I live in the boonies and dinner + tip (and drinks) for two can easily be $200. Parking is free here because, ya know, boonies and whatnot.
That's eating at an expensive place. I paid $60 for two at a local restaurant last week, that's including an appetizer.
It's not hard to spend $200. But OP suggested that it was the standard going rate and that it's unaffordable to them.
I'm in the bay area and dinner for two is absolutely nowhere close to $200 unless you are going somewhere fancy or ordering many drinks. Looking at my transaction history, it's closer to about $40 per person.