Italian for Valentines Day, Uptown

[.alias]

This is the first valentines day which I am going out with my girlfriend.

Does anyone have recommendations for a romantic restaurant on valentines day, perferably uptown on yonge street, no further south than around Yonge and Eglinton?

I am considering Zucca and Il Mulino as of right now. Any opinions on which would be better? Does anyone know if restaurants will be serving a valentines day menu or their regular menus?

Other recommendations are appreciated!

[prima]

Zucca's menu http://www.zuccatrattoria.com/menus/winter tends to be more innovative, less traditional and a little less conservative than Il Mulino's http://www.ilmulinorestaurant.com/men... . I think the choice depends more on whether you want traditional or less traditional dishes.

I find both Zucca and Il Mulino tend to plate beautifully, and both serve portions that tend to be smaller than the portions at other Italian restaurants in North Toronto.

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Il Mulino
1060 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6C 2C9, CA

Zucca
2150 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4S 2A8, CA

[.alias]

Zucca seems interesting to try some of the more innovative dishes.

Are there any other restaurants nearby that you'd recommend? I've heard good things about Zucca and Il Mulino in this area though.

[prima]

Apart from a dinner at Zucca, flatcrust take-out pizzas from Piazzetta, a Margherita pizza at Viva Napoli on Mt Pleasant, a dinner at 5 Doors North and a dinner at Grano, I haven't dined at any North Toronto Italian restaurants in the past year. I like all the restaurants I visited, but I'm not sure I'd consider any of them romantic.

I like the food and service at 5 Doors North, but it's very rustic and casual compared to Zucca or Il Mulino. Nice warm vibe and tasty food.

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Five Doors North
2088 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4S2A3, CA

[Googs]

You've definitely picked the top two. Be confident in that. It's really just a matter of style after that. Do you and your SO want traditional or innovative?

I have to say I object to the idea that Zucca is modern. The idea of making the most of local, seasonal ingredients is as old-fashioned as it gets. Chef was simply bold enough to break from the pack and use Ontario to the max before just about every other Italian restaurant.

[.alias]

That's good to know. I should probably decide soon and get a reservation. I believe i'm leaning towards Zucca.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[prima]

While I agree that the idea of using local, seasonal ingredients is old-fashioned (as well as common sense), I consider the food at Zucca to be contemporary Italian food (especially dishes like roasted beet ravioli with poppy seed butter sauce and smoked ricotta), not old-fashioned Italian food. While the Chef might be inspired by various traditional regional foods, I find his food to be quite creative and contemporary compared to the food at a place like Il Mulino. I'm happy to agree to disagree. ;-)

Has anyone tried the Winterlicious menu at Il Mulino? http://www.ilmulinorestaurant.com/men...

[Googs]

No, I think we're on the exact same page. Only semantics keep us apart. The term "modern" ruffles my feathers. It suggests 90 degree cornered food rather than comforting.

[prima]

Ok, I'm glad we're on the same page.

I don't think I used the term "modern" to describe Zucca in this thread. I usually only use "modern" to describe art that was made between Courbet and 1970. ;-)

When I wrote that 5 Doors North is more rustic and more casual than Zucca, I'm talking about the kitschy atmosphere with mismatched chairs, homey dishware, and family-style portions. I find Zucca's atmosphere relatively formal (relative to 5 Doors North or Grano), and not rustic. I do find the food at Zucca to be comforting, although the octopus & potato dish would be more comforting if it was a bigger portion.

[Googs]

LOL

[prima]

;-)