any place that gets us to shower, dress up and do our hair is fancy enough for Valentines Day. And to be honest, I only thought about Valentine’s Day for the first time when you sent me this quiz. So you can see I’m a fairly casual gal when it comes to romance.
Most romantic restaurant recommendations in Toronto?
Regarding restaurants, we love our authentic places. Our favourite night out is just going to Los Arrieros on Jane where they serve Colombian food at picnic tables. When we’re in the mood to spend some big bucks, we will go to one of the buffets or high seas at Old Mill restaurant.
Favourite songs?
The greatest song I ever heard was my husband singing happy birthday to me over the phone when we had only been dating for 3 weeks. It showed a lot of confidence. He accompanied himself on guitar. My best musical experience was singing with Melanie Doane at a fundraiser. We sang the theme song to Different Strokes.
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ANASTASIA GIAOURIS (photographer, Olive Photography) & KIRON MUKHERJEE (ROMKids Camp Director)
How long have you been together?
12 years on Valentine’s Day (total coincidence)
What are your Valentine’s Day plans?
We really enjoy trying new things. A couple years ago we decided to visit one of our favourite places in Toronto – Ward’s Island – during the Winter. We usually go during the warmer months and making the ferry journey while the lake was frozen over was WILD! There was a boat ahead of us that broke through the ice so we could get across, and where you can usually see the tree-lined shore across the way we saw absolutely nothing. It was completely white, like a blank canvas, because of the snow. Same with the beach. It was so incredible, like we had transported to the Arctic. We highly recommend others check out the Islands in the Winter! We may go back again this year. Something else we may do this year? We’ve also been super interested in checking out O.Noir.
Most romantic restaurant recommendations in Toronto?
We’re a little biased, but we love Mercatto at 101 College Street. It’s where we had our wedding reception. Incredible food, awesome ambiance, and the staff are just so, so nice. It’s always a great experience going there. Actually, funny enough, we’re at Mercatto now answering these questions over dinner!
Favourite song that get you groovin’?
Jason Collett’s latest, Song & Dance Man, is on constant rotation at our house.
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CHERYL WILLBERG (Partner, The Publicist Group) & CHAD CRANSTON (Marketing Director, VISO)
How long long have you been together?
Chad and I have been together for almost 6 years, and actually got engaged two years ago on Valentine’s Day!
What are your Valentine’s Day plans?
This year, Chad and I are going to The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, an opening performance for Chinese New Year compliments of Audi. We also always celebrate with great food and wine!
Most romantic restaurant recommendations in Toronto?
The Chase – delicious food and a gorgeous room that is sure to win over your loved one!
Parcae – offers the perfect start to your evening with their cocktail bar, and then allows you to move downstairs to a dimly lit, sexy room accompanied by a 8-course tasting menu
Campagnolo – the perfect setting to wine and dine your date. Arguably the best Italian food in town, with a romantic space and friendly service.
Jacob’s Steak House – the perfect way to really impress her/him!
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DANIEL REYES (dothedaniel.com) & JULIO REYES (FASHIONIGHTS.com)
How long have you been together?
We met three years ago and are newlyweds of almost two months!
What are your Valentine’s Day plans?
Daniel is definitely the more romantic of the two. I likes to surprise Julio with flowers on special occasions. This year we will be celebrating with dinner at FRANK at the AGO and a romantic night at home. It’s not often we get a quiet night to ourselves, so it’s exactly what we both want this year as husbands.
Most romantic restaurant recommendations in Toronto?
FRANK at the AGO, Bosk at Shangri-La, America at Trump Toronto and Reforma.
Favourite song that gets you groovin’?
For Julio, anything Lady Gaga usually works. And Daniel listens to anything to get Julio groovin’ like a good husband should!
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ANNABELLE DE GOUVEIA (Fitness Guru, Gym Class and Yoga Beauties) & ROB NELSON (Sotheby’s Real Estate Agent)
How long have you been together?
25 years, we met in university.
What are your Valentine’s Day Plans?
With four sons, it is no shock that this year we will be in Montreal for Valentines’ Day attending a hockey tournament. In the past we have really kept things simple but for our most recent V-day outing last year we went to see “Once” followed by drinks at a local jazz bar.
Most romantic restaurant recommendations in Toronto?
It is a funny question to ask us because we have never been big on the fancy romantic dinners out. Truthfully, our most memorable and romantic times come when we go back to the roots of our relationship from our dating days. We love to grab a veal sandwich from “California Sandwiches” on Claremont St. in Little Italy, buy some Pastéis de Nata for dessert in Little Portugal, and then some more yummies to take home from Kensington Market, followed by a long walk in our awesome city.
Favourite song that gets you groovin’?
Not sure what Rob would say, but I have great memories of Rob doing his best Elvis moves to “Burning Love”
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