The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Do you have any favorites places that offer live entertainment — preferably cheap or free — along with food? I am starting to compile a list, and so far I have:

Bluegrass and old-time music at Dulono's Pizza
Occasional concerts at Kramarczuk's (like the Tamburitze Orchestra)

Karaoke at Pancho Villa

Jazz and more, weekends at Café Maude

Rhonda Laurie and her trio, Wednesdays at Cave Vin

Friday night jazz at Crave in Edina

Speaking of cheap dates, the Valentine's Day, here are a couple of options that won't break the bank:

From Valentine's Day through Sunday, February 17, Joe's Garage is offering "Valentine for the common man (and woman)" : platters for two that range from wild rice meatloaf or buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy (both $20) to walleye or barbecued ribs for $25, or a grilled beef sirloin with sundried tomato butter, sauteed mushrooms and fries for $30. And you can add a bottle of Red Truck Red or White Truck White for $15.

Bryant Lake Bowl, famous for its Monday night Cheap Date Night dinners for two that includes two entrees, a bottle of wine or a couple of beers, and a game of bowling for $28, is going (slightly) upscale for Valentines Day with a Not so Cheap Date Night: they are adding soup or salad, and raising the price to $38. And if you want to make it a really memorable evening, you can enjoy your dinner in the adjacent BLB theater, where Joseph Scrimshaw will be performing an all-new version of his interactive romantic comedy, Adventures in Mating. Shows are at 7 and 10 p.m., and the doors open an hour earlier - tickets are $12, or $10 with a Fringe Festival button.