Special occasion (with gf-to-be) *not too expensive plz

[carbonxiv]

Dear all the chowhounds out there,

I'm trying to help my friend find a good restaurant for this weekend. They've been dating for quite a while and this is gonna be the night that he will ask her to be his gf.

Are there any restaurants that are not too expensive, with nice atmosphere, and most importantly, good food?

It can be anything type of cuisine since there is nothing she doesn't like to eat. I know she likes Japanese, so I thought about Kaiseki Yu-Zen Hashimoto, which is a very nice restaurant... but it might be a bit too pricy (e.g. 100-150/person).

THANKS everyone!

[estragon]

I had the same thought. I think it used to be called "going steady" - on the Brady Bunch!

[carbonxiv]

Wow... this is my LATE reply... sorry guys.
My friend ended up going to Sotto Sotto (http://www.sottosotto.ca/) and they loved it. Of course, I think the price was a bit higher.

I've heard of Zee Grill recently and thought of trying it out.

[carbonxiv]

THANKS THANKS!

What if she likes seafood? (just found out) Any good seafood place uptown/downtown/eastend/westend?

Price range: $100 for 2 persons.

[minto]

Zee Grill on Mt Pleasant is quite good.

[Wil]

Although not super romantic location (not dark), but a place my wife and I like to go to for our occasional night out is Bluestone Bistro. Great food at the price range you are talking about, good atmosphere as well.

http://www.thebluestonebistro.com/

[kaka]

You can tell him to try the Coffee Mill at Yorkville. It's a small and cozy Hungarian restaurant. I liked the food there. After dinner they can do a little walk in the area, or find another place for a drink. Sometimes they may even find street performers performing on the weekends too.

[fickle]

The atmosphere is all wrong at the Coffee Mill for this occasion! In Yorkville at that price range, I would go to Cafe Nervosa (at Bellair & Yorkville). Or Boulevard Cafe (Harbord & Spadina). Downtown the Queen Mother (Queen & McCaul) or San (Queen & Bathurst). Uptown, try Five Doors North (Yonge & Eglinton) or Marvellous Edibles (Laird & Eglinton).

[xtal]

An enthusiastic second for Cafe Nervosa. Great place!

http://cafenervosa.ca/

[carbonxiv]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I've told him about these places... will report back after he's tried it.

Anymore suggestion is welcome :) coz I wanna know more too... although I'm not a guy *usually no need to think of the places* :p

[aphie]

I find Main St., Unionville to be a nice place in the 'burbs for a romantic date. There are a number of options that may be appropriate. The Chophouse does pretty good steak and it has a decent atmosphere. Unionville House is in a tiny old house and is quite cozy. Recently, I've eaten at the Blacksmith Bistro on a Sunday and the food was good and the surroundings pleasant, but I found the live entertainment distracting.

Hope he finds what he's looking for!

[Brain of J]

Here's a place that I was going to go to last week, but never quite made it. The menu looks tasty and it should be within your friend's price range and territory:

http://www.themarlowe.ca/richmondhill...

[Vise]

Been to the Marlowe for a work event and certainly would not recommend it... food was pretty bad, it seems like more of an after work drinks type of place.

As for recommendations... in that price range Batifole would be perfect.

[carbonxiv]

His budget I think should be less than $100 for 2 persons. Location... in the GTA, preferrably uptown/Richmond Hill/Markham, but can also do downtown.

[kaka]

I wish him all the best! :)

What is his budget and which location does he prefer?