Collective wisdom required for first date based activities!

[waterwonder]

Pre hometime, just to clarify. More London knowledge.....

Long story short, taking out a girl who i know reasonably well however its the first time we'll have been out together on a date. We're pretty comfortable with each other so no worries from that point of view but still don't want to be sat in a restaurant all night.

I'm a little on the skint side so trying to keep the cost down to a sensible level.

Basic format i had in mind was starting early.....bite to eat, few drinks, then comedy club. So three questions:

1) I was thinking of picking up the bite to eat from one of the many markets around London....mainly cos i love them Ghanian stall in Portobello is a favourite + Its a little different and cheap. For instance from borough market then having a wander down by the river towards the wheel (is this possible, been to the market but nothing else). Or in Greenwich and then heading up to the park/observatory. I understand there's some reasonable views from the top of the hill, then a boat across to the charing cross area and into town from there. I've never been to Greenwich so as much info as possible would be appreciated. I.e. is there food at the market there and is it any good, how far is the observatory etc.

2) Been to quite a few comedy clubs around the Uk which by in large have been great. However in London every time i've been to the comedy store its been amazing, anytime i've been anywhere else its been so st i've had to go to the late Comedy Store showing to get my fill of Laughs. Any other good reliable places in the Westend area?

3) Any good reasonable priced restaurants i.e. £20ish for starter and main territory in case of st weather. Something with a bit of a difference, no chains etc.

Any other ideas and suggestions welcome. Anything a little bit different is the idea, but not too whacky....and roughly on topic.

Cheers and sorry for the brain dump.

Edited by waterwonder on Sunday 24th January 23:06

Edited by waterwonder on Sunday 24th January 23:22

[Lord Flathead]

Ox

[waterwonder]

Lord Flathead said:

Ox

As in the Oxo tower thing? I didn't think it catered for Lemonade pockets?

[Rollcage]

Ask her if she likes Greek!

[Mobile Chicane]

The Tas chain of restaurants are very good value. A meal for two with wine should be no more than £50.

Get a meze for lots of little dishes to dip into and pick at - perfect first date territory.

[waterwonder]

noted, thanks.

[BoRED S2upid]

Not been to London for many a moon, was full of immigrants last time I went.

Eating in a market sounds cheap although if she knows you well she probably knows your a cheap skate so you could be onto a winner, no point in splashing the boat out to impress her.

[mikeyr]

Why don't you do that alphabet dating thing? First date is something starting with an A (Art Gallery). Then she can choose something beginning with a B (e.g bowling). Then a C, etc, etc. If you make it all the way to Z you've got the basis for a long term relationship.


And if the first 2 dates are Anal and Blowjob marry her!

[waterwonder]

BoRED S2upid said:

Not been to London for many a moon, was full of immigrants last time I went.

Eating in a market sounds cheap although if she knows you well she probably knows your a cheap skate so you could be onto a winner, no point in splashing the boat out to impress her.

lol i thought there was a normal ferry across wasn't planning on chartering a private one. Yes i'm tryin to be cheap but still £80ish or more if we end up in a restaurant isn't exactly breadline.....although i am a yorkshire boy so maybe i'll just go down the chippy, might even get change from a tenner.

Edited by waterwonder on Monday 25th January 09:39

[Dupont666]

enjoy being a tight wad and get yourself on here:

www.toptable.com

look at the places with 50% off the food menu and enjoy.

I can recommend this place in covent garden:

http://www.toptable.com/en-gb/venue/?id=1259

a la carte here:

http://www.toptable.com/en-gb/venue/menus/?id=1259

cheapest wine is £15 or so.

But my meal for 4 when I took out the OH's folks should have been in the £140s and worked out at £70 and that was only due to a £20+ bottle of wine.

It included ChateauBriand fro 2 as well.

Some of the deals on that website are truely superb... especially when I consider myself a tight fisted yorkshire man in London.

[blindswelledrat]

waterwonder said:

. For instance from borough market then having a wander down by the river towards the wheel (is this possible, been to the market but nothing else).

Yes this is possible and a nice walk.
I also recommend a pizza restaurant halfway along the walk (between blackfriars and waterloo bridges). It looks a bit st but its reasonably priced and the food is always good with and its right by the river.
Dont know what its called though.

[Neil H]

Why don't you take her up that famous Southbank landmark? You know, the one with the tower.....








....The Tate Modern it's called, lots of nice paintings to look at.

[waterwonder]

Neil H said:

Why don't you take her up that famous Southbank landmark? You know, the one with the tower.....
....The Tate Modern it's called, lots of nice paintings to look at.

haha it had crossed my mind although i don't think its her cup of tea, shame as i'd of quite liked to see the van gogh exhibition too. Is the restaurant any good?

[Neil H]

waterwonder said:

Neil H said:

Why don't you take her up that famous Southbank landmark? You know, the one with the tower.....
....The Tate Modern it's called, lots of nice paintings to look at.

haha it had crossed my mind although i don't think its her cup of tea, shame as i'd of quite liked to see the van gogh exhibition too. Is the restaurant any good?

From what I remember, the restaurant is nothing special.

[T40ORA]

First date with my wife was The Tate (not the modern). Light bite in the restaurant, then the pub next door for a couple of drinks and a nice long chat. Loads to look at and talk about at the Tate. Learn about each other's tastes.

Obviously was the right choice for us, as this was 18 years ago.

[Blib]

BoRED S2upid said:

Not been to London for many a moon, was full of immigrants last time I went.

You yokels get so confused when in London.

They weren't immigrants. They were tourists.

Easy mistake to make mind you. If you're only used to mixing with your extended family.

[waterwonder]

Dupont666 said:

enjoy being a tight wad and get yourself on here:

www.toptable.com


Some of the deals on that website are truely superb... especially when I consider myself a tight fisted yorkshire man in London.

Cheers for that i shall investigate later

[GavinPearson]

I think you should do exactly what you are thinking of because you obviously like eating strange food and comedy clubs and would miss them if you had to give them up.

But if I have misread you and you don't feel quite as strongly as that then I suggest going to a restaurant where the food is both conventional and edible and spend the time gettng to know her. Then when you are feeling dangerous in 3 months time suggest the market food and comedy club.

[waterwonder]

GavinPearson said:

I think you should do exactly what you are thinking of because you obviously like eating strange food and comedy clubs and would miss them if you had to give them up.

But if I have misread you and you don't feel quite as strongly as that then I suggest going to a restaurant where the food is both conventional and edible and spend the time gettng to know her. Then when you are feeling dangerous in 3 months time suggest the market food and comedy club.

I take your point but should probably clarify that i already know her reasonably well. For that reason the getting to know bit isn't imperative although obviously some quality time will be put in. Hence a wander/drinks before hand and undoubtedly after.

Like i said open to suggestions and not adverse to eating "conventional and edible" food. However i don't want that to be the sole activity as i think its a bit boring and cliched, we've spoken about comedy nights before and she's never been but is keen to go thus that became the basis of my original plan.

Edited to add: Some of the market food is very good.

Edited by waterwonder on Monday 25th January 13:13

[condor]

I'd suggest a visit to a museum ( they're mostly free) so a wander around for an hour or so before pre-lunch drinks It's probably too cold for a boat trip to be that enjoyable ( far better in summer). I think eating from a market stall sounds quite fun, perhaps a walk in a park/gardens along the Thames afterwards ( also free).
Not too sure about the comedy night part( aren't they quite often blue jokes?) but theatre/cinema a possibility.