Love Richardson, but not lots of fun restaurants there---yet! I believe that will come as younger families stimulate the growth there.
Cafe Amour in Plano off Park and Tollway. Romantic, fun is company your with, and can bring your own wine to save money.
There are all sorts of fairly inexpensive restaurants in Plano a short jaunt up 75 (heading north) from Richardson, about 10 minutes or so, depending on time of day.
The shops at legacy and the tollway have plenty of places. Try Mi Cocina's at Park and Preston if you want to sit outside (or indoors if it's a cool day), try Taco Diner or Mi Cocina's at Legacy and Tollway. That is a very fun, trendy and hip area. Cru wine bar is a fun place to have a flight of wine afterwards. (Be sure to check menu prices if you need to stay within a budget.)
Try 75 and 15th, Park, Parker for rows of restaurants. Drive by and see what looks fun to you. Check out their menu's.
Or, you could come up Beltline to the Tollway(NOT THE BUSH)
and find all kinds of fun restarants in Addison.
N.
www.thearenasteam.com