The anxiety of a date is overwhelming enough without factoring in the details. From how to ask the other person for one-on-one time to what to wear, the rigmarole of dating can be both exhilarating and excruciating. At EatStreet, we recognize that a little help in preparing for date night can make all the difference in the world. That’s why we’ve compiled a checklist–a combination of research, recommendations, and lessons from personal experience–for a successful, romantic dinner date. It’s a fool-proof way to have a date go well without actually having to go anywhere.
Follow our 7 (lucky) steps to ensure a perfect night in:
#1. Set up a time to meet. A solidified plan gives you a specific time to await (and freak out until).
#2. Go to EatStreet and type your address in the search bar.
For a first date, choose one of your favorite restaurants. That’ll give your date a chance to taste something you love and a chance to learn a bit more about you. Of course, it’s not all about you: Is your date a vegetarian? Allergic to peanuts?
Make sure you order with plenty of time to spare, because there’s nothing worse than waiting around for dinner with a person you barely know. Stuffing food in your face mitigates awkward silence surprisingly well.
For a second or third date, order something new! (Along Came Polly, anyone?) Wait for your date to arrive and then choose your meal together.
#3. Set the table. While this step may not seem important, setting the mood is just as crucial for a fun, romantic evening as the food itself. Eating from a to-go box on your dorm room bed with the covers pulled over your head is completely different from eating at a table with a real napkin and real silverware. If it’s nighttime, a candle or two will undoubtedly impress.
#4. Get dressed and be gorgeous. You figure this one out yourself. (We’re a food blog, not a fashion blog.)
#5. Get your food, tip the delivery person handsomely, and dish it out onto plates or into bowls (which you set so nicely way back in step 3).
#6. Put on the finishing touches. This includes but is not limited to: playing music, cleaning the surrounding area, making sure your roommate knows not to disturb you, and turning off your phone. Trust me, this last one is a must; nothing is more annoying (or terrifying) than your Rattlesnake ringtone sounding with each and every text.
#7. Greet your date at the door and enjoy yourselves! The sweaty palms, rapid breathing, and dizziness eventually come to an end. We promise.
Hopefully our steps lead you to a stress-free and relaxing evening. If you have any interesting date ideas or stories, feel free to email me at kristina.rudic@eatstreet.com