A New York City restaurant believes it has come up with a winning formula for first dates this 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 often looks more like the repetitive groundhog day plot.
In response, Sweetbriar has teamed up with Tinder to create a unique menu and date to smooth out the worst aspects of a first date: awkward silences, what to order, sharing questions, and the prospect of an embarrassingly high bill.
The cozy yet chic restaurant in Manhattan’s trendy Flatiron neighborhood offers a break from the humdrum of first dates with a $45-per-person menu created with romance in mind.
Each of the four courses also includes a conversation-provoking question, such as “what three words would your best friends use to describe you?” and ‘what’s an embarrassing moment that keeps you awake at night?’
DailyMail.com has a few to test it out. This 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 most expensive cities in the world.
The duck ham crostini and oyster canapes come with one portion on each plate, perfect for politely sharing your choice with your date.
Upscale New York City restaurant Sweetbriar believes it has a winning first date formula
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore star in the film 50 First Dates
The starter of belly salmon was beautifully presented with small balls of apple in a vinaigrette sauce, which is easy to comment on if there is nothing else to say.
The spinach dip was the closest thing on the menu that could have posed a spill hazard, but otherwise avoided smudging sauces, slurping spaghetti, or anything else that might be uncouth.
The starter of large pasta with mushrooms and rosemary goes well with the roasted broccoli that has the intriguing texture of seaweed.
The hanger steak was also beautifully cut and the cornbread was delicious.
If your social battery is tired at the end of a date and the thought of having to make another decision overwhelms you, don’t worry: there’s only one option for pudding, luckily it’s delicious.
Warm bread pudding served with milk and white chocolate flakes and ice cream is the down-to-earth ending to a sweet first date experience.
The friendly demeanor of the staff and the prominent first names among the regulars immediately put a hopeful romance at ease.
The expert bartender made fantastic cocktails with decorative flair for those who still needed a little Dutch courage.
Each person’s choice of daybed is mutually beneficial, alleviating shared awkwardness
The spinach dip (left) was closest to the menu and could pose a risk of spillage
The hanger steak was also beautifully cut and the cornbread was delicious
Warm bread pudding served with milk and white chocolate flakes and ice cream is the down-to-earth ending to a sweet first date experience
“Sweetbriar can provide a quiet and intimate experience that is perfect for a first date,” the restaurant told DailyMail.com of the special menu.
‘Chef Sam has carefully crafted a menu that is inviting, informal and centered around a communal dining experience.
“Our signature broccoli and duck ham dishes reflect not only our culinary expression, but how we hope our guests dine when they visit us at Sweetbriar.”
“The Very Sweet First Date” is available every Tuesday and Thursday at Sweetbriar and reservations can be made starting at 7:30 PM, with final seating at 9 PM through Valentine’s Day.
Gen Z is so disillusioned with dating right now they turn to extreme methods in hopes of building a relationship.
With the latest fad they are playing a numbers game; setting a goal for yourself to go on 50 first dates in the hopes of finding something that will last.
The TikTok trend sees young people documenting their love lives, revealing details of their upcoming dates in ‘get ready with me’ videos, while also sneaking out during dates to give their first impressions of would-be lovers.