Just don’t go too crazy – last time E and I did an offer like this we still spent way too much because we got so grabby at the conveyor belt, sure the total bill would ring in so low!

Voucher is good until 6th June.

1. Go early. Early in the week and early in the evening restaurants are typically slower and often run specials. At one point we joked that Monday is the new date night because of all of the offers near where E used to live in Fulham. Along the same lines, many restaurants don’t accept vouchers on Fridays and Saturdays. And that leads me to…

2. Look for vouchers. An obvious suggestion, coming from me, but one that is often forgotten. There are a few ways to do this: first, look through the heaps and heaps of restaurant vouchers on sites like VoucherHub.com; second, go directly to a restaurant’s website to find out what promotions they are running; third, sign up for localised group discount sites like Groupola, Groupon and MyCityDeal. Now repeat after me: “Never make a purchase without checking for a voucher”!

3. BYOB. There is the most amazing kebab shop in Notting Hill where I used to live called Fez Mangal. E and I went there way to often because they had just the absolute best chicken shish and lamb beyti. They didn’t serve alcohol and we could pick up a cheap bottle of red from the shop next door and do dinner for under £20, usually with leftovers for lunch.

4. Be loyal. Sign up for a restaurant’s loyalty scheme, facebook fan page and twitter. You’ll always be the first to know about promotions. The Geronimo Club is one of my favourites – I like their pubs and every month they send an email full of lovely offers for discounts on dining and free drinks, plus pub events.

5. Get a card. If you live in London, for a small upfront investment you can get a Taste London or a View card which will give you 50% discounts at restaurants all over town. At the moment, Taste London is £65.95 (but check around for a 20% off voucher!) and a View card will run you £25.95.

6. Read this blog! I write about restaurant deals I’ve tried or heard about from time to time in the Mummy Daddy Date Night posts.

Here are my faves:

Lizzie Tunic Dress – £65 down from £95

Unity Dress – £45 down from £95

Hyacinth Duchess Satin Shift Dress – £75 down from £135

Slug and Lettuce
25% discount on your food bill

Brasserie Gerard
2 for 1 voucher

Il Bertorelli
2 for 1 on main courses

Sizzling Pubs
Two Steaks & Two Drinks Just £10.99

Ask Restaurants
2 meals for £10

La Tasca
50% off tapas to share

Prezzo
Buy one main, get another for £1

Pizza Express
Starter, main and drink for £12 Sunday to Thursday

One restaurant we find ourselves drawn to repeatedly–because it’s scrummy and because it’s not breaking our budget–is J. It’s not fancy but I love love love the pizzas and they have a two for one offer on mains (pizza, pasta, etc) in the evenings that makes it a great value. Last Friday we shared a bottle of wine, two filling pizzas and a tiramisu and it came to £34 before tip–not too bad.

My one suggestion is no matter how much you think you like spicy pizza, think twice before ordering J’s version of the American Hot (I can’t remember the name) Vesuvio. They are generous with the Bird’s Eye Chilies and you may find yourself, like I did, in tears!

J’s doesn’t have a website and a quick google search tells me there is at least one other location in Primrose Hill. The West Hampstead one is at 218 West End Lane. Here are some other reviews.

UPDATE: Whilst wandering around in Primrose Hill yesterday evening, E and I discovered that the J there doesn’t offer the two for one special. Shocking!

This week I got an email with all of these brilliant vouchers:

• Free bloody mary and bacon butty for every guest the morning after a Christmas party hosted by a club member
• Free mulled Aspalls cider or mulled wine the hour before the kickoff of international rugby matches
• Two for one main, starter and pudding on Tuesday 10th November
• Free entry for a team of four to your local quiz the week commencing 16th November

Sign up, you just can’t go wrong…

With your membership card and this voucher you’ll get two mains for just £10 at Zizzi through 15th November.

Yep, there are some terms (no meals from the pesce and carne section of the menu) and date limitations (Sunday through Thursday only), but hey, they’re giving the discounts they can make the rules.

Let me also just say that if you like to go to the movies at least twice a month and live near a Cineworld, the Unlimited pass will save you money. It is £13.50/month outside of London West End and £16.50/month (we signed on when it was just £15/month though, and I’m wondering when they’ll catch on) if you want to go to Chelsea, Fulham, Haymarket, etc.

To take advantage, search by postcode from among “pubs and cosy inns to chic, city hotel dining, modern diners, curry houses and some nationwide brands that you know and love.” Then book your reservation, print your voucher and surprise your sweetie with a night out!

Unfortunately this isn’t really one for Londoners as the closest restaurants included are in Cambridge and Braintree.

For £6 per person you’re treated to six lovely courses in a classy, upmarket atmosphere making it a can’t miss.

Don’t forget to pre-book for this one! 020 8772 0057

One of our favourite cheap dates is wandering around the nearly empty exhibits at the Tate Modern on a Saturday night and then treating ourselves to a glass of wine. The members bar has a lovely view so if you have any friends with memberships see if you can borrow their card!

Here is a clip ‘n save guide to late night hours at London’s museums (click for large size):