Prom is swiftly approaching, and the dance is only half the experience.  Planning where you and your friends will eat before prom is just as important as planning what you are going to wear. If you do not yet have a reservation, read on, because you will need to make one as soon as possible. The first step to planning out your prom night dinner plans is deciding who is in your eating group. These do not have to be the same people you might have other plans with, and it is best to keep this group small. A group larger than ten or so can be a nightmare to plan for, especially if you are making your reservation this late in the game.  Next is deciding where to actually eat. Many people go to the same few places for prom, such as Winston’s, Angus Barn, or the Melting Pot. These restaurants are good, but there are many other options for a more unique prom dining experience that will also have more availability.

Many prom attendees choose where they will eat on the basis of if it will provide the opportunity to take nice photos, or they rush to a photo location prior to dinner. Senior Kelsey Chapman said of her group, “We aren’t sure where we are eating this year, but we know we want it to be close to where we are taking pictures.” One popular destination for this is the North Carolina Museum of Art, whose outdoor landscaping and art serves as a lovely backdrop for prom photos. However, the NCMA is also home to Iris, an elegant full-service restaurant. Friday is the only night they serve dinner, but that works out perfectly for Millbrook prom goers. Iris serves contemporary American fare featuring the best seasonal and local flavors.  Some of their menu items include seared scallops with red curry lemongrass broth, grilled filet mignon, the signature Iris burger, a variety of fresh salads, and more. Entrees are a little over $20.

Another place to eat with a nice setting for photos is LaFayette Village. In addition to being close to the prom venue, LaFayette is host to a variety of restaurants. Amongst the more affordable options are Simply Crepes, Sushi One, and  Driftwood Southern Kitchen. Last year my group went to Simply Crepes, and the prices (about $13 per crepe), food, and decor were perfect for a fancy occasion.Sharing a few sushi platters between a group at Sushi One is an economical dinner for sushi lovers. Driftwood will entice those who prefer more traditional Southern cuisine, but in a modern, upscale environment, with dishes from $12-$25. Senior Madeline Adams said, “Paparazzi in LaFayette was good because of the location and the Italian food was good.” Farina Neighborhood Italian is where Paparazzi used to be, and it is a good choice for those who were fans of the former restaurant, but a bit pricier than some of the other restaurants.

Downtown may be a  more alluring destination for some. A great option for these people is Babylon. Babylon is an upscale Moroccan restaurant with a modern, yet exotic atmosphere. It offers indoor seating and an outdoor kitchen. The variety of sharing plates are a great option for groups who want to try many menu items, especially since the entrees are quite large and some people will not want to eat too much before prom. Most entrees run at about $20-$25 and sharing plates from $9-$15.

 Prom dinner plans are an important aspect of the prom experience. Make a reservation before it is too late!