the GAVEL / February 20133

Culture

Budding romance on a budget

Struggles of the col-lege student revolve mostly around one object: money. The amount of cash in your wallet dictates where you go, what you do and when you do it. But Valentine’s Day is no time to cut corners. When it comes to showing someone how you feel, money cannot hold you back.

Lucky for us, Boston is full of inexpensive and unique activities and restaurants for you and your valentine. Whether you are a casual couple or soul mates, this list will give you plenty of ideas for a memorable evening to-gether.

Planetarium Show at the Museum of Science

What could be more ro-mantic than stargazing? This date shows that you are cre-

ative and smart but also a romantic. If you really want to impress your date, check out the Museum’s website for the monthly sky chart and viewing guide. The Museum is open until 9:00 p.m. on Sat-urday’s, so you and your date will have time to make a sec-ond stop elsewhere after tak-ing in the stars.

The Flatbread Com-pany @ Sacco’s Bowl Haven

Nothing says casual fun more than pizza and bowl-ing. This date will have you both laughing and will bring out your competitive sides. It’s easier to get to if you have access to a car, as the restaurant/bowling alley is located in Somerville, but it is definitely worth the trek. The Flatbread Company is known

for its organic and delicious pizza. As a bonus, it won’t break the bank to grab a bite and play a game or two with your date.

Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage

If your Valentine is really not a Valentine and more of a good friend that you talked into spending the evening with you, then enjoying some messy comfort food together in Harvard Square will make it more than worth his or her while. These delectable burg-ers will have your mouths wa-tering the second you walk in but don’t run more than about $13. Harvard Square is also a great place to explore, so don’t be in a rush to get back on campus! Make sure to bring cash, as your card will

not be accepted for payment!

Trident Booksellers and Cafe

If you or your date is vegetarian or vegan, then this menu will be a welcome change from the limited meal selections on campus. If you’re old enough to grab a beer come this Valentine’s Day, Trident, located on New-bury Street, even has a solid collection of New England beers to go along with your Hummus Plate or handmade Tibetan vegetarian dump-lings. Wandering around Newbury Street afterwards is a great option, but even better is wandering around the bookstore and pointing out your favorite books and reminiscing about the times you once spent enjoying the

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luxury that is recreational reading.

Punjab Palace Restau-rant

Indian food may not be what most people associ-ate with Valentine’s Day, but if your goal is to have great food that you won’t be see-ing on campus, this is worth a try. Consistently rated as having the best Indian food in Boston by Zagat Survey, Punjab has a wide array of authentic Indian food for those that know the cuisine well. Located close to BC’s campus on Brighton Avenue, Punjab Palace is a great place

for an old college couple to indulge in some new food. A meal won’t cost you more than $15 here, which is a great value considering this restaurant’s reputation around Boston.

Pour HouseIf all you want to do this

Valentine’s Day is take your date somewhere that feels like a nonstop party, this place will do the trick. The expansive menu of Ameri-can food including burgers, steak tips and subs is ac-companied by Mexican food such as chimichangas and tostadas. This food will fill

you both up and keep your wallet happy. Of course, the atmosphere is less-than- ro-mantic, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then this is an ideal restaurant.

Mike’s PastryIf casual but sweet is

more of what you’re looking for, Mike’s Pastry shop in the North End is a great stop on your Valentine’s Day adven-ture. With some of the best cannolis in Boston, Mike’s is still a bargain without sac-rificing any of the taste or

charm that comes with a small 100 percent home-made bakery. This menu in-cludes delectable cookies, cake by the slice, specialty coffee and biscotti all within a college student’s budget. Again, make sure you have cash as Mike’s does not ac-cept cards.

Legal Sea Foods- Harborside

Legal Sea Foods has be-come a successful national franchise for a reason. Sitting down for a full meal here might run a little too high for most budgets, so a great al-ternative is sitting on Floor 3 for an appetizer and a lovely view of the harbor. Make reservations for dusk so you can woo your date as the sun sets.

These ideas leave you feeling confident and pre-pared for your Valentine’s Day this year. Planning ahead is key when it comes to spe-cial occasions, so make sure you do your research before heading out with your date. Girls and guys alike aren’t looking for extravagance. Instead, show your date that you are creative, fun and at-tentive to their interests and you both will have a night you won’t soon forget!

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