Searching this forum for "cheap" or "budget" gave me nothing so here I ask:
I'm going to Paris over valentines day and do not have a lot of money. I've never been to Paris before and we'll be staying near Sacré Cour (18:th). Does anyone have any good recommendations for a romantic place to have dinner? A place, that is, where a menu is not more than $20-30?

Thankful for any help!

I don't know this area (Montmartre and behind) very well. This is not a very expensive area. There are some "minorities restaurants" which are inexpensive: Morocco, Algerian ...
You may make a search on
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...aurantHomePage
The Entrecote/Relais Venice, which is mentioned in FT Dining is not expensive, but on the other side of Paris.
Inexpensive (but touristy) restaurants are also in Quartier Latin.
Have fun!

I don't know your neighborhood very well, either. But here are a few restaurants in the reasonable range, although the sinking dollar is pushing everything up. If you really want to cut costs, go for lunch---the menus are often quite similar, offer fewer cost options, and are sometimes as much as 30% less than dinner. Check these out:

La Lozere, 4 rue Hautefeuille,75006
Metro:St.Michel 01 43 54 26 64

Bar du Clown, 114 rue Amelot, 75011
Metro:Les filles du Calvaire, closed 2-6PM
The food is adequate, but the decor is not
to be believed. The owner is a retired
clown; the place is tiled with clowns from
the 40's(I think) and decorated with clown
memorabilia. Right by the Cirque d'Hiver.

Astier, 44 rue Jean Paul Timbaud 75011
Metro Bastille 01 43 57 16 35 A little more
expensive 4 course prix fixe for dinner and
an astonishing cheese course. Have to re-
serve:they are always booked solid

And for the sugar/chocolate junkies like me;
Go to Angelina's on the rue Rivoli for hot chocolate and a mont blanc pastry in the afternoon and you won't need dinner.

Depending on exactly where your hotel is, you could investigate restaurants on the rue Lamarck and rue Caulaincourt. If you read French, you could pick up a "Guide du Routard" on Paris restaurants. They have listings by price category and are fairly reliable. Also, non-French restaurants (i.e. Italian, North African, oriental, etc.) are often less expensive. If you post what kind of food you like, I might be able to suggest something.

http://www.jack-travel.com/

kThis is probably the best compendium of inexpensive travel, hotels and dining in Paris you will find.