An awesome place for a date, or, if you’re single, an even better place to find one, you’ll want to party at The Mod Club!

Always sold out on a Saturday night, this is where Toronto’s coolest hipsters dance the night away to Indie, Electronic, and Rock Remixes from the UK.

Owned by former Platinum Blonde vocalist-turned-DJ, Mark Holmes, The Mod Club is one of Toronto’s most popular venues.

If you want to hear a sample of what to expect, listen to DJ MRK’s Thursday night live-to-air radio show on 102.1 The Edge.

The Mod Club also doubles as a concert venue. I was there for rock legend Andy Kim’s Christmas show, and it was fantastic! I’m sure the other 500+ folks in attendance would agree. The raised stage was a non-stop whirl of incredible Canadian talent, with a grand finale jam session of “Sugar, Sugar” and “Rock Me Gently” that I hope to never get out of my head! (But I digress.)

Drinks are kind of pricey, so be sure to bring lots of cash.

To get on the guest list, see photos, and for lots more info click here.

And one more thing. If you happen to be reading this on Saturday, March 10, 2007: today they’re serving alcohol ’til 4 a.m.!

The Mod Club
722 College Street
(College & Crawford, in Little Italy)
www.themodclub.com

One of my favorite date spots in Toronto (and, granted, I have many) is The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar on Queen Street West.

With its casual, feel-good atmosphere and outstanding entertainment, you’ll be enticed to stay all day. From early afternoon ’til last call, you can kick back and relax, listen to live bands, people-watch the eclectic clientele, and enjoy a wide variety of draft beer. And, if the spirit moves you, no one will mind if you get up and dance!

They’ve also got a great menu. From the many vegetarian starters and entrees to juicy burgers and other yummy items, you’ll have no trouble finding something you like to eat. The kitchen opens at 9:00 a.m. during the week, at 11:00 a.m. on weekends, and closes at midnight.

There’s no dress code and you’ll be mingling with folks of all ages, from all walks of life: Queen Street regulars, university students, young urban professionals, and young-at-heart old-timers. Everyone’s welcome at The Rex!

You may have to pay a cover ($6 to $9) for the 9:30 shows on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights, but most of the time the bands just pass around a tip jar and rely on your appreciative contributions.

If you smoke, they have a licensed patio for your convenience.

The Rex has live jazz every single night, with eighteen bands performing every week!

Their motto: “More Great Jazz than anywhere else, all the time!”

The Rex Hotel
194 Queen Street West
(corner of Queen and St. Patrick, downtown TO)
phone: 416-598-2475
www.therex.ca

Click here to check out their website and see who’s playing today! 

Located south of College, west of Spadina, north of Dundas, and east of Bathurst, Kensington Market’s been around for decades. In fact, it’s one of the oldest and most famous neighborhoods in Toronto.

A funky, colorful, eclectic place, there’s so much to see and do in the Market. But please don’t take your car! Walking’s the only way to get around in this part of town!

Get lost together, as you stroll hand-in-hand through the maze of dead-end streets and second-hand shops. Steal a kiss in Bellevue Square Park, then stop for a drink and listen to a band at Graffiti’s (170 Baldwin).

Enjoy an authentic Mexican taco at El Trompo (277 Augusta) or a delectable Chilean treat at Jumbo Empanadas (245 Augusta).

Try on some super-cool vintage threads at Courage My Love, Dancing Days, Exile, Tribal Rhythm (14 to 27 Kensington), Shoney’s Clothing (222 Augusta), and Planet Aid (160 Baldwin); then pick up some fresh cheese, produce, fish, and meat from any of the friendly vendors.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you simply must take home a box of melt-in-your-mouth truffles from Chocolate Addict (185 Baldwin). And before you go, don’t forget to stop in and say “hi” to my friend Len at the Economy Store (236 Augusta). Tell him Anita sent you!

This is just a little taste of the fun you can have. To see a short film about Kensington Market, click here.

For a complete list of shops, services, and Market festivities, check out the website P.S. Kensington here.

Southern Accent is an outstanding place for a date! With its heavenly ambience, incredible cuisine, funky decor, and top-notch wait staff, I guarantee you’ll have a wonderful time.
 

As they say on their website, “… cozy corners, private rooms and a 1940’s bar will make you feel as warm as southern hospitality!”
 

Located at 595 Markham Street in Mirvish Village, you’ll be magically transported to the heart of New Orleans the moment you cross the threshold of that old Victorian house.
 

Enjoy Zydeco and Louisiana music, as you sip champagne or a Bourbon Sour and savor the flavor of your blackened chicken livers, succulent Hush Puppies, Canal Street Creole Jambalaya, or Black Angus Beef Brisket.
 

And for the ultimate romantic experience, be sure to call ahead and reserve a table for two in one of their intimately private curtained booths (called “snugs”)!
 

Or perhaps you’re getting married and are searching for an out-of-the-ordinary spot for your reception. Why not book the entire restaurant and surprise your guests with a Cajun House Party?!  Now that would be different!

 

 

For more photos, a virtual tour, and everything else you need to know, click here.

 

 

Last weekend my partner and I celebrated our anniversary at the ever-popular Hernando’s Hideaway, likely the longest-running Mexican restaurant in Toronto. In fact, Hernando’s was the first to introduce California-style Mexican food to our city.

We went to the Yonge Street (Church and Wellesley) location on a Sunday, so my nachos were half price (as they are every Sunday), which helped pay for an extra round of their totally authentic, best-in-town, to-die-for Margaritas!

Their huge menu is fun, fun, fun to read and offers plenty of choices: enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, flautas, burritos, nachos, chili, fajitas, burgers, salads, desserts, and more. It can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not familiar with Mexican cuisine… but the friendly Hernando’s staff are always happy to help!

The casual atmosphere, with its brightly coloured Mexican decor, is perfectly suited to lifting your spirits, especially if you can’t afford a trip down south or you’re sick of the damn snow.

Their Wellington Street location (Church and Front) is close to the St. Lawrence Market, the Hummingbird Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Air Canada Centre. However, I’ve always found the service and food to be better at their Yonge Street locale. Perhaps it’s because the other is usually packed with theatre-goers, and the staff are often distracted by ticket-holding patrons in a rush to get to their seats.

This Yonge Street location photo is from their website:

For more photos, hours, and additional information click here.

Looking for a free online dating site? Why not check out justsayhi.com?

This new site is 100% free and offers a number of useful features, such as instant messaging, a list of people who are currently online, and community forums.

Their “60-Second Sign Up” makes it effortless to join and your profile is posted immediately (no waiting for approval, like so many other sites).

The site looks great and I found it very easy to navigate.

Suitable matches and recent account activity (such as who’s viewed your profile, how many e-mails you have, etc.) show up right on the home page, as soon as you sign in.

Everyone is welcome to join, whether you’re straight or GLBT, and you can change your profile, preferences, and account settings at any time.

You can even ask your friends to join and write testimonials about you. In fact, it’s encouraged!

Justsayhi.com currently has over 100,000 members and is growing rapidly by word of mouth.

I fell in love with this charming little restaurant the moment I walked through the door.

“Nestled in the heart of the Annex,” the “cozy and romantic” Boulevard Cafe is a lovely spot for a date.

Unassuming both outside and in, it’s an ideal place for those seeking flavourful food in a casual atmosphere.

Whether you enjoy a Creole Salad with a basket of corn bread for lunch, indulge in the Parrillada Mixta for dinner, or savour the Huevos al Maiz at Sunday Brunch, you’ll be delighted with the extensive wine list, spirited menu, and friendly service.

But don’t worry if you’re not quite ready to order food you can’t pronounce. The Grilled Spinach Sandwich or Boulevard Burger are yummy too!

And when summer rolls around, you’ll want to sip a Mango Loco or Margarita Helada on their “picturesque patio… surrounded by beautiful flowers and English ivy.”

So, if you have a taste for authentic Latin American or Peruvian cuisine, or you’re ready to experience something new, check out The Boulevard Cafe. You won’t be disappointed and neither will your date!

Reservations are recommended.

 

For more information click here.

Hey all you single folks out there!

Feeling left out because it’s Valentine’s Day?

Well then, why not celebrate Anti-Valentine’s Day instead?

Meet Market Adventures and 25dates.com are hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day single’s bash tonight at Shmooze Lounge  (15 Mercer Street, Toronto.)

Cost is $25 and it starts at 6:00 p.m.

Yummy hors d’oeuvres, prize give-a-ways, contests, and themed discount drinks will all be part of the fun!

So show up early and stay late. You never know who you might meet!

For more details, click here.

 

Hey Ladies! Want to surprise your honey and add some extra sizzle to your Valentine’s Day date?

Perhaps you’ve been married forever and the passion has all but fizzled out. Or maybe you’re in a hot new relationship and want to experiment a little.

Either way, what I’m about to suggest won’t necessarily appeal to everyone. But if you have an open mind, an adventurous spirit, and you’re comfortable in your own skin, consider this.

Take your man to a strip club!

I’ve done it myself and highly recommend it. My significant other appreciated the gesture and the results were… umm… shall I say… mutually satisfying.

But a word of caution: No matter how many flutes of champagne you’ve had, do not, under any circumstances, attempt a striptease yourself whilst still on the premises. The bouncers do not take kindly to patrons – even attractive female ones – removing their clothing in the club. (Don’t ask how I know this.)

For a comprehensive list (along with prices, reviews, etc.) of the “gentlemen’s clubs” in Toronto, the GTA, and surrounding areas, click here.

Most are “couple friendly,” so don’t be shy!

 

 

 

Need a sumptuous and delectable gift idea for Valentine’s Day? Then forget about flowers and surprise your Valentine with something completely different from the Chocolate Covered Company!

Based in the San Fernando Valley, the Chocolate Covered Company “provides unique chocolate-covered decadence and fruits with an emphasis on An Intimate Chocolate Experience.”

Their Limited Edition Love Bear Collection, for example, comes with Chocolate-Covered Strawberries in an elegant silver box with a cute and cuddly bear to match. “Every mouthwatering strawberry is hand-dipped to perfection inducing an outcome that is far beyond the boundaries of your imagination.”

You can order by phone, e-mail, fax, or through their website and they’ll deliver your gift directly to the recipient. When ordering online, simply complete the gift card message box and select a delivery date. Gifts are shipped via FedEx and their unique packaging ensures products remain fresh and secure while in transit. (Note: They currently ship only within the United States.)

If you’re having a party or getting married, why not mesmerize your guests with a luscious Chocolate Fountain? “Chocolate fountains are quickly becoming a popular must have item at parties, fundraisers, weddings, birthdays, corporate events and anniversary parties, as well as just about any other party or gathering.”

Or perhaps you’re searching for an interesting wedding gift. How about their Gourmet Chocolate Bride and Groom Pears?

With such an exquisite selection of tantalizing treats, you simply can’t go wrong! Even the most persnickety person on your list will heartily applaud your good taste.