Top 3 Places to Take Your First Date in the Boston Metro Area

It's been quite a while since my first date with my wife, but I can still remember clearly my thought process for finding the best place for that special occasion.

My Idea of What You should do on a First Date

First of all, I wanted to go to a restaurant because I wanted a chance to get to know her better. Although there is a lot of other fun things to do on later dates, I felt it was important to talk to her face to face and there is no better place to do that than in a restaurant.

Restaurant Choice Needs to Be High Class Enough to Impress and be Romantic

Secondly, the restaurant had to be classy enough to make a good impression but not too stuffy and/or too expensive. I've been in some restaurants that pay too much attention to their patrons - enough that is makes you feel uncomfortable because they are always "hovering" around. I've also been in plenty of restaurants where the food or service was below par and not worthy of that special date.

In the Boston suburbs, I would recommend three restaurants that meet these criteria for the qualities of a good restaurant to take first (or subsequent) dates.

My Top Recommendations for Places to Go on Your First Date

1. Cheesecake Factory - Ironically, I was dissuaded from dining there for the longest time because of their name, thinking they did not have much more than cheesecake. I now realize how wrong I was about them.

Cheesecake Factory is a real "hip" place that has a very nice ambiance. The wait staff is very courteous and accommodating without invading your privacy. The menu selection is vast, so you will have no trouble finding something you both like. It is also easy to avoid foods that might be a little embarrassing to eat in front of your first date!

In warmer weather you can sit outside and they have large "torches" that help take the chill out of the air (or keep the bugs away during the summer) while you dine. Cheesecake Factory can be crowded during peak hours and they do not take reservations, so plan accordingly if you plan to go.

They have seven locations in the Boston Metro area. I have taken my wife to the Natick location near the Natick Collection Mall twice and she loved it both times we went.

2. Chloe's Restaurant is an excellent, reasonably priced bistro located in Hudson, MA (west of Boston). that is a great choice for a first date. The atmosphere is intimate, the service is friendly and competent, and the food is wonderful. It is much quieter than Cheesecake Factory if you prefer that for better communication with your special someone.

3. Alicante Mediterranean Grill is located southwest of Boston in the town of Mendon and worth finding for your first date. It is located near a pretty lake with great views out of large windows. The staff is attentive without being overly so. Their lobster bisque is delicious without being "fishy." They have valet parking - a nice touch if you want and an extra edge to impress your date. Like Cheesecake Factory, they don't take reservations for parties of less than six people, so plan ahead. We have found it to be less crowded and easier to get a seat overlooking the lake if we arrive before 6pm on weekends.

So, if you are looking for romantic things to do or date ideas for your first date, check out one of these restaurants, you won't be disappointed.