Liberty University Hosts Pop-Up Fine Dining Experience for Valentine’s

Liberty University students enjoyed a special Valentine’s Day dining experience this year as the university brought back its pop-up sit-down restaurant in the Tilley Student Center. Originally scheduled for Feb. 11, the event was postponed to Feb. 13 due to inclement weather, but the excitement remained high as students gathered for a fine dining experience unlike anything else on campus.

For a meal swipe plus an additional $10, students were treated to a three-course meal, complete with table service and complimentary flowers. The Tilley Student Center’s lofted seating area was transformed into an elegant dining space, offering a unique atmosphere for students celebrating the holiday.

The menu featured a Caesar salad or house salad with a choice of Ranch or Italian dressing, followed by a ribeye steak served with au jus and roasted onions and mushrooms, garlic parmesan green beans, a baked potato, and a warm house-baked bread roll. The meal concluded with chocolate-dipped butter cookies with cheesecake and a choice of chocolate or strawberry topping.

Attendees were invited to provide feedback via a survey, with responses praising the food, service, and ambiance. Comments included:

• “Great selection, loved the food. Ribeye and cheesecake are my favorite!”
• “YUM YUM YUM”
• “Amazing Prices!!! 1000/10 rating”
• “I'm very impressed with how this was put together!”
• “It was a perk that swipes and dining dollars/Flames Cash was accepted. That was a draw to the event as well.”

Sodexo, Liberty’s dining services provider, led the initiative. Todd Reynolds, General Manager of Retail, emphasized the unique opportunity the event provided for students.

“Our customers enjoy the opportunity to have a full three-course meal served to them by a server,” Reynolds said. “Our students can't get this experience anywhere else on campus. This event also gives them an alternative location on campus for Valentine’s Day, so they don’t have to leave campus to celebrate the holiday.”

Reynolds also highlighted the enjoyment staff found in the event.

“Our staff really enjoys this event because it gives them a chance to serve customers a dinner that is completely different from anything we currently do on campus,” he said. “We essentially create a mini romantic pop-up restaurant in the middle of our Tilley retail location. The staff get to actually wait and serve on each reserved table within the location. They have an opportunity to create more interaction with our customers and receive instant feedback about the experience, which is very rewarding.”

Every customer Reynolds spoke to throughout the evening shared positive feedback, making the event a resounding success. With glowing reviews and a high level of engagement, Liberty’s Valentine’s Day pop-up restaurant could become a lasting campus tradition.