I start by scoring Gift cards for 15-18% off for the franchise owner from an online gift card reseller like:
[
www.cardpool.com] (16.5% off) - Can be used at all Darden properties!
[
www.cardpool.com] (15% off California Pizza Kitchen)
They don't charge shipping and the cards show up in 3-4 days in the mail. Your tip is now covered.
I then go to the website and ask about happy hour food and drink specials when I make my pre-call. If I am not told about them when I visit, this is good filler for the report. I will order something on special.
My dining companion does not drink. I park in the back of the restaurant and let them read for 15-20 minutes while I go to the bar and order a well drink and soda in a short glass and don't accept the up-charge to a premium spirit or a double.
This gives the bartender plenty of chances to shine as I am a cheapskate and drink the well rum and short soda.
Ok, the bar is out of the way with tip for under $5.
My guest arrives and we are seated. Time to order iced tea's that are refilled for free. You don't have to order the $12 appetizer. You can split that $7 one. Wine IS optional.
One of us will order the special of the day and the other will order something that is not lobster tails. Keep it middle of the menu. Always add a salad to the dinner as its usually only a couple of bucks more. If they are a bit more upscale, order the soup and pay the extra couple bucks to turn it into a bowl. There is one place that you can end up with a bowl of lobster bisque at lunch that is worth the report by itself.
Make certain your entrees are good re-heatable types of food. Something with a sauce over pasta for example.
You can order an ice cream Sunday and tell them to split it and if they do a good job, you will end up with a big scoop in two separate cups/small bowls with whip cream and a cherry on both.
You can manage to pull a bar visit, entree, refillable drinks at the table, appetizer, soup or salad, and desert and tip out at 18% and squeak in around $80 with my method. I went over a whole $3 last shop like this and there was enough food for both of us to eat dinner the next day.