Date Nights Galore

We’ve been so lucky lately when it comes to Date Nights that I think it’s a bit unfair! Honestly, we’ve managed to sneak out at least once a week for the past three weeks and… to top it all off, we’re heading to the Outaouais region in Quebec for a kid free getaway this weekend! VERY grateful and totally spoiled, I know!

My parents are entering their slow phase in the B&B industry so they’ve been visiting us a lot more, and we’ve also had the hub’s parents visit us recently so they helped by watching the kids too. Not to mention my lovely aunt/nanny who’s ready to help out when we’re in a pinch. We went through the entire summer with no date nights so the end of October saw us grab any chance to escape sans kids. We went out so often that we’re shocked ourselves!

So what all did we do?

Cask Days : This annual beer event is a much anticipated one and we enlisted the help of the hubs’ parents as we spent an evening at the Brickworks. This event is put together by the same family who owns Birreria Volo and Bar Volo and I had high hopes. Unfortunately for me, by the time we got there all the beers I had on my list were done and because I’m not an IPA fan, I stuck to the porters and ciders (how most of the 400 beers were sold out is a mystery to me!). Definitely need to get there super early next time and I’m surprised the hubs didn’t tell me that because he’s been attending this for the past 4 years! I ended the night by going out for Ramen with a friend of mine (the Ramen was lousy too!!) and needless to say, this wasn’t our best date night of the lot!

Eat To The Beat : Unlike last year, we got here with no dramatic issues and enjoyed ourselves greatly. I stuck to the food vs. the wine and sampled about 50 of the 60 dishes offered by the female chefs and took a few pictures with the corseted ladies. This event continues to be one of my favourites and as usual, there were no line ups and this year the food vendors had plenty of food to the  very end. I did notice that the event started closing up around 9 p.m. so parents, this is a great event for a date night as you’ll be in and out with filled bellies within two hours! This event is in support of breast cancer research so you don’t have to feel guilty about all the treats you put in your belly -right?

Day of the Dead : My work had a function so after Eat to the Beat we swung by for some Altos Tequila and Kahlua cocktails honouring the bartenders of the past. This was my first Día de Muertos celebrations and I’m seriously vowing to spend a future one in Mexico because I loved learning about some of the traditions and can’t wait to learn more. Also Kahlua Espresso martinis are totally going to be my winter drink!

The Crown : If you haven’t heard the buzz, the latest Netflix show getting much love is called ” The Crown” and because we’re part of the #Streamteam, the hubs and I were invited for an intimate event where we enjoyed a Q&A with Jared Harris and Vanessa Kirby, who both star in The Crown. If you didn’t know ,this Netflix original series focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. We’ve just started watching it an I see myself binge-ing on it over a weekend…if only the hubs would allow it!

Mexico City : This city has been on my list to explore for a while and unlike the rest of Mexico which I’d be happy to explore with the kids, I want to visit Mexico City for a couple’s escape. We had a chance to enjoy the fabulous El Catrin restaurant as we chatted with the folks from Mexico City’s tourism board and they told us about all the kid friendly attractions on offer for visiting families. I guess I COULD take the kids there but our date night with Mexico City in Toronto definitely has me yearning for a date night IN Mexico City!

Five date night events in the span of three weeks? Geez…lucky we are! I can’t wait for the relaxing times in Outaouais and will be sure to share all that we discover. We’ve got a couple spa visits, a yoga class and many restaurants and beers to explore over our two nights there. We’re definitely glad that my parents are taking the kids away for the weekend, that’s for sure.

Have you lucked out with any date night recently?