Eat Beat: Cheap Date Nights

Five years ago I had a dream. That dream was that one day all Richmonders would have one easy, accessible place to find Cheap Date Nights, discount meals and general dining specials around town.

And so I made one and started my annual "Eat Beat: Cheap Date Nights" … and then spent the next four years, 11 months and 29 days regretting my dream.

Just kidding. Sort of. Collecting and compiling all of these specials is a lot of work, to understate it, but the rewards are so delicious and pocketbook-friendly that in the end, it's worth it.

But I've decided to make it easier on myself this time around. First, I've broken the specials down by day of the week, which is harder to compile, but easier to manage. Second, I'm pledging to you all to keep this updated all year long so I never, ever have to start from scratch again.

You'll see an "Updated" Date at the start, that's how you'll know how new it is … and trust me, it'll keep getting updated. If there's one thing I know for sure about Richmond restaurants it's that as soon as I hit "submit" everything will change. So check back often, or check in on Facebook or Twitter, I'll let you know when it's been updated.

Until then, happy cheap eating, Richmond.

Updated: May 26, 2010

Monday

Acacia: A prix-fixe three-course meal is not just for Restaurant Week at Acacia, they offer one six days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for just $23 per person.

Avenue 805: The restaurant and event that started it all – Avenue 805 is home to the original "Cheap Date Night". Every Monday and Tuesday it's Cheap Date Night: a choice of a large house or Caesar salad to split, a large bowl of pasta, a dessert and a bottle of house wine all for only $35. Five bucks more and you can add chicken, shrimp or mussels to the pasta.

Baja Bean CO.: For lunch and dinner, it's $4 burger at Baja every Monday.

Bouchon: Every day from 5 to 6 p.m., a three-course, prix fixe menu for $20. Plus, on Monday, Mussel and Wine night (a hot pot of steamed mussels and a glass of wine or beer) for $23.

Buddy's Place: From 5 to 9 p.m. it's Cheese Day – $3 quesadillas, cheese fries and grilled cheese – Mondays and Thursdays.

Caliente: Half-off po' boys from 5 to 10 p.m.

Can Can Brasserie: You've got to sit at the bar (as in, not the dining room) to get half-price oysters, shrimp and burgers from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Capital Ale House: You know it, you love it, it's $1 burger night at all Capital Ale House locations from 4 p.m. on.

Cha Cha's Cantina: Manic Mondays: $7 combo platters from 6 to 9 p.m., half-price appetizers from 3 to 8 p.m. and $2 off quesadillas.

Cous Cous: Date Night at Cous Cous: two soups or salads, three items from select "meze" / tapas menu, dessert to share and half carafe of sangria for $40.

Curbside Cafe: It's 35 cents wings and half-price quesadillas from 5 to 10 p.m.

deLux: It's $5 burger night at deLux, plus blue plates are $10 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Emilio's Restaurante Español: Half-price paellas on Mondays at the Short Pump location.

Europa: Pasta night – all pastas are only $9, plus half-off tapas from 5 to 6 p.m.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Both the Southside and West End locations offer half-off select wines by the bottle and glass until 9 p.m.

Legend: Buy one dozen oysters; get a half dozen free from 4 to 7 p.m.

Mojo's: 35 cents wing and $1 off all "Philly Style" Cheese steaks.

Shackleford's: Both the West End and Southside Shackleford's locations offer half-price steamed shrimp on Monday and Wednesdays.

Star-lite Dining & Lounge: On Mondays Star-lite has a dozen wings for $5, plus $2 soft tacos (chicken or steak). All food specials are valid from 5 to 10 p.m.

Strawberry Street Café: Half-price burger and quiche night – and that includes all burgers, beef, turkey and bean.

Sticky Rice: Sushi Heaven! Half-off a selection of fabulous sushi rolls from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Mondays.

Stronghill Dining Company: 10 percent off total ticket (as long as food is purchased) WITH a Movieland ticket stub or online receipt, Sunday through Thursday.

Tuesday

Acacia: A prix-fixe three-course meal is not just for Restaurant Week at Acacia, they offer one six days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for just $23 per person. And Tuesdays-only it's even better since it's half-off wine by the bottle.

Avenue 805: The restaurant and event that started it all – Avenue 805 is home to the original "Cheap Date Night". Every Monday and Tuesday it's Cheap Date Night: a choice of a large house or Caesar salad to split, a large bowl of pasta, a dessert and a bottle of house wine all for only $35. Five bucks more and you can add chicken, shrimp or mussels to the pasta.

Baja Bean CO.: Buy one get one taco free on Tuesdays, all day and night.

Belle Vie: A three-course "Bistro Menu" is available for only $22.92 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Bin 22: Tuesday and Wednesday is Cheap Date Night at Bin 22. Choice of soup or salad, an entree, like pasta, and a shared dessert with a bottle of wine for $40 for two.

Bouchon: Every day from 5 to 6 p.m., a three-course, prix fixe menu for $20. Tuesday Date Night $50 for three-course, all night.

Caliente: Half-off burgers from 5 to 10 p.m.

Can Can Brasserie: You've got to sit at the bar (as in, not the dining room) to get half-price oysters, shrimp and burgers from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Cha Cha's Cantina: Half-price appetizers from 3 to 8 p.m., $1 tacos from 8 to 9 p.m.

City Limit: Half-off all dips.

Curbside Cafe: 75 cents tacos from 5 to 10 p.m.

deLux: Blue plates are $10 daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

Emilio's Woodlake: Half-price paellas on Tuesdays.

Europa: Three-Course Dinner for $16 per person, plus weekly wine specials for just $16 a bottle; plus half-off tapas from 5 to 6 p.m.

Home Team Grill: Half-price burger night.

Legend: Buy one pound shrimp; get a half pound free from 4 to 7 p.m.

Mojo's: Cheap Date Night: any two pastas and one appetizer for $15 plus featured bottles of wine $10 from 4 to 10 p.m.

O'Toole's Irish Pub: Half-off burger night from 4 to 10 p.m.

Pescados: Two Tacos, coconut black beans and achiote rice for $10.

Sensi: Date Night at Sensi, $50 per couple for three-course meal.

Sette: Half-price bottle of wine night.

Shackleford's: Both the West End and Southside Shackleford's locations offer half-price burgers on Tuesdays.

Star-lite Dining & Lounge: $12 New York strip steak with two sides. All food specials are valid from 5 to 10 p.m.

Stronghill Dining Company: 10 percent off total ticket (as long as food is purchased) WITH a Movieland ticket stub or online receipt, Sunday through Thursday.

Tastebuds: A three-course prix-fixe menu that includes salad, entrée and dessert for just $16 per person. Plus, the first glass of wine is half-off. Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Wednesday

3325 West Café: Half-price wine night at this Carytown spot – featured bottles are half-price from 5 p.m. to close.

Acacia: A prix-fixe three-course meal is not just for Restaurant Week at Acacia, they offer one six days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for just $23 per person.

Baja Bean CO.: Half-off quesadillas all day and night.

Belle Vie: A three-course "Bistro Menu" is available for only $22.92 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Bin 22: Tuesday and Wednesday is Cheap Date Night at Bin 22. Choice of soup or salad, an entree, like pasta, and a shared dessert with a bottle of wine for $40 for two.

Bouchon: Every day from 5 to 6 p.m., a three-course, prix fixe menu for $20. Wednesday Steak Frites Night (steak, fries and salad) for $20.

Caliente: 10 percent off your bill if your ID says you live in 23220 or 23221 from 5 to 10 p.m.

Can Can Brasserie: You've got to sit at the bar (as in, not the dining room) to get half-price oysters, shrimp and burgers from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Cha Cha's Cantina: Half-price appetizers from 3 to 8 p.m., $1 tacos from 8 to 9 p.m.

City Limit: Date Night: appetizer, two entrees, dessert and bottle of wine for $48.

Curbside Cafe: Half-price burgers from 5 to 10 p.m.

deLux: Blue plates are $10 daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

Emilio's Restaurante Español: Date night at all three Emilio's locations – one regular sized tapa to share, two entrees (or one paella), shared dessert and choice of house bottle of wine – all for just $50 a couple.

Emilio's Tapas y Paella: Date night at all three Emilio's locations – one regular sized tapa to share, two entrees (or one paella), shared dessert and choice of house bottle of wine – all for just $50 a couple.

Emilio's Woodlake: Date night at all three Emilio's locations – one regular sized tapa to share, two entrees (or one paella), shared dessert and choice of house bottle of wine – all for just $50 a couple.

Europa: Wine Down Wednesday with half-off $40 or under wines by the bottle with purchase of two entrees, plus half-off tapas from 5 to 6 p.m.

Home Team Grill: $1 slider night.

Legend: Buy one dozen clams; get a half dozen free from 4 to 7 p.m.

Mojo's: Seven inch Philly cheese steaks for $4 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Patrick Henry's Pub & Grille: Cheap Date Night: one appetizer, two entrees, one dessert and a bottle of wine for $40.

Shackleford's: Both the West End and Southside Shackleford's locations offer half-price steamed shrimp on Monday and Wednesdays.

Star-lite Dining & Lounge: Pasta Date Night: two pasta entrees, two salads, bread and a bottle of wine for $30, plus it's also half-price on all pasta dishes. All food specials are valid from 5 to 10 p.m.

Stronghill Dining Company: 10 percent off total ticket (as long as food is purchased) WITH a Movieland ticket stub or online receipt, Sunday through Thursday.

Tastebuds: A three-course prix-fixe menu that includes salad, entrée and dessert for just $16 per person. Plus, the first glass of wine is half-off. Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Zeus Gallery Café: Half-off wine night at Zeus.

Thursday

Acacia: A prix-fixe three-course meal is not just for Restaurant Week at Acacia, they offer one six days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for just $23 per person.

Baja Bean CO.: Half off appetizers till 7 p.m.

Belle Vie: A three-course "Bistro Menu" is available for only $22.92 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Bouchon: Every day from 5 to 6 p.m., a three-course, prix fixe menu for $20.

Buddy's Place: From 5 to 9 p.m. it's Cheese Day – $3 quesadillas, cheese fries and grilled cheese – Mondays and Thursdays.

Can Can Brasserie: You've got to sit at the bar (as in, not the dining room) to get half-price oysters, shrimp and burgers from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Cha Cha's Cantina: $5 burger, wraps and salads all day, half-price appetizers from 3 to 8 p.m.

deLux: Blue plates are $10 daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

Gibson's Grill: It's Date Night at Gibson's: Two entrees from a select menu (changes weekly, but always one vegetarian option), two house salads, a dessert to share and a bottle of house wine, all for $45 a couple.

Legend: Buy one pound mussels; get a half pound free from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sensi: Tasting of three red or white wines and choice of appetizer for $12.

Star-lite Dining & Lounge: Two-for-one burgers from 5 to 10 p.m.

Stronghill Dining Company: 10 percent off total ticket (as long as food is purchased) WITH a Movieland ticket stub or online receipt, Sunday through Thursday.

Tastebuds: A three-course prix-fixe menu that includes salad, entrée and dessert for just $16 per person. Plus, the first glass of wine is half-off. Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Pescados: Cheap Date Night: Buy two adult entrees and get free dessert plus the option to buy a bottle of house wine for $4.

Friday

Acacia: A prix-fixe three-course meal is not just for Restaurant Week at Acacia, they offer one six days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for just $23 per person.

Bistro 27: The early start menu – three course for $20 from 5 to 6:30 Friday and Saturday.

Bouchon: Every day from 5 to 6 p.m., a three-course, prix fixe menu for $20.

Can Can Brasserie: You've got to sit at the bar (as in, not the dining room) to get half-price oysters, shrimp and burgers from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

City Limit: Prime Rib Night: 12oz - $15 and 16oz - $18.

deLux: Blue plates are $10 daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

Hondo’s: Every weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Hondo's does a three-course dinner all night for just $29.95 per person. First Course: house salad, Caesar salad or soup du jour; Second Course: petit filet mignon surf & turf, lump crab cake, shrimp scampi, garlic soba noodles, steak Diane; potato-encrusted salmon, chicken saltimbocca or fried oysters; Third Course: crème brulee, raspberry sorbet or pecan pie.

Legend: Buy one dozen oysters; get a half dozen free from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sticky Rice: Sushi Heaven! Half-off a selection of fabulous sushi rolls from 5 to 6 p.m. on Fridays.

Saturday

Acacia: A prix-fixe three-course meal is not just for Restaurant Week at Acacia, they offer one six days a week, Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for just $23 per person.

Bistro 27: The early start menu – three course for $20 from 5 to 6:30 Friday and Saturday.

Bouchon: Every day from 5 to 6 p.m., a three-course, prix fixe menu for $20.

Can Can Brasserie: You've got to sit at the bar (as in, not the dining room) to get half-price oysters, shrimp and burgers from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

City Limit: Half-price burger night.

Curbside Cafe: Half-price appetizers from 5 to 10 p.m.

deLux: Blue plates are $10 daily from 4 to 6 p.m.

Hondo’s: Every weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Hondo's does a three-course dinner all night for just $29.95 per person. First Course: house salad, Caesar salad or soup du jour; Second Course: petit filet mignon surf & turf, lump crab cake, shrimp scampi, garlic soba noodles, steak Diane; potato-encrusted salmon, chicken saltimbocca or fried oysters; Third Course: crème brulee, raspberry sorbet or pecan pie.

Legend: Buy one pound crab legs; get a half pound free from noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday

Baja Bean CO.: It's $1 night … $1 cheese quesadillas, $1 hour of pool and $1 cans of … well, legally I'm not allowed to say.

Cafe Rustica: It's Sunday Suppah at Café Rusitca – three courses of a menu that changes weekly for $15, plus plenty of wine specials.

City Limit: Half-price burger night, plus half-price regularly priced bottles of wine till 9 p.m.

Curbside Cafe: Half-price appetizers from 5 to 10 p.m.

deLux: Blue plates are $10 all night on Sunday at deLux.

Europa: Half-off tapas all night.

Hondo’s: Every weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Hondo's does a three-course dinner all night for just $29.95 per person. First Course: house salad, Caesar salad or soup du jour; Second Course: petit filet mignon surf & turf, lump crab cake, shrimp scampi, garlic soba noodles, steak Diane; potato-encrusted salmon, chicken saltimbocca or fried oysters; Third Course: crème brulee, raspberry sorbet or pecan pie.

Legend: Buy one pound crab legs; get a half pound free from noon to 4 p.m.

Sette: Date Night from 5 to 9 p.m. - one appetizer, one salad, one pizza and a dessert for $25.95.

Shackleford's: Both the West End and Southside Shackleford's locations offer half-price kids' meals and snow crab legs on Sundays.

Star-lite Dining & Lounge: Half-price appetizers from 5 to 10 p.m.

Stronghill Dining Company: 10 percent off total ticket (as long as food is purchased) WITH a Movieland ticket stub or online receipt, Sunday through Thursday.

Sushi O: Half-price roll night. Each week a different roll is featured at half price. Check out their Facebook page to see which on in advance.

Did I miss your Cheap Date or Discount menu night or has yours changed? Send an email to kpeifer@richmond.com and I'll get you added … or just add it in the comments below.