(KMDL-FM) Among married folks or folks who have been together as a couple for a while, there is a phenomenon known as date night. In Lafayette, Louisiana, a proper date involves a great meal. And for the record, “date night” doesn’t have to happen in the dark. You can have a “date night” lunch, or brunch, or if time is really tight, a snack or dessert in the middle of the afternoon.
I think the great meal is the reason a lot of us in Acadiana are willing to be seen with our significant other. But what makes a great date night restaurant when you’re trying to watch your budget?
What Makes a Great Date Night in Lafayette, Louisiana and Acadiana?
If I am reading the room correctly, what we are looking for is a place where the final bill is inexpensive, but the experience doesn’t feel cheap. There needs to be certain things included with the meal that give it an air of “elegance” even if that elegance is pro-rated just a little.
Some of the specifics that you mentioned to us that you look for in a great date night dining spot for those on a budget are these. Does the restaurant have waiters, or do you order your food at a kiosk? Are plates and flatware not made of paper or plastic? Is there a waitstaff, or do you have to return to the front counter for a refill on your drink or to request an additional condiment?
Also, the kind of food on offer can make a huge difference in whether the meal in question feels more like date night or if it feels more like “we just needed something to eat”. Hamburgers can be elegant with a unique presentation. Pizza can become gourmet by adjusting the toppings. Pasta with the addition of a good sauce and a well-researched and affordable bottle of wine can make you feel as if you’re spending the evening in Milan…