Tables for Two: False Pretenses


Say Anything

Someone once told us that an actor’s headshot should look like that actor, not like someone else, but it should look like that actor on his best day ever.

That same holds true for a first date. You’ll want to present yourself as you on your best day ever. That brings us to our first type of first date, the false pretenses kind where you don’t have much money, but you want to impress like you do.

Foobooz would never advise lying to a loved one (or even a not-yet-loved one); that’s just not the way to begin a beautiful friendship… but…. you wouldn’t go on a date without putting on some lipstick or those jeans that make your butt look particularly hot? So why wouldn’t you put some thought into how hot the restaurant you’re going to might make you look?

If you don’t have a lot of money, you’ll have to be creative. Which means: a great restaurant on an off night, a bar with a subtle and sophisticated happy hour special and a BYOB situation with a possible trip to New Jersey for supplies. Here are two suggestions for the False Pretenses: I Don’t Have Much Money, But I Want to Impress Date…

Make it a Sunday night! Both Little Fish and Pumpkin offer good value prix fixe menus on those nights. Little Fish has a $28 five-course tasting menu and Pumpkin offers a five-course experience for $35. Both are BYOB. Afterwards, you can head to Good Dog for their Sunday late-night happy hour from 10pm to midnight, where all drinks are $1 off.

If it has to a night other than Sunday, then you’ll have to shell out a little more, but you can still get big bang for your buck. Monday thru Friday, you can start with Ansill’s happy hour: from 6- 8pm you can snack on $1 oysters, $5 Finlandia martinis, $5 prosecco and $3 Yards. Then head to BYOB Cochon (open Tues.-Saturday, cash only) for hearty French-influenced fare at reasonable prices. Why Cochon? It’s delicious and French. What’s more romantic then French?

If things are going well and you want to continue the date after dinner (and it’s Thursday, Friday or Saturday night)  head to Xochitl’s Lounge for a late night happy hour: from 10pm – 12am you can get1/2 price house margaritas, $2 beer specials and a $6 Guero Special (shot of Sauza Blanco and a can of Tecate). Now that’s a special with style!