If you ever have reason to entertain a lady friend or partner for the evening, and goodness knows there is every reason why you might, be sure to take her to a restaurant.
A meal is de rigour when it comes to matters of the fairer sex and the sun's plummet toward the horizon. As Reshua once famously quoted, "let them be fed!"
Before I go on I would like to remind the gentlereader that under no circumstances should you attempt to cook a meal for your lady friend. This is one of the vilest acts of cruelty and contempt you could ever bestow upon so beautiful a being. It is an embarrassing, self deprecating act of folly and if by some incredible stroke of misfortune the repast turns out to be delicious it will confirm to her that your intentions are indeed false leaving her feeling betrayed and violated.
Once you have chosen a suitable restaurant arrange to meet her thirty yards down the road from said dining house. This one to two minute walk is important as it allows you to work up an appetite before the prandial vacation.
Once inside there are various hazards and dangers you must, under all circumstances, avoid.
1. Always make sure you are between her and the specials board. A lady likes to feel looked after. By letting her glimpse the chefs specialities you are effectively giving her choice. You are not being attentive enough and are causing within her a feeling of isolation and loneliness, the same feeling a child may experience on their first extended trip away from home. It also keeps the restaurant’s pricing scheme under wraps.
2. Once you are sat it is imperative she not look at the menu. It is a good idea to arrange this with the waiter beforehand so no embarrassment ensues. For reason see point 1.
3. When the waiter comes over order whatever takes your fleeting fancy. After you are done order for the lady. The meal must be tasty but not too tasty, light, airy, not filling, aesthetically beautiful, warm and completely forgettable. It is your company that matters and talk may stray away from you if the food is so good as to warrant its own segment of the conversation. The wine will always be suitable for the both of you despite the difference in dishes.
4. Make sure it is you who drinks most of the wine. Ladies like not having a fair share of everything. This is intrinsically important as a squiffy lady in public is unacceptable and you will be asked to leave the restaurant.
5. Have the waiter take the plates away after you have finished but before the lady has. Remind her how ravishing she is looking and make it known how important it is to you that she maintains her ravishing appearance.
These are the main pitfalls. Others will be covered later but such matters are best taken in smaller segments due to their importance.
Once the bill is settled (away from the table) make sure you pay for her carriage home. Once she disappears round the corner head to your club to relate the evening’s events to your friends. The opinions of inebriated friends are invaluable when deciding whether or not to continue your relationship.