From a stroll past the diamond-studded window displays at Tiffany & Co. and Secrett to a candlelit dinner at Sofia, here are a few ways you and bae can make the most of Valentine’s Day 2020.
Explore Eataly
For true foodies, Eataly is basically a dream come true. The food emporium celebrating Italian culture and cuisine opened last year, and has quickly become THE thing to do in Yorkville. This is where you’ll learn why truffles are really so pricey and explore the history of Barolo wine. Try your hand at tagliatelle at a pasta-making workshop or sip your way through Italy’s most revered wine regions at a wine pairing event. Fun fact for the epicurious: aphrodisiacs like artichokes, almonds, caviar and chocolate play a central role in Italian cuisine – so you’ll be leaving with love in your eyes.
Take a spa day
Want to turn up the heat? Yorkville is home to some of the city’s hottest spas, and cupid’s day calls for a little pampering. Novo Spa is offering Valentine’s couples packages all month long – in your own private room or suite. Enjoy a massage, a couples’ private steam, a rose petal salt scrub and a chocolate body mask (that’s right) along with drinks and chocolate truffles.
Pure and Simple – one of Toronto’s favourite facial spas – will get you both glowing. Facials range from basic and natural (we love the Deep Down Detox and Cool as a Cucumber facials) to more advanced treatments like aquadermabrasion, LED and radio frequency treatments. They also offer massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology and a range of other well-being treatments. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave looking and feeling wonderful.
Soak up some culture
If your mind is indeed the most erogenous part of you, Valentine’s Day is perfect for a trip to the gallery. Learn something new about your partner by discussing the displays and trying to see them through their eyes. If exquisite footwear gets your hearts beating faster, take your sole mate on a Valentine’s Day tour of the Bata Shoe Museum. Or explore the work of figurative artist Claire Wilks – whose chosen landscape was women’s bodies – at the Sheldon Rose Gallery. The ROM will also be hosting a special evening all about Desire on February 14 as part of the After Dark event series.
Enjoy a romantic dinner
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a special dinner. For something upscale and plant-based, check out the Valentine’s sharing menu at Planta. From cauliflower tots and tapenade to veggie carpaccio, risotto and fritto misto to a chocolate finish, this vegan meal will thrill and delight both you and your love. For classic Italian, Blu Ristorante is offering a prix-fixe menu along with live music. Sensual plates like truffled beef carpaccio, cold smoked octopus with blood orange and pan-seared scallops with shaved watermelon radish will enliven your taste buds and set the tone for a steamy night.
We hope you’ll love these Valentine’s Day date ideas in Yorkville. Remember to plan in advance and reserve early!