First Date Suggestions

Any suggestions for where to meet someone for our first date?

I was thinking Bar Toto (on 6th Ave. @ 11th), as I've done that before. But I figured I'd open the question to everyone here...

Basically, I'm thinking a restaurant that's somewhat moderately priced (no more than $15 or so per entree), quiet, and cozy.

Ideas?

Cocotte at 5th av & 4th st might be a good bet. I was there all the time when I lived on the block.

Cocotte is a little pricey but lovely food and very romantic. Perhaps too romantic for a first date. I like The Chip shoppe for a first date.. reasonable prices, bright room and a happy feeling. save the intimate place for date two if there uis to be one.

Good luck

What must this date include? Dinner, drinks, coffee, dessert? If any food is involved, what are your preferences? Are their any foods that your date loves or hates?

Long Tan.

I really like Cocotte. I mean, sure it's more romantic than the average spot, but you are going on a date. You're not meeting a buddy for dinner. I would pass on Chip Shop. As much as I love their chips and fried pizza, the spot itself screams lazy weekend.

Actually, I know you put a $15 per person limit in your post but if you decide to spend more you might want to look at Alchemy. I had dinner there tonight and the ambiance along with the food is quite nice. I can't however comment on the booze since I'm not a big drinker. From what I saw on the shelf and the wine and port they brought up it does look like top shelf.

Beet

My husband and I went on our first date at Chip Shop, for what it's worth...

torisoaw wrote: My husband and I went on our first date at Chip Shop, for what it's worth...

Yup, my first date with my BF was nachos, needless to say, we're still going strong after all these years.

My first date with my wife was at Geido. We went Dutch. She still won't let me live that one down. Heck, she should have paid for the whole thing.

I like to start with a drink myself and then see where it goes. Bar Beis if it's early is nice. Loki has the couches which is not so bad. I can't really think of a great first date bar round here actually. Convivium is an excellent 1st date restaurant if you don't mind the $$$, otherwise Los Dos Pollitos is nice on the cheaper side.

Oiseau wrote: My first date with my wife was at Geido. We went Dutch. She still won't let me live that one down. Heck, she should have paid for the whole thing.

Ech..Geido.. That is where I ate Sushi before I knew what Sushi really could taste like. If you know your "first date" and perhaps your mate for life (now that depends on what restaurant you choose for this first date) loves sushi... spend the extra money and get sushi at Blue Ribbon. If you do marry 25 years from now it will make a great story of a first date because the wonderful meal will be legendary in your personal history.

Well, I don't like sushi, so it didn't matter to me and it was her suggestion. I went for the Katsu Don.

steve wrote: I like to start with a drink myself and then see where it goes. Bar Beis if it's early is nice. Loki has the couches which is not so bad. I can't really think of a great first date bar round here actually. Convivium is an excellent 1st date restaurant if you don't mind the $$$, otherwise Los Dos Pollitos is nice on the cheaper side.

Not sure if you mean Barbes or Bar Reis above......

Flexichick wrote: [quote=steve]I like to start with a drink myself and then see where it goes. Bar Beis if it's early is nice. Loki has the couches which is not so bad. I can't really think of a great first date bar round here actually. Convivium is an excellent 1st date restaurant if you don't mind the $$$, otherwise Los Dos Pollitos is nice on the cheaper side.

Not sure if you mean Barbes or Bar Reis above......

Good point, I was referring to Barbes, but I was thinking about Bar Reis too. I can see either one working, but honestly, I like a getting to know you bar to be a little loungey to have a bit of intimacy and I really can't think of any bars around here that have quite that quality. Hence Loki.

Old school hotel bars did that great, but they are fast dissapearing. Along those lines, I'm looking forward to seeing the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central which was just renovated. That reminds me I have to call someone :-)

Personally, for a first date with a guy I actually like, I'd want to be taken out for casual-but-delicious food. A high-end pizza place (Franny's maybe or Peperoncino) or even a burger and wings at Bonnies. Definitely have a pre-meal drink or some wine/beer with dinner. It's about having fun and enjoying each others conversation. So $$$$ places sometimes don't lend themselves to laughter and other casual engagements. For me, at least. Now the second/third date, once it's more certain there's an attraction... well! that's another other story. Remember, you make the evening memorable, not the price of the meal.

If you have to go Dutch on a first date, don't go!

I don't care if it's fancy or expensive, as long as they pay attention (I don't like fish....I've had times where dates have said "I booked us a reservation at a sushi place....".....Um, I think I already told you TWICE that I DON'T EAT FISH).

So the raw bar is out of the question huh?

Not my favorite, no. But you know, if somebody asked me what type of food I liked, I'd be willing to go to a raw bar at some point.....even if I didn't like it...but not on the first date and not if they've not bothered to ask or ignored my preferences.

Again, I can go have a glass of wine and some cheese, or even nice pizza place, etc.

My strangest first date was one where I went on a helicopter ride around Manhattan.

Why is that strange? Unless he tied you to the skid or the rotor. I'd love to go on a helicopter ride on a first date....provided she pays of course.

Ha! He paid, of course. I just thought it was a bit OTT for a first date, but it was fun.

That said, I have had some truly awful flying experiences, so I stopped off for a drinkypoo or three before arriving at the heliport.

steve wrote: I like to start with a drink myself and then see where it goes. Bar Beis if it's early is nice. Loki has the couches which is not so bad. I can't really think of a great first date bar round here actually. Convivium is an excellent 1st date restaurant if you don't mind the $$$, otherwise Los Dos Pollitos is nice on the cheaper side.

Barbes on 9th Street isn’t bad.

Not everyone can drink on an empty stomach though. If it’s dinner time, I’d be paranoid of seeming cheap or eager to hop into bed or like the stumbling alcoholic that
I am if I only offered booze without food.

Does anyone going on this date have dietary restrictions or cuisine preferences?

If you’re aiming to spend $15.00 on dinner Beet and its sister Mango, both on 7th Avenue, would work. Nana on 5th Avenue might be fun.

Does food have to be included? According to Devi’s website, you can both do yoga for $32.00 ($16.00 per person). And no, everyone, I do not work for Devi and for all I know it totally sucks.

Ok, here is a wonderful thread for me to bring this up. If I am meeting someone between the hours of 6-8pm should I expect food? The scenario often is we meet for a drink at around 7ish, have a few, and the topic of food never even gets brought up. The guy seems to want to continue hanging out, but I just can't have more than two drinks with out at least a little something to eat. I know that guys don't want to go all out on a first date, but please, get the girl something! Ideally, going to a bar that has food on a first date is good because you can casually move onto the eating part of the date, without making it into a big dinner. I think a place like Flatbush Farm is PERFECT for a first date. Great atmosphere, good drinks, and amazing bar food.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central which was just renovated.

Went a couple weeks ago and it's really amazing. Bring your credit card and don't wear sneakers. I think the best time to go is late afternoon, before dinner, but don't ruin your appetite on the yummy snack mix they give you.

mixergirl wrote: Ok, here is a wonderful thread for me to bring this up. If I am meeting someone between the hours of 6-8pm should I expect food? The scenario often is we meet for a drink at around 7ish, have a few, and the topic of food never even gets brought up. The guy seems to want to continue hanging out, but I just can't have more than two drinks with out at least a little something to eat. I know that guys don't want to go all out on a first date, but please, get the girl something! Ideally, going to a bar that has food on a first date is good because you can casually move onto the eating part of the date, without making it into a big dinner. I think a place like Flatbush Farm is PERFECT for a first date. Great atmosphere, good drinks, and amazing bar food.

I agree with you 100% and well put. I think the idea of the early evening drink is that if it goes well, you move on to food, not get drunk together, well unless you both want to get drunk in which case have at it. On a good first date though, I look at the early evening drink as a starting point.

If it doesn't go well, you can just get out of it then and there, or I suppose you could get drunk and see if that improves your tolerance for each other..

mixergirl wrote:

I'm looking forward to seeing the Campbell Apartment in Grand Central which was just renovated.

Went a couple weeks ago and it's really amazing. Bring your credit card and don't wear sneakers. I think the best time to go is late afternoon, before dinner, but don't ruin your appetite on the yummy snack mix they give you.

I wish I had gone before they renovated... it sounds great.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/nyregion/05campbell.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

regardless of where you go make it a blind date because if the evening goes awry you can skip out and she won't know until desert

unless she has a sense of smell like a blood hound, she won't track you down

Campbell Apartment is good (and pricey), but used to be more fun years ago when it was more of a secret. Also, that's a $15 drink place - definitely not a $15 food place!

Yes, iMixergirl, if somebody is on a date btw. 6-8, there should be something to eat.

If there is food there, or you have had 1-2 drinks and he doesn't discuss food, then it's time for a "well, I really have to go get something to eat now....."

If he doesn't jump right in with a "should we go someplace else (or a "Let's order something")"?, you can get out of there .

Flexichick wrote: If you have to go Dutch on a first date, don't go!

So the woman should always pay.

Since NYC has more single women then men, it's men who are the hot commodity!

Oiseau wrote: [quote=Flexichick]If you have to go Dutch on a first date, don't go!

So the woman should always pay.

Since NYC has more single women then men, it's men who are the hot commodity!


If you factor in QUALITY men, they truly are a hot commodity

A date is a date. If you ask a woman out you pay. Doesn't matter if it's $10 or $200. Go someplace w.in your budget.

This is for first dates, as I do always chip in/alternate/pay for some other things (like expensive groceries/wine for dinner at home, or tickets to something, etc) if we continue dating.