Restaurant promotes sex in its bathrooms

February 03, 2010

A hostess shows off a washroom at Mildred's, where sex is encouraged.

RENÉ JOHNSTON

TORONTO STAR

Mildred's Temple Kitchen is inviting customers to have sex in its bathrooms.

The Valentine's weekend promotion takes uncomfortable but electrifying sex from the close confines of an airplane and transfers it to the unisex stalls of the Hanna Ave. restaurant.

The Liberty Village restaurant proposes its modern bathrooms become one of the "101 places to have sex before you die."

Mildred's has always elicited a certain response. One customer, who didn't want to be named, remembers going to a wedding at the eatery's old location and seeing a copy of the Kama Sutra in the bathroom.

"They invite it," said the customer.

This time, the invitation is explicit. On its website, Mildred's asks: "Have you given any thought to moving beyond the bedroom?

"Check out Mildred's Sexy Bathrooms throughout the weekend of Big Love. You get the picture."

Actually, the picture is clouded by practicalities. Is the restaurant supplying condoms? What about the health risks of body fluids? And who's cleaning up?

"We've always had little trysts in our bathrooms," says chef/co-owner Donna Dooher, pointing to lingering weekday lunches as a popular time. "We're taking it to the next level on Valentine's weekend."

The restaurant's four bathrooms light up outside when occupied. Staff have learned to watch the light flicker twice when two customers enter the same bathroom, usually a few minutes apart.

Toronto Public Health says as long as there's no sex in the kitchen and the restaurant keeps its washrooms clean and sanitized, it's not fussed. "As far as bodily fluids, it's pretty much similar to the other human functions going on in there," says Jim Chan, manager of the food safety program.

Dooher says customers must bring their own condoms but she's hiring a maid to tidy the washrooms that weekend. "She'll be there with her feather duster and cleaning supplies."

At least diners aren't encouraged to use furry handcuffs, part of a $55 "naughty love hamper," while at Mildred's. "Best to savour and enjoy (those) long after you leave the restaurant," the restaurant says.

                    FOLLOW-UP STORY

Restaurant that promoted sex in bathroom would rather forget all about it

February 05, 2010

RENE JOHNSTON

TORONTO STAR

No, they’re not taking reservations for the bathroom.

In fact, Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, the Liberty Village restaurant that invited diners to have Valentine’s Day sex in its unisex washrooms, would rather we forget all about the offer.

“We were just having a bit of fun and being playful,” says Mildred co-owner Donna Dooher.

“The world is a pretty stressed place.”

The offer was part of Mildred's Weekend of Big Love, a Valentine's promotion that includes an optional set of furry handcuffs and such aphrodisiac menu items such as chef Tyler Cunningham's fresh oysters with tapioca pearls and Lady-And-The-Tramp spaghetti and meatballs, served from one plate.

Whether a joke taken too far or a move of public relations genius, Mildred's cheeky invitation has generated worldwide attention. It's been blogged on the right-wing Drudge Report and the left-leaning Huffington Post, proving that sex appeals to readers of every inclination. Celebrity bloggers Perez Hilton and Alyssa Milano have weighed in. Dooher has been interviewed on Australian radio and fielded telephone calls from France.

“They all think we're urging customers to have sex in our bathrooms,” she says. “All we were trying to do was spark a little spontaneity.”

The media blitz hasn't translated into a boost in reservations. According to the Web site Open Table, spots are available at 10 and 10:30 p.m. over the Valentine's weekend. There is also space during Winterlicious - the city-wide restaurant promotion that ends Feb. 11 - for both the $20 lunch and $35 early dinners.

Neither have there been cancellations, despite numerous angry voicemails.

“People were just outraged that we're tarnishing the reputation of the Toronto restaurant industry. We've been called a classless bunch running a bawdy house, who the police should take to jail,” Dooher says.

(One local television station contacted Toronto Police Services to find out if public washroom sex is allowed. It is, between consenting adults.)

The suggestion of washroom sex, Dooher laughs, has certainly divided her customers. “I've heard ‘How can my children and I ever step in your restaurant again?’ and ‘Aww. You ruined it. Now no one will ever have sex in there again’.”

Dooher, a 30-year industry veteran, says she's considered adding security for the Valentine's weekend but hasn't decided.

Her advice for nervous diners who just have to go?

“Just use the bathroom,” Dooher says.