What is a good "first -date" restaurant?

[Cindy B]

Isn't that silly? The only requirement for the princesses was that if the guy was dressed well all the time and then took them to a "lousy" restaurant.. the guy was selfish.

Hello ladies... look at yourself in the mirror... Heck, one of the guys at work even said he meets ladies for the first time at coffee houses so they can have coffee and dessert just to see if it turns into a "restaurant worthy" experience.

 

[NHdisneylover]

How old are these women I think most tweens (much less teens) have gotten beyond this kind of shallow behaviour.
A guy who takes pride in how he dresses does not equal rich guy who can drop a few hundred for dinner with someone he doesn't even know
Maybe that girl can jsut date slobs and then she will not have to worry about it.

Oh, and I agree with Imzadi about being suspicious of a guy who tries too hard to impress at the outset. As far as the drinking thing, generally I also think it is nice to go somewhere where having a drink is an option (which it is most everywhere, right?) but I would not insist on it. I would not think poorly of someone who had a drink with dinner, or someone who did not. Someone who got drunk (or did not seem to feel the effects of several drinks)--yeah I' run (no matter HOW upscale the place was).

 

[lovemygoofy]

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!

I don't think the word princess is the word I'd use to describe these women maybe prissy

Did you ask how often these great catch women go on such 5 star dates? Do they tell the guy ahead of time where they want to eat and what they want him to wear? You think they ever offer to pay? I hope their next first dates are at a bowling alley with rented shoes

 

[Cindy B]

How old are these women I think most tweens (much less teens) have gotten beyond this kind of shallow behaviour.
).

One is 50, and the other are in their 30's.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I don't think the word princess is the word I'd use to describe these women maybe prissy

Tina, you and CIndy are both SO much nicer than I am. I was thinking more along the lines of: self centered, spolied brats! I hope my my kids grow up to have better sense than to be so demanding or to cater to such junk.

One is 50, and the other are in their 30's.

It is really kind of sad. Do they not see the lonliness they are setting themselvs up for with such unreasonable expectations?

PS before I get flamed, I do not think being single is bad or always lonely, but if you are out looking for a guy (which it sounds like these girls are) then I think it can be when you do not find what you are looking for.

 

[Cindy B]

I hope their next first dates are at a bowling alley with rented shoes

LOL about the rented shoes!

 

[Imzadi]

One is 50, and the other are in their 30's.

I bet those women watch the Housewives of Atlanta, and think nothing is wrong with those women.

 

[MarilIncredible]

Before I even got past one or two posts, I was thinking that a casual, fairly inexpensive to mid price place was ideal b/c who wants to drop $100 or more on a date that may end up being terrible and leading to nothing more?

I had my first date with my husband at Ruby Tuesdays. I didn't think twice about it.

And for the people who mentioned Melting Pot - I hate that place! B/c of all of the darn oil pots, I end up with clothes that reek like french fries when I leave.
Plus, who knows if your date is a double-dipper? GAG!

 

[java]

First date? Well if you like the guy it really doesn't matter where you go. If you are just looking for a free meal than I guess that's why they care where they go?

 

[mtemm]

there has GOT to be something in between 5 star and applebees. I don't think either would be my choice for a first date.

 

[SDFgirl]

There's got to be a middle ground between Applebee's and a 5-Star restaurant!

I, too, would be a little put off if I was taken to Applebee's on a first date. Don't get me wrong - I like Applebee's, but it's kind of generic and family-oriented. It's the kind of place you go when you've been dating for a few months and need a quick bite before a movie.

I'd prefer a locally-owned restaurant with a bit of character for a first date. Doesn't have to be 5-Star, but should be a bit more unique than an Applebee's.

Of course, my DH and I had our first date at a local pizza dive. But that is because a horrible ice storm hit the day of our first date and nothing else was open. We went back and ate at the exact same table on the day we got engaged.

 

[golfgal]

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!

ARE THEY CRAZY???

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.

I agree-I am female too. I would NEVER expect a first date at an expensive restaurant. There are plenty of in between places that would be just fine. A couple I can think of around here would be Buca (Italian place with a lot of smaller rooms so it is pretty quite it there), there is a fun Japanese Steakhouse near us, a couple local places that are nice but not over the top, Rudy's Red Eye Grill (maybe, the one by us is really loud).

DD first date a couple weeks ago was at Applebees before the high school dance, they thought that was a pretty good idea.

 

[NHdisneylover]

there has GOT to be something in between 5 star and applebees. I don't think either would be my choice for a first date.

There's got to be a middle ground between Applebee's and a 5-Star restaurant!

There is middle ground--and I think that is probably the best choice, but I cannot imagine automatically writing a guy of becuase he took me to a standard chain type place.
In New Hampshire I would say a Common Man restrurant would be nice. Here, I would go for the little Italian place down the street (linen tableclothes, flowers and candles, great food and most entrees at about 10 euros a person)

 

[Irin997]

I agree with many other people that a 5 star restaurant is a special occasion type of place. My first date with DBF was for drinks at Cheeseburger in Paradise. We had a blast! It was comfortable, loud but not too noisy that we couldn't hear each other, and we talked all night long. The first time he took me to a 5 star place was for our 1 year anniversary. And the only time we go to an expensive restaurant is for anniversaries or birthdays. Or if we have his best friend from college in town and we'll go someplace eclectic but nice as a group.

As a woman, I have no problems meeting someone at a generic restaurant for the first time. I want a familiar menu and a familiar atmosphere.

 

[gracie1]

I would choose a chain restaurant. The last date I went on was applebee's and I enjoyed it. Atleast on the menu's you know there is something that you will like. Considering it was a friend of my brothers....we even used a giftcard

 

[GeorgeG]

A woman who insists she be taken to a 5-star restaurant and/or have a lot of money spent on her is not worth any self-respecting guy's time. Even if there is no sex involved, that kind of woman is nothing more than a prositute. I don't mind spending money on people, but it means more when they don't demand or expect it and it's because I like them, not in return for their company.

 

[jen0610]

That is an anniversary dinner kind of place, or a proposal kind of place, maybe even birthday of someone you have been dating a few months, but first date? Nah, I don't think so. In addition to the insane cost (we're cheap--we don't spend that even for big anniversaries) I would never want to take a first date to somewhere with such a menu--lots of people would not find something they like on it.

Maybe our happy with cheap date status' are why you and I got snatched up so young I like to think there was more to it than that though

Ya....they are single for a reason. For me, this would be a once/twice at the most, place to go. And it would have to be a VERY, VERY, VERY SPECIAL occassion.

On a first date, I want to be able to relax and get to know the person. Not worry about if I am using the right fork for that course. Also, I am sooo not into fro-fro food. Just give me a great steak that is cooked correctly. I don't need no fancy sauce or presentation on the plate.

 

[lspst8]

Wow -- I've NEVER been to a restaurant as fancy as the "first date place" your co-workers have recommended. That definately is a special anniversary or birthday kind of place to me.

My husband and I went to a local brew pub for our first date. It is nicer than a Fridays, but you will still feel comfortable in jeans and a nice top. And it turns out we both like to try new beers and enjoy going to wineries, so it worked out perfectly.

One guy I dated took to take me to Bob Evans on a first date! While I love them for breakfast, Bob Evans is not my idea of a nice place to take a girl you just met. I wanted to go to the Texas Roadhouse that was next to it, but he insisted that it was way too crowded .... it wasn't, I think he was just cheap. It isn't like Texas Roadhouse is an expensive steakhouse like Mortons or Ruth's Chris. We only went out on that one date.

 

[OceanAnnie]

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.

MTE!

 

[paintnolish]

Like others, I would suggest an in between place. Applebee's is too everyday and 5 star is too fussy. It could be a local place or a "different" chain- like Buca. The first time dh and I met, though, we went to Panera (after class one night)!