It’s Thursday night, you’ve got an attractive member of the opposite sex at your beck and call, but you’re on a tight budget. What do you do?
How does an exciting evening of physical activity and culinary delights sound? What if it only cost $15? Are we on the same page here?
This wonderful evening can be yours, and it’s all too easy. Start off the night with a good round of miniature golf. “Miniature golf,” you say. “I haven’t done that since my seventh birthday.” Come on, regain your lost youth. Miniature golf can be the perfect date activity.
Forgive me ladies, but I have to speak from a male perspective for a minute. There are endless opportunities to play it cool in this situation. First, no matter what, you must lose the game. Even if she actually beats you, pretend like you lost on purpose. Second, if it’s cold out, you can give her your coat. Third, you can talk while waiting for other people. Fourth, if she needs a little coaching, you are definitely there to help.
There are two places to play miniature golf in the area: Camp Putt and Putt N Video. Camp Putt, located on 4006 Franklin Blvd., has a beautiful outdoor course and costs $4.75 per person. Downside: they aren’t open on Monday or Tuesday. Putt N Video, located on 1300 Mowhawk Blvd. in Springfield, is cheaper, only $2.75 per person, and stays open later. Downside: the course is indoors. For me, that really kills the mood. But if you want to give it a shot, call 741-9828 and 726-9664 respectively for hours and directions.
So you’ve broken the ice, and killed enough time that it’s now 9 p.m. You and your date drive over to Marie Callender’s for pie and coffee. And it’s only gonna cost $5.
After 9 p.m., the restaurant, located near Valley River Center at 1300 Valley River Drive, has a pie-and-coffee special for $2. Two people X $2 + tip = $5. Wow.
Wait, I just gave a $1 tip, is that OK? Why yes it is, that’s a whopping 25 percent tip. You can feel free to leave the official 15 percent, but hear me out: The server is doing a hard job for your simple pie and coffee. How many times will they have to come back to fill your cup? They deserve a little extra. Plus, it’ll make you look like a big spender in front of your date.
Marie Callender’s is notorious for its incredible pies, and they are still just as good after 9 p.m. However, the restaurant is not as well-known for its coffee. So this is a warning to coffee snobs of all ages: go to Allann Bros instead. But even if the coffee’s not great, the pie’s so damn good you can’t complain.
A note on the pies: know what you’re getting into. There are so many choices, 28 to be precise, that one could get bogged down. (The last thing you want is to look indecisive in front of a date.) Before you go you should at least have your pie choice narrowed down to one of the four categories: traditional favorites, cream pies, sour cream pies, or specialty pies.
Another note: the pie-and-coffee special does not include ice cream. If you want your slice á la mode, it’ll cost an extra $1.39. It’s best to know ahead of time in case you need more help than Mr. Lincoln can provide, if you know what I mean.
Upon entering the restaurant, it helps to let the server know that you are only intending to have the pie and coffee special. They will seat you, typically, in a booth as there are many available after nine. From this booth, you can look out on the restaurant’s extensive collection of books, ranging from “Objective Accounting” to “The Cautious Overshoes.” Perhaps you’ll find one that both you and your date have read.
The rustic atmosphere of Marie Callender’s provides an end for the perfect first date — it’s a great place to go to get to know someone new, and it feels more homey than a coffee shop, another typical date activity. Plus you get pie.
For more information, call Marie Callender’s at 484-7111.