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Cheesecake Factory? Yikes. I think you can do a lot better than mediocre chain restaurant food.
Can't you just meet for a casual meal and see how it goes? First dates are just about getting to know one another.
I TOTALLY agree with you. The challenge is finding a casual, decent restaurant to go to that won't break the bank. Atlanta is full of rich people but I'm not one of them.
Are there any good gastropub-type places or bars doing interesting takes on bar food? Those are my favorite types of places to eat and while I'm unfamiliar with Atlanta's dining scene, they are prolific in most other American cities right now.
Call your local zoo and find out what their hours are; they may have some evening hours, and the zoo is a nice place to stroll and chat.
Bring a small backpack with you, the school variety, and put a few "romantic" (meaning NOT Cheetos) snacks in there, like a bowl with some olives, another with some nice cheese, some nice crackers, and even a small thermos with a NICE soup in it, something you make or buy from a GOOD deli, no BS Campbells soups out of a can. Think PICNIC stuff.
If the zoo doesn't have any evening stuff (although it's close to the height of summer daylight hours now) then check out local parks for things like amphitheaters, shows, plays. You can sit in open air and enjoy the show OR sit near the back and talk some, get up and walk away if you prefer.
If you do this, stick with the picnic stuff but also bring a candle or two for when it gets darker, and maybe a mosquito coil.
The Barnes and Noble idea for coffee wasn't bad (someone posted above), and it's a good FOLLOW-UP for the park, you can get coffee, tea, frappes, what have you. Often you can get cheesecake. Someone above spoke wisdom: Women love cheesecake.
If you don't want the flow of conversation to be awkward, think of a few topics ahead of time JUST IN CASE, so if things lull you can pull one of these out. It's real conversation, it's just also some preparation.
If your city has some small DINERS, these are better than restaurants for chatting and getting to know someone. If you want to take the diner option, then seek out (Google is your FRIEND) a diner somewhere close to a place where you can also spend time strolling. WALKING on a slow, casual stroll is GREAT for meeting someone in the evening.
Be weather-conscious. Check out the forecast and keep track; if the big night looks to be uncomfortably muggy or hot, have a BACKUP plan. Do NOT leave this until the last minute! DO NOT!
If you have a chance to speak to her the day before, let her KNOW where your first plans are, so that she can dress appropriately. Women love surprises and spontaneity BUT don't like to be dressed inappropriately and made uncomfortable. If you don't want to spill the beans about the zoo (just by way of example) then say to her "Hey, the night's supposed to be [insert approximate weather here], so please, feel free to dress comfortably." Don't TELL her how to dress, give her approximations and leave it up to her. Bases covered.
Are there any good gastropub-type places or bars doing interesting takes on bar food? Those are my favorite types of places to eat and while I'm unfamiliar with Atlanta's dining scene, they are prolific in most other American cities right now.
Atlanta has to have one of those free newsweeklies (e.g. City Paper or something.) Those always have free/cheap event listings.
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