148. Benihana Dinner for Two = $37

Teppanyaki is yummy & fun for a nice dinner date.
I love teppanyaki, which is the Japanese style of cooking with an open grill at your dining table. I have never been disappointed with a meal at Benihana, except the fact that it's not quite a cheap date. However, Benihana is offering a Hibachi Steak Dinner for Two during the month of April. This includes: onion soup, salad, shrimp appetizer, steamed rice, hibachi vegetables, homemade dipping sauces and Japanese hot tea. The only thing not included is dessert. You get ALL of this for only $37 plus tax and tip. Not the cheapest dinner date, but a darn good deal for a nice dinner.

Bennihana
Originally uploaded by oh snap

Normally parking is free at the restaurants. Click HERE to find a participating location near you. This is not limited to LA & OC, so I'll start a new dating category (or tag, keyword, label) called national. No coupon is required, but reservations are highly recommended because this restaurant is super popular. If you have never been, you HAVE to go at least once. This is definitely a nice restaurant for a first date or a 365th date night. Just know that your hair and clothes will smell like the food when you walk out (due to the flaming onion volcano and whatever else is coming off the grill flames). Can't wait to go again, yum!

UPDATE 05/04/10: Their Chef's Special for the month of May is Filet-for-Two at $39 plus tax and tip. That breaks down to $25 per person, which is a good deal at Benihana. For an even better deal, check out Cheap Date Idea #168 for the 2-for-1 deal on Wednesdays or $9.95 anniversary special on 5/20.

UPDATE 05/17/10: Sign up for Benihana's eClub and get $30 off your meal on your birthday! Click HERE to sign up (minimum 10 days in advance to receive the certificate in the mail). So that means your dinner would be only $9!!! Thanks @callmemochelle for the tip! Every month the special changes, so check for updates via @Benihana__.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $37 Total + Tax + Tip (or $9 on your birthday)
Actual value of the cheap date = TBD.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @dineoutcheap & @iluvmarthasvy