Image: Benson Kua
Dear Urban Diplomat,
Is it poor form to take a woman out for a Summerlicious meal on a first date?
—Penny-pinching paramour,
MOORE PARK
If you show up in a bespoke suit and a Boxster, yes. If you show up in a Moore’s two-for-one special and a rusted-out Tercel, it’s forgivable, but barely. Even if she doesn’t label you a tightwad, she’ll be underwhelmed by your lack of panache. Summerlicious restaurants are crowded and the service is notoriously harried—great for, say, the 25th date, when you’ve entered the track pants phase of the relationship and your date night conversation largely consists of complaining about the service anyway. For a thrifty first date, pack a romantic picnic and put the money you save toward a good bottle of wine.
Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com
I disagree. If a date took me to Summerlicious on a first date, as long as it was for one of the higher priced dinners, I wouldn’t have a problem. Also, as a 4 year Summerlicious verten, I really haven’t experienced this “overcrowding.” Maybe if you are foolish enough to book at Canoe on a Friday night?
July 8, 2011 at 10:45 am | by GirlWhat?! What a ridiculous answer. This has nothing to do with panache or tight-wad-ness (and if it did, a picnic is almost certainly not the solution….) The whole point of Summerlicious is to go out and try new restaurants. So long as you put some thought into it, I don’t see why that’s not an acceptable choice for a first date.
July 8, 2011 at 11:23 am | by SimonWhy not just say, “Hey, do you want to go out to dinner? I was thinking of going to Summerlicious, would you be up for that or would you prefer a different place?”
Personally I’d prefer a first date be more casual without too much pressure. Save the formal dining for when things are getting a little more serious.
October 5, 2011 at 1:09 pm | by Mitzi