First Date Dinner: 5 Food Related Tips

May 20, 2010 | 22 Comments

First date tip

My friend was sharing about her disastrous first date when boy meets girl, and it’s good bye forever. First dates are probably one of the most nerve-wrecking things and on this night, everything can go wrong.

Here’s 5 food-related tips for first date that I will like to share:

1. Choice of Venue

Never go to McDonald for your first date. Meeting at fast food ‘restaurants’ for first date is not acceptable at all. Having said that, it doesn’t meant that you have to go to fine dining restaurants. I don’t believe in choosing an expensive restaurant for first date; the environment is usually too tense and there’s always the tendency of trying-too-hard to create the first impression.

For first date restaurants: find a small cozy place like Oriole Cafe, or Bistro One Zero Three, where the food is decent and the price is easy on the wallet. It will be more comfortable for both of you to chat and learn more about each other in a relaxed cafe.

2. Never order Salad

Boys and girls, listen up right now. Never just order a salad (and nothing else) on your first date. This isn’t the time to worry about the bill, nor is it the time to be overly concern about your eating etiquette. I don’t know about you, but girls who do not have much appetite, are a big turn-off for me. And guys who eat just salad for dinner? Seriously?

Singapore Squid Ink Pasta

3. Never order any squid-ink related dishes?

I’m sure you heard about this all the time. But then again, if it’s me, I’d totally order a squid ink pasta/risotto if the restaurant is known for that. It’s very arousing to see your date blush when she realized there’s a black smudge off the corner of her mouth. It’s a little shy, and definitely very cute. Enjoy the butterflies of the first date!

There’s probably 10345 different guides on what to/not to order during the first date. But it is always important to have something that you are comfortable with.

4. Always offer to pay for the first date

I am saying this on behalf for all the guys out there. I know everyone keeps saying that we are living in the 21st century – man and woman are equal and all those nonsense. Forget about everything, they are all bullshit! When it comes to the first date, it’s disgusting that the girl has to pick up the tab.

Be a gentleman.

Offer to pay and suggest that she can treat you the next time (read: perfect excuse for the second date). Well, obviously there are too many possibilities after you offered to get the bill, but here are some of the typical outcomes: a) she graciously accepts the treat, girl ask boy out for second date and it’s happily-ever-after. b) She accepts your treat. but never contact you again. Thanks sucker! c) She rejects the notion because she don’t feel anything and probably don’t want to owe you and d) she offers to go dutch not because she’s the independent type of girl, and you probably still stand a chance.

Rule number one for guys: Always offer to pay on your first date.

The last tip for your first date dinner? Smile, always smile.

* * *

Boys and girls, do you have anything to add on when it comes to first date? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Have fun with your butterflies on your first date dinner!

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Comments

22 Responses to “First Date Dinner: 5 Food Related Tips”

  1. linjie
    May 20th, 2010 @ 1:09 pm

    Share dessert! hehehe

  2. Arnold
    May 20th, 2010 @ 1:56 pm

    I actually went to McDonald’s on my first date…true story…

  3. Karen
    May 20th, 2010 @ 4:42 pm

    I think must dress well too…first impression counts!

  4. Life for Beginners
    May 20th, 2010 @ 4:54 pm

    Good tips… Been using them yourself lately, Brad? ;) ;) ;)

    Hehe.

  5. Mel
    May 20th, 2010 @ 5:59 pm

    Hahaha, my most memorable first date is definitely one in which we didn’t spend any money – just took a late trip to the beach in the middle of Winter! Too cold to eat then (something I LOVE to do normally, believe me!), but I’ll never forget it!

  6. stargirl
    May 20th, 2010 @ 7:28 pm

    girls with little appetite turn me off too…

  7. Ju (The Little Teochew)
    May 20th, 2010 @ 7:43 pm

    Interesting post! Hmmm … I am guessing your typical outcome is: (e) She accepts your treat, buys herself a DSLR, asks you out again, and becomes a food blogger herself?

  8. Angie
    May 20th, 2010 @ 9:16 pm

    for me, i won’t order seafood, i.e. crabs, lobsters, prawns, crayfish. simply because i can’t do them without getting my hands dirty. and it’s embarassing on a first date!

  9. Maureen
    May 20th, 2010 @ 11:05 pm

    Where shall we go for our birthday date then? :)

  10. Eevon
    May 20th, 2010 @ 11:10 pm

    (: You’re absolutely right! We love gentlemen!

  11. FFichiban
    May 20th, 2010 @ 11:37 pm

    Hee hee great tips! I totally agree with the squid ink and yeah, no such thing as a manly salad haha

  12. SC
    May 21st, 2010 @ 12:34 pm

    My first date was at MacDonalds too! I went for a run with my boyfriend and we ended up at Macs for breakfast. I guess it really depends on one’s own preference? Especially for penny-pinching students who are on a shoestring budget….I don’t really think Macs breakfast is that bad an idea for a first date! :D

    I couldn’t agree more with you! Being able to laugh at and tease the other person’s stained teeth is a mild way to flirt :p Very cute.

  13. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    May 21st, 2010 @ 12:59 pm

    lin jie: OH YES! that’s one of my favorite! i always believe that sharing a dessert makes a couple grow closer :)

    Arnold: OHAY! you must tell me about it next time! hahahaha

    LFB: HAHAHAHAH maybe, maybe not. *wink*

    karen: Yes definitely! no one is going to turn up in slippers and shorts for first date – that will be a disaster!

    Mel: I know, tell me about it. Sometimes the most precious memory is when you do something together without spending a single penny. AWW

    stargirl: High 5! this is what we call great mind thinks alike right? haha

    JU: lol! i don’t need her to turn into a food blogger. tell u more when we meet up : )

    angie: Lobsters are still all right, crabs and prawns are the tricky one. Definitely a no-no. haha

    maureen: HELLO MY TWIN! Where where?

    Eevon: Chuck Bass! Chuck Bass!

    Ffichiban: thanks dude! i’d totally order squid ink anyday, and I am very sure a meat eater like you will frown at salad :p

    Serene: HAHA really? yea it really depends on own preference, so long both of you are happy together, it can be anywhere. yep ‘a mild way to flirt’, i couldn’t say it better : )

  14. Lyn Lim
    May 21st, 2010 @ 6:28 pm

    Guys, on your first date…

    -Sit opposite her during dinner, but always maintain eye contact. You might be looking at the mole right above her upper lip, but she sure isn’t going to be able to tell! She’ll think you simply can’t keep your eyes off her…

    -After dinner, suggest going for coffee, or for dessert. (Definitely do NOT suggest going to a hotel or anything along the same lines)

    -When you get to the cafe (after dinner), surprise her by choosing to sit next to her, instead of opposite her. My date did that, and I butterflies in my stomach all night long.

    *blush*

  15. May
    May 22nd, 2010 @ 1:32 am

    a good one :)

  16. Jo
    May 22nd, 2010 @ 11:47 pm

    haha i absolutely adore this post.

  17. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    May 23rd, 2010 @ 3:28 pm

    Lyn: thanks for sharing lyn! for dinner sit opposite, and for coffee/dessert after sit beside? I like that! hahahaha butterflies are good, enjoy them : )

    May: thanks!

    Jo: hahahaha show it to cookie!

  18. jon marc
    May 26th, 2010 @ 5:04 pm

    it all depends on your financial status. i think when you are working adults and you have a 1st date, the advice here works. but macs when you are just a student and have limited funds, is just as fun.

  19. Kian
    May 27th, 2010 @ 9:55 pm

    Why four wine glasses? Is this advice for double dating?

  20. Umasou
    May 29th, 2010 @ 7:41 am

    Haha… Interesting guide. Well done, Brad.

  21. Violet
    July 1st, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

    Very cute guide! On my second date with my partner he cooked for me, even more awesome!

  22. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    July 3rd, 2010 @ 9:26 am

    Violet: AWW.. you are such a lucky girl!

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