Strolling along Toronto’s busy streets and gazing into the hundreds of store displays around this time of the year reveal one thing: Love is in the air - the love for food that is! As chocolatiers package their wares into boxes tied with red satin ribbons, bakers pump out anatomically-incorrect shaped cakes, and restaurateurs busy themselves with set menus featuring love themed his-and-hers combos, those who wish to celebrate the day and step beyond the Valentines Day trap may find it a challenge, especially if the loved one is a foodie.

What options are there besides the holy trinity (we’re speaking of roses, chocolates, and a candlelight dinner)? Is there an alternate suggestion that can be pursued without the need to endanger the slotback pig? To examine this further, I asked a group of food enthusiasts what they would constitute as their ideal Valentines date or gift. Our kind participants were able to provide a host of ideas guaranteed to sweep a food lover off his or her feet. After all, they do say that the best way to a person’s heart is through the stomach.

The survey participants were keen to suggest a romantic dining experience. Restaurants that would woo range from high end establishments like George (111C Queen Street East) or an omakase dinner from Sushi Kaji Restaurant (860 The Queensway, Etobicoke), to a preference for a hole-in-the-wall place that serves good food and won’t rush a table for a second seating.

Carnivores who are seeking a little fun on the side may appreciate Cowbell (1564 Queen Street West) or a Peruvian restaurant serving anticuchos, especially the beef hearts which may be an appropriate tribute to this season of lurv. A foodie road trip or tasting tour within the city was also suggested where separate stops should be made for the appetizers, entrées, and desserts.

However, if there is no desire to participate in any champagne and aphrodisiac-themed prix-fixe nonsense, the option to create a five star meal at home might be the way to go. Take care to research and note what the partner likes, and proceed to create a meal centred on one or more of those ingredients. This process could be made more interactive by shopping for the ingredients and/or cooking together; the partners could walk into a grocery store such as Whole Foods (87 Avenue Road) or Pusateri’s (57 Yorkville Avenue) with a fixed budget, buy as many interesting things as possible, and then return home to prepare a creative meal with the purchases. Suggested Valentine’s Day-worthy courses may range from items that melt-in-your-mouth but remain crispy-molten such as crème brulee, or good macarons, or rich and luxurious foie gras; a soul-satisfying dinner involving a nice bottle of wine, a rip-roaring salad followed by a plate of offal, or a simple picnic in the middle of the living room floor.

Sweets for the sweetie are best if home-made and can be as simple as truffles to elaborate ice creams. Some suggested a combined chocolate and cheese plate, perhaps purchased from Boncheff Fine Foods of the World (382 Olivewood Road, Etobicoke), with a few port options to linger over, allowing the pair to unwind and discuss the merits of all that was eaten.

Personalizing a gift box for a loved one is a great option that is guaranteed to touch the heart. Anything from packages of cooking pastes and other foodstuffs that are rare finds; a subscription to a fruit/cheese/chocolate/wine of the month club; cooking accessories such as a new baking sheet, a crème brulee torch or any piece from Alessi; food-related books or cookbooks from The Cookbook Store (850 Yonge Street); or even for a cooking class together such as a chocolate-making class for two at JS Bonbons (163 Dupont Street) are also recommended. Spicing things up with spices from The Spice Trader (805 Queen Street West) and a package of Mayan hot chocolate mix from Soma Chocolatemaker (The Distillery, building 47) may be another option.

The art of consumption can be a sensual act; and when shared with the perfect partner, a memorable experience. With our contributing panel’s excellent suggestions, it is the hope that inspired acts of food love will continue for the remaining 366 days until the next February 14th. Even for the single, Valentines Day can still be the perfect way to celebrate a common love: the love for good food. Lets drink (and eat) to that!

Renée Suen is a graduate student at the University of Toronto, specializing in cardiovascular sciences. She has an insatiable appetite and loves celebrating any occasion in the company of good eats. Discover some of the delicious and Valentines worthy options that T.O. has to offer at her Flickr site.