Any recommended diet for first dinner date? (Updated)

[Darren2013]

Is there any special food you would recommend that I order for myself on a first dinner date with a woman? I mean if I take her to Applebee's then what would be best to order off the menu so she isn't turned off by my food choices? Also of there are is a large size option vs. smaller size which one would be more attractive to order?

[littleblackheart]

Is there any special food you would recommend that I order for myself on a first dinner date with a woman? I mean if I take her to Applebee's then what would be best to order off the menu so she isn't turned off by my food choices? Also of there are is a large size option vs. smaller size which one would be more attractive to order?

 

Order whatever you fancy eating on the day. In all likelihood, she'll feel relaxed if you show her you're relaxed and enjoying her company. Maybe stay away from garlic and spicy food just in case it goes a certain way.

 

Very best of luck OP

[Mitzimojo]

Do not order ribs, or a messy hamburger or something that will cause you to get food on your fingers or on your face or on your clothes.

 

Keep away from garlic and onions as well, just in case you get the opportunity to kiss you...you don't want to smell.

 

And I agree, order something that you really like. That way if the date doesn't work out at least you will have had a good meal...

 

Good luck. Everything is going to be amazing....

[Darren2013]

More than likely I will be eating much less than I normally eat because I get a little nervous on the first dinner date. That nervousness affects my appetite. I'm thinking that depending on where we eat I will order lean boneless chicken salad and that's about it.

[angel.eyes]

Avoid garlic, onions, and anything that's messy to eat (lobster, ribs, etc.).

[autumnnight]

No kraut, beans, or ribs

[d0nnivain]

I echo the sentiment about no chains (Applebees, Outback, TGIFridays etc.) You can get more value, larger portions & better food that wasn't once frozen at other places.

 

Eat something you like that can easily be handled with a knife & fork.

 

Get a dessert to share after dinner.

[PaperCrane]

Take a look at UrbanSpoon for your area and shoot for something light, non-messy, and can be completed within an hour, ideally 30-45 minutes. First dates are all about gauging continued interest. If a girl accepts a date, she is interested, or at least implies as such. To move this forward you need an environment focused on the two of you. A cafe is perfect and a meal that doesn't require your undivided attention to consume.

 

Just make it fun, light, and good.

[Gloria25]

I echo the sentiment about no chains (Applebees, Outback, TGIFridays etc.) You can get more value, larger portions & better food that wasn't once frozen at other places.

 

Eat something you like that can easily be handled with a knife & fork.

 

Get a dessert to share after dinner.

 

What's the dislike about chain restaurants? Unless it was a special occasion and we were dating on the regular, I would be turned off if he took me to a chain restaurant for a special occasion (i.e. my birthday, Valentine's Day).

 

I really don't expect a guy to spend much on a first date, and that's why I usually limit it to coffee or drinks.

 

Now, I do have a favorite cafe in my area that I've done on first dates. But, I can't say the name cuz then I'd give away where I live and stuff. But, it's a nice place, interesting atmosphere, and the prices are really reasonable. Oh, also, if we're gonna eat on a first date, I'd prefer somewhere with live music and/or a small/intimate dance floor - just in case

[sillyanswer]

Is there any special food you would recommend that I order for myself on a first dinner date with a woman? I mean if I take her to Applebee's then what would be best to order off the menu so she isn't turned off by my food choices? Also of there are is a large size option vs. smaller size which one would be more attractive to order?

 

Filet mignon with Béarnaise sauce, roasted asparagus and fries, and a bottle of Petrus from a good year to wash it down.

[CarrieT]

What's the dislike about chain restaurants? Unless it was a special occasion and we were dating on the regular, I would be turned off if he took me to a chain restaurant for a special occasion (i.e. my birthday, Valentine's Day).

 

It doesn't show any imagination to go to a chain restaurant and most of them are really horrific (quality of food is horrendous!).

 

Without spending too much, one can find a more interesting ethnic restaurant which shows a little more thought.

 

I really don't expect a guy to spend much on a first date, and that's why I usually limit it to coffee or drinks.

A first MEETING should be coffee or drinks, yes. But when you get beyond the meet-and-greet status and are actually going to sit down a restaurant, it shouldn't be a chain restaurant EVER.

[Phoe]

The chicken penne from applebees would be a safe choice. Simple, easy to eat, not messy.

[d0nnivain]

What's the dislike about chain restaurants? Unless it was a special occasion and we were dating on the regular, I would be turned off if he took me to a chain restaurant for a special occasion (i.e. my birthday, Valentine's Day).

 

But, it's a nice place, interesting atmosphere, and the prices are really reasonable. Oh, also, if we're gonna eat on a first date, I'd prefer somewhere with live music and/or a small/intimate dance floor - just in case

 

 

To me chains are McDonald's with a liquor license. From a business perspective that level of consistency was brilliant. From a taste perspective, not so much.

 

 

I just don't care for the food, the corporate atmosphere, the regimented everything. Some people love them but I just don't like them. When I was dating if a guy said let's go to [a chain] I'd always say, how about [the cute place you like] instead? If we went to a chain, I would usually talk about why I don't like chains. It became a compatibility issues.

 

 

DH decided he wanted to go to Applebees the 1st year they did the free dinner for vets. After waiting 1.5 hours for a table we ate a tasteless overcooked meal served to us by frazzled 20 something who was rushing us out the door. Even with DH's free meal the check was still more money then we would have spend on a quieter local place, where the portions would have been larger, everything would have been fresh & our drinks would have been made correctly. That is what really set me off.

[Gloria25]

Not to go off topic, but I guess some people can't tell the difference between a chain restaurant and an actual restaurant.

 

A ex-gf of mine, she had a habit of demanding changes to what she ordered EVERY TIME we went out to the same chain restaurant. Sometimes I wanted to just grab and shake her. Did she not realize that the stuff they made was powder that came out of some big bag and not someone cutting up potatoes and making it fresh?

 

That, and other reasons is why she's no longer my friend.

[Gloria25]

To me chains are McDonald's with a liquor license. From a business perspective that level of consistency was brilliant. From a taste perspective, not so much.

 

 

I just don't care for the food, the corporate atmosphere, the regimented everything. Some people love them but I just don't like them. When I was dating if a guy said let's go to [a chain] I'd always say, how about [the cute place you like] instead? If we went to a chain, I would usually talk about why I don't like chains. It became a compatibility issues.

 

 

DH decided he wanted to go to Applebees the 1st year they did the free dinner for vets. After waiting 1.5 hours for a table we ate a tasteless overcooked meal served to us by frazzled 20 something who was rushing us out the door. Even with DH's free meal the check was still more money then we would have spend on a quieter local place, where the portions would have been larger, everything would have been fresh & our drinks would have been made correctly. That is what really set me off.

 

I hear ya. I haven't been to an Applebees in years before last year. I went with a gf cuz it was the only restaurant in some small hick-town we were at and the service was terrible. I did cuss out the manager and told my gf that if it wasn't for her, I would have gotten up and left. Cuz trust me, I get up and leave restaurants if they f-it up.

[d0nnivain]

Iit was the only restaurant in some small hick-town we were at

 

 

That is the only redeeming value. If you are really in the middle of Bum F NoWhere at least you have a shot at something edible with a clean glass. Beyond that, chains are . . .awful.

[Darren2013]

Take a look at UrbanSpoon for your area and shoot for something light, non-messy, and can be completed within an hour, ideally 30-45 minutes. First dates are all about gauging continued interest. If a girl accepts a date, she is interested, or at least implies as such. To move this forward you need an environment focused on the two of you. A cafe is perfect and a meal that doesn't require your undivided attention to consume.

 

Just make it fun, light, and good.

 

Well the first dinner date is something I plan for a 2nd date. The first date is actually a 30 minute coffee date. Then if I get the 2nd date then that counts as the first real date.

[angel.eyes]

You only get one shot at a first impression. Every guy I dated from OLD put 110% effort into our first date. They put their best foot forward from the outset.

[Phoe]

I hear ya. I haven't been to an Applebees in years before last year. I went with a gf cuz it was the only restaurant in some small hick-town we were at and the service was terrible. I did cuss out the manager and told my gf that if it wasn't for her, I would have gotten up and left. Cuz trust me, I get up and leave restaurants if they f-it up.

 

Sounds like my town. We've got Denny's or Applebees. Take your pick!

[DivorcedDad123]

Why not ask her what type of food she likes? What kind of places? You don't want to take her somewhere that she doesn't feel comfortable or that has food she doesn't care for.

Don't over think it. If she likes you,she likes YOU. Take it from someone who showed up to an expensive restauraunt wearing jeans,t shirt, and boots.

[Darren2013]

Okay fair enough. I certainly can find out ahead of time in passing conversation what kinds of foods she likes and then go along with it even if I don't care for the food. I can just lie and pretend that I like the same food. It's only a WHITE lie!

[angel.eyes]

Don't over think it. If she likes you,she likes YOU. Take it from someone who showed up to an expensive restauraunt wearing jeans,t shirt, and boots.

 

But she doesn't know him! She has an impression of him from his profile and their virtual exchanges. The date is the first opportunity to see if reality matches the virtual impression he created or if he misrepresented himself. It's her opportunity (and his too) to determine if there's enough "like" to warrant a second date.

 

His choices are also data points in determining compatibility.

 

Finally, like it or not, you aren't dating in a vacuum. If everyone is taking dating seriously, and you're pulling a quick coffee, check out the goods, then dash routine, you're sending a message about your views of the date and quite frankly will have a harder time being taken seriously...certainly by dates with options.

[angel.eyes]

Okay fair enough. I certainly can find out ahead of time in passing conversation what kinds of foods she likes and then go along with it even if I don't care for the food. I can just lie and pretend that I like the same food. It's only a WHITE lie!

 

Why such pessimism? Surely you can find restaurants that you would both like.

[Gloria25]

Why not ask her what type of food she likes? What kind of places? You don't want to take her somewhere that she doesn't feel comfortable or that has food she doesn't care for.

Don't over think it. If she likes you,she likes YOU. Take it from someone who showed up to an expensive restauraunt wearing jeans,t shirt, and boots.

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

If a guy doesn't ask, I usually already suggest a place I have in mind.

 

It isn't that difficult.

 

But, I will admit that I appreciate a guy who takes the time and consideration to pick a place - cuz yea, dating is kinda you showing off your peacock feathers. I'm getting a feel of you and what makes you tick by your taste in eating and stuff and how you treat a lady.

 

But then again, I usually take the lead. I just suggest somewhere and see what he says.

 

I also annoy some guys that I date on the regular, cuz sometimes we go to the same place and I order the same thing on the menu. Sometimes I do that cuz I want to eat a good meal and don't want to be disappointed. One guy actually forced me to try what he ordered cuz he was disappointed that I ordered the same thing over and over.

[DivorcedDad123]

He can still pick the place. He just needs to get an idea of the types of foods she likes. Dont take her to a steakhouse if she's a vegetarian! <<<< helpful hint!