I’m a service top when it comes to restaurants (and also generally, but that’s besides the point). Typically when I am planning a first date with someone, I first ask if they have any dietary needs, and then I ask if there is any food they have been craving lately or if there are any restaurants in the area that they have been meaning to try.

If they say they are craving a specific type of food, I am pretty well enough acquainted with the different types of restaurants in my area that I can choose accordingly. I typically will choose the restaurant that serves the “best” food they have been craving. I love to bond over good food and I love showing people new things that they will enjoy (another facet of being a service top), so at the very least we will be able to talk about how good the food is and they have a new dinner spot they can take their friends.

If they choose a restaurant they’ve been meaning to try, it makes for a good dinner conversation and I potentially get to have a new spot on my restaurant list.

If they don’t have a preference, then I just choose a spot that I’ve been meaning to try that’s halfway between where we both live so it’s convenient for the both of us. If there isn’t anything I want to try in the area, I will just go for something like a sit down pizza spot.

Also, once I’ve picked a spot, I normally look in the area and pick a potential second location for us to go to if the date is going well and we still want to hang out after dinner. Typically I look for a dive bar because they’re fun, cheap, and easy to talk in.