Home > Blogs > The Lounge Lizards > Archives > 2009 > February > 13 > Entry
Last minute romantic? We have a plan for you
Fact: There’s virtually no more important date night than Valentine’s Day.
Whether the men or women in your life will admit it, they are looking for some special consideration and thought throughout the year, especially on Feb. 14.
If you’re reading this and don’t have a plan for this Saturday, you’d better find one stat!
Knowing a few of us are likely to plan at the last moment, the Lounge Lizards have scoped out a few last-minute ideas that provide all of the ingredients for a date — dinner, activity and atmosphere — that may be the bull’s eye Cupid’s looking to score.
The Lizards will tell you there may be better options out there — but you would have needed to make those plans weeks ago. All of these options do not require advance reservations or still have tickets available.
DINNER AND A MOVIE
This is the most classic, simple choice for date night. It’s affordable, entertaining (in theory) and easy to plan.
Where: Chatters Bar & Grille in the Cinema De Lux 14
Address: 4489 Glengarry Drive, Beavercreek
Hours: Noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; Noon to 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Contact information: (937) 429-4130 or www.thegreene.com/tenant.cfm?tenantid=58
Why it’s worth recommending: Chatters Bar & Grill is located in the Cinema De Lux 14 at The Greene. The small lounge area is offering a Valentine’s Day special on a dinner and movie combo for $43.90 that includes — according to their advertised promotion — two “special” appetizers, two sandwiches, two soft drinks, one dessert and two regular adult admissions to a movie. Menu items at Chatters feature standard appetizers and sandwiches. So, why would we recommend it? Two words: no reservations, which is coincidentally a cute romance movie starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart that came out in 2007 that you could always pick up and watch at home if all else fails.
Romance factor: Who doesn’t love dinner and a movie? Cuddle up with your sweetie as the lights dim and the 45 minutes of commercials and previews come on.
Price tag: $43.90
The Lounge Lizards say: If you’re looking to add a cocktail to your Valentine’s day combo Chatters has 32 different cocktail options on the regular menu at varying prices ranging from $6-12 and six cocktail concoctions on the Valentine’s Day Drink menu, each priced at $5. Unless you’re a lightweight, opt for anything bottled and sealed. The drinks are heavy on the mixers and little else. While the bar is stocked with top-shelf choices, Chatters seemed on several visits to use them sparingly. We give them credit for their inventiveness — there’s no doubt they are creative and have put great thought into a sizable drink menu. We wish other venues would put this kind of time and attention into their bar menus. But The Rat Pack would want more liquor, and the Lounge Lizards do, too. If you’re looking for dinner and a movie in one convenient stop, this is a good option.
That’s the ticket: There are several romantic movies in theaters now including “Confessions of a Shopaholic”;The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “He’s Just Not That Into You” (the Lizards hope that’s not the case), “Bride Wars” and “New In Town.” All good options regardless of whether you choose to take Chatter’s up on the Valentine’s Day deal.
DINNER AND A SHOW
It’s like dinner and a movie, only more sophisticated. It’s live-action, real time and surround sound like you’ll never get at the movies.
Where: Citilites inside of the Schuster Center
Address: Second and Main streets, Dayton
Hours: Lunch hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Citilites is open for dinner prior to performances at the Schuster Center, beginning two hours before curtain time.
Contact information: Citilites does close for some private events at the Schuster Center — call (937) 222-0623 for more information or www.schustercenter.org/dining/citilites.html
Why it’s worth recommending: If you’re looking for a classy option available in any city, including Dayton, there’s nothing better than cocktails, dinner and theater. Gussy up in your finest regalia and walk tall in the knowledge that you’ll be hitting a high note with your special someone.
Romance factor: Citilites’ space is cool and contemporary with a sideline view of the Wintergarten. It has a romantic vibe. Add an evening of top-shelf theater, opera, music or dance to the mix, and you have a date to remember. Cupid would be proud.
Price tag: Varies depending on the show/cocktail/dinner combo you decide on; just know sophistication comes at a price. Citilites offers a full wine and beer menu, as well as “Bar Bites” appetizer options. To keep the romance bubbling, we recommend the Champagne cocktails, priced at $8 each. Two good bets are the Bellini (peach nectar and champagne) and the Eiffel Tower (Grand Marnier, orange juice and champagne). The February Citilites menu features a Black-N-Bleu Strip Steak $25; Green Onion Glazed Tilapia $21 and Gnocchi Gratin $18.
The Lounge Lizards say: This is the one place you can park for an all-inclusive, worry-free evening of theater, drinks and dinner. There are other downtown dining options, but no staff understands better that the show will go on with or without you in your seats than the staff at Citilites. And speaking of getting to your seat on time, check out www.easyparkdowntown.org. This Web site provides an interactive map that displays the name and location of parking facilities downtown, total number of spaces, rates, payment options and contact information.
That’s the ticket: The Dayton Ballet is performing “The Who’s Tommy” through Feb. 15 at the Victoria Theatre and The Dayton Opera is performing the romance-infused “The Elixir of Love” on Feb. 14, 20 and 22. Check www.ticketcenterstage.org for pricing and availability.
DINNER AND BOWLING
Looking for a more relaxed, more interactive, more laid back Valentine’s Day experience? Why not dinner and bowling? Keeping with our theme of convenience, we sought out an option with dining and activities housed in a single location.
Where: Capri Bowling Lanes
Address: 2727 S. Dixie Drive, Kettering
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays Noon to 11 p.m. Sundays.
Contact information: (937) 298-7411 or www.caprilanes.com
Why it’s worth recommending: The Lizards would side with our readers and recommend Capri Lanes, which was voted best bowling alley in our 2008 Best of Dayton poll (visit www.activedayton.com/bestofdayton for results, voting and more). Under new ownership since August 2006, the updated look and changes that have been made in the last few years make it our top choice for bowling in the area.
Romance factor: We’re going to say close to zero, but there are those out there who would disagree with us. We will say that this option scores high for couples who’ve been together long enough to know they want couples with them when they go out, or for groups of friends who are looking to celebrate a more plutonic Valentine’s Day.
Price tag: Ranges from $2.75 to $4 a game; shoe rentals are $2.50. Two-hour bowling special ranges from $6-7.50 (Sunday is the best bet at $6). The Lounge Lizards say: The freshly renovated Capri Lanes offers lovers of all ages a chance to bowl. Add to that a menu of classic American fried food and, for the grown-ups, a pitcher of beer or a mixed drink or two and you have a winning combination. And keep in mind, the later you arrive, the more likely you are to have an opportunity for some mood lighting provided by Capri’s cosmic bowling.
That’s the ticket: Late night Valentine’s revelers plan to check out cosmic bowling and the lounge area painted in a deep, rich red — the color of romance.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Events
Comments
By Patty
February 13, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t go anywhere you two recommend!
By Alexis
February 14, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this
Patty — is there anywhere you would recommend in town for folks to go for last minute planning? We’d love to hear any ideas you might have.
By Buy valium
April 4, 2010 2:58 PM | Link to this
access drillhole stagnate licensors received boyer poster alike rome alternate oftenso
By Buy Ambien
April 5, 2010 8:47 AM | Link to this
terrain reuse cogent stigmatised irish cambridge arguedas identifiers remain spillover bayer
By seo lace
May 2, 2010 10:28 AM | Link to this
I am hsving a hard time seeing www.activedayton.com in IE 5.6, I just figurer I might let you know.