Let’s be honest, date nights lately haven’t exactly had the same look or feel that they once did. Amid working from home, all those sourdough starters, and trying to find some routine sometimes it can feel like romance isn’t exactly the first priority on your list.
Taking a page from that book, and focusing on the fact that many of us aren’t ready to freely get back to restaurants, I decided to share a few date night ideas that are in fact in the box. ?
While I have ventured out to a patio with social distancing practises in place, or will take a visit to Niagara with my friends, I’ll be honest that I’m not ready to “go back to normal” when it comes to date night. Instead, I find myself gravitating towards brands and businesses that understand where I am personally and have created an experience I can enjoy at home.
I guess you could said this is my love letter to boxed meals and date night experiences in Toronto. And I hope that you try each and every one of them with someone special this summer. Because in my opinion, there is nothing more romantic than food to make those special memories with the one you love.
For those of you just looking for quality ingredients to plan your own meals, the people behind Cibo Wine Bar bring to you the new online grocery option. The brand new delivery platform offers exclusive quality products, previously only available to restaurants, directly to your home with the added convenience of online ordering, no line-ups and speedy, contactless door to door delivery.
Head to www.cibomarket.com/ for details
I’ve had some magical nights at STK Toronto and love how they have created their distinctly elevated experience to enjoy at home. Whether it’s a BBQ day in the sun, or something a bit more romantic to surprise the one you love, the takeout options are like no other in Toronto and are a must this summer for those of you who love steak and decadent dinning experiences.
Head to stksteakhouse.com/delivery/ for details
Julio and I are probably some of the biggest sushi fans you can imagine. Earlier this year we order the Temaki Sushi Meal Kits via uber eats and while I probably won’t be getting hired as a sushi chef anytime soon, it was an amazing date night experience.
“Work with a fresh array of Aburi-quality sushi ingredients, paired with an instructional, step-by-step visual recipe card to help you create a restaurant calibre meal in the comfort of your home or on-the-go”
Head to https://mikutoronto.com/aburi-at-home/ for details
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
I will forever love and hold The Keg to the highest regard because for years, I worked for the company and have seen how much their teams loves what they do. There is an undisputed passion and level of consistency that comes with every meal. And while I can’t wait to get back to my local Keg location, I am so pleased that there are many takeout at home options to enjoy.
Trust me when I say that we jumped at this the first chance we could because Julio & I are huge fans.
Head to https://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/takeout for details
Aburi Hana
You’ll remember that I shared one of the best meals I have ever eaten earlier this year on the blog. While the world is completely changed, there are still special moments such as birthdays and anniversaries that you will want to make extra special. This is the option to do just that.
To say this food and experience is art would be an understatement. And if cannot encourage you to make a special occasion this summer extra special by indulging in an experience like no other in Toronto.
Head to https://www.aburihana.com/takeout for details
And the final recommendation I can make is the one I am most excited for this summer because it combines so many of my favourite things into one epic culinary experience!
McEwan Fine Foods Brings the Taste of Prince Edward Island to Toronto
There is nothing like surf n’ turf in my mind. It reminds me of my birthday meal every year as a young boy where I was allowed to pick where we ate and what I got to order all for myself.
McEwan Fine Foods in collaboration with Canada’s Food Island in Prince Edward Island are launching meal kits featuring PEI’s exceptional culinary products. The premium meal kits are a ‘Prince Edward Island Patio Party’ in a box and include PEI’s five core products lobsters, mussels, oysters, beef and potato as well as chef-inspired recipes created by the McEwan Fine Foods culinary team.
For those of you who didn’t know, PEI produces some of the best, sustainable lobster in the world and incredible grass-fed beef with full traceability.
The Prince Edward Island Patio Party have three options to choose from, a Surf Box, a Turf Box and a Surf & Turf Box with recipes like a chilled lobster Cobb salad, PEI grass-fed strip loin steaks with truffle compound butter, PEI oysters with McEwan’s cocktail sauce & mignonette and PEI mussels with a choice of lemon, white wine & bacon sauce or tomato, fennel, chili and preserved lemon sauce.
I CANNOT wait to get my hands on one for the summer. Seriously, BBQ #DateNight goals are here and you can order it for yourself!
Head to https://mcewancatering.com for more details.
For more behind the scenes of this and other amazing brands I’m working with around the world, make sure to follow along with the #DoTheDaniel Instagram account. I’d love to have you join on the adventures.
Photos: Daniel Reyes & All Social Media accounts listed above
Don’t forget to be kind & laugh a little more this year
Mobile photos were taken with my Mobile Device of choice on the Rogers network.
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