Valentine's Day Restaurant Recommendation

[HarryH93]

Hey CP,

I'm looking for some recommendations on restaurants for Valentine's day. I'd like to take my lady out somewhere nice but not splurge on dinner (restaurants tend to only offer set menus on VDay). The only places I can think of are the places that we've been to, but I'd like try something else.

What are your favourite restaurants to take your significant other out to? What are prices like? Any idea if they only offer set menus on Vday?

Thanks

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Honestly, go on the 13th instead. Going on V-day basically guarantees you a busy restaurant, higher prices, and food that doesn't have much effort put into it because it's one of a hundred of the same they've made that night.

There's nothing magical about the 14th of February that can't be accomplished on the 13th.

[HarryH93]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Honestly, go on the 13th instead. Going on V-day basically guarantees you a busy restaurant, higher prices, and food that doesn't have much effort put into it because it's one of a hundred of the same they've made that night.

There's nothing magical about the 14th of February that can't be accomplished on the 13th.

I agree and I am also considering that option. It would probably be cheaper, too (we're not big on soups, salads, etc., we usually just get an appetizer and the main course).

[Cecil Terwilliger]

This is actually a perfect Valentine's Day with it being on a Sunday. Spreads things out Friday, sat, Sunday.

[pseudoreality]

I always just cook at home. A banana flambe always impresses.

[Fuzz]

Stavros. Get her the jalapeno wings, she'll be hot for you all night long.

[underGRADFlame]

Open Range on Edmonton Trail... San Remo's by Currie Barracks... Involtini in Oak Bay Plaza

[Amethyst]

Vero Bistro on 10 Ave NW (Kensington area). I haven't been there for Valentine's Day, in particular, but have been there for a few birthdays and regular meals. It's a smaller place and has great food.

http://www.verobistro.ca/home

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

It's also very small and books quickly so get on it if you want a seat at a time that isn't 5pm.

[HarryH93]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll be looking into those and more. Definitely considering doing it Friday or Saturday rather than V-Day on the Sunday. That could help avoid the set menus.

[CMPunk]

Hard to say, some places may just run a Valentines menu all weekend just because they know people will be going out Friday and Saturday as well.

[Mango]

They fill up quickly because it's a small space, but Niko's in Kensington is a great Italian bistro. The menu has something for everyone and the service is always warm and friendly.

[FireGilbert]

Coming from someone who has a V-day B-day I am well experienced with attempting to make dinner plans on Feb 14th. I agree with the others saying it is not worth it and you should just stay at home for a romantic dinner while saving your night out for the week after.

Oh and whatever you do don't go to the Olive Garden! 10 year old FireGilbert made that mistake, what a disaster!

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Oh and whatever you do don't go to the Olive Garden! 10 year old FireGilbert made that mistake, what a disaster!

Good advice for anytime, not just Valentine's Day!

[HarryH93]

Originally Posted by Mango

They fill up quickly because it's a small space, but Niko's in Kensington is a great Italian bistro. The menu has something for everyone and the service is always warm and friendly.

Niko's is one of my favourite places in the city. The food is delicious (I've never had better calamari) and the service is second to none. However I'd like to try something different this time around. We go to Nikos for almost any occasion (both of our birthdays, anniversary, etc) so I'm thinking of going somewhere else.

[HarryH93]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Hard to say, some places may just run a Valentines menu all weekend just because they know people will be going out Friday and Saturday as well.

I'm definitely going to be asking before I book and suddenly get screwed in that sense. I imagine some places will run the set menus all weekend long

[HarryH93]

Originally Posted by firegilbert

coming from someone who has a v-day b-day i am well experienced with attempting to make dinner plans on feb 14th. I agree with the others saying it is not worth it and you should just stay at home for a romantic dinner while saving your night out for the week after.

Oh and whatever you do don't go to the olive garden! 10 year old firegilbert made that mistake, what a disaster!

og = ng

[FireGilbert]

Good to see I'm not the only one who hates Olive Garden. I remember reading something discussing the low quality of their food including that they don't use salt to save money on insurance for their pots and pans. Younger me sure thought the unlimited breadsticks and raspberry lemonade were the most amazing things though.

Just out of curiosity what is your problem with set menus? You still get to chose between 4 mains and prices are generally reasonable for the quality for food. For example we recently went for a Xmas eve four course meal that cost $65 per person. The same meal would have easily been over $80 if we had ordered off the menu.

[HarryH93]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Good to see I'm not the only one who hates Olive Garden. I remember reading something discussing the low quality of their food including that they don't use salt to save money on insurance for their pots and pans. Younger me sure thought the unlimited breadsticks and raspberry lemonade were the most amazing things though.

Just out of curiosity what is your problem with set menus? You still get to chose between 4 mains and prices are generally reasonable for the quality for food. For example we recently went for a Xmas eve four course meal that cost $65 per person. The same meal would have easily been over $80 if we had ordered off the menu.

I still think their salad is awesome though. Food is pretty low quality. Their pasta looks like it was bought at Superstore or something. Blegh

Well we typically only get an appetizer to share and main courses. We're not very big on soups/salads/dessert and what not. Even at $65 each for set menus, it's extra money for food that we don't really want. I like the freedom of just ordering 2 things and paying much less.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I love prix fixe when it's done right. If it's actually a menu the chef wants to do, rather than something cobbled together out of practicality, those are basically all of the best meals I've ever eaten. Valentine's day set menus are cobbled together out of practicality; what can we make a metric ####ton of to allow for the highest table turnover possible.