The top eateries for every couple as chosen by Clarke Central High Students and the ODYSSEY staff.
The School Pick: Olive Garden
By ANDRE MACK-ROBINSON – Variety Writer
A romantic hot spot worthy of taking your boyfriend or girlfriend for dinner is Olive Garden, located at 3666 Atlanta Highway, serving soups, seafood, pizza, beef, pork, pasta and chicken dishes.
Andre Mack-Robinson and Alexa Friedman enjoy a romantic and fun night at Olive Garden. Photo by Mollie Sherman.
Reservations should be made prior to your big night out. Olive Garden will typically be packed to capacity and leave customers waiting for available seating.
Once seated, you will discover the romantic atmosphere and the Italian setting are perfect. Vines, paintings and a fireplace comprise the unique Italian architecture. The lighting is dimmed and couples are seated at a two-person table.
Customers have the choice of receiving a garden fresh salad or four different types of soups with their entrée. Another option is the special three course Italian dinner for about $13.
Olive Garden offers a unique variety of beverages, an asset that set it apart from big-name chain restaurants. They serve skinny pomegranate limetta, skinny white peach cooler, Italian sodas, limonatas, smoothies, water, juices or fountain drinks.
After the meal is over, one of Olive Garden’s tasty desserts can complete the night. The Warm Apple Crostata is a great choice. The sliced apples, vanilla cream and caramelized almond biscotti crumble baked on a shortbread cookie crust is served warm with vanilla ice cream. The price of this delicious treat is about $6.
It’s fun, romantic and the service is quick and polite. The only negative I have about the restaurant is the large waiting time and crowded area. Take my advice, make a reservation.
*100 students polled by Paola Hilario on Jan. 30.
The Staff Pick: Transmetropolitan
By HANNAH DUNN-GRANDPRE – Variety Editor
PORTER McLEOD – News Writer
Transmetropolitan, located both at the downtown location, 145 East Clayton St., and the Westside location, 1550 Oglethorpe Ave. calls for a recipe of a great time, fantastic food and a great atmosphere.
Porter McLeod and Hannah Dunn-Grandpre feast on pizza and fresh salads for Valentine's Day. Photo by Porter McLeod.
The downtown location consists of both an upstairs and downstairs, booths and tables and an inviting environment, making Transmet an ideal date location.
Known for their delectable pizza, Transmet offers an array of Sicilian slices, original slices, sides such as salads as well as entire pizzas for large groups. No matter what you may choose, each piece is delicious.
While Sicilian slices may be almost tricky to eat due to their large size, it’s the better choice compared to the original slices, and the cost reaches as little as $4, depending on the toppings.
One of the greatest pizzas Transmet offers is the Hawaiian on Sicilian. Not only will you be taken aback by the massive size, but the savory taste will blow you away.The bread sits about 3 inches high with cheese covering the top. The bread is crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside.
The Hawaiian features cheese, pineapple and ham. Cooked under the cheese the pineapple and ham give the pizza a juicy and warm flavor.
Another fantastic meal is the Caesar salad. Although it contained a few too many mushrooms and olives, the Caesar dressing was very unique. It was almost sour, but well kept with a lovable tangy taste. Its large size is certainly worth the $5.50 cost.
One downside is that you can’t make reservations at either location. At the downtown scene, the line can reach out the door, and parking always becomes a dilemma at both locations. Eating earlier and avoiding the rush would make for a wise decision.
The inviting atmosphere and down to earth staff invites you in and the meal itself puts it over the top. Any valentine would be satisfied after a night at Transmetropolitan.
The Local Pick: White Tiger
By CHLOE ALEXANDER – News Writer
Sweethearts who want a romantic, rooftop experience can find just this at The White Tiger Gourmet, a casual, city-style restaurant above the Georgia Theatre, located at 215 N. Lumpkin St.
Robert Walker and Chloe Alexander enjoy a breezy Valentine's Day dinner atop the Georgia Theatre at The White Tiger Gourmet. Photo by Porter McLeod.
The Georgia Theatre is a historic venue that has been host to such bands as R.E.M., Widespread Panic and Beck, and was reopened on Aug. 1 after the fire and renovations, of which included the addition of the White Tiger.
The primary location of the popular eatery is on Hiawassee Ave. in the historic Boulevard District, the second location being added atop the famous theatre. The downtown location is equal parts bar and restaurant that has a relaxed atmosphere and stylish setting, which provides for an experience that reminds one of a swanky rooftop bar in Manhattan.
The simple, barbecue-centric menu is reminiscent of a summer day picnic and consists of a variety of sandwiches, a number of which are vegetarian friendly. Their specialty, however, is the barbeque sandwich, a simple concoction of smoked pork with homemade sauce on a Kaiser roll. Sides include classic accompaniments to barbeque, such as potato chips and coleslaw.
Prices are reasonable, with sandwiches ranging from $5 to $8. Despite the affordable menu, service is practically non-existent. The staff is friendly enough, but mostly indifferent. Anyone who enjoys the absence of an ever-present waiter will enjoy the self serve aspect of the White Tiger, where orders are placed at a register or at the bar then can be picked up when your name is called out of a kitchen window.
The restaurant has no indoor seating, a drawback on chilly days. Due to the bar-like atmosphere, the clientele is mostly dominated by college students, a possible deterrent to non-drinking customers.
The White Tiger Gourmet would be a good Valentine’s Day date location for any couple that enjoys the stylish, downtown Athens atmosphere. However, it is not optimal on a windy winter day or for anyone unwilling to brave the cold temperatures.
The Conclusion:
