THE BLUE ROOM

FIRST COURSE
$50 Date Challenge: Boston Edition

You don't have to sacrifice quality when you head out with your new slim and trim budget for a $50 date. You just have to know where to go and what to get. Whether you like a cocktail, a carafe of wine, or you're "cleansing" your diet of alcohol in the new year, you will find an outing that will suit you. To help offset the cost of a night out, invite your date over for a glass of wine or a shaken cocktail before you head out. You can head over to The Boston Shaker for some cocktail tools and inspiration if you are new to the DIY bartending world.

FIRST COURSE
A Fortnight of Fab Food

It used to be that Restaurant Week was one week of dinners or lunches for a great deal (usually the year in dollars and cents 2009 = $20.09.). Now Restaurant week extends for at least another week, and for some restaurants the entire month, and has a much broader depth including shows, and hotel packages.

This year Arts Boston has everything from Stephen Petronio Company at the Institute for Contemporary Arts at half off to Bobby McFerrin at Symphony Hall. There is the American Repertory Theatre's much loved Donkey Show and José Matteo's Ballet Theatre's new show, Out of the Dark.