1. Prix Fixe Lunches at French Restaurants

Most people know that French places are geared for serving up romance on a plate. Here's a secret, though: Many offer a multi-course fixed-price lunch! It's the same quality of food as what you'd have for dinner, but for about half the price. Here are some examples: Le Mistral, 1400 Eldridge, has a "business lunch" that includes soup or salad, entrée of the day and dessert for $20.

Artisans, 3201 Louisiana, offers variations on that same type of three-course deal: the "express lunch" is $20 while the "business lunch" is $27. Author's note: an employee with Artisans contacted us to say the express lunch is discontinued and the business lunch price has increased by $2 due to rising food costs. Still though, that's not a bad deal for a three-course meal.

The best deal on coursed lunches may be at Aura Brasserie, located at 15977 City Walk in Sugar Land Town Square. Its three-course lunch is a mere $15.95.

It's Creole, not straight French, but Brennan's of Houston has a $16 à la carte lunch that includes an appetizer and one of three entrée choices. Bonus: They have 25-cent mini-martinis until 3 p.m.

A three-course lunch in a beautiful restaurant is affordable romance. To make it complete, take the afternoon off and spend the rest of the day at home.