Roses make up the centerpiece of every table in the dining area at Virgil's at Cimmiyotti's in Pendleton.

A champagne tower greeted couples inside Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s for Valentine’s Day dinner as guests were seated at candlelit tables decorated with fresh roses and candy hearts.

“You can’t get much more romantic than this,” said Bob Lemmon, who sat across from his wife of 20 years, Toni.

From the red velvet wallpaper to the dim and intimate lighting, Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s was a popular retreat for lovebirds on Tuesday. In fact, other than Pendleton Round-Up week, Valentine’s Day is one of the restaurant’s busiest days of the year, according to owner Jennifer Keeton.

“We always try to make things extra special,” Keeton said.

Bob and Toni Lemmon recently moved back to Pendleton, where they met years ago in the bleachers at a Babe Ruth League baseball game.

“Our sons were playing against each other,” Toni Lemmon said. “As we were leaving, he said ‘Why don’t you give me a call sometime?’”

Twenty years later, Bob Lemmon said they enjoy doing everything together. Toni said they were happy to be at the same table Tuesday to enjoy a good meal in good spirits.

Across the dining room, Dick and Marilyn Smiley sat together in their usual booth and ordered a bottle of wine. The couple has been married for nearly 50 years, and they recalled meeting each other while Dick was a student and Marilyn an employee at Washington State University. For their first date, Dick Smiley said they went to Ridpath Hotel in Spokane.

“I bet you didn’t think I would remember that,” he said to Marilyn with a laugh.

Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s has hosted its own fair share of proposals and anniversaries, too, Keeton said. She particularly remembers Bruce Boylen and his late wife, Karen, who shared their first date at the restaurant and came back for their 50th anniversary. Bruce keeps a framed picture of himself and Karen at the booth where the two would always eat.

“That was really special,” Keeton said.

Last year, Virgil’s at Cimmiyotti’s was ranked third on a list of the most romantic restaurants in Oregon on the website Only in Oregon. Keeton said Valentine’s Day is always busy with reservations — one year they served dinner to 300 people.

Founded by Paul and Ann Cimmiyotti in 1959, Keeton took over Cimmiyotti’s in 2009. The restaurant had been closed and was on the verge of being gutted when she decided to make the move up from California.

“I just knew it needed to be saved,” Keeton said. “It was like an empire that had crumbled. It needed to come back to life.”

Keeton, a longtime waitress, had always dreamed of opening her own restaurant and naming it after her father, Virgil. Today, both names adorn the sign over the entrance.

Keeton said she is grateful to have so many people who come and share their experiences with her. As for Tuesday, she said she wanted her guests “to want for nothing.”

“I just want them to be taken care of, and to thoroughly enjoy their food and time with either their friends or loved ones,” she said.

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Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0825.