By CHASITY WEBB | Staff Writer

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, it’s time to start planning that romantic evening for your special someone. There are a lot of options to choose from, including those that cost big bucks. But not to worry. There is something romantic for every budget.

Italian cuisine
Maybe your date loves Italian food and you’d love to treat them to the most romantic Italian meal they’ve ever experienced. Now, if money is not a problem take your date to Carrabba’s Italian Grill, located in Nashville, Tenn. Not only do they have a full four-course menu but they also have a huge wine selection and the atmosphere is “magnifico.” You can give their menu a glance at www.carrabbas.com.

Alright, you have a good job, but spending a fortune on Italian food is just not an option. Try Olive Garden. With a fun and romantic atmosphere, Olive Garden is sure to please your date. The food is amazing and the service is outstanding. They have tons of dishes to choose from as well as all-you-can-eat house salad and bread sticks. Because there is a restaurant located in Clarksville, you can spend less on gas and more on food. Check their menu out at www.olivegarden.com.

So, you’re really on a budget? Why not make your own Italian dinner, light some candles, and play some soft music in the background. Nothing is more special than a meal cooked with your own hands. Why don’t you try one of Giada de Laurentiis’ recipes? Giada was born in Rome and is truly an expert in Italian cuisine. Her recipes can be found on www.foodnetwork.com and are labeled by their level of difficulty. You should give her linguine with chicken ragu a try. However, if you want to make sure to impress your date, you might want to give it a trial run first.

Asian flair
Not an Italian person? That’s not a problem. Japanese food is always a great alternative. If you are willing to fork out the bills, you should give Kobe Steaks Japanese Restaurant a try. They have a location in Nashville and are running a Valentine’s special: $70 for two. This isn’t a one-course meal, either. You start with a shrimp appetizer, soup, salad and steamed rice. Then you move on to your filet mignon, lobster, and shrimp or lobster, jumbo shrimp and salmon, finally ending with the dessert of your choice. You can check them out at www.kobesteaks.net.

OK, so that’s a bit over your budget. Why don’t you visit Clarksville’s very own Kohana? The inside is decorated beautifully and the food is amazing. They have a full sushi menu as well as many Japanese favorites and the prices are very reasonable. When you are seated, you receive a warm towel to wash your hands with, but don’t mistake this place for an uppity type of restaurant. Kohana has a very laid-back atmosphere and it has great service. They don’t have a Web site, but every online review you read will tell you exactly how fantastic the food truly is.

You really can’t afford to go out? Order some take-out from Brand New China King Restaurant on University Avenue. In addition, you receive a 10 percent discount with your APSU ID. Then jazz up your place a little bit to create some romance and chow down on the delicious items China King has to offer. Check out The All State’s review of the new restaurant.

Arts and Entertainment
Maybe entertainment is more of a date to you than fine dining. If you want to treat your date to a real show, why not take them to the Nashville Symphony? Famous pianist Jim Brickman will be filling the concert hall with love songs in honor of Valentine’s Day. You can purchase tickets online at www.nashvillesymphony.org.

Need to go a little cheaper? Take your loved one to a romantic movie. “Dear John” and “Valentine’s Day” are in theaters for the big day. Carmike is the closest theater to campus, located inside Governor’s Square Mall. However, Great Escapes 16, located on Tiny Town Road, usually has more showings available.

If you have an even smaller budget, try renting a couple of good romantic comedies from Redbox or Netflix? They always have a wide variety to choose from and their prices are outstanding. You can visit a local Rebbox at a variety of locations or go online at www.redbox.com to locate a copy of the movie you want, or www.netflix.com ships the movies directly to you.

So whether you are spending your time together conversing over delicious food or snuggled up enjoying a wonderful show, you can find comfort in knowing that you are not broke when the next day rolls around. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day, make it memorable and share the love.