Making it to senior year was hard. But staying awake through your entire graduation ceremony (probably hung over and sweating under your rented gown) will be even harder. Give yourself a little motivation and make an A+ reservation at one of these three, no fuss but awesome restaurants in Champaign. Dreaming of cocktails and apps will make the speakers’ bad jokes bearable, I promise.
1. Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
Photo by Tori Baier
The staff at Biaggi’s understand that people go to Italian restaurants for mainly one reason: carbs. Plus, come food time on graduation day, you will be starving. That being said the staff will bring out a hot basket (or two) of bread, and a plate of “Biaggi butter” (a savory mix of parmesan, pepper and oil) immediately right in front of you. Further satisfy that said carb craving, but with a seafood kick, and order the black fettuccini with lobster. Or, if ordering a more kid-friendly pasta will make you feel young again and not about to enter the scary “real world,” the ravioli quattro formaggi is a must. But there’s nothing that quite says, “a job well done,” like finishing off a massive helping of tirami su and a bottle of Biaggi’s best wine.
2. Kofusion
Photo by Tori Baier
For the family who wants something a little different than your typical sit down four-course dinner. Home to tons of sick rolls and piled-high stir-fries, even if you’ve made the trek off of campus on $1 sushi night, Ko Fusion’s menu never gets boring. And, if you do end up celebrating at Ko on Sunday, $1 sushi will still be in full swing. Pick and choose your favorites, or order all ten $1 sushi options on the first round, and then re-order your favorites on the second and third. Don’t forget that the smaller portions (depends who’s ordering) make the cocktails even boozier and that no one should leave until the college grad gets another White Dragon or a sake bomb. (Pssst, that’s you)
3. Destihl
Photo by Tori Baier
It’s a micro-brewery and a kick-ass American restaurant in one. It’s entrees are main stream and familiar enough to please your family’s pickiest eaters, but unique enough to entertain the adventurous palate, too. Your life will begin again when you taste the beer-battered asparagus with maple chipotle sauce (#nomz). Honestly, order the pesto and goat cheese pizza just for yourself, or die. Sorry Dad, no Bud, Miller or other commercial drafts are served here, but the waiters will match your tastes to Destihl’s array of home-brewed beer. Order the flight to try a little bit of their featured beers, because your legal and legit as hell with a diploma, ugly cap and everything. Oh, and your parents are buying.
Want more C-U eats? Check out the links below: