10 romantic hotel staycations near Toronto you can still book for Valentine’s Day 2026

3:56 pm

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and if you haven’t booked anything yet, don’t panic. After months of the typical Canadian blast, nothing says romance like staying in, tucking yourself under a blanket, and spending intimate time with your partner. But who said staying in has to mean staying home? Ontario hotels seem to agree, answering the question of a winter getaway with staycations, prix fixes and hands-on experiences designed to pull you out of the cold and into another world, one with heaters. Whether you’re someone looking for dinner with a side of sounds, or someone who finds laughter to be the ultimate aphrodisiac, there’s a Valentine’s day plan for everyone. Here are 10 last-minute Valentine’s plans near Toronto to up the romance this season.

The Drake Hotel

drakehotel valentines day — Courtesy thedrake.ca

1150 Queen St. W. | Toronto

If you’re someone who’s indecisive, The Drake is there to problem solve. Think of them as one of the more inclusive spots in the city, hosting a full line up of experiential events this week for anyone and everyone. Whether you’re a lover, a hater, or looking to convert, The Drake is offering a chance for you to find refuge with them from the city both Galentine’s Day (Feb. 13) and Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).

The Queen West staple has a mixed bag of events to choose from. Guests can receive a personalized poem typed on a vintage typewriter in the Classic Wing Lobby, or enjoy a live music prix fixe dinner as part of their Dinner with a Side of Sounds series. If you’re looking for something with a little bit of a kick, head upstairs to the Drake Underground for everything from interactive comedy dating shows to late-night disco parties. Whether you’re leaning sentimental, ironic, or chaotic, The Drake lets you build your own Valentine’s Day adventure.

Kimpton Saint George Hotel

280 Bloor St. W. | Toronto

For those of you who experience withdrawals when you leave the concrete sidewalks that line our streets, the Kimpton Saint George offers the winter getaway you’re looking for but in a chicer city girl setting. Hidden in plain sight on Bloor Street West, the Kimpton Saint George blends the charm of a beautiful hotel with the elevated-feel of some of the more well-known chains. Couples looking for a bit of middle-of-the-city relaxation can book the Suite Sweet Valentine’s offer that brings guests discounted rooms, breakfast for two, and a romantic welcome amenity.

The Pearle Hotel & Spa

3 Elizabeth St. | Burlington | 47-minute drive

Set your sights one hour west of Toronto and head to Burlington’s waterfront for The Pearle Hotel & Spa. This modern lake-house inspired retreat is known for its white oak interiors, full service spa, and serene indoor pool. If nothing says love like a weekend of relaxation, then The Pearle is the spot for you.

With their Celebratory Stay Package, couples can find themselves at a staycation complete with sparkling wine, a sweet welcome treat and a breakfast of champions. For intimacy building, couples can book the With Love experience at the spa and find themselves meditating, relaxing with a 90-minute massage, sipping prosecco by the pool and finishing the night off with a private candlelit dinner.

And trust me, dinner is something you won’t want to miss. With their Isabelle Restaurant & Lounge downstairs, guests will experience a farm to table relationship stronger than their own. Experience it to its full potential with their Valentine’s day prix fixe menu.

Gladstone House

gladstone valentines — Courtesy gladstone.ca

1214 Queen St. W. | Toronto

Gladstone House is turning Valentine’s weekend into a full culinary frenzy. Cassette and The Café are serving special Valentine’s dishes like truffle gnocchi and braised shank alongside half-priced bottles of wine, while live performances from jazz quartets to musical tributes inspired by Olivia Dean run throughout the weekend.

Looking to celebrate love but also be in bed early? Check out their morning-after Valentine’s Day brunch service featuring a curated R&B DJ experience. Whether you’re stopping by for a ticketed music program, or staying for in-room bubbly and late checkout, it’s an ideal option for couples who find their romance fueled by arts and culture.

The Broadview Hotel

106 Broadview Ave. | Toronto

The Broadview keeps Valentine’s simple, classic, and classy. Oyster and bubbly service all weekend long across The Rooftop and The Bistro (yes, that includes during brunch). Much like the hotel itself, this historic landmark celebrates the traditional way. Restored in 1891 his boutique hotel in Toronto’s east end acts as a relaxed option for couples who want good food, skyline views and minimal fuss.

The Postmark Hotel

180 Main St. S. | Newmarket | 51-minute drive

Just one hour outside the city you can find yourself with a quieter romantic reset, The Postmark Hotel offers a small-town escape with elevated touches. Over Valentine’s weekend, onsite restaurant Overlea will serve a Made for Two prix fixe tasting menu you won’t want to miss.

An evening that begins with truffle forward starters, and luxurious mains featuring duck breast and quail egg, can be easily elevated when guests can add roses, housemade chocolates, and bubbly to their stay.

It’s an easy overnight getaway that feels intentionally slower than downtown.

BISHA Hotel Toronto

80 Blue Jays Way | Toronto

Nothing says sexy like a martini and the team at the BISHA Hotel knows it. The hotel that hosted a roster of celebrities during TIFF is turning its attention to you this Valentine’s Day, offering a cinematic experience that feels equal parts movie star and main character. On Feb. 14, guests will be greeted at check-in with a made-to-order martini from the lobby martini cart and a long-stem rose, and that’s just the opening scene. The night continues at a pop-up jazz experience at Mister C, proof that Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to feel predictable.

The BISHA brings you a Valentine’s day that feels stylish, social and unapologetically young. Upgrade to a suite and spend the closing credits of your movie star weekend with a complimentary breakfast, ending the night exactly as it began: indulgent and effortless.

Kat Florence Hotel

43 Mill St. W. | Elora | 1-hour, 30-minute drive

For luxury like this, 1.5 hours outside the city is a small price to pay. For couples seeking ultra-luxury romance, the Kat Florence Hotel in Elora is in a category of its own. Originally designed as a private retreat for VIP clients, the seven-room hotel offers an all-inclusive experience with service you’ve never seen before.

Every stay includes chef-led tasting dinners, in-suite La Mer-infused massages, Veuve Clicquot on arrival, Nordic spa access, personal concierge service in your choice of a Rolls-Royce or Bentley chauffeur options. Set inside a restored 1800s landmark, it’s less a hotel stay and more a fully immersive romantic fantasy.

Somewhere Inn

128 St. Paul St. | Calabogie & Collingwood | 2-hour drive

Somewhere Inn offers a Valentine’s getaway that’s cool and relaxed. Guests can customize their stay with handwritten love notes, fresh flowers, festive room touches, and warm Craig’s Cookies waiting on arrival.

Between sauna and cold plunge sessions, scenic nature walks, and natural wine at the onsite bar, it’s the kind of romantic escape that feels intentional without being over-styled—perfect for couples who want something thoughtful but unfussy.

Whether you’re looking to check into a downtown hotel for a night, or slip outside the city for a lakeside dinner this year’s offerings prove that romance doesn’t look one way. Valentine’s Day is young, flexible, and entirely what you make of it. Sometimes the most romantic move is simply the one that gets you out of your routine and stepping into another world, even if for only one night.

The Drake Devonshire

24 Wharf St. | Prince Edward County | 2-hour, 15-minute drive

For couples craving a true winter escape, find The Drake Hotel’s sister spot located just 2.5 hours outside the city. The Drake Devonshire offers Valentine’s romance with a lakeside view. On Feb. 13 and Feb. 14, the hotel hosts a romantic three-course prix fixe dinner overlooking Lake Ontario where you can find the twinkle in your partner’s eyes under the candlelight, watch the waves roll in, and let time slow down. Call it the slightly colder, slightly more Canadian rebrand of The Summer I Turned Pretty: same lakefront longing, but hopefully one less brother.

The menu is indulgent and warm, featuring dishes like albacore tuna crudo, braised beef short rib croquettes, steak frites, cacio e pepe gnocchi, and pan-seared turbot. Take advantage of the long weekend and transport yourself to a Valentine’s day in the Hamptons.

Toronto alpine skier on overcoming injury in time to chase her Olympic dreams

Alexa Margorian

3:55 pm

Toronto alpine skier Ali Nullmeyer is returning to the Olympics this year with plenty of experience under her belt — not just from debuting in the Olympics four years ago (where she finished 21st in slalom), but from battling injuries in the time between. Back pain took her out for half of the 2023/2024 skiing season, and persisted into 2025. Nullmeyer pursued rehab and medical interventions, and came out on top, qualifying for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. We caught up with the returning Olympic athlete to chat about what she’s expecting for her second Games and what battling injuries has taught her.

How are you doing? What’s the vibe?

It’s exciting. Some of us are going for a second or third time, and some of us, it’s their first time. There’s a different amount of nerves and excitement but we’re all happy to get it started. It’s been a big build up all season.

This is your second Olympics. How is it different coming back versus your first go around a few years ago?

I definitely know a little bit more about what to expect. Beijing was a bit weird because it was COVID. We were all so stressed to even get there without a positive test that we almost crashed when we got to the Olympics. We wanted to go so bad.

For me, at least, I definitely have a better perspective going into this Olympics because I know what to expect. It’s less nerve-wracking; I just have to ski at this point, which is what I love to do, so that part of it is exciting for me. My first Olympics, I learned a lot mentally, like how to deal with the nerves and the pressure when it comes on fast.

You said online that the last few years have been difficult for you in terms of your career because you’ve been battling injury. What’s your perspective been coming into such a big and momentous event like the Olympics this time, having overcome that kind of adversity?

It’s maybe not the most ideal buildup into the Olympics. You always hear on TV when people say, “This is the result they wanted going to the Olympics.” Going into the last Olympics, it was like that. I had my first top five. I almost had a podium finish. I had a couple of my first top tens. My confidence was at an all-time high, but still, the pressure was so much that I wasn’t able to handle it. I’ve gained the perspective of knowing that you don’t always need the perfect build up into the Olympics or into an event — it’s just another race for us. The only thing that really changes is now the whole world is watching.

I haven’t been able to ski a lot in the last two years, and so every time I am on snow and I am training, it’s very focused training. That helps me be ready for races, being able to dial in when I can only take three or four runs a day. I know these are the rounds I need to be able to perform on. It hasn’t made it easy, but it’s honestly helped me be able to manage certain aspects of the sport.

It must help from a mental perspective, when you get to the Olympic-sized stage, from a viewership perspective, of being able to turn it on and off.

I had a really tough time mentally after the last Olympics. You hear a lot of athletes go through that. I just felt like I didn’t perform how I wanted to and I went into a pretty low place. I don’t ever want to put myself back in that position. It’s been really freeing knowing that I’m not going to put pressure on myself. I’m really just gonna go out and ski and do what I can.

Name: Ali Nullmeyer

Hometown: Toronto

Sporting: Alpine skiing

Olympics so far: Competed in the combined event with Cassidy Gray, but was disqualified during her slalom run.

Next Olympic event: Feb. 18, women’s slalom

Social channels: Instagram

What are your hopes for the current Olympics?

That’s a good question. It has been a very challenging season for me. I’ve been managing a chronic back issue for the last five years. I’ve had some good years, some bad years. This year, it hasn’t been great. On top of it, I have a knee injury I’m dealing with now, which came out of the blue. Honestly, it’s allowing me to take away all other expectations other than just to go and focus on my skiing and try to ski each turn the best I can.

That’s pretty much what I’m focusing on, mostly, going into the next two weeks. Just having fun. For me, that’s such a big piece of it, to really enjoy what we’re doing and to understand that what we’re doing is really cool.

In terms of non-skiing, what are you most excited for this Olympics?

I’m excited for the village life, being able to interact with more athletes. The Beijing Olympics, we would get COVID tests in the morning . We had to wear masks everywhere. Technically we weren’t allowed in other athletes’ rooms. It was not really what I expected an Olympics to be like because it was very closed off. I’m really excited to interact more with other athletes and actually get to meet and talk to people in the dining hall, or wherever it is.

Switching gears a bit, how did your experience growing up in Toronto shape you as an athlete?

It’s funny, as an alpine skier, because everyone always asks me, “You’re an alpine skier, but you’re from Toronto?” For example, some Europeans don’t know the geography of Canada, so they don’t know that there’s Collingwood two hours away, and even that, compared to what they’re used to out here, is definitely a smaller hill.

I really learned to love skiing going back and forth between Toronto and Collingwood. I’d go to school in Toronto, and often I would leave on Wednesday or Tuesday nights and I would train Wednesday, Thursday, Friday in Collingwood, spend the weekend training, come back Sunday night, and do two, three days at school. I feel for my parents. I just hopped in the car and fell asleep, but they battled the four-hour traffic to Collingwood every weekend. I really appreciate them for that and giving us that opportunity.

[During] my time in Toronto, I’ve met so many of my friends that I’m still friends with now— one of them is coming here to the Olympics to watch, which is cool because I met her in junior kindergarten. They’re all super sporty, all my friends from Toronto. We grew up playing all types of sports. We played in our neighbourhood baseball league and we played hockey together. That was huge for me to love sports and love trying to get better at something.

It builds a level of resilience when you’re forcing yourself to do things and actually get better at them.

For young athletes, it’s important to play a lot of different sports because there’s so many things you can learn from. I tried every different sport I could. I loved volleyball, I loved baseball. I tried cross country, which I was horrible at. But it was fun to do different things.

Do you have any other advice for young athletes?

Having fun with it is a huge one. I’ve always been pretty hard on myself. That can take you to a certain point, but then it works against you. Be compassionate to yourself as an athlete or as a human. Not everyone’s going to win a medal at the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean that everyone didn’t work hard or everyone’s not deserving of whatever it is. Try to find perspective in your situation and enjoy it.

We’ll be profiling more athletes during the 2026 Winter Olympics; refer here for future coverage.

Mysterious OVO posters spark Drake x McDonald’s rumours

Nisean Lorde

1:56 pm

SnapInsta Ai 2203391760800312191 — @theshootrr/Instagram

Fans are convinced that Drake has teamed up with McDonald’s for a major campaign. Over the past few days, posters featuring the McDonald’s branding alongside Drake’s October’s Very Own (OVO) owl have been spotted around Toronto, stamped with the line “Where Night Owls Land” and a launch-style date: “Coming 2.17.”

As of publication, there has been no official announcement about a collab, but influencers are speculating we could see some sort of OVO-McD items or branded meals, similar to the uber-successful Travis Scott x McDonald’s month-long collaboration from 2020, which featured “The Cactus Jack” meal. That venture also included sold-out streetwear merch drops, featuring everything from T-shirts and hoodies to customized lunch trays with reimagined Golden Arches, and was reported to have generated over $20 million for the rapper.

Drake beef with Toronto politician — Drake

This is just the latest in a long line of campaign collabs for Drake’s brand. Other notable ventures included a campaign collab with Red Bull Racing last June, and another with the NHL in 2024, where Maple Leafs star William Nylander posed in a variety of OVO outfits, including a Toronto hoodie, a graphic Leafs goalie tee with a trucker’s cap and a Starter pullover jacket.

For now, the campaign seems to be doing exactly what it’s meant to do: getting people to speculate about what comes next!

“There’s gonna be new cups all black with a gold ovo logo on it and new purple sprite. called Nite Sprite,” one ‘insider’ wrote in a recent Reddit thread. Another user who “rarely eat[s] McDonald’s” noted that they might pop out on Feb 17 to try the rumoured OVO meal, or whatever McDonald’s and OVO are cooking up.

And because the internet loves rumours, Reddit users are also circulating an unverified photo of what looks like an OVO x McDonald’s hoodie, with the poster claiming it’s allegedly intended for staff (something McDonald’s and OVO haven’t confirmed as yet!)

From bean-to-bar to bonbons: Where Toronto is buying chocolate for Valentine’s Day

Jennifer Schembri

1:27 pm

VDAY Creative2 1110x jpg copy — Chocolate de Kat

Toronto’s chocolate scene is having a major moment this month, and the hunt for the perfect box has led us from the cobblestones of the Distillery to the high-fashion halls of Yorkdale. Whether you’re looking for the artisanal grit of a bean-to-bar shop or the polished, hand-painted elegance of an Aline Nasseh bonbon, the city is practically dripping in cocoa.

Aline Nasseh (Holt Renfrew Pop-Up)

For the ultimate “treat yourself” moment, head to Holt Renfrew Yorkdale. Through February 28, Aline Nasseh is hosting an exclusive pop-up featuring her signature hand-painted bonbons.
The Highlight: The Limited Edition Valentine’s Collection. These aren’t just chocolates; they are “passports to flavour.”
The Vibe: High-end and exclusive. With flavours like the romantic strawberry & prosecco and the vibrant red velvet, these boxes are designed for the discerning palate. But hurry —these are limited-run gems.

SOMA Chocolatemaker

Located in the historic Distillery District, SOMA is the gold standard for bean-to-bar chocolate in Toronto.
The Highlight: TThe Cosmic Love Heart. This isn’t your average chocolate heart; it’s two hearts in one, weighing in at almost half a pound (perfect for sharing with someone you adore).
The Vibe: Industrial-chic and aromatic. The scent of roasting cacao beans hitting the cold winter air is enough to lure anyone inside.

Chocolat de Kat

If you believe we eat with our eyes first, Chocolat de Kat on St. Clair West is a mandatory stop.
The Highlight: : The “Pretty in Pink” Valentine’s Collection. These bonbons come in a shimmering holographic box that would make Elle Woods proud.
The Vibe: Playful, vibrant and artistic. Every piece is “dolled up” in pinks, whites and golds, making it the most photogenic gift on our list.

Stubbe Chocolates

Bringing German tradition to the heart of Toronto, Stubbe is the city’s longest-running family-owned chocolate shop.
The Highlight: The Smash Heart. Choose between a dark or milk chocolate shell, beautifully painted with coloured cocoa butter.
The Vibe: Old-world charm meets whimsy. It’s the perfect choice for a couple (or a group of friends) who want to “break” tradition together.

The Chocolate Messenger

If you believe that nothing screams romance quite like a classic heart-shaped box, The Chocolate Messenger is your go-to for customization.
The Highlight: Customized Heart Boxes. They specialize in chocolates shaped into tiny or big hearts that can be used as table settings or statement pieces for a Valentine’s dessert spread.
The Vibe: This is for the person who loves the nostalgia of Valentine’s Day. It’s elegant, thoughtful, and feels like a scene from a classic romance movie where the gift is as sweet as the sentiment.

This downtown Toronto pod hotel is going all-in on affordable stays for solo travellers

Nisean Lorde

5:00 pm

Pod Inn Hotel, Toronto — Instagram: @pod_inn_hotel

Sleek capsule hotels are all the rage in Japan, and now Toronto is getting its own version right in the middle of downtown. The Pod-Inn is the city’s first pod-type hotel! It’s designed for solo travellers and budget-conscious guests (including students) and offers compact sleeping pods that are built into a shared bunk-style area.

It’s the kind of setup that will make you feel like you’re literally sleeping in a wall!

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The pods are small, sure, but they include cozy bedding (including memory-foam mattresses and premium pillows), lighting controls, charging ports, a smart TV, and a small closet or secure storage (depending on the unit type).

The hotel offers small pods geared toward solo travellers and large pods for two, as well as private-room formats like a Single Pod Room (a larger private unit for one, with a desk) and a Double Pod Room with a bunk layout.

The washrooms and shower “cabinets” are shared, but the hotel says they’re clean, well-maintained and stocked with essentials.

Guests can expect small-but-comfy spaces, as well as shared areas to hang out and get work done, including a large kitchen and dining area, a lounge, a study room/working zone, free Wi-Fi, private phone booths, laundry facilities, showers, lockers, luggage storage, fresh linen and towels, complimentary coffee/tea and free breakfast!

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A post shared by Pod-Inn Hotel (@pod_inn_hotel)

And if the idea of meeting new people isn’t terrifying, Pod-Inn is big into socials, with guest-mixing activities like movie nights, game nights, mixers/meet-and-greets, reading-corner swaps and skill-sharing workshops (from photography and travel blogging to digital marketing).

If nothing else, it’s a very Toronto take on capsule living, and a one-of-a-kind stay you’ll want to experience at least once.

Pod-Inn Hotel is located at 237 Simcoe St. Check-in is from 2 pm until 11 pm, with check-out at 11 am. Prices start at $49+ per night. Follow @pod_inn_hotel for more info.

The best Galentine’s Day things to do in Toronto

Keena Al-Wahaidi

2:08 pm

Last updated: Feb. 10, 2026

Maybe you’re not into Valentine’s Day. Or perhaps you are, but instead of diving headlong into lovey-dovey couples stuff, all you really want to do this year is kick it with your pals, your besties, or maybe yourself, for once. If so, Galentine’s Day — or Palentine’s Day — is the holiday for you.

Yeah, that’s right, Galentine’s Day.

Celebrated on Feb. 13, think of it as the light-hearted sister of Valentine’s Day, but without all the loaded expectations. It’s a day where you celebrate platonic love, and pals of all kinds can get together and simply have fun!

Are you sold yet? Check out the best Galentine’s Day festivities happening across Toronto to enjoy with your gals and pals this season.

Galentine’s Flower Arrangement Workshop

When: Feb. 12

What better way to spend a Galentine’s evening than to gather your best friends for a flower arranging class? Head to Hopeless Romantic Bookshop, the iconic romance bookstore on Queen West, for this one-of-a-kind workshop. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased on their website. It’ll be full of flowers and friendship, with all materials included at this feel-good social.

Palentine’s Partner Stretch

When: Feb. 15

Take your best friend to this partner stretch with Bewell Toronto, and discover the power of stretching. The session runs for 90 minutes the day after Valentine’s Day and also welcomes singles, too. The class will guide guests through assisted pair stretches and exercises, promoting relaxation and connection with whoever you plan to bring along. Get your ticket here.

Galentine’s Day Skate Party at The Bentway

When: Feb. 13

On the official Galentine’s Day, you can grab your gal pals for a fun skate at The Bentway. They’ll be offering free skate rentals, plus DJs, performances and swag bags for the first 200 guests. No need to bring anything – just your best friends and a good attitude. This is a free event, but The Bentway encourages visitors to register on their online.

Unhinged Spicy Valentine

When: Feb. 14

On V-Day, The Second City is hosting this unique improv night with a show called Unhinged — using audience member’s dating profiles to create an hour of improv comedy. Plus if they pick your profile, you’ll get a free drink. This is open to singles, couples and friend groups – get your tickets here.

Galentine’s Day Bar Crawl

When: Feb. 13

Golf is for the girlies at Par-Tee Putt, Toronto’s mini golf bar. They’re offering up a Galentine’s bar crawl, featuring four stops all leading up to the big finale, where you’ll receive a complimentary drink. Have a toast to friendship! Get your tickets here.

Girl Dinner at 1 Kitchen

When: Feb. 13

If you want to celebrate friendship with a fancy dinner, you’re in luck. 1 Kitchen is offering a shareable Girl Dinner-inspired spread at their communal Harvest Table which will have shared snack and charcuterie boards. The meal also has themed dishes like “Fries Before Guys” and “Let’s Taco About It.” Your reservation will also include a personalized bottle of champagne — perfect for a girl’s night right before Valentine’s Day. Make a reservation online.

Best Beloved Dinner

When: Feb. 15

Kithship Social Club is hosting a dinner dedicated to platonic love at Nuna Kitchen + Bar. A date night for best friends, this Valentine’s weekend dinner celebrates love and friendship, plus features cool surprises. Tickets include a gourmet prix-fix, three course dinner, fun beverages and even a photobooth and take-home gift pack. Grab your ticket here.

Galentine’s Interactive: Breaking Dawn Part 1

When: Feb. 12

Celebrate Galentine’s Day the traditional way: by watching the movie franchise that forged a million friendships. See Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 at Fox Theatre; this interactive screening features a shout-along game, a complimentary Skin of a Killer glitter station, a Forks photobooth and even themed cocktails. You and your pals are encouraged to come in costume (it’s time to lug out that Team Jacob shirt from storage!).

Personalized Poetry Pop-up with Poesy

poesy pop up poetry hero 1280x720 — Courtesy moca.ca

When: Feb. 13

It doesn’t matter who you spend this poetry event with, as long as you come with an open mind and romantic vibe. Join MOCA for an early Valentine’s night with Poesy, a pop-up poetry activation that creates custom poems just for you — inspired by the moments you choose to share. The event happens Feb. 13 with a general admission ticket, for purchase here.

Galentine’s Dance Party

bar cathedral — Courtesy @barcathedral/Instagram

When: Feb. 13

If your idea of an ideal Galentine’s Day is dancing the night away to Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Beyoncé, then don’t miss the Galentine’s Dance Party at Bar Cathedral. Prepare to dance and sing out loud to your favourite pop anthems all night long, and enjoy drag performances, a free photo booth with prints, glow sticks and a jewelry making station to make your own friendship bracelets!

Gordon Ramsay was spotted at a cafe on Queen West — and he was actually nice

Jennifer Schembri

1:30 pm

SnapInsta Ai 3755599819403180384 — @gordongram/Instagram

Toronto’s Queen West just got a major hit of star power — and a rare dose of “nice” from the world’s most notoriously fiery chef.

On Feb. 1, The Roasted Nut Company located at 768 Queen St. W. became the centre of a social media frenzy when Gordon Ramsay walked in unannounced. While many fans on Instagram initially suspected a look-alike, the shop has officially confirmed that the MasterChef star was indeed in the neighbourhood.

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According to shop employees, Ramsay was spotted wandering near Walnut Street, reportedly in town to film a new project. Despite being a global icon, he was apparently trying to keep things low-key — though his attempt at anonymity didn’t last long.

“It was definitely him,” a shop employee shared. “He was trying not to be seen, but he was very nice in person.”

So, what does a man with eight Michelin stars order at a boutique snack shop? Why a flat white and a single peanut butter cookie of course.

In a quintessential Toronto moment, the staff offered Ramsay a sample of their signature dry-roasted, preservative-free nuts. In a surprising twist, the man who usually demands more flavour actually turned them down, sticking strictly to his coffee and cookie combo.

The shop didn’t miss the chance for a viral moment, posting a selfie of Ramsay at the cash register with the punny caption: “Thank you CHEF!! We’ll Cashew Later☕️? Guess what the chef ordered in the comments?”

While Ramsay didn’t leave behind any Kitchen Nightmares style critiques, his presence alone has cemented The Roasted Nut Company as the current “it” spot for a midday pick-me-up. If it’s good enough for Gordon to dodge the paparazzi for, it’s probably worth the trip to Queen and Walnut.

Toronto is getting a new immersive exhibit from a master of Impressionism

Ron Johnson

1:11 pm

Toronto is getting a new immersive art exhibition, this time with an Impressionist twist. Beginning Feb. 26, Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience opens at YZD, inviting visitors to step inside the luminous, lily-soaked world of one of history’s most influential painters.

The new exhibit takes place in a facility offering more than 20,000 square feet of immersive space at 30 Hanover Rd., where it transforms more than 300 of Monet’s works into a 360-degree digital environment using projections, sound design, and interactive installations. Rather than viewing paintings from a gallery wall, guests move through them—wandering across shimmering water, hop over some lily, and into scenes inspired by the artist’s most celebrated canvases.

Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience opens Feb. 26

Claude Monet (1840–1926) was a French painter and a founder of Impressionism, famous for the way he captured light and atmosphere. His painting Impression, Sunrise gave the movement its name, and his Water Lilies series helped make him one of the most influential artists in modern art.

“This marks the first opportunity for Toronto audiences to experience Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience”, says Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub. “We pride ourselves on creating exceptional experiences, and by combining innovative technology with powerful storytelling, we’re confident audiences will be captivated.”

Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience is located near Downsview Park

The exhibit also features a life-size recreation of Monet’s studio offers a glimpse into the setting where many masterpieces took shape. Hands-on features, including a “Sketch and Post” area, encourage guests to engage creatively rather than passively observe.

For longtime art lovers, the show offers a fresh way to experience iconic works such as Water Lilies and Impression, Sunrise. For newcomers, it provides an accessible entry point into Impressionism—one built less around academic interpretation and more around sensory immersion.

Timed-entry tickets go on sale ahead of the opening, with adult admission starting at $32.90 and children’s tickets at $24.90. The exhibition runs for a limited time.

One of Toronto’s last classic diners is coming to an end after 73 years

Nisean Lorde

11:54 am

Toronto is about to lose one of its most iconic diners. Patrician Grill, the King St E greasy spoon that’s been serving the neighbourhood since 1953, will close this spring after a 73-year run.

The owners announced the closure in a video posted to the restaurant’s Instagram page on Monday, noting that the decision was “not easy to make” and confirming a final service date of Sat, May 9. In the video, co-owner Terry Papas, who has been working at the diner full-time since the mid-1980s, traces the diner’s family chapter back to 1967, when his parents bought Patrician Grill.

“We are now coming onto our 59th year,” Papas said in the video. “So, with mixed emotions and sadness, I am announcing that we will be closing for good.”

Papas’ brother-in-law and head chef, Chris Slifkas, who also appears in the announcement, said that the decision came with deep gratitude for the people who kept the place going for decades.

“We just want to take this time to say thank you to all our customers, past and present, for coming in so frequently,” he said, adding that many regulars “have become friends and family members over the years.” He also thanked the diner’s staff for their hard work and support.

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The Instagram post doesn’t state why they are closing, but according to the Toronto Star, the closure comes after the family accepted an offer to sell, something Papas said they’d resisted doing for years despite repeated interest.

“We’ve had people coming in and we always said no, no, no,” Papas told the Star. “But we finally got a reasonable offer, so we sold the building.” He added that it was a “painstaking decision” made with his sister, and while he declined to name the buyer, he said the choice came down to a combination of price and fit.

The closure also lands amid broader pressure on the restaurant industry, leading to closures and a vanishing diner culture. A forecast from the Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab estimates that about 7,000 restaurants closed across Canada last year, with another 4,000 closures projected in 2026. The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas has also cited mounting pressures on independent restaurants, pointing to, among other issues, higher rents and less foot traffic.

In the meantime, you still have time to grab a signature club sandwich or homemade soup at Patrician Grill before it closes on May 9! It’s located at 219 King St E, one block west of Sherbourne.

Five Toronto restaurants for Valentine’s Day dinner under $75

Jennifer Schembri

11:20 am

SnapInsta Ai 3134603676755474691 — Libretto

If you’re wondering whether you can still pull off a cool, candlelit Valentine’s Day dinner without the eye-watering price tag, the answer is yes. Book one of these spots and you’ll save the night — without draining your savings.

Hanmoto

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While the rest of the city panic-books $150-per-head tasting menus, you’re heading to Hanmoto, the Lakeview hole-in-the-wall that feels like a secret Tokyo basement and looks even better under the glow of its red neon. For exactly $71, you can dodge the prix-fixe meny and order a full, heavy-hitting feast for two: start with the mandatory Moto Eggs ($9) for that Japanese devilled-egg fix, followed by the deboned, dumpling-stuffed Dyno Wings ($16) and a Katsu Box ($18) that anchors the meal with panko-crusted pork belly, rice and slaw. Finish with the Tempura McFly ($11) chicken bun, and you’ll still have exactly enough left in the budget for two Sapporo drafts ($9 each) or a Left Field Greenwood IPA to share.

Libretto

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If you don’t think it’s possible to pull off a proper, three-course sit-down dinner on Valentine’s Day without the sticker shock: Libretto is your go-to. While the city’s Winterlicious deals wrap up on the 12th, Pizzeria Libretto is pivoting straight into a Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe for just $30 per person. It’s the ultimate romantic hack: you start with the Montanara — pillowy, lightly fried pizza dough topped with sugo and creamy stracciatella — or a beet & goat Cheese salad, followed by a choice of mains like the spicy, honey-laced ‘Nduja pizza or th Tartufo with gorgonzola cream and truffle paste. Since the food for two comes to exactly $60, you have a precise $15 left in the budget for drinks. That’s enough to split a large San Pellegrino ($8) or grab two Brios ($4 each) and still have enough left over to tip your server.

Flame Sushi & Bar

If you want to feel like you’re winning at Valentine’s Day, this Queen West spot is your secret weapon. While other sushi spots are charging eye-watering prices for a basic meal, Flame is running a high-value 3-Course Tasting Menu for just $38 per person. Included is a delicious starter like the beef tataki with truffle oil or a sashimi salad, followed by an impressive main like the smoke-infused bara chirashi don or a spicy Dan Dan chashu Udon. Because the food for two comes to exactly $76, you’re just a hair over budget before drinks— but here’s the hack: their cocktails like the Tamamo (gin, melon, and yuzu) are world-class, but to keep the total bill tight, you can skip the $20 martinis and share a Hakutsuru Hot Sake ($10) or grab a couple of Sapporos on tap.

Okonomi House

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If your idea of a perfect date is “timeless, cozy and hidden in plain sight,” this Charles Street legend has your name written on all over it. The spot has looked exactly the same since 1978, which — in the fickle world of Toronto dining — is the ultimate romantic flex. You can share a pork okonomi-yaki ($13.50) and a plate of yakisoba ($16.99) and still have over $40 left in the budget. Since they aren’t licensed, spend the rest on two Itoen cold green teas ($4.25) and a side of edamame ($4.35), then use the leftover $30 to grab a fancy cocktail at a nearby Yorkville bar.

Queen Mother Cafe

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You don’t have to settle for a bland chain restaurant just to keep your Valentine’s bill under $75. This Queen West institution offers a cozy, dark-wood interior that feels worlds away from the downtown bustle, while you dig into their delicious Laotian-Thai fusion. Share an order of Nam Jeun spring rolls ($11.95) to start, then try two of their heavy-hitting noodle bowls: the Chicken & Shrimp Pad Thai and the Khao Soy Gai ($21.95 each). This puts your food total at roughly $56, leaving you exactly enough room for a round of 3 Speed Lagers ($7) or a Steamwhistle ($6.50) while staying strictly within budget.

Iconic Queen West store Steve’s Music announces closure

Ron Johnson

11:09 am

Jack White, amongst other iconic musicians, will have to find a new music shop to visit while in Toronto as the legendary Steve’s Music has announced it is closing.

In a statement, VP Michael Kirman—son of founder Steve Kirman—said the company will be closing some of its five stores, though he didn’t specify which ones.

“We opened our Toronto store in the 1970s on Queen St. W. alongside the explosion of Toronto’s music community and rise of the punk movement,” read the statement, in part. “We continued to expand in the 1980s with the opening of a location in our nation’s capital and in the 2010s with the opening of our Montreal satellite stores.”

The company, which has operated for decades and recently marked its 60th anniversary, posted a liquidation notice online saying everything at its stores must go. The decision, it said, was made “with a heavy heart” after years of disruption in the music retail industry and growing financial pressure.

There is no formal announcement that the Toronto store is closing, but CBC has reported that only the Montreal shop will remain once the restructuring is complete.

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The Queen West store has been visited by many music legends, including the aforementioned Jack White who visited the shop while he was in Toronto for a concert around this time last year.

Right now, all Steve’s Music stores will be liquidating merchandise, so it might be a great time to snap up some bargains and take it a little bit of a Toronto legend before it’s too late.

Steve’s Music is located at 415 Queen St. W.

Inside Toronto’s New 22,000-Square-Foot Outdoor Design Experience

Dorothy Chudzinski

10:52 am

If you’ve ever tried to renovate a backyard in Ontario, you know the drill: a tiny stone sample, a 2D drawing and a lot of crossed fingers that it’ll actually look good once it’s done. For many homeowners, it’s a stressful process with high stakes — mistakes aren’t easy to fix and budgets climb fast.

On Jan. 20, Action Home Services opened a 22,000-square-foot design presentation centre that gives people a chance to see all of it before construction begins. The space is split between 10,000 square feet indoors and 12,000 outdoors, making it the largest of its kind in the Toronto landscaping industry. But it’s the way it works that makes it truly unique: it’s a hands-on environment where designers, architects, materials and construction come together in one place.

Action Home Services has completed over 5,000 projects, garnering thousands of positive online reviews for their work as an award-winning professional landscaping contractor. Offering a luxury experience, the company offers complimentary in-home consultation and transparent pricing.

The core problem with most landscaping projects is what the company calls the “visualization gap.” It’s hard to tell if a cabana will dwarf your pool or if the stone colour will actually work with your house until the work is already done.

Instead of a traditional showroom where you just look at displays, this is a living, breathing landscape where design, craftsmanship and nature come together seamlessly. You sit down with in-house designers who pull up your project in 3D. If you want to see what happens if you move the outdoor kitchen or change the deck material, they can swap it on the screen right in front of you. You can walk through the outdoor area to see the materials in person, pick your finishes and walk out knowing exactly what you’re getting. This fully immersive environment allows clients to walk through, interact with and truly experience landscaping under real-world conditions.

It also functions as a learning center for Action Home Services employees and newcomers — the company is not only building backyards, but never-been-done-before strong landscaping communities.

The new showroom is the only place in Canada where clients can explore high-end landscaping products in their natural environments, thanks to the massive outdoor space. Featuring lush, real plants, rare and bespoke sculptures, custom water features and waterfalls, integrated exterior sound system, professional landscape lighting, custom pergolas and decks, premium artificial turf and even smart irrigation systems, this is landscaping — experienced the way it was meant to be. Instead of isolating materials from reality, you can see how colours evolve, textures interact with light and materials perform over time, whether in sun, rain, shade or changing seasons.

Outdoor projects in Toronto and Ontario come with extra hurdles, from city permits to TRCA approvals. Action Home Services handles all of it, making the process smoother. Construction is carried out by their own in-house crews, not a rotating set of subcontractors, covering everything from Toronto pool installation, cabanas and outdoor kitchens to fireplaces, heated driveways, stonework, decks, pergolas and masonry.

Visualization of your dream space is easier than ever with immersive 3D and virtual reality walkthrough options — you can step inside your future backyard before it’s even built, walking through it in VR and experiencing every detail as if it already exists. No more crossing your fingers and hoping the end result matches your vision! Of course, real humans are involved, too: experienced professionals, including live, in-person designers and architects for collaboration and a dedicated project manager, are involved in every step. Before construction begins, your project manager will visit your property to mark out the full layout and ensure your vision is crystal clear. With all materials sourced in advance by a dedicated customer service team, Action Home Services eliminates delays and keeps your project on schedule.

Ontarians are dreaming bigger. Backyards aren’t just patios anymore — they’re full luxury outdoor resorts made for hanging out, hosting friends and enjoying every season. At the new centre, designers, architects, materials and construction all come together under one roof, so the planning process feels collaborative rather than stressful. By the time homeowners leave, they have a clear sense of the space, the materials and how it will all come together before a single shovel hits the ground.

The new design presentation centre is open now at 50 West Wilmot St., Richmond Hill. Get ready to see your landscaping dream come to life.

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