NEWS RELEASE
OPENTABLE
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TORONTO - OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), is launching a Takeout ordering feature to support Canadian restaurants though prolonged restrictions in time to help food lovers dine-in this Valentine’s Day.
Select Canadian restaurants available for reservations on OpenTable can now offer take out ordering through the platform.
To help make the most of Valentine’s Day at home, Barrie has two restaurants offering takeout. Those restaurants are Common Good Café and Il Buco.
OpenTable’s Takeout feature is available to Canadian restaurants free of charge until April 1, 2021 as part of the reservation platform’s commitment to supporting the industry.
In 2020 OpenTable also launched Open Door, which allows restaurants to access its network and restaurant platform with no subscription or cover fees until March 2021. OpenTable saw 75 million covers driven through its Open Door relief pricing program in 2020.
According to a recent OpenTable survey, 68 per cent of Canadians want to do something special for Valentine’s Day, however 58 per cent indicate that they need help figuring out how to elevate the occasion.
As dining establishments across the country face ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic, OpenTable’s Takeout feature connects people who enjoy dining out with curated menus and offerings from local restaurants, giving customers more ways to make Valentine’s Day feel special.
“Romance and dining are inextricably linked and Valentine’s Day is typically the busiest day of the year for Canadian restaurants. Restaurants may be facing restrictions but they can still rise to the occasion and help diners make this day exceptional,” says Matt Davis, OpenTable Canada. “We’ve partnered with restaurants across the country to create unique at-home Valentine’s Day dining experiences through our Takeout feature, to inspire Canadians to make the most of the romantic occasion.”
Love in the Time of COVID-19
With continued restrictions and stay-at-home orders, celebrating Valentine’s Day this year needs an injection of inspiration with survey results also showing more than 67 per cent of Canadians don’t yet have celebrations planned.
While the majority of Canadians (72 per cent) have no interest in cooking on Valentine’s Day, even more (73 per cent) indicate that Valentine’s Day would be incomplete without a special meal. Nearly half of Canadians rank having a nice meal as more important than intimacy on the international day of romance.
A New Way to Date Night
To help lovers from coast to coast satisfy their partners' dining desires, OpenTable has compiled tips based on survey findings to help Canadians do Valentine’s date night right at home this year, as well as a list of the most romantic takeout options.
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Get out of those sweats - One in five Canadians say they want their date to dress up for Valentine’s Day, even if it’s spent at home. That doesn’t mean you have to put on a ball gown, just shelve the seats for an evening.
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Stock up on wine - 56 per cent of Canadians say wine (compared to cocktails or spirits) is their preferred alcohol to accompany a Valentine’s Day meal.
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Go for a romantic stroll - Ordering takeout is a great opportunity to get out of the house. Canadians should opt to walk with their partner rather than drive and take advantage of quality time together.
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Get your partner a little something extra: While a meal is the number one thing Canadian respondents indicated would make Valentine’s Day special, 17 per cent let it be known that receiving a gift such as flowers, sweets or jewelry would be appreciated.
Most Romantic Takeout Options, According to OpenTable
There are almost 80 restaurants from coast to coast offering Takeout through OpenTable. Below are a few highlights of restaurants serving up romantic dinner offerings for two.
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Von Der Fels in Calgary is offering cocktail kits and date night wine baskets as well as steak or caviar dinner for two packages leading up to, and on Valentine’s Day.
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Zoe's at Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa is offering a complete dinner for two featuring signature menu items with the option to include a 1/2 bottle of Moët & Chandon.
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La Latina in Toronto is offering two diner packages for two, one a steak dinner featuring 3rd Picanha (Top Sirloin) and a vegetarian option available for pre-order until February 11th.
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Tzin in Edmonton is offering a dinner for two including one bottle of reserved red wine, a customized Spotify playlist curated by Tzin and conversation starters.
For even more from OpenTable on Valentine’s Day insights, delivery and takeout recommendations or suggestions on restaurants that are open for outdoor dining, go here.
*OpenTable conducted the survey via SurveyMonkey to over 1,300 Canadian diners on its network (age 18+) from Jan. 8 - 13, 2021.
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