What is a good "first -date" restaurant? - The DIS Discussion Forums

Cindy B · 11-19-2009, 09:19 PM

Inspired by a very spirited discussion at work.. what type of restaurant would you go to on a first date and Why?

My workmates were very specific on where they would or wouldn't go.. and I'd like to hear others opinions.

MsLeFever · 11-19-2009, 09:21 PM

Somewhere that gives you something to talk about -

My choices would be anything Japanese (the more authentic the better) or the Melting pot!

C.Ann · 11-19-2009, 09:24 PM

Someplace moderately priced.. Not too cheap - not too fancy.. A well varied menu - not all Italian; all Chinese; all seafood; etc..

Mouse House Mama · 11-19-2009, 10:03 PM

Well I am not really sure but my requirements would at the very least be -
1- No restaurant with a drive through
2- No buffets
3- Nothing where I have to share my food with someone- Melting Pot etc. (they could have gross eating habits!)

N.Bailey · 11-19-2009, 10:11 PM

The choices wouldn't be too many in my town. There just isn't much to choose from.

1 thing I wouldn't do however is, drive any extended distance. There would be several reasons for this. First and foremost is, so you can escape the date quickly if it's not going too well. I'll save the other reasons for another time.

I'd also not want to get too heavily invested either time wise or on a financial level.

There would be NO drinking at all. You just never know, plus drinking and driving don't mix too well.

I wouldn't go fast food, but I'd want to eat somewhere that will have you in an out in less than 90 minutes (60 minutes would be better but it might be a busy night) and still have a meal that's somewhat healthy. If things go good on the first night, you could expand it from there and maybe add a movie the next time.

When I was younger, who knows, but at my current age (and I'm married so not looking), I would be in no hurry to move any relationship along. Slow is definitely better, IMO.

cdepauli · 11-19-2009, 10:42 PM

I think it's important to go somewhere that at least one of you is comfortable. There's nothing worse than being nervous on a first date and also being in a place that makes you uncomfortable.

I think it also depends on your age too. In college, it was fine to hit up a chain, but as you get older, it's probably better to try something a bit more upscale or something that represents your local scene, unless there really aren't too many other places in your area.

aprilgail2 · 11-19-2009, 10:42 PM

The Melting Pot--you can have a nice long dinner there and its usualy pretty quiet there with nice low light...you can get a dinner for 2 for about 100.00.

GeorgeG · 11-19-2009, 11:26 PM

It's probably best to avoid anyplace that has a "dollar menu" or meals that come with toys.

I think I would first try to determine what the other person liked and go from there. I also the the first date should lean more towards getting acquainted than romance. That could mean quiet, but with enough light to see across the table.

autumnpalm · 11-19-2009, 11:28 PM

As long as it isn't fast food, pretty much anything that's quiet is fine with me! I'm not picky about food but comfy seats would be a a plus!

pearlieq · 11-19-2009, 11:39 PM

A slightly upscale chain or local restaurant that had a reasonably quiet and comfortable atmosphere. Around us that would be something like Redstone, California Pizza Kitchen, PF Changs, etc.

My theory there is that it's nice enough to be "special" but not so nice as to be intimidating or to take the focus off the date.

The ideal restaurant would just fade into the background. The menu is familiar enough that you don't have to think about your choice too much, which is why I think chains are good. That way you can focus on getting to know each other.

FireDancer · 11-19-2009, 11:42 PM

Someplace medium priced and without too exotic of a cuisine unless you know for a fact the other person likes that cuisine. It should also be quiet enough to talk. The most important thing on a first date is the conversation. That is why I don't see the point in going to a movie on a first date after the age of 14.

If you try to hard it looks like you are just trying to impress. Just be yourself, there is no point putting on a fake facade that will eventually come crashing down. Either the person will like the real you or they won't, if they don't move along.

Imzadi · 11-20-2009, 12:48 AM

I'd want a place where service is fast in case you realise this is NOT going to work out and you want to get away quick.

Then you can order a salad and get out of there.

However, you also want a place where once served, they will leave you alone to talk if you do hit it off and want to talk for a while.

Cindy B · 11-20-2009, 04:53 AM

Interesting responses. Here's the premise of the argument.

Three single ladies were saying that they would turn around and leave if their date takes them to anywhere less than a 5 star restaurant and would go home directly if it was somewhere like a Friday's or an Applebee's after work.

The men in the room said that a Fridays or Applebee's (but not fast food) was ok, in case the date didn't work out. Some of the women said that if it was a place like that they would leave immediately.

The men then said they didn't want to outlay that much cash in case it didn't work out.

The women then said it had to be a five star place or nothing (they used the example of Le Bec Fin-- a very famous 5 star place around here).

The men then said if it was a $200 plus dinner and it didn't work out they would be out more cash!

These ladies also said that if the guy dresses nicely all the time and then takes them to a Friday's or Applebee's they should have more money than a "paper napkin restaurant".

I think I work with a bunch of princesses!

NHdisneylover · 11-20-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy B

Interesting responses. Here's the premise of the argument.

Three single ladies were saying that they would turn around and leave if their date takes them to anywhere less than a 5 star restaurant and would go home directly if it was somewhere like a Friday's or an Applebee's after work.

The men in the room said that a Fridays or Applebee's (but not fast food) was ok, in case the date didn't work out. Some of the women said that if it was a place like that they would leave immediately.

The men then said they didn't want to outlay that much cash in case it didn't work out.

The women then said it had to be a five star place or nothing (they used the example of Le Bec Fin-- a very famous 5 star place around here).

The men then said if it was a $200 plus dinner and it didn't work out they would be out more cash!

These ladies also said that if the guy dresses nicely all the time and then takes them to a Friday's or Applebee's they should have more money than a "paper napkin restaurant".

I think I work with a bunch of princesses!

Well I think it is pretty obvious WHY those girls you work with are still single

I think Fridays or Applebees is fine for a first date. -Full disclosure: I am a woman and I totally take the male coworkers' side on this

.

aprilgail2 · 11-20-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cindy B

Interesting responses. Here's the premise of the argument.

Three single ladies were saying that they would turn around and leave if their date takes them to anywhere less than a 5 star restaurant and would go home directly if it was somewhere like a Friday's or an Applebee's after work.

The men in the room said that a Fridays or Applebee's (but not fast food) was ok, in case the date didn't work out. Some of the women said that if it was a place like that they would leave immediately.

esses!

Well I sure wouldn't want to go on a date to Applebees or Fridays! It could be not be a 5 star restaurant but a family owned nice quiet place but please....applebees and fridays are barely a step over fast food IMO.

11-19-2009, 09:19 PM	#1
Cindy B Have taken some furniture polish and sprayed it in the air, so it smells like I was cleaning I have been known to eat cookies for dinner Grew up on Stove Top Stuffing Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: My New House! which doesn't have a tricky oven! Posts: 25,837	What is a good "first -date" restaurant? Inspired by a very spirited discussion at work.. what type of restaurant would you go to on a first date and Why? My workmates were very specific on where they would or wouldn't go.. and I'd like to hear others opinions.

11-19-2009, 09:21 PM	#2
MsLeFever WPASADI II Co-Winner Wants to be the #1 WPASADI! Won't beg for a tag but will rewrite disco songs! Eating chocolate is a good cure for anything and everything! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 3,680	Somewhere that gives you something to talk about - My choices would be anything Japanese (the more authentic the better) or the Melting pot! __________________ Happiest place on earth!?!

11-19-2009, 09:24 PM	#3
C.Ann We'll remember when... No time for green bananas When the going gets tough, she gets the Palmolive!! If I knew we were going to be graded here, I might try harder Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 28,920	Someplace moderately priced.. Not too cheap - not too fancy.. A well varied menu - not all Italian; all Chinese; all seafood; etc.. __________________ C.Ann ----------------- *"Scars remind us where we've been.. They don't have to dictate where we're going.."* "Life ain't always beautiful.....but it's a beautiful ride." "We won't be sad, we'll be glad for all the life we've had and we'll remember when...."

11-19-2009, 10:03 PM	#4
Mouse House Mama Luckiest Mommy in the World!!! Hello-Buddy the Elf what's your favorite color?! I wonder if they make pullups for adults I was not the farter- I was the fartee Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: The movie in my mind Posts: 9,860	Well I am not really sure but my requirements would at the very least be - 1- No restaurant with a drive through 2- No buffets 3- Nothing where I have to share my food with someone- Melting Pot etc. (they could have gross eating habits!) __________________ I'm a diehard flip flopper!!! Our Happy Family!!! DHMEDS DDDS DD Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift.... WL Sept. 2004,Poly June 2005,Poly April 2006 with Grandma & Grandpa, Pop Aug. 2006, WL Dec. 2006, FW Cabins Feb. 2007,AllStar Music Jan. 2008, Poly Aug. 2008,Yacht Club Aug. 2009, Poly Aug. 2009

11-19-2009, 10:42 PM	#6
cdepauli Briar Rose Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Harrisburg PA Posts: 157	I think it's important to go somewhere that at least one of you is comfortable. There's nothing worse than being nervous on a first date and also being in a place that makes you uncomfortable. I think it also depends on your age too. In college, it was fine to hit up a chain, but as you get older, it's probably better to try something a bit more upscale or something that represents your local scene, unless there really aren't too many other places in your area. __________________ June 19-26 2010 Bonnet Creek; May 15-18 2010 Unknown! I won 3 nights in a sweepstakes! 2009 Food and Wine Festival October 10-13 CSR; AKL July 21-28 2009; Engaged June 29, 2007 at the California Grill; Disneymoon September 20-28 2008 POR; October 2007 Bonnet Creek; June 2007 Dolphin; November 2006 Dolphin; May 2006 Bonnet Creek; 2003 ASMu; 2001 Offsite; 1998 ASMu; 1996 Offsite with the marching band senior year

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11-19-2009, 10:11 PM	#5
N.Bailey Pear is probably my all time favorite I was like HUH? LOL Prefers warm soda Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 5,598	The choices wouldn't be too many in my town. There just isn't much to choose from. 1 thing I wouldn't do however is, drive any extended distance. There would be several reasons for this. First and foremost is, so you can escape the date quickly if it's not going too well. I'll save the other reasons for another time. I'd also not want to get too heavily invested either time wise or on a financial level. There would be NO drinking at all. You just never know, plus drinking and driving don't mix too well. I wouldn't go fast food, but I'd want to eat somewhere that will have you in an out in less than 90 minutes (60 minutes would be better but it might be a busy night) and still have a meal that's somewhat healthy. If things go good on the first night, you could expand it from there and maybe add a movie the next time. When I was younger, who knows, but at my current age (and I'm married so not looking), I would be in no hurry to move any relationship along. Slow is definitely better, IMO.

11-19-2009, 10:42 PM	#7
aprilgail2 Ikea- Swedish for CRAP Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NY Posts: 14,033	The Melting Pot--you can have a nice long dinner there and its usualy pretty quiet there with nice low light...you can get a dinner for 2 for about 100.00. __________________

11-19-2009, 11:26 PM	#8
GeorgeG Stumped for 2005 You can keep the pickles I fully intend to be a ghost when it's my turn Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 5,834	It's probably best to avoid anyplace that has a "dollar menu" or meals that come with toys. I think I would first try to determine what the other person liked and go from there. I also the the first date should lean more towards getting acquainted than romance. That could mean quiet, but with enough light to see across the table. __________________ Proud grandfather of a United States Marine!

11-19-2009, 11:28 PM	#9
autumnpalm Hates dark rooms, is a big rule follower, & loves repitition When I was a kid, I wanted to be a host on The Shopping Channel I have a secret feeling that butterflies are sinister creatures Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1308 miles away from the magic Posts: 2,145	As long as it isn't fast food, pretty much anything that's quiet is fine with me! I'm not picky about food but comfy seats would be a a plus! __________________ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

11-19-2009, 11:39 PM	#10
pearlieq They can sit & spin Imagine my shock when my cat slipped me the tongue I've never been all that worried about getting cooties I don't need chewy chunks Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Montgomery, IL Posts: 7,628	A slightly upscale chain or local restaurant that had a reasonably quiet and comfortable atmosphere. Around us that would be something like Redstone, California Pizza Kitchen, PF Changs, etc. My theory there is that it's nice enough to be "special" but not so nice as to be intimidating or to take the focus off the date. The ideal restaurant would just fade into the background. The menu is familiar enough that you don't have to think about your choice too much, which is why I think chains are good. That way you can focus on getting to know each other. __________________ Coming Up: BLT/GF - Feb 2010 Happy Memories: AKV - 4/09, Dolphin - 4/09, BWV - 5/08, POFQ - 12/07, WL - 2/03, 10/07, POP! - 5/07, DLR/GC - 11/06, OKW - 5/05, 12/05, 1/07, YC - 12/04, DCL - 9/04, 5/06, 10/07, 1/10, CR - 9/04, AKL - 7/04 & 3/06, DLR/PP - 4/04, Poly - 1/04, 10/09, Swan - 12/03, BC - 2/03, CSR - 10/01, ASMu - 5/01 (Honeymoon!)& 5/02 "Chicago attacked the weather with bare arms and Saints QB Drew Brees with naked aggression. They knocked him down, sacked him, beat him, pounded him and caused a fumble, an interception, a safety and probably post-traumatic stress disorder. " - Dan Wetzel

11-19-2009, 11:42 PM	#11
FireDancer "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." - Lance Armstrong Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Suburban Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,654	Someplace medium priced and without too exotic of a cuisine unless you know for a fact the other person likes that cuisine. It should also be quiet enough to talk. The most important thing on a first date is the conversation. That is why I don't see the point in going to a movie on a first date after the age of 14. If you try to hard it looks like you are just trying to impress. Just be yourself, there is no point putting on a fake facade that will eventually come crashing down. Either the person will like the real you or they won't, if they don't move along. __________________ - Frank DIS Races: 2006 WDW Half Marathon - 1:42:37 2006 Disneyland Half Marathon - 1:32:04 2008 WDW Half Marathon - 1:34:07 Aiming for the WDW full in 2011

11-20-2009, 12:48 AM	#12
Imzadi I can shoot a gun, but I'm scared to open a can of biscuits Point Free Zone I'm the only one getting lumpy hummus Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC - "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our FREEDOM!" Posts: 9,466	I'd want a place where service is fast in case you realise this is NOT going to work out and you want to get away quick. Then you can order a salad and get out of there. However, you also want a place where once served, they will leave you alone to talk if you do hit it off and want to talk for a while. __________________ "The Community Board -- Beating a dead horse one thread at a time." ~wvjules . ."It is estimated that there are one billion stars, like ours, and in all the universe. There are one billion, billion, planets capable of supporting life, like ours. And in all of that, and maybe even more, there is only one of each of us. Don't destroy the one named Kirk." .........~ Dr. Leonard McCoy to Captain James T. Kirk . . . . . . . Scotty, beam me up! . . . . . . . . . I've been Grumpy Pirated! Turkeyed by figment52 Bewitched by Evil Genius! Thanks!

11-20-2009, 04:53 AM	#13
Cindy B Have taken some furniture polish and sprayed it in the air, so it smells like I was cleaning I have been known to eat cookies for dinner Grew up on Stove Top Stuffing Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: My New House! which doesn't have a tricky oven! Posts: 25,837	Interesting responses. Here's the premise of the argument. Three single ladies were saying that they would turn around and leave if their date takes them to anywhere less than a 5 star restaurant and would go home directly if it was somewhere like a Friday's or an Applebee's after work. The men in the room said that a Fridays or Applebee's (but not fast food) was ok, in case the date didn't work out. Some of the women said that if it was a place like that they would leave immediately. The men then said they didn't want to outlay that much cash in case it didn't work out. The women then said it had to be a five star place or nothing (they used the example of Le Bec Fin-- a very famous 5 star place around here). The men then said if it was a $200 plus dinner and it didn't work out they would be out more cash! These ladies also said that if the guy dresses nicely all the time and then takes them to a Friday's or Applebee's they should have more money than a "paper napkin restaurant". I think I work with a bunch of princesses!

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