Planning a Date? Go Italian.

Want a romantic night out on the town?  A fine Italian restaurant is a safe bet. Italian food has always been romantic and here are some tips to picking a great restaurant.

Go Authentic

It’s important to pick a place that serves authentic Italian food; otherwise your date will come off looking like a cheap imitation of the real thing. How do you know what’s authentic? Simply look at the menu; if you understand it, it’s not authentic enough. You’re looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza. You might also want to talk to some people who work at the restaurant.  When I’m looking for an authentic Italian experience, I definitely want the people behind the food to know more Italian than English.

Learn a Little Italian

Once you find a place with a good menu the next step is to learn to understand it. You won’t make a good impression on your date if you order something and are then shocked to find out what it is when it gets to the table. Decide beforehand what you’re going to order and learn how to properly say it in Italian. Then, find out what Italian food your date likes and pick out some recommendations from the menu beforehand and learn how to say them. When it comes time to order and you’re reading off your selection from the menu like an Italian connoisseur, you’ll really impress your date.

Wine & Dine

Now, it’s just not a romantic night at an Italian place without wine. Any respectable establishment should have a nice selection of wine. Research what wine will go best will the Italian food you’re ordering. Don’t be scared to ask the server, that’s what they’re there for. However, also be aware that they know it’s easy to rack up your check with expensive wine. Italian food was meant to be enjoyed with wine, so do take some time to make sure you’re getting a good wine for both the food and your budget.  

It’s All About Atmosphere

The next thing to look for in a restaurant is ambience. There are really two ways to go on this one. The first is with a more traditional fine dining restaurant with dimmed lighting and maybe some quiet music in the background. This is an excellent choice.  However, sometimes the most authentic Italian food can be found at small family owned restaurants with more of a home feeling about them. This can be equally as romantic as long as the restaurant isn’t loud. There you can enjoy not only great food, but it will also have a memorable experience for your date.

Following these steps will lead to an excellent date. Find the right restaurant and you’re sure to have a romantic evening eating fine food, drinking fine wine, and having some fine conversation.