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How to dinner date?

So my next date I want it to be a traditional sort of dinner date at a nice restaurant.

However I don't know how I would even do it?

Can anyone tell me the dinner date ettiqteute?
Do I order a glass of wine or a pint?

Like I don't know where to start. Do I meet her at the place or wait outside for her?
Depends on the restaurant really. You can order a nice bottle of wine to share and save the pint for later.
You'll know the dress code I assume. And for cutlery remember, outside in!
Arrive a few minutes earlier than you've arranged and wait at the door to go in with her.
Don't eat anything that makes you messy!
In a decent restaurant they'll always bring the bill to the man so it's up to you how you want to handle that
Anything more specific just ask
(edited 6 years ago)
glass of wine
Reply 3
Original post by Sammylou40
Depends on the restaurant really. You can order a nice bottle of wine to share and save the pint for later.
You'll know the dress code I assume. And for cutlery remember, outside in!
Arrive a few minutes earlier than you've arranged and wait at the door to go in with her.
Don't eat anything that makes you messy!
In a decent restaurant they'll always bring the bill to the man so it's up to you how you want to handle that
Anything more specific just ask


Perfect this is very helpful.

I'm sort of planning to go to an independent local restaurant which has good reviews rather than a franchise one. Do you think this is a good idea?

Also I'm palling Italian food, I don't know much about her so it's best to play it safe?

So wait outside the door for her?

What type of wine should I suggest? Like you say I want to try and lead as much as possible and be a man. And yes I asked her out if I will offer to pay
Reply 4
Original post by Anonymous
So my next date I want it to be a traditional sort of dinner date at a nice restaurant.

However I don't know how I would even do it?

Can anyone tell me the dinner date ettiqteute?
Do I order a glass of wine or a pint?

Like I don't know where to start. Do I meet her at the place or wait outside for her?


The point is all about picking the right restaurant.
Make a reservation.
Go pick her up in taxi or car unless you Cant and you both in a city (ie London) and she is very near/can reach it very easily.
Buy a bottle of wine (ask her if she prefers white or red and she will say white) or better champagne (or Italian sparkling wine if you know one on the list). If you both aren't used to drinking and don't want the dinner to go on for ages, order a glass.
When you finish eating say you need to go a second to the loo---> instead go and pay the bill. Or simply have it come at your table and use a credit card/make sure to have sufficient cash without having to ask her for spare change.
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by Anonymous
Perfect this is very helpful.

I'm sort of planning to go to an independent local restaurant which has good reviews rather than a franchise one. Do you think this is a good idea?

Also I'm palling Italian food, I don't know much about her so it's best to play it safe?

So wait outside the door for her?

What type of wine should I suggest? Like you say I want to try and lead as much as possible and be a man. And yes I asked her out if I will offer to pay


Yes I think it's a good idea. It sounds lovely!
I'd avoid the spaghetti!!!
I don't drink so can't advise wine wise but a nice restaurant will be happy to help you pick something that goes with what you're eating
Reply 6
Original post by Anonymous
Perfect this is very helpful.

I'm sort of planning to go to an independent local restaurant which has good reviews rather than a franchise one. Do you think this is a good idea?

Also I'm palling Italian food, I don't know much about her so it's best to play it safe?

So wait outside the door for her?

What type of wine should I suggest? Like you say I want to try and lead as much as possible and be a man. And yes I asked her out if I will offer to pay


Yes, don't go franchise.

Play it safe.

Read my post about wine.
Reply 7
Original post by usualsuspects
The point is all about picking the right restaurant.
Make a reservation.
Go pick her up in taxi or car unless you Cant and you both in a city (ie London) and she is very near/can reach it very easily.
Buy a bottle of wine (ask her if she prefers white or red and she will say white) or better champagne (or Italian sparkling wine if you know one on the list). If you both aren't used to drinking and don't want the dinner to go on for ages, order a glass.
When you finish eating say you need to go a second to the loo---> instead go and pay the bill. Or simply have it come at your table and use a credit card/make sure to have sufficient cash without having to ask her for spare change.


We both drive. So do you think I should still pick her up? If I pick her up it avoids my question of should I wait outside the restaurant for her, or inside and order myself a drink and wait for her?

Champagne sounds like a really good idea! And obvs we can order more of we want to stay longer.

Your idea of paying for it without her knowing is good and avoids that awkward arguement

Original post by Sammylou40
Yes I think it's a good idea. It sounds lovely!
I'd avoid the spaghetti!!!
I don't drink so can't advise wine wise but a nice restaurant will be happy to help you pick something that goes with what you're eating


Agreed I will stick to something which isn't messy.

Should I play it simple and just go for startes and main?
So cute, how many dates have you been on?
Reply 9
Original post by Anonymous
We both drive. So do you think I should still pick her up? If I pick her up it avoids my question of should I wait outside the restaurant for her, or inside and order myself a drink and wait for her?

Champagne sounds like a really good idea! And obvs we can order more of we want to stay longer.

Your idea of paying for it without her knowing is good and avoids that awkward arguement



Agreed I will stick to something which isn't messy.

Should I play it simple and just go for startes and main?

Yes, go and pick her up.

Starters and main sounds good but I think you should see he menu first and then make a proposal, so you can align your orders (e.g. She doesn't like any of the starters so you can get an Italian primo (first course like pasta et similia) and a meat/fish based second course.
Original post by Anonymous
We both drive. So do you think I should still pick her up? If I pick her up it avoids my question of should I wait outside the restaurant for her, or inside and order myself a drink and wait for her?

Champagne sounds like a really good idea! And obvs we can order more of we want to stay longer.

Your idea of paying for it without her knowing is good and avoids that awkward arguement



Agreed I will stick to something which isn't messy.

Should I play it simple and just go for startes and main?


If you want to have a drink then no driving
You could ask if she'd like to share a taxi If you're coming from different directions it's absolutely fine to meet there. I would wait at door and escort her in
Personally I'd save champagne for a special occasion. If you have it with your meal you can't improve on that when you want something extra
Having three courses is fine too!
Sometimes girls feel a touch uncomfortable ordering three if they know they're not paying but if you'd like one then say so and that you'd love her to join you
You could always share one. That's nice to do
Reply 11
Original post by Sammylou40
If you want to have a drink then no driving
You could ask if she'd like to share a taxi If you're coming from different directions it's absolutely fine to meet there. I would wait at door and escort her in
Personally I'd save champagne for a special occasion. If you have it with your meal you can't improve on that when you want something extra
Having three courses is fine too!
Sometimes girls feel a touch uncomfortable ordering three if they know they're not paying but if you'd like one then say so and that you'd love her to join you
You could always share one. That's nice to do

That's boring.
I think he can be a gentleman for this one time and take her.
The occasion seems special because it doesn't sound as op usually goes to restaurants with girls. It's really a wine for happiness and love, no reason to drink it only at christmas. You can always impeove by discovering different producers, vintages, rosés and buying rarer and more expensive bottles.
Original post by Anonymous
So cute, how many dates have you been on?


I've been on a few but they have been child dates like walk in the parks, cinemas etc.

This will be my first adult date

Original post by usualsuspects
Yes, go and pick her up.

Starters and main sounds good but I think you should see he menu first and then make a proposal, so you can align your orders (e.g. She doesn't like any of the starters so you can get an Italian primo (first course like pasta et similia) and a meat/fish based second course.


Thanks for the advice, it don't have anything more to ask.
Unless you have any more general tips.

So I just offer to pick her up from her house? Does this mean I have to meet her perants?
Reply 13
Original post by Anonymous
I've been on a few but they have been child dates like walk in the parks, cinemas etc.

This will be my first adult date



Thanks for the advice, it don't have anything more to ask.
Unless you have any more general tips.

So I just offer to pick her up from her house? Does this mean I have to meet her perants?

No more tips, but if you want to be super cautious have a look at the menu beforehand and pick the wine! Bit excessive but if you don't know anything about it it's hard to pick from a list. Don't order more than one bottle. One in two will get her tipsy for sure and you as well probably, anything more would be alcoholism. I do that but only if the company is larger or if I actually find myself with a pro drinker.

Not necessarily, you can wait outside/make her wait outside. In the city they won't have you go up if you are just there to pick her up, but elsewhere they might tell you to park inside as an excuse to see you. It will just come natural, don't overthink it.
Quantex's top level dating tips:
1. Never eat spaghetti on a first date. It can get messy.
2. Never go for hot curry on a first date if you want to go home together. It can get explosive.
Original post by Sammylou40
If you want to have a drink then no driving
You could ask if she'd like to share a taxi If you're coming from different directions it's absolutely fine to meet there. I would wait at door and escort her in
Personally I'd save champagne for a special occasion. If you have it with your meal you can't improve on that when you want something extra
Having three courses is fine too!
Sometimes girls feel a touch uncomfortable ordering three if they know they're not paying but if you'd like one then say so and that you'd love her to join you
You could always share one. That's nice to do


Sharing deserts sounds like a good idea.

Original post by usualsuspects
That's boring.
I think he can be a gentleman for this one time and take her.
The occasion seems special because it doesn't sound as op usually goes to restaurants with girls. It's really a wine for happiness and love, no reason to drink it only at christmas. You can always impeove by discovering different producers, vintages, rosés and buying rarer and more expensive bottles.


I met her at a friends birthday party and she did seem to enjoy a drink.

Original post by usualsuspects
No more tips, but if you want to be super cautious have a look at the menu beforehand and pick the wine! Bit excessive but if you don't know anything about it it's hard to pick from a list. Don't order more than one bottle. One in two will get her tipsy for sure and you as well probably, anything more would be alcoholism. I do that but only if the company is larger or if I actually find myself with a pro drinker.

Not necessarily, you can wait outside/make her wait outside. In the city they won't have you go up if you are just there to pick her up, but elsewhere they might tell you to park inside as an excuse to see you. It will just come natural, don't overthink it.


I've only known her for about 30 mins if actual speaking time. But I think she lives with her mum.

I agree I just need to relax and be myself. When we first spoke it was very fun. She teased me a lot and I did it back

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