V-Day dining spots
can accommodate
nearly any budget
Although finer restaurants
can be quite expensive,
a picnic or outdoor trek are
options for frugal couples
By Moriah Balingit
Freelance Reporter
Whoever said "Diamonds are a
girl's best friend" probably hadn't
tried Maurizio's Cake. The dessert,
an angel cake soaked in cognac and
orange juice and topped with choco
late curls, is one of the trademark
desserts at the Excelsior Inn, only
one of the options for a romantic
dinner in Eugene.
The Excelsior Inn Ristorante Ital
iano, located at 754 E. 13th Ave.,
will feature a menu on Valentine's
Day that will include several special
dishes. The filetto amore mio, beef
demiglose topped with a special
sauce, is one of the dishes, but Maur
izio Paparo, the Excelsior's head
chef, recommends the lobster to
charm that special someone.
Assistant chef Gustavo Pardo re
vealed how the restaurant spices up
a couple's evening.
"Our Valentine's Day food is
based on aphrodisiacs," he said.
The restaurant also offers an inti
mate atmosphere and old-world
ambiance. A typical dinner costs $50
to $60 per couple. Paparo said many
people, especially poverty-stricken
University students, opt to come in
after 10 p.m. for dessert and Spanish
coffee, which costs anywhere from
$15 to $30 a couple.
Another option is jo Federigo's, a
restaurant and jazz club located at
259 E. Fifth Ave.
The restaurant's fare is largely Ital
ian, but it also incorporates a North
west flavor. The alder salmon, for ex
ample, is a pasta dish containing
smoked salmon, sun-dried
tomatoes, kalamata olives, garlic,
goat cheese and parsley.
While the restaurant's entrees cost
between $14 and $18.50, the menu
also contains cheaper but equally
tasty alternatives such as pastas,
sandwiches and gourmet pizzas.
Candlelit tables add to the warm
romantic ambiance, and there is live
jazz nightly.
High Street Brewery and Cafe is a
cheaper and more casual option.
The restaurant, located at 1243 High
St., serves burgers, sandwiches, piz
za and pasta. The entrees are typical
ly less than $ 10 a plate, and many of
the portions are large enough to be
shared by a couple, said Brian Clark,
a wait staff member and cook. The
restaurant also has a number of Mc
Menamin's ales on draft and a selec
tion of red and white wines.
"(We have) a full bar ... so pretty
much everybody can be happy,"
Clark said.
While the ambiance is on the ca
sual side, the restaurant has candlelit
dinners and a fire in the evening to
add to the coziness.
Becky Droback, the innkeeper at A
Secret Garden Bed and Breakfast
Inn, helps guests find restaurants
around Eugene.
"There is a lack of nice student
priced restaurants (in Eugene)," she
said.
She suggested students pick up
supplies at a deli and set up a picnic.
"Decorate your room with Christ
mas lights and have (the meal) there
... that's what we did," she said of
rainy-weather plans.
For an option that won't break the
bank, visit outdoor locals such as
Skinner Butte, Alton Baker Park and
the Owens Rose Garden.
Moriah Balingit is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
Tim Kupsick Freelance Photographer
The ExcelsiorWn; tofated'af 734 E.T3thAve.,'wilt have a tpefciaf rhehu 'for Valentine's
Day. A dinner at the Italian restaurant will cost couples around $50 to $60.
TRACK TOWN SPECIALS
STARTING VALENTINES DAY
Singles or couples welcome
M $10 alter 10 PM ►
2 topping medium
2 Medium Single Topping Pizzas
$15.00 Delivery Only Anytime
2 Large Single Topping Pizzas
$20.00 Carryout Only Anytime
TRACK TOWN PIZZA
-FREE DELIVERY
1809 Franklin Blvd. • 284-8484 or 484-2799
Offer good until further notice
091810
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Saturday, February 14th
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2165 W. 11TH AVENUE ★ EUGENE ★ 683-6021
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