Inexpensive date ideas

[manuela]

My boyfriend and I love to go out and enjoy a good meal together as much as we enjoy a good deal. We are both college students and so our budgets are limited, but we are willing to try any kind of food! Any suggestions as we have run out of ideas and always seem to do the Fajita special at 3 amigos on Wednesdays :-( and as much as we adore Romados, I'm pretty sure there are other good eats in this wonderful city . Thank you :)

Edit: Budget : ~ $20 per person

[rictitious]

Le Jardin De Panos on Duluth, BYOW.

The food is quite good and the back terrace is simply wonderful! Go on a warm night for ambiance 100% suited to a date! And lots of meals below $20.

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Le Jardin De Panos
521 Av Duluth E, Montreal, QC H2L1A8, CA

[chefjeannine]

For something a little different (and if it's nice out), pick up some pies at TA and cupcakes at Cocoa Locale and head to the mountain for a picnic :)

[wilmagrace]

I think thats a great idea a newzealand/australian meat or veggie pie and delicious cakes, could even have free entertainment on Sundays when tamtams occur.

[cherylmtl]

Depending on what you order, you can do Icehouse for about $20 a person including drinks (we did this evening, and I'm still stuffed...) Had a steak burrito and a pulled pork sandwich (today's special), one beer and a vodka lemonade. Total was around $42 with taxes for 2 of us.

[manuela]

Sounds Delicious Cherylmtl! With all of these suggestions I think we are set for the entire summer season! Thanks to all!

[waziboy]

How was the steak burrito? Was considering it a couple of days ago when I went. I definitely feel like Icehouse has the best crab cakes in the city.

Surprised you opted for the vodka lemonade instead of the bourbon lemonade, Cheryl!

[cherylmtl]

The steak burrito was very good - I would happily order it again - it's a toss-up as to which was better, the burrito or the pulled pork (and I love pulled pork...). As for the lemonade, I'm not a big fan of bourbon - hence the vodka.

[blondee_47]

Imadake on St Catherine/Atwater definitely...I have eaten there many times w hubby and it is always great atmosphere, great food and a fun place to be Plus the added fact that it is very hip and the prices are fab. 20 a person will get u food + sake+ a really full belly

Imadake is Kazu with food just as delicious but a hell of a lot more room and comfort. Kazu's biggest drawback is its size because if they were to enlarge they still would be full and it would encourage all age crowds. Waiting in line is fun once but not twice

[wilmagrace]

its been awhile since I ve been to the flamenco shows at club espagnol but seems nothing changed except they have a terrace out back, the tapas might add up but other choices below 20$

--maybe someone else can vouch prices still modest

--

you can check out a la carte menu here, paella, pasta, meat including rabbit at $17 and of course sangria!

http://www.tabledhote.com/sp/clubespa...

[manuela]

Thank you wilmagrace!

[manuela]

Thank you blondee_47! wanted to check out Kazu today, but as always the line was out the door. We will definitely try Imadake next time.

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Kazu
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA

[SourberryLily]

Is it open again then? I went on Monday and to my dismay it was closed. I had heard they went on vacation, but i still wanted to try.

Would love to give it another go tomorrow night if you tell me it's open.

[davekry]

Kazu was listed as being on vacation up until Wednesday. They should be open.

[Fintastic]

I really agree with the Kazu rec. Its right across the street from 3 Amigos and you can easily stay within the $20 budget if booze is not included. Almost anything on the menu + the chicken teriyaki burger will come in at around $20 and would be pretty filling, plus you get to share everything! Just show up early (i.e. when it opens).

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3 Amigos
1657 Rue Sainte-Catherine W, Montreal, QC H3H1L9, CA

Kazu
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA

[leyb]

These are great suggestions. Some other ideas - if it's nice out, Muvbox in the old port can be a great cheap date. It's close to the water and their lobster rolls are amazing for right around 10 dollars... with your budget you'll have leftover for their Bilboquet ice cream!

I'd also suggest Nouveau Palais, if you don't mind the diner atmosphere for a date, and I hear good things about Arapas, although I haven't tried it myself yet. You might also like Reservoir's food and you could likely stay under $20 at Kazu, which is definitely worth a try.

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Bilboquet
, Montreal, QC H2Y, CA

Kazu
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA

[wilmagrace]

if you want to dine early
http://www.auchaudlapin.ca/23/TABLE_D...

bejing or vip in chinatown, sharing dishes

[manuela]

Thank you Leyb!

[Maximilien]

Couple of places :

L'Emporte Piece (gilford st) for grilled cheese sandwiches a a drink and after go to the ice-cream place on St-Denis (can't remember the name, it's close to the st-hubert chicken place)

Le Comptoir (st-laurent), share a large charcuterie platter and a couple of drinks, and after than walk up to Kem Coba for ice-cream

[manuela]

Just my type of plan! Thank you Maximilien!

[kpaxonite]

If you are are willing to go on a lunch date then there are tons of amazing places that offer 20 dollar full course meals.

in the evening off the top of my head places close to where you live: Marinara on Stanley ...you can easily order for under 20 there, or l'entrecore st jean on peel is 21 for salad and steak frites

pizzarias: Pizzeria Arlequino on drummond, il Focollaio on Union

[manuela]

Thanks for the suggestions Kpaxonite!
I'll look for places that offer 20 dollar full course lunch meals. Any favorites?

[kpaxonite]

Brasserie T, F bar, Pintxo (18), Decca 77 (just over 20 (maybe 23) , Marinara, La coupole; there are many business lunch places that are usually pricey yet offer this ....unfortunately dna recently stopped and that in my opinion was the best deal...... pintxo is great for a lunch date though and you get to choose your entree

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Decca 77
1077, rue Drummond, Montréal, QC H3B 4X4, CA

[EaterBob]

I'd add in these places
Amelio's on Milton for Pizza
Binerie Mont-Royal for traditional Quebecois food
Dic Ann's on Pie IX for hamburgers and a trip back in time
Halal 786 on Jean Talon for Pakistani
Kam Fung on Saint Urbain for Dim Sum
Lasalle Drive In on Lasalle Blvd for subs
Chez Nouri on Pine for lunch
Petit Alep on Jean Talon for Syrian
Pho Lien on Cote-des-Neiges for Tonkinese soup
Qing Hua on Lincoln for dumplings
Sumo Ramen on Saint Laurent for Ramen
Tian Tan on de Maisonneuve for Chinese buffet

And for slightly more than $20/person, but not much more Le Valois on Ontario E for French bistro.

[SourberryLily]

Petit Alep +1 vote
Moti Mehal +1 vote

I'll add El Sombrero, which is a cute authentic Mexican place (a leap ahead of 3 Amigos). Well within your budget. Bring CASH though and don't be in a hurry, the last time i went the waitress was not the quickest.

Brit & Chips - try the cod balls. I heard they had a terasse now so that's a plus!
Kazu - Japanese, a bit noisy and crowded but good.
Jano - Portuguese. They have a 2 person plate where you choose 5 types of meat. Well within your budget.

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Moti Mehal
1024 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, Montreal, QC H3N, CA

3 Amigos
1657 Rue Sainte-Catherine W, Montreal, QC H3H1L9, CA

El Sombrero Restaurant
500 Rue Belanger, Montreal, QC H2S1G4, CA

Kazu
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA

[manuela]

Thanks EasterBob!

[kpzoo]

For starters:

Moti Mehal on Jean-Talon for Indian
Amaranto or Coin du Mexique for 10,000,000 better Mexican than 3 Amigos ;-)
Hwang Kum on Sherbrooke W. for Korean
Rayan Seafood on Cote-des-Neiges for fish/seafood
La Caretta on St-Zotique for Salvadoran

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Moti Mehal
1024 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, Montreal, QC H3N, CA

[manuela]

Thank you Kpzoo! All that sounds wonderful!

[deborahm]

I've always wanted to try La Caretta. How's the food and do you have any recommendations for what to order? I don't know Salvadoran cuisine but it looks very popular and with a fairly nice atmosphere. Any suggestions welcome!

[kpzoo]

They specialize in pupusas so I'd recommend getting a few - the chicken-cheese, pork, and black bean varieties are faves with me & my gang. You top them with spicy tomato sauce and coleslaw-like condiments - scrumptious. The tamales are also delicious.

[kpzoo]

Oh, and try a glass of horchata - it's what rice pudding would taste like if it were a drink!

[SourberryLily]

Wow, now *I* want to go!

[deborahm]

Thanks kpzoo for the info! I'm definitely going to try this place over the weekend. I'm looking forward to my first pupusa and horchata experience! :)

[OliverB]

What's your budget?

I'm guessing that your frequenting of 3 Amigos probably means atmosphere is not too important, and if so, there's plenty of great Vietnamese places... ethnic in general from Chinatown to Indian in Parc Ex. Depends on your idea of 'date' (I wouldn't consider Romados as date destination on any budget, for instance) and 'inexpensive'?

[manuela]

Thank you OliverB. Ive edited my original post to include our budget, which would be ~ $20 per person.

With us it's much more about the food than the atmosphere, but if we can get both at that price we would be more than pleased! We usually go to 3 Amigos because we live a block from the downtown location and when looking for something fun and relaxed its perfect. We just don't know many places with better or even a romantic atmosphere that also serves fantastic food.

I agree that Romados on its own is not a date destination, but if you pick it up to go and eat at a parc nearby, then it can turn into a very enjoyable date :)

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3 Amigos
1657 Rue Sainte-Catherine W, Montreal, QC H3H1L9, CA