DOWNTOWN. This boisterous seafood restaurant is a favorite haunt of Blue Jays players and fans for its proximity to the Rogers Centre, its fun former-warehouse ambience, and its appealing assortment of Italian favorites and fresh seafood. Whet your appetite with grilled or fried calamari, tasty seafood dip with garlic crostini, or a light salad. Move on to eggplant ravioli or seafood fettuccine, and then to pan-seared monkfish, grilled tenderloin, or skewers of bacon-wrapped tiger shrimp. A three-course prix fixe menu is available for $30.

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.

DOWNTOWN. This extremely friendly café is often filled to the brim with writers, journalists and other media-types. Conversation is lively and often of a political bent, which can make for an enjoyable people-watching experience. You'll also find full menus for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner, featuring traditional American and Italian dishes. Full bar too!

MIDTOWN. Lively and atmospheric, Grano captures the feel of an Italian country cafe with bright colors and rustic furnishings. There are several good appetizers but your best bet is to start with the antipasto bar, loaded with tidbits of seafood, stuffed mushrooms, marinated vegetables, and Italian meats and cheeses. Entrees include numerous vegetarian options, along with grilled fish and steak, and a range of traditional pastas. By far the favorite dessert is the white chocolate-raspberry tart, and the wine list is impressive. Be sure to pick up some bread at the shop on your way out!