Mondays might not be the most romantic time for date night, but now you can turn one of the most underwhelming days of the week into a night of sweet lovin'. Many Minneapolis restaurants offer a 'Cheap Date Night' incentive to eat and drink for half the price throughout the week. With a little help, it's now easier than ever to spend less than $30 on a date without going completely broke. Check out these weekday dining specials of the very fun (and cheap) variety.

Let's first start in the Minneapolis Lyn-Lake/Uptown neighborhood where Chino Latino, The Independent and William's Uptown Pub and Peanut Bar rule the eating and drinking scene. This urban commercial district is an eclectic hodgepodge of young professionals, hipsters, and a high-energy vibe. Most of Uptown's restaurants are within easy walking distance of Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles, with undeniably cheap menu items if you hit the right night of the week: 

Bryant Lake Bowl: (BLB) is an Uptown hangout popular for dates, group gatherings, and huge selection of bottled beers. Expect cozy seating, (what's better than semi-snuggling in your cute date's lap?), dim lighting, and fabulous food and drinks. Every Monday evening, BLB hosts a 'Cheap Date Night' from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. For $28, couples can order two entrees, a bottle of wine, four tap beers, and a round of bowling in one of the eight antique-style lanes. You know you can't go wrong with a place that sells 'Cheap Date Night'  t-shirts. BLB is located near the intersection of Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue with limited outdoor seating. 810 West Lake Street.

Zenos Cafe: Considering this wine and dessert bar's highly rated reputation, you wouldn't think that $30 can take you a long way. Patrons may not be entirely convinced that Zenos is capable of being cheap, but on Tuesdays they sure are. For $30, couples can enjoy an appetizer, salad, dessert, bottle of wine, and two tickets to the nearby Lagoon Cinema (Harry Potter is currently showing). A bottle of wine here easily costs that much any other night of the week. If you wish to order off their full menu instead of the Date Night menu, then don't miss their regular Happy Hours from 3-7 p.m. Their happy hour menu includes bottomless wine tasting for $10, buy one starter item and receive the second free, and $4 martini and beer specials. 219 Hennepin Avenue

Barbette: Once you enter  through the red velvet entryway, voila! you'll feel like you stepped into an off-street French cafe. The kaleidescope colored stained-glass fixtures and funky local wall art create a unique cirque francaise decor with an ambience to match. On Monday nights, Barbette offers a selected four or five course for $32 between 5-10 p.m. Their Prix Fixe Mondays (pronounced 'prefix'; a European term to describe a pre-determined menu presented as a multi-course meal at a fixed price), includes dessert and/or a cheese course. The menu can be served vegetarian or vegan upon request. An extra bonus for dining late? You can enjoy free live music at 10 p.m. C'est les piece de resistance! 1600 West Lake Street.