The First Date Series takes a look at restaurants in Montreal where you might want to go -- or might not want to go -- on a first date. The food at Bonnys Vegetarian and Organic Cuisine is witty and creative, and the eatery itself is cute and charismatic. Bonnys is a superb choice for an unpretentious first date - whether you're a meat-eater or not.

Small, cozy, and inviting, It's the tiny touches that create the warm, rustic mood at Bonnys. Vintage kitchen appliances serve as decoration, marquetry-covered tables depict little animals, and a birdhouse hangs from the ceiling. A wall is made out of stacked birch tree trunks, giving a date at Bonnys a dinner-in-an-enchanted-forest feel.
My companion and I started our date with two glasses of organic, Quebec-made red wine, and the bruschetta to share. Thick, whole wheat sesame bread was dressed with a rich olive tapenade and diced onions. The bread was doughy, but perfectly crisp, and the sesame seeds added a taste that was subtle, and made the classic dish exceptionally tasty.

We followed this with the lentil burger and the Rueben tempeh wrap. Both meals were big hits. The lentil burger, served on a kamut bun, was moist, flavourful and the patty held together remarkably well. Plantain chips came on the side - a nice touch that we both appreciated.

The Reuben tempeh wrap initially seemed like a risky choice, but first dates can often use a little excitement - and the wrap was outstanding. Warm tempeh, sauerkraut, raw red cabbage, dill pickles and Dijon in a whole wheat wrap: a meat-free take on a Montreal specialty. The sandwich was hearty, and surprisingly, the mustard-pickle-sauerkraut combination really worked with the seasoned tempeh.

Both meals were served alongside an elaborate salad. Cucumbers, grated carrots, red cabbage, avocado, soybeans, and sunflower seeds looked impressive atop mixed greens, all drizzled in black sesame dressing. Side salads are often forgettable, but this is not the case at Bonnys - the salads impressed us both.

We skipped dessert, but I've heard about the carrot cake here.

Our waitress was extremely pleasant and helpful, although the service was far from speedy. On a first date that's going well, that may be a perk. On one that's going badly, slow-paced service can be excruciating.

The same attention to detail that creates the charming atmosphere here is also seen in the food. Bonnys is the perfect place to woo a vegetarian on a first date, but also a good spot to seduce a meat-eater.

Bonnys Vegetarian and Organic Cuisine is located at 1748 Notre-Dame Ouest, and is open Monday to Friday from 11.30am to 9pm, for dining in and take out.

Check out some of our other First Date ideas like the Griffintown Cafe or Icehouse.

Do you have suggestions for other fun first date places that Midnight Poutine should take a look at? Leave a comment below!