One of the "restaurant strategies" I've seen for first dates was sorta genius!
- pick up a gift card online at a discount
- get a coupon for the dinner, 2 for 1 entree
- during dinner, excuse yourself for a moment and settle the bill. Still leave a nice tip, without your date seeing all the discount stuff.
- before you leave, let your date quietly know the bill is already taken care of.
You can spend 30% of the meal cost this way and still pay for everything, plus come across as gentlemanly by paying for it all.