The right choice of location for a date can make or break it. It isn't worthwhile to take someone who hates going apple-picking to a garden, a vegetarian to a steakhouse, or more than half an hour to get into a trendy wine bar. These kinds of mismatches really undermine the worth of the date when you are just getting to know one another.
Remember that although the right venue will make your date night experience even better, it is far from becoming the determining factor for your romantic prospects. Better energy and a more open attitude accompany it. Assuming these are there, we'll give you some tips on what kind of location might be perfect for a date.
Be natural and familiar:
Choose a place you have previously been to and enjoyed but not so frequently that people know you often go there. That way, the chances of running into the person again in case things don't work out will be nil since the staff won't be able to remember when exactly you were there with your date.
Ensure that the food and beverages are good:
When someone you know recommends an eating place, ask him if the food or drinks are really a joy or if their appreciation was because of extrinsic factors like the ambiance or the music. If not, then you can ask for similar recommendations so you will have a better idea of what to expect. It's sad when the place is too highly rated, only to be disappointing in terms of the food or beverages.
Ensure you can communicate with your partner:
On one particular day, over an entire dinner at a quaint Italian cafe, my girlfriend and I spent an entire dinner exchanging awkward smiles across the table at each other, because the noise was too loud that it made it impossible to converse across the table. The music was a bit too loud, and several of the tables were celebrating birthdays, making the conversation very challenging to discuss over. It is partly because of this that re-visit a familiar venue is important to ensure its quality.
Do not eat at new restaurants:
There are three great reasons why that's so. First, it is very hard to get a table in any new restaurant that is already building buzz. Second, lots of new places experience operational issues when they first open. Third, if you can get a table, you will probably run into someone you know.
Be open to your date's ideas:
What sort of person are you if you never listen to criticism or advice at one time or another? Not a particularly good one.
So, try to discuss the restaurant or a particular Orlando bar that she has visited with your date, and ask her if she has a favorite venue she would love to visit someday. Such a conversation line may also help smoothly suggest a second date.
A backup plan is often a good idea for such an event. Some restaurants have incredibly busy nights, and the atmosphere is not what you anticipated it to be. Even if you have a reservation now might be a good time to scope out other options as a plan B.
