15 Steps To Mastering The At-Home Dinner Date

OK, so these are actually tips for cooking for me, but most of them will apply even if I'm not your date. (Number 15 might not.)

1. Plan to Make Something You've Made Before.
You'll be more relaxed, which will make me more relaxed. In fact, do a practice run before the big day. I guarantee the meal will be at least 19 percent better than if it were your first try.

2.Tell Me What to Bring.

I'm going to bring something, even if you say I don't have to. It's more for me, though: It'll make me feel less awkward ("Look, I'm holding this!") and less useless ("Look, I brought you this!"), so please tell me what that thing should be. Make it up, if you need to. Or think small. I'll bring Tabasco sauce or lighter fluid for the lobster flambé you are about to prepare.

3.Do Not Prepare Lobster Flambé.

Or super-spicy anything, sloppy Joes, ramen, asparagus, or any of these other date food no-nos.

4.Why Don't You Just Ask Me What My 10 Favorite Foods Are?

Once I was planning a meal for a sexy boy (actually, it was Nikki Metzgar, but I think this would work for a date, too) and I asked her what her 10 favorite foods were. She didn't really know why I was asking or what I was planning, but I think she was intrigued. Then I planned the menu based on her favorites. She was totally surprised and happy, and it was a super random, special meal.

5.Make Sure You Know What I Won't Eat.

I am a vegetarian, and I'm not polite enough to eat chicken just because you made it, or pick bacon out of whatever you made. Ask about allergies, special diets, etc. If you want some food inspiration, check out 101 Cookbooks, Smitten Kitchen, or Matt Bites. (If your date is vegetarian, vegan or eats gluten-free don't come crying to me, there are tons of ideas out there.)

6.Wine. Open. Stat!

When I am nervous or hungry or... basically any emotion whatsoever, I die to be greeted by a glass of wine. Don't make me suggest it or ask if I want some or make me wait. (Feeling like an alcoholic makes me sad.) In fact, here's a tip: open the bottle and start drinking it before I even get there. Then you're all relaxed, and when I show up, it's just like, "Oh, do you want some of this wine I already opened?"

7.OK, So I'm Drinking Now. How About Something to Eat?

Trust me: Unless you are looking forward to a night of awkwardly embarrassing stories, my flushed-out face, a little too much sentiment, a total lack of cool, and possible vomit-crying (worst-case scenario), you will feed me. Something small, like olives or cheese. Something that will ensure I won't black out before dinner is served.

8.Please Give Me Something to Do.

...besides asking you "Is there anything I can help you with?" Let me chop, rinse, set the table, whatever. I am not expecting you to do everything — I want to help. And I'm not just going to swoop in and start seasoning the lobster flambé without a little direction. Make things less awkward by giving me a dumb little task. I'm so awesome at folding napkins it's crazy.

9.Speaking of Napkins, Can We Go Cloth?

If you are really trying to romance me, you will knock my socks off by using real plates and silverware, and cloth napkins. Wiping my mouth with something other than The Quilted Quicker Picker Upper will signal to me that this is a real-ass date.

10.Have Most of the Prep Work Done

Nothing says "I don't give a f*ck about this date" more than not having done a single thing before I arrive. I want to see you cooking, sure. So leave a few tasks for the last minute (tasks that you have to save for the last minute anyway). But when I'm there you should be in a lighthearted mood, not up to your ass in fish bones or chopped onions.

11.In Fact, Let Me Cook!

Cooking is so damn sexy and I want in on the action.

12. Don't Worry About Cleaning Everything Up.

That will make me feel like I have to clean, too, or worse — just stand there and watch you clean. And it will be a total speed bump to our sexy time. Leave stuff in the sink, worry about them tomorrow. Sorry to be all Me Me Me, but I want to be the focus right now.

13. Dessert Me.

You know, I don't even really like dessert that much, but it's a must on a special date. Not only is something sweet a nice way to round out a meal, it's a nice transition from Meal Time to Me Having Sex with You Time.

14. But Don't Assume I'm Going to Have Sex with You.

Just because you cooked for me, doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you. I mean, think about how ridiculous life would be if sex were that easy. This dinner date should be pressure-free.

15. But Let's Be Honest — If You Make Eggplant Parmesan I'm Probably Going to Have Sex with You.

I can't help it. Please note, this rule does not apply for everyone.

—Lauren Passell, How About We

Head over to How About We for more stories like this one!

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