Unique First Date Ideas

Wise forumites...

I have a very special lady that I would really like to make a great impression on. I'd like to ask for help with some unique ideas for a date, that involve food at some point. It does not have to be fancy or expensive, just thoughtful and original. If it involved some Louisville sights, all the better. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

[Robin Garr]

If she likes wine (and beer and other libations), L&N Wine Bar offers a great combination of a lovely old-house setting, a fireplace or two, that amazing wine machine and Rick Adams' excellent cooking. Pretty hard to beat a combo like that!

Varanese also has a really nice vibe, usually good quiet jazz and a reasonably priced menu for an upscale place.

And of course Seviche if she's adventurous.

Wise forumites...

I have a very special lady that I would really like to make a great impression on. I'd like to ask for help with some unique ideas for a date, that involve food at some point. It does not have to be fancy or expensive, just thoughtful and original. If it involved some Louisville sights, all the better. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Corbett's/Equus if you want to be romantic and upscale.

Vietnam Kitchen if you want to be eclectic and global.

Varaneese if you want to be sort of cosmopolitan.

Jack's Lounge if you want to be upscale casual.

If you end up at L&N, you could also stop in Vernon Lanes for some bowling. You've gotta check it out if you've never been. Small & vintage.

How about a classic biplane ride followed by a dinner at Le Relais?
http://www.classicbiplanetours.com/


My Dad flew that last year and had a blast!

How about a classic biplane ride followed by a dinner at Le Relais?

That sounds like a really cool idea,actually very cool with 100 mph wind blowing at you in January.

Not to be a spoilsport (or to tell you something you already know), but I have to caution you against getting too elaborate on the first date. If my fiance, whom I've been with for four years, took me to Corbett's and arranged for flowers and a bottle of champagne, I'd be thrilled. If he'd done this on the first date, I would have been kind of creeped out and suspicious. Of course, you said you're interested in thoughtful and original over fancy and expensive, so you're probably already on the right track.

I'm trying to think of fun ideas for you but so much of what I'm coming up with involves being outside! You could check out one of the museums (dinner at Proof and wandering around 21c is always fun), or go bowling as Leann suggested, or take a winter hike if you're into that kind of thing and don't mind the cold. If you're downtown (and bundled up) you could take a carriage ride. If you want to take a little trip you could go to Squire Boon Caverns and take a cave tour. Any one of these could be accompanied by a meal at one of the wonderful restaurants mentioned by the other posters (as long as take into consideration that you probably won't want to go to Le Relais in your cave-touring clothes!).

So I ended up googling 'date ideas louisville.' WLKY had a few suggestions that aren't at all related to Louisville. I consider myself a romantic, but some of these made me laugh out loud. Keep in mind that these are listed as "Sexy Alternative Dates." Here's an abbreviated list:

Play "back Pictionary." Use your fingers to draw a picture on each other's back and try to guess what it is in two minutes.
Give each other a manicure and paint each other's nails red.
Memorize each other's faces by gently caressing it.
Sit back-to-back and deeply inhale and exhale. Feel each other's heartbeats through your backbones.
Put your hand over each other's heart and feel them pulsate.
Charge your body with static electricity. Rub your feet on the carpet and kiss.
Brush each other's hair.

However, they did have a slightly interesting culinary idea:

"Drive around counting restaurants and eat at the 100th restaurant you find. You may end up at a five-star restaurant or at McDonald's -- the fun lies in the mystery of not knowing where you'll end up."

The problem is the five star restaurant probably requires reservations, and I have serious reservations about McDonald's. Also, if you start qualifying it, then you lose the spontaneity and the desired effect is ruined. Nevertheless, its something to think about.

As a more serious suggestion, Baxter Avenue Theaters has a Midnight Movie series. If she's the kind of girl who enjoys cult films, the next showing is Road Warrior (Mad Max II) on Saturday January 24th.

Anthony,

I was just about to respond, when I read Erin's post:

Not to be a spoilsport (or to tell you something you already know), but I have to caution you against getting too elaborate on the first date. If my fiance, whom I've been with for four years, took me to Corbett's and arranged for flowers and a bottle of champagne, I'd be thrilled. If he'd done this on the first date, I would have been kind of creeped out and suspicious. Of course, you said you're interested in thoughtful and original over fancy and expensive, so you're probably already on the right track.

What she said. (really) Overdoing it on a first date is a definite turn-off. Corbett's is wonderful, but it's a place for romance and quiet conversation. I highly recommend doing some different, but more lively for a first date . Varanase for great atmosphere and jazz would be great. As would great ethnic food for you both to explore together. Both also give you something to talk about during those conversation lulls ( if there are any). Maybe a concert beforehand ( at the Palace is a plus) if there is anything.

Good luck- Deb

El Mundo is a fun place (http://www.502elmundo.com/). My girlfriend and I went on our third date there. Also, if you feel like waiting a few weeks, you could combine any restaurant along Frankfort Ave (Irish Rover, etc) with the FAT Trolley Hop (last Friday of the month).

Molly Malone's (http://www.mollymalonesirishpub.com/highlands/) has Pub Quiz nights, too. Good food, beer, and instant conversation starters.

From a woman's point of view, I like the trolley hop idea. No pressure, fun, easy conversation. I think a formal, romantic dinner is too much for a first date. I think most girls are more about having fun than being impressed. Besides, opening my car door is more impressive than a fancy place! IMHO

Really make an impression....red roses and a tuxedo! Go all out....rent a big white limo!

















Just kidding....ethnic food is a very cool first date.

Some great "date" ideas, IMO:

Varanese
Mojito
L&N Wine Bar & Bistro
North End Cafe
Asiatique
Raw
Asahi
Artemesia
Seviche
Napa River Grille
Bourbon's Bistro
Sari Sari (weekends)
Basa
Volare

the choices are very good.....

If you end up at L&N, you could also stop in Vernon Lanes for some bowling. You've gotta check it out if you've never been. Small & vintage.

This is actually where I learned to bowl, and is still very dear to my heart...

I've never found bowling to be much of a date event. It's not so much that it's not fun (as it is!), as it is the nature of the game - taking turns, walking from your seat to the lane while the other person is walking in the other direction, etc.

Obviously, you can alleviate such issues by taking some time to partake in the great bowling lane food offerings, slowing the game down and making time for conversation between turns, etc. For me, bowling works best with three people (not so much date parameters) or something like a double date (not the context you are looking for). So, yeah, I'm going to be the negative voice here and argue against bowling.

I've also found that I like to pick unknown restaurants for dates as it creates more suspense to the evening. If I take a date to one of my "favorite places," my competitive side comes out and it somehow turns into me trying to get her to like the place (whether or not she should or does).

Granted, my last first date was nearly two years ago now, so my points may be outdated. I've had plenty of good dates since then, but no first dates.