Looking for some cheap thrills? Can't afford anything else? We can help.
Guide sent staffers out to find food and fun in downtown Dallas without breaking the bank, and they returned with these cost-efficient suggestions. Now a night out won't set you back a day's pay.
More cheap dates:
• 5/18/07 - 'Dream'-y outing on a dreary evening
• 5/11/07 - In-town getaway leads to a tropical spa and Trader Vic's
• 5/4/07 - We interrupt this date at Uncle Julio's...
• 4/13/07 - Family Game Night at Lone Star Comics
• 4/6/07 - Lunchtime outing to the Bishop Arts District
Family outing has a sweet ending
 Milton Hinnant / DMN Zel Nealy the owner of Xocolatl Room looks over some of her Chocolate Treats that she has to offer in her dinning room.
We were tired, hungry and cranky, so we planned to grab a quick bite and
then try to relax over dessert.
With a cooperative 8-year-old in tow, we got our hastily hatched outing
going at Tin Star's Uptown location. Forget the talk, just get the food
was the mutual consensus.
We scored an under-$20 dinner tab for two adults and one child with two
generously loaded plates of steak tacos with rice and black beans. At
the complimentary (with purchase) condiment bar, we filled ramekins with
corn relish, chips and salsa.
After dinner, we walked down the street to the nearby Xocolatl Room to
take advantage of its "Choco-Late Nights," a Friday night unlimited
tasting of decadent treats (such as petit fours, chocolate apricot cream
cake and cappuccino cake) for $10 per person. The sampling allows
complimentary access to a chocolate fountain surrounded by goodies such
as fresh strawberries, Oreos and marshmallows, all begging for a
dunking. My son happily obliged. (Since my date had picked the $10
sampling, the gracious staff let the kid in the party frolic at the
fountain.) And frolic he did. He made a shish kebab of three
chocolate-covered strawberries and was completely oblivious to the brown
smudges on his face.
I had promised myself I wouldn't go overboard on the treats, so I
lingered over my raspberry dark chocolate truffle ($1.85) but salivated
at the sight of my date's plate of truffles and tarts and a cappuccino
petit four.
We had found seating outside the store. With a cool breeze blowing,
hunger sated, and chocolate and one another for company, it truly was
relaxing.
We could've stayed for the spoken-word poetry and open mike that follows
"Choco-Late Nights," but it was way past my son's bedtime. Besides, as
any smart parent might tell you, it's better to make an exit before the
sugar kicks in.
The bottom line:
WHAT: Good times with chocolate
WHERE:
• Dinner at Tin Star, 2626 Howell St. 214-999-0059.
• Dessert at Xocolatl Room, 2817 Howell St. 214-303-1249.
xocolatlroom.com. ("Choco-Late Nights" tasting available Fridays from 8
to 10 p.m. through June. Spoken-word poetry and open mike on Fridays
from 10 p.m. to midnight through June.)
THE TAB: $31.22 (including taxes and tip): $18.39 at Tin Star,
$12.83 at Xocolatl.
THE SCORE: Marriage saver
– BINDU VARGHESE / The Dallas Morning News
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 05.25.07
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