Special Occasion Ideas

First Date: Where to Dine & What to Do

A first date is an exciting, yet intensely nervous, outing. Selecting to have dinner at a Cairns restaurant is a very good start because it signals you are serious about pursuing a relationship. You obviously want to get to know your date, and you’ll have first hand observation of culinary likes and dislikes, eating habits, drinking habits, manners, and general etiquette. Of course, your date is also privy to your traits, so you need to be wary.

In light of this scenario, you need to pick a restaurant that’s not too formal, but not too casual. It shouldn’t be too expensive (because you may discover your date is someone you never want to see again), but it can’t be cheap. The first date restaurant can’t be a loud chamber because you need to hear the sweet voice of your date, but it also can’t be deathly quiet. (You may find you really like your date and start having a raunchy conversation that bothers the elderly couple in the next table.) And the restaurant shouldn’t be too unusual and weird – your date may think these traits transfer to your personality.

On the Inlet	Port Douglas
While visiting Port Douglas, sampling the best seafood in the world is an absolute must. On the Inlet Seafood Restaurant offers spectacular views of the fish-laden Dicksons Inlet, while serving fresh seafood from mud crabs to coral trout.
cuisines: Seafood features: A la carte, Amex, Bankcard, JCB, Licensed, Mastercard, Restaurant, Smoking, Take Away, Visa contact: (07) 40995255 | 3 Inlet Street

Wild Thyme Ristorante	Stratford
contact: (07) 40580200 | 21 Kamerunga Road

Depending on the restaurant you eventually select, you will then need to consider your outfit for the night. Bearing in mind that Cairns has a tropical climate and wearing heavy clothes can add to the amount of sweating you are doing, light clothing is recommended. For men, a smart shirt is ideal in most restaurants. This choice also gives you a range of options for after dinner such as visiting a nightclub with your date or heading back to your house without your date. For women, this process can be more difficult. Please bear in mind that the writer of this advice is a male, so I may be slightly off-base in a few areas. But from what I’ve been told, women already know what clothes to wear because they have a better sense-of-self than men and are more attuned to fashion trends. (There, I said it.) So guys, watch an episode of 'Secret Life of Us' and wear whatever Evan wears. Trust me...it will work.

Essentially, your first date restaurant needs to be a place you are comfortable with, and one that reflects your easy-going and lovable personality.

The Raw Prawn	Cairns Esplanade
Another of Cairns' excellent seafood restaurants located on the esplanade, the standout feature of The Raw Prawn is the great name. But we can assure you this restaurant doesn't literally live up to the name 'Raw Prawn', because all seafood is cooked with delicacy and precision. Aside from the name, don't forget the excellent views of the Coral Sea, efficient service, relaxing atmosphere and of course, great food.
cuisines: Seafood features: Al fresco, Amex, Diners Club, Licensed, Mastercard, Restaurant, Visa contact: (07) 40315400 | 103 The Esplanade

On your first date, there are a number of rules you should try and follow. Here is a brief list:

• Whatever you do, don't use foul language during your conversations. This can really turn your dining partner off, whether male or female, and seriously jeopardise your chances of a 2nd date.
• Leave your mobile phone at home. Or if you have it with you, turn it off. No, not on silent or vibrate, off. You are on a date and your attention must be solely on your dining partner. Don’t fool yourself by thinking the ringing mobile phone will impress your partner by emphasising your popularity. It doesn’t.
• Bring some breath mints. You can keep these in the car or in your pocket, but be careful they don’t rattle too much. Breath mints are essential if you plan to snuggle after dinner.
• Dental floss can be a good idea if you are prone to getting food caught in your teeth. Make a quick visit to the bathroom and give your whole mouth a going-over. If she wants to kiss you later, she doesn’t want to be eating any more dinner.
• Conversation is crucial, so don’t talk about yourself too much unless he/she asks. By all means, recount your life story, but omit details about how expensive your car is, all the hundred of friends you have, past girlfriends, your tendency to scratch your bum etc. Focus on your interests and her interests.
• Do not bite your nails, scratch scabs, pick your nose or fiddle with your ears during dinner.
• Do not smoke during dinner. If you are a die hard smoker, wait until the meal is completely finished. If your female partner reaches for a cigarette, light it for her or be brave and tell her how disgusting her habit is. This is often a source of conflict in relationships, so it’s advisable to deal with it head on at the very beginning.
• When asked how are you feeling, always reply in the positive. Don’t tell your dining partner about your dreadful day or your latest bout of constipation causing you anguish. Keep the ‘everything is wonderful’ façade alive and strong – at least for the first date.
  

Pattaya Thai Restaurant	Cairns CBD
Pattaya Thai Restaurant is a family run Thai restaurant in the centre of the city. Authentic Thai food is exceptionally high in quality, and great value for money.
cuisines: Thai features: A la carte, BYO, EFTPOS, Take Away, Visa review: Unpretentious authenticity (21/3/2003) contact: (07) 40515748 | 62 Spence Street

Far Horizons Restaurant	Palm Cove
A very classy restaurant located on absolute beachfront at Palm Cove. This restaurant has won awards for dining excellence. The restaurant sometimes sets up dining on the lawn among the palm trees beside the beach. The service is relaxed and friendly and the crowd is a mix of hotel guests from this and other nearby resorts. On Friday and Saturday nights a guitarist plays in the cocktail bar. A wonderful treat.
cuisines: Australian, Contemporary features: A la carte, Al fresco, Amex, Diners Club, Licensed, Mastercard, Visa avg. main: $27 open: Daily from 18:30 to 24:00 contact: (07) 40553000 | 1 Veivers Road (Angsana Resort)

Nick's Restaurant	Yungaburra
An Alpine Chalet Style restaurant, owners Gina & Nick are passionate about service and quality. The main feature of the restaurant is the Yodellers Bar, and it is not rare to find Nick yodelling with patrons and playing his piano accordian.
cuisines: Italian, Swiss features: A la carte, Al fresco, Disabled Access, EFTPOS, Family Friendly, Licensed, Mastercard, Smoking, Visa open: Daily from 18:00 to 23:00 With these exceptions: Closed on Monday contact: (07) 40953355 | 33 Gillies Highway