For many, Halloween is the one night of the year when it’s socially acceptable (and even encouraged) for men to dress like women and women to be scantily clad. But, for those who are hooked this All Hallow’s Eve and intend to accompany a sweetheart to a friend’s party, here’s a list of recommendations for more creative couples costuming (click on the links for pics!):

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Our friends at Daily Candy alerted us to a great date idea: Harvest Day in Long Island. Check out the list of farms in the link above to visit before Halloween arrives.

Ouest
2315 Broadway
Manhattan, NY 10024
212-580-8700

Review
Our number one recommendation for a fancy meal at a not-francy price belongs to Ouest (pronounced “West”). Mondays through Fridays, as long as you place your order before 6:30pm, you can experience a “25-for-food” in Zagats for only $34. The pre-fixe menu begins with your choice of soup or salad. For an entree, you can get a Salmon, Lightly Smoked & Roasted with Potato Puree and Chive Remoulade (get it at medium rare, just like the chef recommends — it will melt in your mouth), Grilled Free Range Chicken with Potato Puree and Roasted Carrots, or Marinated Hangar Steak with Creamy Polenta and Natural Jus. And for dessert, panna cotta, chocolate cake, or our personal favorite, the homemade sorbets. The sorbet trio includes a vanilla sorbet that you will swear is actually ice cream. It’s just that good. Also, if you can stretch your budget to $50 per person, be sure to order a drink, any drink. They may look pricey on the menu ($14 for a martini), but, trust us, one drink is all you will need. The cosmos are virtually bottomless, and a simple “Jack-on-the-rocks” contains a generous two-shots worth of Sour Mash. Your highball glass will be filled to its rim, so don’t spill when you toast to a fabulous evening with your sweetie!

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Dear DateSpacers:

We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about our little love-makin’ jazz playlist we compiled for you a few weeks back. As one reader raves: “Thanks for the tuneage–my lady and I rode the Coltrane all the way to Love Junciton and back!”*

As such, we’ve decided to use this issue of Thursdates to launch a new series for the site: PlayDates. The idea is simple–soundtracks for your love life. We’re pulling together the best of the best songs by which to live and love.

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You’re so vain. You probably thought these links were about you.

Her Best Friend Hates You

Hot Date – The Museum of Sex

Dating Against Types

Today’s deals are the perfect combo for a night on the town: Restaurant.com is slashing 80% off their gift certificates. So after your affordable dinner, make your way to Madison Square Garden for the Knicks and Jazz. Click here for a solid discount on tickets to the game.

Hearth
403 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10079
646-602-1300

Review
While you now may find yourself cutting back on dinner dates, not even Great Depression II should stop you from an occasional nightcap (shameless plug). And for a really unique experience, check out Hearth in the East Village. As far as we know, Hearth is the only bar or restaurant in New York City that actually serves mead. What’s mead you ask? It’s honey wine — that’s right: wine from fermented honey as opposed to grapes — and it also happens to be the libation that Beowulf and his crew drank heartily the night they kicked Grendel’s ass.

Here I am, link me like a hurricane.

Is Your Sex Life Stressing You Out?

9 Signs You’ve Met “The One”

Pros and Cons of Dating a Metrosexual Man

How to Snag a Date in 28 Days

Free Online Dating – Tested and Approved by Datespaces Staff!

We go from Free Opera to the Free Night of Theater 2008. Simply click on the link below and apply for exactly what it sounds like: free Broadway/off-Broadway/off-off-Broadway tix. Sweeeeeet!

Click here for the deal.