Full stomach ... happy heart

For anyone looking for a great place to take a special person on Valentine's Day try Paesanos Pizzeria located at 18th and Capital in downtown Sacramento. Don't be fooled by the name, it's not filled with red and white checkered table clothes, buckets of beer or softball teams. Paesanos has a wonderful atmosphere and is very hip.

The menu items from the appetizers to the desserts are not only fairly priced, they are beautifully presented and wonderfully prepared. Paesanos offers a wide variety of dinner selections from a superb Portabella Panini Sandwich to assorted pastas and pizza.

Excellent choices are: a glass of red wine, preferably the Trefethen, a fabulous tasting cabernet and the fried ravioli or calamari with sauce. A great main course, would be a plate of Bucati which consists of fusilli pasta, ginger braised pork, hoisin and cilantro with habenero pesto and sour cream. The final touch to top off a perfect meal is perhaps a delicious serving of Tiramisu with creme anglaise appealing to the sweet tooth.

Here's the shocker, including appetizer, dinner, drinks, dessert, tax and tip the average dinner for two is around $40. The food and price shouldn't be the only thing that attracts students to Paesanos. Their customer service is exceptional. The food arrives quickly and with a smile. The servers are very informative on all menu items including the wine. Even the hosts are friendly upon arrival and at time of departure. They are also very good about accommodating any size group in a timely fashion and frequently let you know how much longer the wait will be. Unfortunately they don't take reservations for parties fewer than eight, but for students planning to go on Valentine's Day, they can expect the wait to be short.

If there's still debate about what to do on Valentine's Day check this place out. Even if even if students plan to stay home, never fear because Paesanos also has a "TO GO" menu. Here's the number 447-TOGO. Until next time enjoy and good eats!