520 Etc.: Get Some Summer Lovin'
As requested by some of our readers, the 520 Gang as compiled some ideas to help you knock the socks off your date. Here are some of our suggestions for one hot weekend, whether it's you first date or your 10th anniversary:
Friday
If you’re out West and in the mood for some Thai food, Taste of Thai off on N. Peters Road by Downtown West is just the place for a spicy, sweet date. If the weather is nice, the restaurant offers outdoor seating on the patio.
For those of you who are movie buffs, take your date out to Lady in the Water for some scary psychological turbulence, or My Super Ex-Girlfriend for some obvious ice-breaking laughs.
For those who would rather spend the early parts of the evening enjoying some earthy “blues and soul-satisfying Americana,” check out Blue Mother Tupelo for Alive After Five at the Knoxville Museum of Art. The party is $8 per person or $4 for students and members, a moderate price considering its array of art and music. Catering by Gus's (yes, that's how they spell it) Restaurant.
The World’s Fair Park is right next door, so after the event ends at 8 pm, you can whisk away your date for some relaxing romance under the bridge by the fountains. The bridge offers both rain protection and a rather private setting.
Then venture downtown to Market Square and/or the Old City for some late-night fun. The wine and cheese at Oodles Uncorked on the square offers a tasty and tender atmosphere for conversation.
Afterward, tonight’s list of live music spans a wide spectrum of genres, moods and prices. Next to Oodles, the World Grotto will be alive with Chicago Afrobeat Project and dancing.
If the the Corner Lounge is more your speed, Westside Daredevils, The Mattoid and Ham 1 will begin what Mattoid dubs “sango” music around 10 pm.
If you and your date are more into reminiscing about 80s’ music, Blue The Breakfast Club is churning Retro Hits from the 80s at Blue Cats in the Old City. Also, don’t forget about Oneida with Birds of Avalon and Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight, 10 pm at the Pilot Light for all you rocksters. Show starts at 10 pm and is $6.
Saturday
Enjoy a romantic dinner at Pasta Trio in the Old City. They're open 5:30-10:30pm on Friday & Saturday (5:30-9:30pm Monday thru Thursday). You can enjoy their popular pasta dishes or try whatever they're serving as the special. (DATE TIP: enjoy large quantities of onions and garlic only if your date is doing the same. You won't get any action unless your date stinks as bad as you.)
The good folks at Pasta Trio (540.3970) can also make any order good for take-out, in case you want to carry your meal up to Market Square to watch Tennessee Stage Co's TAMING OF THE SHREW, which begins promptly at 7pm and is free.
After curtain call, grab your date and head back to the Old City and into the Pilot Light to see the legendary RB Morris. His thought-provoking songs and sexy demeanor will make you want to stand closer to someone you love (or at least think is hot). The $5 admission is nothing to experience RB's brilliance.
No doubt your date will be a success if you've taken our advice to this point. So, after the Pilot Light, why not take advantage of a promising situation by heading down the street to Fiction. This Saturday tradition takes place every week at Tonic/Blue Cats on Jackson Ave. DJ Slink keeps people moving until almost 3:00am, so there's plenty of opportunities to get your groove on.
There's also plenty of opportunities to get your booze on. Remember, cabs are good. You might even want to take one to West Knox News...that way no one will recognize your car!
Sunday
Sunday is the perfect day for a drive out in the country or to the mountains for a relaxing and scenic date outdoors. If you end up out West during dinner time, Edison Park, a formal steak house, offers great service and a full bar. If you and your date choose to dine downtown, Oodles Uncorked serves up the best Tuscan food in town, offering more than 50 wines at the bar. Also, Taylor the Rose Guy will most likely be roaming around the square, so pick her out the "Latin Blue" rose and make her. (note: Taylor has hinted at tieing condoms to the roses' stem for your safety.)
What do you know? There's more Shakespeare on the Square on Sunday, too, and it's still free. Only this time, it's HENRY V.
Perhaps some live music might help bring the evening a more complete close. So after you whisper sweet sonnets in your dates ear, venture over to Sassy Ann's to see Vanilla Junket and sip Little Vicki's margaritas.