Im trying to make a decent impression. Im also not made of money however.

I really like Italian, but Im open to anything.

GO!

5/17/2007 1:26:56 AM

dude if shes going to fuck you it doesnt matter...you obviously dont know if shes going to fuck you

5/17/2007 1:29:36 AM

Caffe Luna

Bella monica

either's a great choice

5/17/2007 1:29:45 AM

fazzolies! (sp?)

Just about the only "italian" place I like. Unless you want to consider pizza places italian...

5/17/2007 1:30:50 AM

If you're confident, Cookout

If you're not, Sullivans

5/17/2007 1:36:17 AM

^^^ agreed, there is also two nice places in cary (both start with a B), also maggino's (spelling) at southpoint is a good balance between date spot and mainstream chain.

all are modest ranged and good date spots, don't go to the Italian chains there really not date spots.

It shouldn't matter where you go, but it's nice to go to a date spot, more intimate and better service.

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 1:37 AM. Reason : .]

5/17/2007 1:37:24 AM

Caffe Luna is more romantic

Bella Monica is awesome because it's a cool place and with a great atmosphere, but it's in a basic strip mall type setting with the word "Pizza" above it, which is really funny considering how great a restaurant it is... and the owner is this relatively young dude, who's always there

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 1:42 AM. Reason : .]

5/17/2007 1:40:44 AM

I'll second Maggiano's for Italian.

If you want to try something different, there is a Chinese restuarant in the shopping center at Timber & Hwy. 50 that's a great date spot too. It has the very good food &, unlike regular chinese places, it actually has a nice quiet intimate atmosphere. Only slightly more expensive too.

5/17/2007 1:43:57 AM

you want a fun experience date wise as far as chinese is concerned

GO TO FIVE STAR

the name is:

STAR STAR STAR STAR STAR

communist decorum

5/17/2007 1:46:38 AM

go to citysearch raleigh and type in date spots/romantic/etc you will get a shitload of places with prices and reviews.


a lot also depends on the girl....

some girls would think you went out of your way to take them to somewhere like the olive garden, and then some would be like oh an average trip out to dinner.

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 1:50 AM. Reason : .]

5/17/2007 1:49:01 AM

Quote :

"some girls would think you went out of your way to take them to somewhere like the olive garden"

i want to meet these girls

SO I CAN BLOW THEIR FUCKING MINDS

ahahahhahahaah

5/17/2007 1:50:23 AM

Quote :

"Bella Monica is awesome because it's a cool place and with a great atmosphere, but it's in a basic strip mall type setting with the word "Pizza" above it, which is really funny considering how great a restaurant it is... and the owner is this relatively young dude, who's always there"

trevor chambers is the owner and he's a great guy. it's intentionally vague because he likes the crowd they have now and doesn't want to get "too big"...but they have GREAT food, great music, and a really relaxing environment...every date i've ever had there went well.

5/17/2007 1:57:28 AM

Quote :

"there is are also two nice places in cary (both start with a B)"

Biaggi's and Bella Napoli


[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 2:18 AM. Reason : grammar]

5/17/2007 2:17:42 AM

go to melting pot or angus barn

depends on how much you want to bwn

5/17/2007 2:30:29 AM

the angus barn SUCKS

SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS

5/17/2007 2:40:31 AM

^^ don't do those



[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 2:43 AM. Reason : .]

5/17/2007 2:42:17 AM

olive garden or ragazzis

/thread

5/17/2007 2:55:14 AM

the name of the chinese place at the corner of timber and 50 is china garden. I'll 2nd that the atmosphere is really quiet and romantic (candles and such). 90% of their business comes from take out, but eating in is really nice.

5/17/2007 5:32:45 AM

sawasdee (thai) on capital is good and has a pretty good date atmosphere

5/17/2007 6:36:18 AM

Quote :

"Caffe Luna is more romantic"

Granted I haven't been to Bella Monica, so I can't really compare, but I didn't think Caffe Luna was that romantic. It wasn't bad, and I did go there on a date (which I did enjoy), but it was really, really loud. Maybe that was just the night I was there or where I was sitting, but I've heard the same thing from other people as well.

I'm partial to Lucky 32 because it has a really good vegetarian dish.

5/17/2007 7:41:53 AM

they're both great restaurants, but caffe luna is definitely very loud, and thus not a very intimate atmosphere. Bella Monica is better in that respect, and I think the food and service are a notch higher as well.

5/17/2007 7:54:06 AM

The Olive Garden.
Great food, good atmosphere. It is expensive, but hey, it's a first date.

5/17/2007 8:59:05 AM

Last first date I had we went to olive garden, other than getting stuck next to a womens basketball team for part of the night, it was pretty good. I suppose it wasnt too bad as I got a 2nd date

5/17/2007 9:08:01 AM

second 5 Star

5/17/2007 9:14:29 AM

I'll 3rd Maggiano's for Italian at Southpoint. Nice place for dinner and a movie. You'll get to walk around a bit, and there's a nice fountain by the theater for aesthetic value.

5/17/2007 9:18:09 AM

I'm curious...why has no one suggested 518? I haven't been there, but i've only heard good things about it.

5/17/2007 9:22:25 AM

dont do a movie on a first date

5/17/2007 9:22:43 AM

5/17/2007 9:27:02 AM

518 is an awesome place for a first date, sorry I was late on that one.

It's under $20 per entree, and the atmosphere is hard to beat. Ask for the table on the stairs, it overlooks the restaraunt. Plus it's right on Glenwood South, so if you wanted to go out afterward it's right there.
I recommend The Crab.

5/17/2007 9:48:07 AM

If you want Italian and reasonably priced -

Casa Carbone is a really nice authentic italian restaurant. Family owned and run.
It's off Glenwood in the same plaza as Hughie and Louies (the costume shop) and O'Malleys.
Not much to look at from outside but inside it's nice. very italian.

Very reasonally priced. Average entree is $8 - $15. Their homemade marinara sauce is awesome. We usually take some to go with us. The vegetarian lasagna is my favorite.

All the pricey ones others have listed are good too. I've been to them all (and worked in a few). I wouldn't take a girl to a really expensive place on a first date. Save them for special occassions.

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 10:38 AM. Reason : our first date was at 42nd Street - he let me pick ]

5/17/2007 10:09:10 AM

Maggiano's

I've also heard good things about 518 and I really like the ambiance at PF Changs. It seems to always be quiet there with no stupid kids running around.

5/17/2007 10:43:25 AM

got to 5 Star before you go to PF Changs
518 is nice too

alos look at Michael Dean's, Twisted Fork
Oliver Twists [they also have belly dancers that perfrom from 9-12 on friday and saturday]

5/17/2007 11:05:40 AM

Caffe Luna

5/17/2007 11:06:37 AM

I really like Vivace in the North Hills shopping center. The food is great and it's not very big.

http://www.vivaceraleigh.com/

5/17/2007 11:34:59 AM

i agree with 518 west and bella monica

but away from italian you could try the rockford...excellent place on glenwood..it's small and cozy and if if you guys want to get a beer after dinner...you have hibernian across the street!

5/17/2007 12:00:42 PM

Twisted Fork has great food. It's a mall restaurant so might not have the date atmosphere that you're looking for.

Micheal Deans is always good. They moved though so make sure you get the new address.

5/17/2007 12:04:23 PM

tripps or lucky 32s

5/17/2007 12:18:16 PM

Bella Monica - I really like, but the food strays a little from what most folks would consider mainstream Italian.

Cafe Luna is supposed to be a great bang for the buck.

I do like 518 as well.

My personal choices:
1. Betski's...but you've all heard me rave about them. German/European
2. 18 Seaboard
3. Cappers (all-time favorite)
4. I used to really dig the Duck and Dumpling, but I haven't been there in more than 6 months.
5. The Borough - great place for good food, conversation
6. Raleigh Times (hang with the beer snots)

oh, and Sugarush4u's Rockford recommendation is dead-on.

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 12:23 PM. Reason : I dig the Rockford]

5/17/2007 12:21:54 PM

cafe luna is overpriced and fucking horrible---- 518 or Rockford... I would go Rockford for a nice, chill place that won't break you.

5/17/2007 1:48:13 PM

Sushi Thai off of Lake Boone

5/17/2007 2:21:43 PM

Asuka in Morrisville is a nice date place IMO. They just remodelled recently in there.

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 2:24 PM. Reason : sushi ]

5/17/2007 2:24:37 PM

Quote :

"why has no one suggested 518? I haven't been there, but i've only heard good things about it. "

overpriced and blah food.

5/17/2007 2:27:35 PM

Quote :

" but caffe luna is definitely very loud, and thus not a very intimate atmosphere. "

yeah luna isn't a very good date spot. its a place to drink wine and be loud

518's food isn't outstanding, but its not bad either.

they served one of the best deserts i've ever had. scoop of pumpkin ice cream on top of a ginger cookie, topped with carmel. mmmmmmmmmmm. maybe they serve it every yeear around thanksgiving...im not sure.

5/17/2007 2:28:40 PM

Fuck all the suggestions. Take her somewhere you know well, enjoy, feel at home, and can be yourself.

5/17/2007 2:58:55 PM

a lot of these are GREAT suggestions

5/17/2007 3:00:39 PM

Quote :

"Fuck all the suggestions. Take her somewhere you know well, enjoy, feel at home, and can be yourself."

Yessir, as long as its not fast food you will be fine. Oh and try to go on a busy night, I went on one on a monday night and the lack of other people just made it that much more awkward and unpleasant.

5/17/2007 3:08:55 PM

i hate first dates. they are so awkward. i usually skip to the 3rd or 4th date.

5/17/2007 3:15:04 PM

Quote :

"If you're confident, Cookout "

thats some real shit, tho

in my case a first date doesnt involve dinner, or doesnt use dinner as a crutch

admittedly, my conversation skills are ok, but cant fully support a date, so id have to either focus on or mix in some form of activity based event, it just captures who i am better as a person

ya dig? just a diff perspective

[Edited on May 17, 2007 at 3:19 PM. Reason : f]

5/17/2007 3:17:20 PM

Porter's or The Borough

5/17/2007 3:18:03 PM

yea fuck the melting pot, that place is bullshit

angus barn at least serves food, althought its nothin special and certainly not worth the 100 bucks youll be payin

but melting pot is complete bullshit

5/17/2007 3:22:38 PM