Where to Dine on Valentine’s Day, 2015

Saturday, February 14th is right around the corner and for some of you that means sweet, sweet love.

And of course, since the way to one’s heart is through their stomach we thought it only fitting to compile a list of restaurants for you and your honey to enjoy a romantic dinner for two.

Treat your darling to a night they won’t forget and indulge to your hearts content at our top picks for this year’s Valentine’s Day.

Aura Waterfront Restaurant and Patio

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Chef Ito has created a very special menu for Valentine’s Day with two separate seatings. The first starts at 5:30pm (3 course dinner $65) and the second starting at 7:30pm (4 course dinner $79). View menu.
680 Montreal Street

Reservations required

Phone: (250) 414-6739

Feel like extending your evening at the Laurel Point Inn? Consider one of their four Romance Packages and make this Valentine’s extra special

Church and State Wines

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Enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by executive chef Desiree Perrin. This specially designed menu will feature three-courses with a twist. Expect fresh seafood (Dungeness crab, jumbo prawns and scallops), Beef Tenderloin, or Prosciutto wrapped Chicken for entrée’s and rich, decadent deserts to choose from. View menu
Seatings from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, $50 per person

Reservations required

Phone: (250) 652-2671 (ext 226)

Hotel Grand Pacific

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Enjoy a specially prepared four-course menu featuring fresh, local ingredients and hand picked wines by the in-house sommelier. Special guest performer Victoria Blues and Jazz singer Maureen Washington will perform. View menu
Seatings from 5:00pm to 9:30pm. $65 per person
Wine Pairings $40 per person
460 Belleville Street

Reservations Required

Phone: (250) 380-4458

The Marina Restaurant

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Featuring a three-course menu, guests can select one appetizer, one entrée and a desert. Consider starting off your meal with the Little Qualicum’s Baked Brie for Two, picholine olive relish, basil pesto, grilled baguette, dried rosemary & chili ($10 per guest). View the menu
5:00pm to 10:00pm. $59 per person
1327 Beach Drive

Reservations required

Phone: (250) 598-8555
Reserve seats online using the OpenTable reservation booking system.

Merridale Cider

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Join Merridale Cider for their Romance in the Orchard this Valentine’s. The evening will begin with guests meeting in the distillery to sample Merridale’s latest creation; the Merridale Cherry liqueur while nibbling on savoury canapés and sipping artisan cocktail creations. From there guests will move into the bistro for a five-course meal, paired with craft ciders and spirits. View menu.
6:00pm to 10:00pm. $79 per person.

Reservations required

Phone: (250) 743-4293
1230 Merridale Road, Cobble Hill

Oak Bay Beach Hotel

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Chef Robert Budlong and his team have designed an elegant three-course menu to be enjoyed in the Dining Room. See website for menu for options.
Seatings at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm. $89 per person
1175 Beach Drive

Reservations Required

Phone: (250) 598-4556

Looking for something a little different this Valentine’s? How about going to the opera, or renting a kayak and having a picnic?

The Pacific Opera will be presentng: Lucia Di Lammermoor –

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An Opera based on Sir Walter Scott’s The Bride of Lammermoor; a tale involving Scottish vendettas, manipulation, jealous lovers, passion and ultimately murder. 

In Italian with English Surtitles.
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano
Performance at: The Royal Theatre Victoria
805 Broughton Street
February, 14 at 8:00pm
Tickets information here
Phone: (250) 385-0222

Victoria Kayak Rentals

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Located at the foot of Wharf Street Victoria Kayak offers single and double kayak rentals from $40 to $50 (minimum two hours). Not experienced? No worries. You can book a guided tour with tours departing at 9:30am and 1:30pm daily ($65 per person, 2.5 hours).
950 Wharf Street
Monday to Sunday, 9:00am to 4:00pm (winter hours).
Phone: (250) 216-5546

The Day-After Brunch

Camilles Restaurant

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Special Occasion Brunch at Camille’s. Sunday, February 15th at 10am through 2:30pm. Treat yourself and loved ones to a lovely ala carte brunch with some of your favorite classics done Camille’s style. Price range $10 through $22. Reservations Recommended.

Endnote: Whatever the dynamic of your love life may be, Valentine’s Day has every right to be regarded as an occasion to share the love! Why limit yourself to a significant other? If that special someone hasn’t graced your life just yet, choose someone else; your best friend, a family member, or a complete stranger to extend a token of kindness, a cup of coffee, a few flowers, or even a sandwich to-go. It doesn’t matter what it is. If it’s an act of compassion, you will be making someone’s day and that’s what counts.