Takeout for Two: Everything You Need to Plan a Romantic Date Night In

So you and your sweetie have decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or any date night, really) from the comfort of home, but you want to make it feel more romantic than any old pizza night in? Choose elevated fare. When’s the last time you had tartar, seafood pasta, or anything topped in truffle shavings at home? The novelty of decadent and delicious dishes will make this takeout meal feel extra special. 

Toronto’s Terroni has a takeout menu that offers date night delights like Tonnarelli alla Norcina, a pasta with Italian black truffle shavings, homemade spicy sausage, pecorino, and garlic. If your heart is really set on pizza, why not try the C’t Mang, a white pizza with mozzarella, gorgonzola, fresh pears, walnuts, speck (smoked prosciutto), and honey. 

If you’re a cocktail connoisseur, here’s your opportunity to show off your skills. Bust out the shaker, the rocks glasses, and the garnish, and play bartender for the evening. For those of us who don’t possess bartending skills – if there is one gift the pandemic gave us, it was the popularization of brands that offer elevated cocktails to go. It is easier than ever to find beautifully balanced classic or creative cocktails that are pre-mixed and ready to be enjoyed from the comfort of your couch. 

Tumbler and Rocks is one such brand, available to the western provinces of Canada. They offer ready to serve classic cocktails, like the old fashioned, cosmo, and espresso martini, in 750ml or 100ml bottles. Dust off your fancy glasses, and pour over ice or shake, strain, and enjoy.

Something about family-style dining makes any meal feel like a moment of connection. Even better if that meal was cooked for you by professionals! When you order a curated menu for two, you get to taste new things together and bond over what you love (or hate) about them. 

Mandarin offers a dinner for two, complete with egg rolls, sweet & sour chicken balls, chicken chow mein, and chicken fried rice. Relish in the shared experience of moving through the menu together, and fighting over the last chicken ball!

The cherry on top of a dinner out is a sweet treat to cap off a wonderful meal, but most of us rarely enjoy the kinds of decadent desserts you get at dine-in restaurants at home. One way to make date-night-in really special is to end on a (sugar) high and pay extra attention to the final course. 

Nanana Montreal, little sister of Ratafia, a popular wine and dessert bar in Little Italy, is a dessert boutique that offers daring, innovative, and colourful desserts. Their ‘sweet on the go’ section changes with the seasons, so you can always be sure you’ll find something new and exciting on their menu. Prep ahead and order some of these creative confections to wow your date once dinner is over. 

If you don’t take any of the aforementioned advice, we won’t be offended. This is the most important tip to make your date-night-in stand apart from any old night spent in sweats on the couch. There are a million ways to make a moment feel special – all you need is a little thoughtful intention, and you know your person best. 

Maybe the two of you LOVE sushi, but you never order it. Or maybe tonight is the night you splurge and spend $24.99 to rent that brand new movie you’ve been dying to watch. Does fancy dress put some pep in your step? Suit up or strap on those heels and get dressed for dinner – just don’t step on the dog’s tail. 

If you make your home the venue for your next date night, we’d love to see it! Post it on IG and tag us for a chance to be featured on our page. Happy Valentine’s Day Loves!