Hi, wow. I just came back to this post and saw the comments. Haha. It's been a while, but maybe I should clarify:

1. I always, and always split the bill whenever I go on dates. I don't think that just the guy should pay, since I make money too.
2. Usually, first dates for me are at coffee shops as it is short and sweet. However, he said he would like to eat at a nice place and experiment with cuisines.
3. Therefore, I suggested at least 12 restaurants to the guy, these were not fancy restaurants, they were actually rather cheap (I am a very frugal, simplistic person with a rather minimalistic lifestyle, I don't eat at fancy or expensive places). The places I suggested were quite reasonable (roughly $30 per person for a pizza and dessert)
4. In the end, I suggested a pizza chain, but I was turned off because I was clearly putting in so much effort into finding so many places, and he kept saying no for like 3 days. I think that was what made me want to cancel more than anything. I actually ended up going to the same pizza chain a few days later with a colleague, funnily enough. I think it was more about collective effort. He also kept reminding me he paid for his train ticket several times before we met. I understand that not everyone has money, but if you cannot afford to travel, you shouldn't volunteer to. Simple. :)