We all know that prom is much more than the dance itself. Once you’ve found a date and gotten a dress/tux, there’s still the matter of where you will eat beforehand. We realize that the restaurant you choose can have lots of impact on the overall quality of your night. There are all sorts of factors that go into this decision: cost, food quality, ambiance, and how high they blast their AC (remember girls, you are showing lots of skin). So with your needs in mind, we recently visited four popular and upcoming C-U restaurants, sampled their menus, and made a list of the pros and cons of each. We were extremely selective and chose to target newer restaurants (Kofusion) and restaurants with new locations (Milo's and Café Luna). Kennedy's also made our list since its location in southeast Urbana made it relatively unknown. For more dining choices, we recommend that you try the217 directory mentioned at the end of this guide.

CAFÉ LUNA

The view inside Café Luna. Gargoyle photos by Erika Belmont and Maritza Mestre (click to enlarge)

• Location: 116 N. Chestnut St., Champaign
• Web Site: luna-cu.com
• Saturday Dinner Hours: 5 to 10 p.m.
• Price Range: Vegetable tapas $3 to $7, seafood tapas $7 to $10, meat tapas $5 to $12, salads $5 to $8, entrees $16 to $28
• Contact: 356-5862
• The Pros: Café Luna's tapas style allows for a light meal or a dinner with filled with a variety of tastes, while the stylishly decorated surroundings provide for an elegant dining experience. The menu also offers entrees, which provide for a nice alternative. Café Luna’s dessert is also worth mentioning, especially the flourless Ghirardelli Chocolate cake. Click here to learn more.
• The Cons: If you are extremely hungry, this is not the place to go. The tapas are pricey, and if you get a lot then you could be facing a huge bill. Its location at the old train station also provides parking problems. There is very limited parking in front of the restaurant, and if you do not get one of these spots, then you will probably end up having a long walk to your car.
• Our Verdict: This is definitely the place to go if you are up for something new. The food and the atmosphere combine to make a unique dining experience that you'll most definitely remember. The small space provides for an intimate setting, so if you are considering Café Luna, you should hurry and make a reservation.

KENNEDY'S at Stone Creek

Inside Kennedy's at Stone Creek. (click to enlarge)

• Location: 2560 Stone Creek Blvd., Urbana
• Web Site: kennedysatstonecreek.com
• Saturday Dinner Hours: 4 to 10 p.m.
• Price Range: Appetizers $5.50 to $16, soups and salads $4 to $6, entrees $16 to $29; bistro menu features items from $6.50 to $18
• Contact: 384-8111
• The Pros: Kennedy’s provides a beautiful view of the Stone Creek Golf Course along with a menu that sports award-winning fresh seafood, steaks, entrees, soups, and salads. The abundance of seating welcomes late reservations and walk-ins, although reservations are requested. The restaurant also provides private and semi-private rooms. Click here to learn more.
• The Cons: Its location in southeast Urbana makes it out of the way, especially with prom at the Champaign Country Club. They also tend to crank up their air conditioner, so bring extra layers!
• Our Verdict: While Kennedy's doesn't exactly have a wide-ranging menu, its basic food items (such as steak, soup, and salad) are still pretty satisfying and filling. Its large eating area does not provide for an intimate setting, so this restaurant would probably be more appealing to larger groups.

KOFUSION

An interior view of Kofusion in downtown Champaign. (click to enlarge)

• Location: 1 E. Main St., Champaign
• Web Site: kofusion.com
• Saturday Dinner Hours: 4 to 11 p.m.
• Price Range: Prices not listed online
• Contact: 531-1166
• The Pros: Both the sushi and entrees at Kofusion are excellent choices. The sushi is made at the restaurant's sushi bar (if you wanted to, you could watch them make it!), and their entrees have a blend of Asian and French influences. Click here to learn more.
• The Cons: Kofusion is a little overpriced, especially the sushi. If you suffer from a large appetite, sushi is not the way to go. It can also get pretty dark in the restaurant during the evening, and it tends to be very chilly.
• Our Verdict: Only at Kofusion can your meal consist of sushi, or seaweed salad and soup, or sushi and steak … the possibilities are endless. Sushi, however, can get pretty messy, and dinner before prom is probably one of the worst times to accidentally drop something saucy and gooey onto yourself and to have dirty fingers. Without sushi, Kofusion loses some of its uniqueness, so messy eaters beware.

MILO'S

Inside Milo's, located on South Philo Road in Urbana. (click to enlarge)

• Location: 2870 S. Philo Road, Urbana
• Web Site: milosurbana.com
• Saturday Dinner Hours: 5 to 10 p.m.
• Price Range: Appetizers $7 to $10, salads and soup $4 to $11, pizzas $10 to $12, entrees $13 to $22
• Contact: 344-8946
• The Pros: Obdulio Escobar is Milo's head chef. If his name rings a bell that's because he's also head chef at the excellent Escobar's in downtown Champaign. Whereas Escobar's specializes in Neuvo Latino cuisine, Milo's makes its name with Neuvo American. The menu has all the typical entrees you would find at any old restaurant but with an added twist. Their ravioli is stuffed with wild mushrooms, their steak is served with horseradish butter, you can order a smoked salmon pizza (an excellent choice!), and … well, you get the idea. Click here to learn more.
• The Cons: Situated in Urbana’s new development off South Philo Road, The Pines, Milo’s is located near the new Kennedy’s, which also makes it out of the way. If the view you have from a restaurant is important to you, Milo’s is certainly lacking in this area.
• Our Verdict: This is probably the only place out of our four selections where you can get your money's worth. The dishes are very filling but also let you try something new. If you are considering Café Luna but want a good hearty meal, Milo's would be the right choice for you and your date.

NOTE: The Champaign-Urbana area has almost 500 eateries, according to the217's guide to local dining. Of course, only a minority of those are formal sit-down restaurants. For a quick look at what's available, we recommend checking out the217 directory. By selecting for a specific cuisine, you can find exactly the type of restaurant you're looking for in just seconds.