The Three Best Places to Go for a First Date in Westland, Michigan

I live in Westland, Michigan and I'll be the first to admit that is not the most romantic place on earth. There are no cozy bistros, no breathtaking panoramic views, and no theater district. It is much as it bills itself: "An All-American City". However, Westland is not completely devoid of charm. If you are a young man(and for the purpose of this article, I am assuming you are) wanting to bring a first date to somewhere that will be memorable, there are a few options. Here are what I believe are the best three:

Number three: The Golden Chopsticks. This Chinese restaurant serves unique Chinese and Thai dishes along with an impressive selection of sushi and sashimi. The entrees run from about $6 to $12 and are an excellent value for the portions and quality.

If you are unfamiliar with with Chinese cuisine and/or sushi, you would be wise to pay at least one visit to the restaurant before you bring a potential date. If she asks you for something mild and you suggest the Szechuan shrimp, it might be both your first AND last date.

The atmosphere is pleasant and mature without being trendy, plus it is quiet, which will allow you and your date to talk. The Golden Chopsticks is located at 1989 Wayne Road in Westland.

Number two: Marvaso's. A beautiful interior and awesome Italian food are the hallmark of this popular Westland restaurant. They serve drinks, pastas, steaks, seafood, chicken, and pizza. Their entrees range from about $8 to $16, and bread is served with every meal. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, with lots of comfortable booths and TVs that show sports.

There is also a huge, bar-length fish tank that is a conversation piece in and of itself. The lighting is soft, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff is friendly and prompt. If you get dessert, a dinner for two will run you around $30 to $40. However, if you go to this link, you will find a coupon for 50% off a second entree when one entree is purchased at regular price. My wife and I have eaten here many times for under $20.

Once dinner is finished you can walk to the adjoining Electric Stick pool hall for a game of pool. The pool hall is clean with many different sized tables. If you are smart you will let your date beat you. Playing pool at the Electric Stick will run you about $4 to 8$. Marvaso's and the Electric Stick pool hall are located at 6581 N. Wayne Road, in Westland.

Number one: The Westland Mall. In case you were wondering, the city is indeed named after the mall. The best reason to take a first date here is the sheer variety of places to choose from. If you want to take your date for a fairly refined, classy meal, you can start out at the Lakeshore Grill, which is on the second floor of Macy's. You can take the stairs to get there, but a ride in the glass-walled elevator would be exciting, especially if your date has never been to the mall before.

Once you get to the restaurant, you will find menu prices ranging from around $10 to $15 for most entrees. You might try to secure a table at the edge of the restaurant that overlooks the first floor of the mall. Sure, it's only a mall, but if your date is not looking longingly into your eyes, she can at least look down and people watch. If the Lakeshore Grill is a bit pricey for you, there are plenty of other inexpensive options that might suit, say a 16-year-old boy and a girl. These include fast food chains A & W and Subway.

After eating, you can take your date shopping. The mall has everything from classy, like the Macy's store, to wild, as in Hot Topic. I don't think I've ever met a girl that did not like to shop, so you should be good for a while. If you have any money, you might think of buying your date something small but tasteful(perhaps a book she looks interested in from the Border's Outlet store?).

Once you agree that the time for shopping has ended, you might consider heading out to the parking lot and ending up your date at the Panera Bread. A nice coffee or smoothie would be an excellent way to end a date. If it is the summer, you might want to sit at one of the outside tables. If it is winter, the seats next to the fireplace might be nice. A couple of drinks should run in the neighborhood of $5 to $8.

In case for some utterly bizarre reason you are from Westland and are not sure where the Westland mall is, it is located at 35000 W. Warren.

Sure, Westland is not in the same league as Paris, Rome, or Rio, but if you take a first date to one of the three locations mentioned above, you just might be lucky enough to convince your date to go out with you again.