.Food & Diet HMB's BEST "DATE RESTAURANT" PICKS! ;-)

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Alrite Dee Pee....... I just composed a compilation of my fav restaurants around town that are good “date places" per se...... and these are great for all occasions and types, even if its your first date or if you’re taking your sweety for a meal out in town...... feel free to add your choices too, but quickly, mine are as follows (in no particular order):


1 - Marche/Movinpick/Richtree (BCE Place):
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In brief, I LOVE THIS PLACE! Me & my gf have been goin’ here for a while now, and after all these years, it never gets dull or boring. from fabulous offerings of desserts to a wide diversity of entrées made hot n’ fresh right in front of your eyes. the setting is great for a good dining experience with your smooch! prices are moderate; go well dressed as you would on a night out in town. open till 4:00 AM on weekends.


2 - Milestones/Paliminos (Queen & John):
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Across the street from Friscoe’s, in the heart of the entertainment district, and good place to catch a meal before a movie, a night out in the night clubs, or even before a play or what not. seating is a little delayed on the weekends, but the atmosphere is great for a couple, with many “booth type” of settings. prices are slightly above average, but not to the extent that would damage your pocketbook.



3 - Spring Rolls (Yonge & Dundas):
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It has been widely known as a hang-out for the Bay St. yuppie types but really, its not. half-priced happy hours, everyday, from drinks to food all half-priced at certain times. Food is great. Offers a wide variety from seafood to appetizers to even drinks and full entrées. very cozy seating and a wonderful atmosphere, with darkish lights and upbeat music in the background. prices are very attractive. the shrimp dumplings, stuffed chicken calamari, baby lobster tail, and the pad thai noodles are just some of my signature fav dishes. You can’t go wrong with this happening place! :D



4 - Sarah’s Shawarmas (Bloor St. Annex area):
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One of the oldest shawarma joints in town. go in jeans or shorts in the summer, or with mini-skirts and flip-flops, this place is a fast-food joint. nonetheless, very busy and the Middle Eastern food offerings are great, and conservatively priced. :S



5 - Sushi on Bloor (Bloor St. Annex area):
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YYZ’s legendary sushi joint. extremely busy (yes, they do reservations too!), but sushi has never been cheaper and more delicious. a very young demographic go here (under 40), and its always happening. many tables are structured for a “two person face to face seating”, which makes this a fantastic date eatery. Sushi Pizza, Spider Roll, Negyimiyaki (roasted beef with green onions dipped in teriyaki sauce), and the Sushi Gold combos are just some of my favs here.



6 – Insomnia (Bloor St. Annex area):
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now, i did author a review of this place before on Dee Pee, but this place also does server food until 2:00 AM on weekends. aside from it being a loungey type of club with sexy deep house music being played, it’s a great place for a first date, or any date for that matter. most of the tables are “tables for two”, and the food offerings are marvelous! its a little pricey, but the setting is great. most people “dress up” as one would in a style code, but with sexy people, funky music, and a great setting, this place is a surefire bet to be a good date joint. ;-)



7 - Bombay Palace (Jarvis & Richmond):
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now, i personally am not a huge fan of having Indian food during a date, because i’d much rather “pig out” with my guy pals! lol! but still, the downtown location of this franchise has some good offerings, if you and/or your partner is in the mood for some spicy dishes. prices are moderate. :D



8 - Korean BBQ Grill House (Queen & McCall area):
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oh man.  cook your own food, with a flat rate buffet offering. weekends are busy, but this is undoubtedly a good date place. ;-)



9 - Rodney’s (King St. W. area):
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in the elusive “supper club” district, but PRICES ARE A BIG damper on this one! a great seafood place to have some lobsters, oysters, crab legs, squids, etc. but if you and/or you date are in the mood to spend some big bucks, this is the place. i personally, have gone once with my SO, and rest of the times, i take clients there to that they can pick up the tab! lol! :S



10 – Sotto Sotto (Yokville area):
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see above description for Rodney’s. in addition, save this for the special anniversaries. prices are outrageously expensive, but again, appropriate for special occasions. my personal recommendation: the roast duck offering.  yummy!



11 – 7 West (Yonge & Charles St.):
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infamous hang out for those of us who went to UofT St. George. OPEN 24 hrs. very romantic, darkish, several floors, and all day dining, from deli sandwiches to full course entrées to even drinks to delicious desserts for the sweet tooth in us. romantic, funky dance/house music blaring, you just can't go wrong! :S


12 – 360 & Horizons Bar (CN Tower):
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unlike the excessively over-priced Panaroma on top of the Manulife Center, this place is actually HAWT! ;-) too bad after all these Sept. 11 bulls--t, even the well dressed patrons are subjected to a search now under the CN Tower deck...... still, a great place to enjoy a meal on top of the city, overlooking a panoramic 360 degree view. strict dress code here. prices are amazingly moderate. yes, the floor does rotate, people! ;-) perfect place to say pull out that ring and propose to your hunnie! ;-)



Bon Appetite!