What is a good "first -date" restaurant?

[BriarRosie]

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 think you work with a bunch of princesses, too.

I'm single, and I would never dream of expecting a 5-star restaurant for a first date. I'd be perfectly happy with something like The Cheesecake Factory or Friday's. No pressure, pretty casual. I would only hope for a 5-star restaurant if we were going for a special celebration. A birthday, anniversary or Valentine's Day come to mind.

 

[OceanAnnie]

You should ask the princesses would they rather be at home or use a paper napkin. With this economy, they will have a long wait for a 5 star.

 

[mjkacmom]

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.

This I agree with - never a chain! However, we have SO many nice, and many reasonable, non-chain restaurants here.

 

[gracie1]

It makes a different when you have good "non-chain" restaurants. Around here we only have chain restaurants and if it's not a chain....their really not very good! I loved the family, non-chain restaurants in florida!

 

[Micca]

3 pages of posts and not one person has suggested Hooters???????

 

[GeorgeG]

3 pages of posts and not one person has suggested Hooters???????

Does Hooters have good food?

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

depends on the people. We went to a cheap pub and had steak tips. It wasn't romantic but neither are we.

 

[Micca]

Does Hooters have good food?

uhhh...dunno, never actually ate anything there Actually the wings are really good.

 

[lspst8]

3 pages of posts and not one person has suggested Hooters???????

HAHA! I actually have been on a date at Hooters -- but it wasn't anything close to a first date. I had never been in a Hooters, so we went.

My bachlorette party started at Hooters. It was so much fun. (We seriously had a blast there. We all love wings, beer, and curly fries, so it was perfect for us)

 

[james'mommy]

I'm not too picky I would go anywhere. DH and I went to a bar on our first date. I don't think we even ate that night. I think I worked until 8 and then met him at his place. Our second date was the emergency room. Again no dinner.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

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 think you work with a bunch of spoiled witches. I can definitely see why they're still single. Most men don't want a woman who's that high maintenance. I don't mind the idea of "not a chain restaurant" but I don't agree with requiring a 5 star restaurant.

 

[ICF]

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 would agree with that. You would want a menu with lots of options unless you were sure that it was something specific they liked.

To shoot down an Appleebee's or Friday's seems rather self centered to me. It's a first date. I don't think I would have ever spent that type of money on a 1st date. I place that can be done quickly, if desired, would be best. Who can always go someplace else after dinner. Who wants to go to a 5* place that is going to take a couple of hours at least to get through, if the date is crashing??!?!

 

[NMAmy]

Our second date was the emergency room. Again no dinner.

That sounds like an interesting story.

For our first date, DH took me to lunch at a Chinese restaurant. We worked at the same place and it was close enough that we didn't have to rush. Guess it worked! But, I agree, the fancy restaurant is for special occasions. For a first date, I think anywhere that's quiet enough to talk and has decent food is fine with me.

 

[RadioNate]

Well I think Fridays and Applebees are gross so that would be out in my book. However, 5 star is too fussy.

PF Chaings
Cheesecake Factory

ok those are the only major local chains I can think of right now.

Something better than run of the mill low end chains and upscale.

That 5 star place wouldn't even be on the radar.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We went to Friendly's for ice cream, we are still married 14 years later, so it must not have been too bad.

We had many early dates at Applebee's and Friday's too.

As a male, if my date wants a $200 dinner on the first date, I can't afford her tastes and she is out the door.

 

[Imzadi]

Who wants to go to a 5* place that is going to take a couple of hours at least to get through, if the date is crashing??!?!

I guess these women have had so many dates crash that they now feel the dinner itself is the consolation. I can just see them ignoring their date once they realize it's going nowhere, stuffing themselves with dinner, squeezing everything they can out of the meal, as they won't get another for quite sometime. Meanwhile their date is checking their watches and going: waiting for the dessert she ordered to be over with.

 

[pearlieq]

We went to Friendly's for ice cream, we are still married 14 years later, so it must not have been too bad.

We went out for ice cream on our first date too and we're going on 9 years. Maybe that's the secret!!!

I'm actually a big fan of coffee/dessert meetings for first "dates". It's a quick, inexpensive way to see if there's anything worth pursuing before committing to dinner.

 

[clarabelle]

I like the idea of a local place too.
Or maybe Carrabbas? or a steak house?
I would like indian or chinese if they were good.

 

[aprilgail2]

I suggested the melting pot which wold run about 100.00 for dinner.....but I did forget to add that I WOULD be paying for half of that....I am a firm believer of splitting the tab---I don't believe that the guy should pay the whole thing nor do I want to be "owing" for anyone paying my way... Normally if the guy paid for one dinner the next time out I would pay...

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

So for me, a first date doesn't even have to be in a restaurant.

As a PP said, a movie is out since you can't even talk. But for me, going to the batting cages, go carts, a theme park, some kind of festival, bowling... all sound great to me! No concerts, no museums...

For dinner, I wouldn't really care. If I'm actually into someone I could be doing community service along the highway and it wouldn't matter.