There is nothing worse than having a guy come pick you up for a date and having no idea where the two of you are going. Not only is it stressful since most of the city’s hottest restos need a reso, but when a guy doesn’t pre-plan, us ladies often equate that – whether it be true or not – with not caring.
When living in New York back in my early twenties, a gent picked me up for our third date and we took so long deciding where to go, we ended up just hitting up the Whole Foods’ salad bar around the corner from my house and calling it a night.
Needless to say, whether you’re a fella or a femme, there are definitely some things to consider before making reservations for a date, no matter what date number it is. Here’s my tried-and-true checklist…
Be Aware Of Food Restrictions
Do you have a picky partner? Is your partner a vegetarian? A vegan? Do they only eat raw foods? Allergic to seafood? Hate Mexican food? Before you go making a reservation for something, ask your date if they have any allergies or food restrictions you should know of. This will allow you to woo your date by being attentive to their wants and needs.
My friend and her boyfriend planned a whole special night as a belated birthday present for me last year, and it turns out they were taking me to Blowfish, and although it’s known as one of the city’s top sushi restaurants, I haven’t eaten fish or anything from under the sea in about 18 years. The thought was generous, but we ended up scrambling for a last minute whatever-we-can-find reso elsewhere.
What’s Their Environment?
Is your date an easy-going kind of person that likes to keep things subtle? Are you going out with a major foodie who loves to explore different types of food? Or how about a high-society type who is most comfortable in fancy-schmancy restaurants?
At the beginning of the dating process, be aware of what environment they are most comfortable in and allow that to guide you on where to book a reservation. The more in-tune and at ease one is in a cozy-for-them environment, the more comfortable and open they’ll feel with you.
Is This An Illicit Date?
Not that I condone affairs or anything of that sort… I mean, karma, right? But if you’re going on a date with someone you shouldn’t – vis a vis a boss, an ex, someone whose married, etc. – you might want to choose to make a reservation at a place that looks like a hidden gem to them, yet hits two birds with one stone by disguising your secret rendezvous while you’re at it.
Nothing like running into someone you shouldn’t and going through the awkward uh-this-is-my-friend banter, totally insulting your plus one.
Pick Your Price
So I kid you not, one of my exes took me to Splendido for New Year’s Eve for a prix-fixe, 5-course meal, with wine pairings included, and months later, when in an argument, he brought up that time he paid for that dinner! It was so tacky and it showed he held resentment for something he chose to do.
Don’t do something for someone if you’re going to make them pay for it in other ways later. Book a spot that’s in your price range, that you’d feel not only comfortable with, but happy treating another to without counting pennies (or, I guess, nickels) and making ‘those eyes’ when they order a second round of drinks.
