Situated in the beautiful and historic St. Lawrence Hall, Biagio is among Toronto's finer Italian restaurants. Along with a 1500-label wine list, the restaurant has a well-rounded dinner menu that includes a number of risottos and wonderful seafood. Calamari is tender and sweet, and the seafood soup (with mussels, shrimp, clams and scallops) is a shellfish lover's delight. Try taglioline with brandy-flamed lobster, spaghetti carbonara, pesto-crusted salmon, osso buco, honey roasted rack of lamb, or a NY strip loin with caper-lemon-herb sauce. An excellent prospect for a summer date ­ the fountain-enhanced patio is ever so romantic.

MIDTOWN. Dining is an event at this elegant eatery, set in a Victorian house with a bright, bold color scheme. In the middle of the restaurant, an enormous fresh flower arrangement offers a lovely focal point. The menu promises a variety of innovative taste combinations, and specialties include lamb, beef, and duck. Make sure to leave room for the chocolate-pudding cake (a house specialty) or the lemon trio, which features lemon ice cream and a chocolate wedge with homemade wafers.

MIDTOWN. As envisioned by entertainer-turned-restaurateur Joso Spralja, the décor here is deliciously over the top, and notable for its vast assortment of original artwork, which is sure to evoke discussion. The food, on the other hand, is decidedly unfussy, in the tradition of the Adriatic region. Seafood is grilled and dressed with lemon, olive oil, and salt and pepper, allowing the true essence of the ocean to shine through in all its briny glory. Pastas are consistently fabulous, even the non-seafood varieties.

DOWNTOWN. Consistently voted one of Toronto's favorite places for seafood, Mediterra takes you straight to the Greek islands, with sunny yellow walls, terra cotta tiles, an evocative fishing village mural and ocean-blue table linens. The food is equally bright, in both flavor and presentation. Fresh herbs and flavored virgin olive oil, along with a deft hand at the grill, highlight the flavors of fresh scallops, halibut, snapper, lobster, calamari and shrimp. For the person in your group who avoids seafood, there are a few vegetarian, beef and chicken dishes, as well.

DOWNTOWN. The award-winning Oro has everything going for it. The elegant dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces and a classy color scheme ­ there's nothing garish about it. It fits well with the contemporary Italian-Mediterranean cooking turned out by the talented kitchen staff. You'll swoon over dishes like light-as-air gnocchi with butternut squash, confit and porcini sauce; truffled pappardelle; whole seabass with fennel salad; and grilled veal chops with roasted red pepper mash and caponata.