A New York City restaurant believes it has cooked up a winning formula for first dates this cuffing season.
Many romantic hopefuls aspire to the kind of restaurant meet-cute of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore in 50 First Dates, but the reality can often be more like the repetitive groundhog day plot.
In response, Sweetbriar has concocted a unique menu and date set-up in partnership with Tinder to smooth over the worst parts of first dates: awkward silences, what to order, questions of sharing and the prospect of an embarrassingly large bill.
The cozy but smart restaurant in Manhattan’s trendy Flatiron district offers respite from run-of-the-mill first dates with a $45 per person menu, crafted with romance in mind.
Each of the four courses is also accompanied by a conversation-sparking question, such as ‘what three words would your closest friends use to describe you?’ and ‘what’s one embarrassing moment that keeps you up at night?’
DailyMail.com got a couple to test it out. Here is what they thought…
Each of the first three courses offered three different options, decadent and well-portioned for the modest price. By that I mean modest for one of the priciest cities in the world.
The duck ham crostini and oyster canapes, arrives with one portion on each plate, perfect for politely sharing your choice with your date.
New York City’s swanky Sweetbriar restaurant believes it has a winning first date formula
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star as soulmates in the film 50 First Dates
The appetizer of salmon belly was beautifully presented with little balls of apple in a vinaigrette sauce, which is easy to comment on if there’s nothing else to say.
The spinach dip was the closest thing on the menu that could have presented a spillage risk but otherwise staining sauces, slurping spaghetti or anything else feasibly uncouth was avoided.
The entrée of large mushroom and rosemary pasta is accompanied well with the roasted broccoli which has the intriguing texture of seaweed.
The hanger steak was also beautifully cut and the corn bread was delightful.
If your social battery is tired by the end of a date and the thought of having to make one more decision overwhelms you, don’t worry – there is only one option for pudding, luckily it’s delicious.
Warm bread pudding served with flakes of milk and white chocolate and ice-cream is the down-to-earth ending to a sweet first date experience.
The staff’s friendly demeanor and noticeably first name basis with the regulars immediately puts a romance hopeful at ease.
The knowledgeable bartender made fabulous cocktails with decorative flair for those still in need of a little Dutch courage.
Each person’s choice of canape comes to both parties, helping alleviate sharing awkwardness
The spinach dip (left) was the closest thing on the menu that could have presented a spillage risk
The hanger steak was also beautifully cut and the corn bread was delightful
Warm bread pudding served with flakes of milk and white chocolate and ice-cream is the down-to-earth ending to a sweet first date experience
‘Sweetbriar is able to provide a quiet and intimate experience perfectly suited for a first date,’ the restaurant told DailyMail.com of the special menu.
‘Chef Sam carefully curated a menu that is inviting, casual, and centered around a communal dining experience.
‘Our signature broccoli and duck ham dishes encapsulate not only our culinary expression, but how we hope our guests dine when visiting us at Sweetbriar.’
‘The Very Sweet First Date’ is available at Sweetbriar every Tuesday and Thursday and reservations can be made from 7:30 PM, with final seating at 9:00 PM through Valentine’s Day.
Gen Z are currently so disillusioned with dating that they are turning to extreme methods in the hope of bagging a relationship.
The latest craze sees them playing a numbers game; setting themselves a goal of going on 50 first dates in the hope of finding something that will last.
The TikTok trend involves young people documenting their love lives, revealing details of their upcoming dates in ‘get ready with me’ videos, while also sneaking off during dates to give their first impressions of prospective lovers.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk