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For Richer or Poorer, Lots More V-Day Tables This Year

We know, we know, everyone hates Valentines Day. But when it comes down to it, if you have a significant other, you really don't get the option of skipping it completely. The good news for V-Day slackers is that while it still promises to be one of the busiest restaurant nights of the year, the battered economy means a lot more romancers will be offering to cook at home, and it's markedly easier to get a table out than in past years.

For example, just browsing through OpenTable New York this morning, we see you can't get seats at any of the super-obvious V-Day restaurants like Greenwich Village proposal hotspot One if By Land, Two if By Sea or under-the-bridge Brooklyn beauty River Café, but if you just search for what restaurants still have space Saturday night, you'll see there is plenty of room at the next tier down; say, trendy Village wine bar Cru or Midtown foodie fav BLT Market. Not exactly wow-inducing settings, but trust us, you could not get reservations at restaurants this nice two days before V-Day last year, and the same holds true searching most cities.

Of course, the whole reason all these seats are available is because no one has any damn money. But don't worry—cheap Valentine's dates are in this year. Restaurants that would have never aimed for the romantic crowd in years past are betting they can reel in cheapskates in this economy. Example A: The Waffle House, which will be serving candle-lit steak dinners at 32 of its restaurants. And no, reservations are not needed. Did you want that scattered or smothered, sweetie?

· How Do I Hate Thee? Let Me Count the Ways [Jaunted]
· Valentine's Day Hotels [HotelChatter]

Photo: [Stringbot]