Whether you’re planning to spend Valentine’s Day with your crush, significant other or just some pals, University of Georgia students have plenty of creative ideas for the perfect date in Athens, according to an informal poll conducted by JOUR 3190 last week.
Of the dozen students surveyed, eight suggested a restaurant, although the specific recommendations varied.
Kaitlyn Hemstreet, a junior marketing student from Macon, said she loves the weekly dates she has with her boyfriend, which they call “Sushi Sunday.”
“We go to Ru San’s in Beechwood,” said Hemstreet. “We go to the gym, do crunches right there and then we go after,” Her favorite is the Suki roll, which includes snow crab, avocado and salmon.
Anjelique Simmons, a fourth year German and linguistics major from Stone Mountain, suggested going to see a comedy show with some friends at Rashe’s Cuisine. The Jamaican restaurant occasionally hosts comedians who are not afraid to take jabs at the audience members. Simmons laughed and said she couldn’t repeat any of the jokes that were made.
Julia Dunlap, a junior Spanish and international affairs major from Peachtree City, said she thinks Mama’s Boy would be the perfect place to go out to eat because of the cute but casual environment and their legendary biscuits. “Breakfast dates are the best dates,” Dunlap said.
Katie Kirkland, a sophomore wildlife major from Fayetteville, and her boyfriend Sam Perryman, a sophomore finance major from Cumming, suggested going to Five Guys. Kirkland raved about the grilled cheese, which is made with two inverted hamburger buns. In addition to the food, Five Guys’ location on a busy corner makes it the perfect spot to people watch while you eat or hang out downtown after your meal, Kirkland said.
If you’re not incredibly hungry, Ashleigh Proctor, a sophomore biology major from Augusta, recommended Ike & Jane Café and Bakery. “You can try a little dessert or something, get to know the person and…if they can hold a conversation,” said Proctor. She said she likes the intimate, laidback atmosphere, which she said creates, “a nice place to talk.”
If sitting at a dinner date is not your style, Callie Hood, a third year linguistics and international affairs major from Buchanan, said going to the State Botanical Garden in Athens would be a great activity. “I feel like that’s a cool place to walk around and get to know a person,” Hood said. “I also feel like it’d be less awkward than trying to go and make conversation over dinner.”
For those who are more artistically inclined, Karen Mejia, a senior advertising major from Norcross, said ARTini’s would be a cute place to go for a friend date. This unique activity involves taking a painting class while adult beverages are available for sale.
Sven Leicher, a junior economics major from Atlanta, mentioned the location of a field near the Jittery Joe’s roaster where people fly their drones overhead. “You can get coffee and stuff like that at the same time,” he said. “That was the first time I went [out] with my girlfriend, before we dated.”
Gunnar Weger, a senior finance major from Honolulu, said his perfect date would be going ice skating in the Classic Center, an activity he did often in the winters of his childhood in Washington, D.C. “It just brings back very fond memories. Makes me feel young — younger,” Weger said.