I agree--think beyond dinner at a restaurant. My husband and I sometimes go out just for dessert, but in the summer, try a picnic in a park, or Screen on the Green, or a museum, etc.

How old are you and DH? It makes a difference.

Anonymous wrote:Mi La Cay is a great Vietnamese restaurant in Wheaton. Very inexpensive. I love that place. I think this is the fourth time I've recommended it on DCUM. I should get commission.

Plus 1. The roasted pork on rice is especially delicious. I just started going here, as it is close to my work. Not to get off topic, but...I have a special place in my heart for Vietnam because my daughter is Vietnamese, and I have been to Vietnam (Although the adoption was domestic.)

We get Subway and go to the local Park/Lake in FFX County. If the little food kiosk is open, we get soft serve ice cream. They have paddle boats and canoes for something a little different.

Lots of free outdoor movies during the summer. Bring a picnic and enjoy.

Eat a meal at home, then go to some place like National Harbor when they have free outdoor music and have dessert like ice cream.

Eat a small meal at home, then go to a restaurant and split an appetizer and dessert.

Smithsonian Museums are free.

Check out Smithsonian Associates for great lectures. You have to pay, but it is something different than just dinner.

Pick up a copy of Washingtonian's Cheap Eats issue.

Some Whole Foods have a wine and food sampler night. For a nominal price you wander around the store tasting wine and sampling different dishes.

Date night can be coffee and browsing at the bookstore. Going for a walk in the city and then getting a drink. Going for a drive. Getting ice cream cones and watching the river.

Go to the Italian Store, get some delicious sandwiches and have a picnic at the National Arboretum.

Beer and pizza is cheap. Aren't those what dates are like in college?

Mi La Cay is a great Vietnamese restaurant in Wheaton. Very inexpensive. I love that place. I think this is the fourth time I've recommended it on DCUM. I should get commission.

The zoo or museums and then eat a picnic lunch in a grassy area somewhere.

Try Groupon or Living Social deals.

Anonymous wrote:Nearly every restaurant is more reasonable if you aren't ordering wine, beer, or cocktails. Have some port or dessert wine and cheese at home after dinner.

Cheap. Bastard.

Go to an outdoor movie with a blanket and a picnic dinner.

Nearly every restaurant is more reasonable if you aren't ordering wine, beer, or cocktails. Have some port or dessert wine and cheese at home after dinner.

Go to Amsterdam Falafel in Adams Morgan and then sit in Malcolm X park on a blanket near the fountain. Bring some wine from home in a flask. Total spent= $15.

DH and I are trying to stick to a frugal budget to accumulate savings. But we still want to go out on date nights. We usually end up going out to dinner someplace middle of the road, but usually end up spending a chunk of change. So I would love to hear about cheap date options in the DC area. Thanks!