“I’ll have what she’s having…”
Ah the first date…can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Many of us opt for lunch or dinner for our first encounter but the combination of answering a barrage of questions with a gob full of good grub whilst trying to appear slightly attractive and relatively well mannered, can be a challenge!
This blog is inspired by a story that one of our friends told us. She once went to Wagamama and her date managed to fling some food down her cleavage while telling a story and gesticulating wildly with one of his chopsticks. It’s safe to say that they never got past her trying to hook a spare prawn from her bra. Another mate decided to go to an authentic curry house and after one beer too many decided to have a “curry-off” with her date which rendered her red faced, sweaty and speechless from a chilli overdose. Not overly attractive.
The moral of these stories? Do your research and choose wisely…
Here are our top five tips for a successful dinner date:
Price: We think blowing the budget on a first date is an unwise move, so choose your eatery with care if you are planning on paying or splitting the bill. Most restaurants have online menus, so you check out the ballpark cost before you make your suggestions. It also avoids any nasty or embarrassing surprises once the bill arrives…
Avoid chains: While many chains are great, they are a bit predictable and samey, so in order to have a first date to remember, try to choose an independent place to eat as it shows more thought and effort has been made on your part. Remember, they could well be the love of your life so pick somewhere you’d be proud to recount hundreds of times…
Book if you can: Avoid long queues and awkward silences by booking a table in advance if you’ve made a firm choice about where you’d like to go. It’s also nice to be spontaneous, so if the plans are rough ones then go with the flow and see where the evening takes you.
Choose your food with care: Sometimes it pays to think about what you choose and try to pick something that isn’t too messy or fussy to eat. Deboning a fish can take a lot of concentration to get right and a towering beef burger stack is also another food challenge best kept until date 2 or 3. Spag-bol is another tricky one unless you are a master at the fork and spoon combo but avoid at all cost ladies, if wearing a silk blouse.
Be prepared: Plan your journey so you don’t end up sweating having jogged from the tube or madly flagging down a cab in order not to be late. Also, if you plan to have a few drinks, always know how you’re going to get home in advance, so you’re not left waiting for a taxi in the middle of the street.
Do: Ask your date which food they love or loathe…
Don’t: Go heavy on the garlic or chilli if a cheeky end of date snog is planned….
Do you have any first date food stories? Tell us @lovestruck
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