True Love Cafe A Bittersweet Tribute To Lost Love
Posted February 14, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
John Lee remembers his true love.
Her name was Anita and they met when he was studying at the University of Toronto in 1995. Though romance wasn’t in the cards for them, she remains his one and only and he’s reminded of her every time he goes to work.
The True Love Café, owned and run by John and his sister Lina (pictured below) since 2004, is a tribute to that gone but not forgotten flame.
“Prior to falling in love with her I didn’t believe in true love,” Lee says wistfully. “We were taught that things of the heart did not exist, that we were supposed to be subjective. Falling in love changed that.”
Located at the corner of Sherbourne and Dundas Sts., the True Love Café is immediately recognizable by the fading red hearts plastered on the outside walls and windows advertising the restaurant’s specials, including a ‘Juicy Sexy Burger’ for $5.75.
Inside, everything’s purple, from the painted walls and ceilings (four coats, Lee says), to the upholstered seats.
“The color purple (is) a mix of red and blue, symbolizing female and male,” he explains.
WATCH JOHN LEE TALK ABOUT THE TRUE LOVE CAFE
A Heintzman and Co. piano sits in one corner and art on the walls dates back from when the restaurant housed famed jazz club George’s Spaghetti House in the 1950s. In another corner are half a dozen computers offering free Internet.
Lina and John serve up everything from breakfast fare to sandwiches and spicy dumpling soup. They’re aided by friends from the neighbourhood who come over to help with the cooking and service. Lee says they’re not doing anything special for Valentine’s Day because “it feels like Valentine’s Day here every day.”
However he does offer some love advice for the guys.
“For the men to make certain that they pay for the ladies. It may sound old-fashioned but I believe it’s important for a man to act like a man and make their mate feel appreciated,” he says. ” Not only for Valentine’s Day, for every day.”
When lovers are out buying cards, flowers and chocolates for each other this February 14th, Lee will likely be at his café, pouring coffee and thinking about the girl that got away.
“For myself I believe there’s only one true love,” he said. “I’ve had many interesting discussions with people regarding the definition of true love. Some believe it’s the love of a mother for her child. Some believe it’s in a religious sense, the love God has for his children. I believe that each individual has their own definition.
“For me, it’s Anita.”
