First Date Advice

What to do...Dinner, Movie ??

In most cases, you can't go wrong with a romantic dinner. Although the cinema is a traditional choice, there is virtually no intimacy or romantic atmosphere as you are both having to concentrate on a film rather than on each other. Generally the idea of the first date is to get to know each other better and perhaps more intimately. There's no doubt about it, having dinner with someone is a pretty intimate experience and it may be daunting to have to sit in front of someone you don't really know for a couple of hours and eat in front of them whilst maintaining a smooth flowing conversation! The truth is it will nearly always be better than you imagined providing you follow some fairly basic rules.

GUYS: (Conversation)

• Ask her about her work, goals and desires
• Listen to her I repeat... Listen to her
• Compliment her on how she looks and especially compliment her shoes...she probably spent ages getting ready and will really appreciate it.
• Listen out for any similarities you may have so you form a 'queue' of things to discuss when appropriate
• Keep a mental list of easy to discuss subjects such as favourite movies, food types, music
• Try and find out about her views and values before openly displaying yours
• Give her centre stage first...find out as much as you can about her...be interested in her life and resist the temptation to talk about yours too much initially
• Don't bullshit about things

GUYS (Physical Stuff)

• Don't stare at her breasts...no matter how appealing they look!
• Generally, if the date is going well, you'll both be mentally aware of it and you will know the appropriate time to make a more physical move
• Give good, confident eye contact

What to eat

This is generally up to how comfortable you feel. So many dishes come with garlic that it is almost impossible to avoid and it really isn't a huge issue.
It may be better to avoid ordering something that will be really messy and difficult to eat, such as lobster.

Paying the Bill

Always a difficult moment, but on a first date, always offer to pick up the bill...after all, you invited her out. She may well offer to contribute which is fine.

Some suggestions of romantic restaurants

All of these restaurants have a fantastically intimate atmosphere with subtle lighting. Budget on about £70-100 for a meal for 2 with a decent wine and aperitif

LONDON

Gia - Fulham Road - 62 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6HH (0207 584 2244)
A lovely Italian restaurant on the Fulham road. Nice dimly lit, spacious tables

Cafe Med - 184A Kensington Park Road LONDON, W11 2ES Notting Hill (0207 221 1150)
A fantastic Moroccan bar/restaurant. Really cosy and intimate upstairs if you get the alcove table

Momos - 25 Heddon Street, Soho, London, W1B 4BH (0207 434 4040)
An atmosphere second to none. Very cosy and romantic middle eastern restaurant that gives the impression of being inside a Moroccan souk.

Asia de Cuba
Very stylish Asian/fusion restaurant. More of a choice for a sophisticated evening than a romantic one but can be either

OUT OF LONDON

La Capanna - 48 High St, Cobham Surrey, KT11 3EF (01932 860683)
Excellent Italian restaurant. Intimate tables, fantastic food and superb service

la Pergola - Southampton Road Lyndhurst Hampshire SO43 7BQ Tel: 023 8028 4184
Superb Italian restaurant. Warm, romantic atmosphere and service that makes you feel at home
visit website

PARIS

ManRay - 34 rue Marbeuf 75008 Paris (01 56 88 36 36)
A truly amazing restaurant. Absolutely vast in size, yet utterly intimate candle lit tables.

Market - 15 avenue Matignon Paris (011 33 1 56 43 40 90)
Extremely stylish and trendy Parisian restaurant. Even so, still a fantastic, romantic atmosphere