First dates already come with enough nerves without adding a plate of disaster food into the mix. Nobody wants to be mid-sentence while wiping sauce off their chin or picking kernels out of their teeth. Some foods are made for comfort at home, not for making a first impression. Choosing the wrong meal can turn what should be a relaxed dinner into a comedy routine where you’re the butt of the joke. That doesn’t mean you need to stick to plain and boring, but knowing what to skip can save you from awkward moments.
Spaghetti or Any Long Pasta
A plate of spaghetti sounds romantic until you’re the one trying to twirl noodles without flinging sauce across the table. Long pasta has a way of testing your coordination, and no one wants to be caught slurping while tomato sauce threatens to decorate their shirt. Save this dish for a date when you’re comfortable enough to laugh about making a mess together.
Ribs
Ribs are undeniably delicious, but they also guarantee sticky fingers, a pile of napkins, and sauce creeping onto your face before you even notice. On a first date, you don’t want to be more focused on cleanup than conversation. Leave this one for a backyard cookout or a night in, not a table where you’re trying to look put together.
Garlic-heavy Dishes
Garlic makes almost any dish better, but it also lingers long after the plates are cleared. That sharp, unmistakable smell sticks around on your breath and even in your pores. If your goal is to leave a sweet impression, it’s better to skip the garlic-heavy meals until you know your date’s willing to risk sharing in the aftermath.
Oysters
They might carry a reputation as romantic, but slurping oysters is rarely as smooth as it looks in the movies. The texture alone can be off-putting, and the possibility of sending one sliding in the wrong direction is a real risk. Unless you’re already comfortable with each other, this is one shellfish that can wait.
Burgers (Especially Big Ones)
A burger piled high with toppings is a test of jaw strength and balance. The first bite is almost always a gamble, with half the fillings sliding out onto your plate or lap. No one wants to spend their first date worrying about sauce dripping down their hands instead of focusing on good conversation.
Spicy Foods
Spicy food can be fun in theory, but when your eyes start watering and your face heats up, it’s hard to play it cool. There’s also the chance of hiccups or coughing fits that completely derail the mood. Heat this intense is better saved for a night when you don’t mind laughing at yourself.
Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn is delicious, but trying to eat it gracefully is nearly impossible. Kernels wedge themselves in your teeth, butter runs down your hands, and there’s no clean way to get through it. When you’re aiming for charm, this vegetable makes things more awkward than they need to be.
Crab or Lobster
Ordering crab or lobster on a first date is signing up for a full-on project. You’ll be cracking shells, digging for meat, and splattering juice, all while trying to hold a conversation. It’s messy, time-consuming, and about as far from smooth as you can get. Leave this order for later in the relationship when you’re not worried about keeping things polished.
Ramen
Ramen is comforting, but it doesn’t lend itself to looking graceful. The long noodles splash broth everywhere, and the slurping is unavoidable. While it’s a great comfort meal, it’s best saved for a solo night or a low-pressure dinner where you don’t mind a little chaos at the table.
Salads (with Lots of Lettuce)
A giant salad looks safe on the menu but can be surprisingly tricky. Oversized leaves flop off your fork, dressing splatters when you try to cut them, and you’re left feeling like you’re wrestling with your plate. For a meal that’s supposed to be casual and easy, salads often do the opposite on a first date.
11 Restaurant Shortcuts That Will Make You Think Twice About Eating Out
Eating out is fun, but the reality behind the scenes isn’t as appetizing as you’d think and anyone that’s ever worked in a restaurant can likely attest to this. Let’s just say there are a few things restaurants would rather you not know. From creative cost-cutting to some questionable “freshness” claims, what happens in the kitchen might just make you cringe.
Read it Here: 11 Restaurant Shortcuts That Will Make You Think Twice About Eating Out
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Everyone’s had those “I should probably know this” moments in the kitchen. You’re halfway through making dinner, and suddenly you realize you’ve been guessing what “sauté” actually means for years. You’re hardly alone in these embarrassing episodes. Here’s a few of the most common ones.
Read it Here: 10 Embarrassing Things You’ve Definitely Googled About Cooking
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Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
