The Review

Issue date: 2/13/07 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Mike DeVoll [Click to enlarge]

Gentlemen, start your wallets! And empty your bank accounts while you're at it. Valentine's Day is coming and it isn't coming cheap unless you know what you're doing.

Think your idea is great and original? It probably isn't.

How about a romantic dinner? At least $70.

All girls love red roses, right? $65-80 for a dozen.

Then you've got chocolates, gifts and anything else that might make her say, "Aww."

Feb. 14 isn't just any date night - it's the biggest date night of the year. An ordinary date has to be extraordinary, but never fear, there's always a way to make your date feel special without taking out loans.

The upcoming festival of pet-names, gifts and public displays of affection probably hadn't even crossed your mind until a few weeks ago, which is O.K.

Ladies, you have to understand, it's not that we don't care about you - we are just lazy and work better under pressure.

Junior Jill Crowe has been thinking about it since January. She hadn't made definite plans with her boyfriend of five years who goes to another school, but it had certainly crossed her mind.

"It doesn't help that they put out all the Valentine's Day candy and cards like a.s.a.p. after Christmas," Crowe says.

Junior Jay Marino has been seeing his girlfriend for around three years and he says he prepares approximately a week in advance, but had no problems last holiday.

"Last year I spent about $100," he says. "I even got her a five-pound chocolate bar."

That bar of chocolate, by the way, was from 7-11. It just goes to show the sentiment can be translated without the word "Godiva."

There are plenty of options on Main Street. Caffe Gelato is having a live violinist, candles on each table, literally 1,000 roses and a special five-course meal by reservation only. The meal is predetermined so waiters don't have to interrupt your romantic dinner. Unfortunately, this deal pulls on the purse strings a bit at $109 per couple.

Homegrown Cafe is also reservation only and offers a five-course meal, with vegan and vegetarian options of course, and wine specials. This deal goes for $35 per person.

Continued...

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