Barchef - 472 Queen Street West

Barchef is all about Mixology.  ‘Mixologists’ or specialty-trained bartenders create concoctions to stimulate all your senses allowing you to let your guard down.  This isn’t really a place for a hearty meal, but a good after dinner spot where you can extend your date if it’s going exceptionally well.

Gents: Tap into your girly cocktail side and be adventurous. Don’t be that guy that orders a beer at Barchef.  This place is all about bringing out your wild, uninhibited taste in mixed drinks.

Ladies: Barchef is a great place to try on that red lipstick and be adventurous in your drink selection.  Show him you aren’t afraid of taking a risk.

Dating Cheat Sheet:

Reservations: Not necessary but it tends to get busy after 9 so you may have to wait or stand at the bar

Atmosphere: Barchef has an all black, gothic feel to it with a waft of incense taking over as you walk in the door.   This is a mixology laboratory and the atmosphere reflects it from the décor on the walls to the beaker jars on the bar.

Wardrobe: Stay away from all black (unless you are adhering to the red lipstick advice); Jeans and a T-shirt will do just fine here.

Menu: Don’t be surprised if your drinks take an extra long time to come out. Making a drink here is like ordering a meal at a fine dining restaurant with the wait time to boot.  These mixologists use a variety of different, often fresh, natural ingredients to make your concoctions. Don’t be surprised if you can actually taste almonds in your almond drink. 

Conversation Starters: There are so many great conversation starters for this place that we had to put it in bullet form:

• Barchef has a variety of smoking drinks that use a lot of dry ice to create the ultimate laboratory effect
• The candle driven, gothic vibe is offset by upbeat contemporary music and a random screen at the back of the room showcasing a black and white movie
• Notice the huge block of ice at the front of the bar where the mixologists will be carving out your ice cubes
• The drink menu is broken down into different themes for easy access
• For the high rollers, try the $45 vanilla hickory smoked manhattan that will make use of wood fire chips and a large, circular ice cubes = HELLO GOODTIMES

Datenight of the Week:  Wednesday & Saturday

DatenightTO Verdict: Second Date

Keep in Mind:  The concoctions at Barchef are pretty potent- the mixologists behind the bar definitely want to make sure you got your money’s worth.

Keep making us proud,

Chivalry & Courtship

The Wine Bar - 9 Church Street

With its tapas menu and its open concept kitchen, Wine Bar has everything you need to set up your first date so you can score a second one.

Gents: A great way to wine and dine a girl on a first date. This is an EASY place to make an impression with your ability to pick a low key date spot.

Ladies: Get ready to be wined, wined...and wined...with a bit of cheese on the side.

Dating Cheat Sheet:

Reservations: No reservations required. We've been to this place on a Monday night and Friday night. Very small and intimate venue and never too long of a wait to get a seat.  The bar area next to the kitchen is a nice place to spend the evening if there are no tables available.

Atmosphere:  This place has a rustic look and a cozy but stylish atmosphere. From the moment you enter, Wine Bar has a very warm feeling to it and has the just right noise level to put your date at ease.  One wall has jars full of different types of cured veggies and pickles. The kitchen is an open concept that spills out into the dining area.

Wardrobe: Upscale Casual. For women, that means take at least 20 mins before hand to get ready. Fix your hair, put some heels on. For guys, take the time out and look good with a blazer and jeans.

Menu: The menu changes daily depending on whatever delicacies are in season. Wine bar has a tapas menu so everything is perfectly portioned for sharing.  All we have to say is, try the cheese plate platter with accompanied wine pairings.  This is a great ice breaker since you each get 5 different 1 ounce wine pairings with 5 different types of cheeses. The waiter explains each of the wines and its origin as well of each of the cheeses. If you are shy or nervous, this will definitely calm you done since you have something to talk about each time you try a new wine or cheese. This one item will make your date memorable and will help prevent those awkward first date pauses in the conversation.

Conversation Starter: The best seat in the house is near the kitchen at the chef's corner where you can watch your meal being prepared right in front of you. Talk to the chef and see what fresh ingredients he is using on that particular day.  This is a great way to make your date night interactive and fun.

Datenight of the Week: Monday and Friday.

datenightTO verdict: First date approved.  This is a great place to get to know someone.

Keep in Mind:  The Monday hours for Wine Bar can fluctuate depending on how busy it is, so best to call ahead to make sure you aren't left stranded at 9pm on a Monday.  Also, FYI there is no corkage fee on Monday.

Keep making us proud,

Chivalry & Courtship

Khao San Road -326 Adelaide West, Entertainment District

This restaurant is named after the famous street in Bangkok, and rightly so.  This place is just as busy as a its famous namesake.


Gents, this is a great place to start the night and it's casual but not a hole in the wall. Think 'dinner and a movie' type of date. This is a great hidden gem if you want to impress her with truly authentic Thai food. Those in the know about Khao San Road are DIE HARD FANS.


Ladies, you can wear flats here.  Enough said!


Dating Cheat Sheet:


Reservations:  Due to the high volume of diners (this place is PACKED every night of the week) Khao San Road only allows 2 reservations per hour and only if booked at least two weeks in advance.  Otherwise, you are SOL and will have to wait in line like the rest of the backpackers.  Don't expect to just waltz in and be seated. Even the phone lines will be busy during dinner hours.  Pick up orders are a good alternative if you are inclined to eat in with your date.


Atmosphere: Great positive energy.  Lots of people and expect the noise to be in the background but not too high that you can't enjoy the conversation.  The more accommodating you are, the more likely you are to score a seat quickly, but be warned that you may end up sharing a table with strangers or eating at the bar.


Wardrobe:  Jeans and t-shirt.  You may see a few suits here after work but it's mostly a more casual downtown crowd.


Menu: Small menu. the 'Street Style' Pad Thai is one of the best in town. The curry selection is limited but packs a lot of flavour and the portion sizes are plentiful. The garlic tofu is a highlight and you can't go wrong with the squash fritters, one of Khao San Road's most popular appetizers.   The dessert menu is the only sticking point with this place. But given it's location, if the date is going well, you have your excuse to extend your time together by suggesting a nightcap in the Entertainment District.


Conversation Starter:  Try the Thai Iced Tea, a sweet but unusual drink that seems quite popular. But be prepared, it is quite sweet.  If you have ever been to the actual Khao San Road, now is the time to impress her with your knowledge and get some help by sneaking a glance at the Thai phrases written on the chalk board near the kitchen window.  Just make sure she takes the seat facing the door so you can charm her with your linguistic capabilities.


Datenight of the Week: Wednesday, but expect to wait regardless of the night you go on.


DatenightTO Verdict: 2nd date spot.  Too noisy for a first date and too relaxed for a 3rd or 4th date.  This is the time to get to know your date and enjoy a good conversation.


Keep in Mind: Khao San Road is closed on Sundays and the line up only thins out around 9pm.


Make us proud!


Chivalry & Courtship

Barque Smokehouse - 299 Roncesvalles Avenue

Smoking takes on a whole new meaning at Barque Smokehouse where you are immediately hit with a waft of barbecued delicacies as you walk through the door. 


Gents, if you want to see if your girl can get down and dirty with her hands without batting an eyelash then this is the place for you. Show her how you put the word MAN into ro-MAN-tic.
 
Ladies, if you want to treat your man to a special night out, this is one of those places that you can drag him away from the hockey game for. 


Dating cheat sheet:
Reservations: ESSENTIAL....we mean, call at least a week in advance!!! Even if it is a Monday...this place is packed all the time!!


Atmosphere: Very casual and get ready to eat with your hands. This is Toronto's first Smokehouse and it doesnt disappoint.


Wardrobe: Casual.  Gents- jeans and T-shirt is just fine.  Ladies- Same as the gents.  Don't wear anything you would be upset to get dirty.


Menu: $100 will get you the two person sharer (with enough sides and meats to make you both happy) and alcohol. If you have some room to seal the deal, the homemade pecan pie is sure to impress even the most discerning palate. 


Conversation Starters:  Ease into your meal with a maple-glazed, bacon-rimmed Ceaser and be sure to taste the different dipping sauces with your complimentary popcorn. It will be difficult not to notice what your neighbour has ordered so embrace the voyeur in you and be sure to comment about the various aromas surrounding you.  


Night of the week:  Friday night with reservations but because the food and atmosphere has such a comfort vibe, any night of the week works.


DatenightTO verdict: This place requires you to be very comfortable with the person sitting opposite to you so this is 3rd or 4th date place, or at least wait till after you've seen each other naked.  


Keep in Mind: Barque also has a stellar brunch....in case your date goes exceptionally well.


Keep making us proud,


Chivalry & Courtship