If you opt to spend your cash in an upscale locale, following these guidelines can ensure both a good time and a healthy wallet.
Beware of your alcohol bill. Not only does alcohol often induce inappropriate date behavior, but it also results in a much higher bill. Limit your drinks to one glass of wine or one drink apiece, to be enjoyed with your meal. If you plan to drink a lot of wine, often buying a bottle of the house vintage costs much less than ordering glass by glass.
Split your meal. This is probably the most obvious, but according to local restauranteurs, few patrons take advantage of the large portion sizes served in restaurants. Usually one meal in a restaurant is enough to feed two or three people  – so you can each have a dinner salad and split an entree — and even have enough cash to splurge on a decadent dessert.
Split dessert. This goes hand-in-hand with the split the entree  idea – it saves money and also encourages a more friendly atmosphere between you and the object of your affection — ever had a crush feed you a creme brulee?  
Choose your time of day wisely. Although an evening rendezvous may be more traditional, why not be different and meet for lunch? Not only will you impress your date with your inventiveness, but you also will save some cash. Daytime menus tend to be more wallet-friendly, as serving sizes tend to be smaller. So you could even go all out and order appetizers, drinks, separate entrees and dessert — and still probably spend less than an evening outing.
Have dinner during the week in lieu of the weekend. Restaurants usually have specials during weeknights, which can be much better for your limited budget.
Take advantage of being a student! Often flashing that student ID can be enough to save as much as 10 to 15 percent off a meal. Call in advance to find out if your chosen restaurant offers such deals.
Check the paper for coupons or specials. Restaurants often run coupons for 10 percent off a meal. Be on the lookout for frequent diner programs, which offer members special rewards such as certain percentages off, free appetizers and occasionally even the free meal.
Since it traditionally is accepted that the person who extends the offer buys the meal, why not buck tradition? Splitting the cost of a meal not only is progressive but it also is often a relief for both parties involved — no one feels as though they did not do their part to make the meal a success.
Even with the best of dining out tips, it can be hard to find a place that caters to these special college student needs. One such place in Baton Rouge offers not only a great refined meal, but a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere in which to dine: Caila’s. Located near the Perkins Road overpass at 2857 Perkins Road, Caila’s offers a diverse menu at extremely fair prices. Run by culinary arts students, Caila’s is open Monday through Friday for lunch. Call ahead for prices and specials at 344-7884.