You may have been crushing on someone for a long time, then recently mustered the courage to shoot your shot and ask them out on a date. But your excitement may have gone away the moment you hear this phrase: “By the way, I’m vegetarian.” At this point, you may be overthinking which restaurant offers the best healthy meals for your romantic dinner date. You may also feel intimidated, especially if you have never tried vegetarian meals before. To increase your chances of impressing your vegetarian date, use this article as your guide.
1. Look for restaurants and menus ahead of time
Some restaurants provide only limited options for vegetarians. To make the most out of your time with your date, make sure to look for the best organic food places specializing in vegetarian-friendly meals. Determine if you are going to have casual and fun or posh fine dining. Call ahead or look at their menus online to ensure that they have options that will suit your taste and preferences.
You can also ask your date if they have food allergies or sensitivities. They will surely appreciate this thoughtful gesture!
2. Learn how to cook some vegetarian recipes
As your relationship makes some progress, you may consider learning how to whip up some vegetarian recipes to impress your date. Whether you are cooking for Valentine’s Day or their birthday, you can steal their heart and enjoy feasting at home by preparing plant-based pasta, heartwarming soups, or vegetable pastries.
Some vegetarian dishes you can try making are eggplant lasagna, vegetable curry, or BBQ jackfruit sandwich. You can also ask your date what’s their favorite meal and learn how to prepare it just for them. On the other hand, you can always order food online so you can enjoy a more hassle-free indoor date night.
3. Don’t take your dietary differences personally
To get started in preparing for your date, you have to relax and avoid overthinking their vegetarian diet. You also don’t have to lie about enjoying meat. After all, most vegetarians are making a lifestyle choice for themselves, so they usually don’t force their beliefs on others.
It’s also understandable that you may feel a little disappointed that you don’t share the same dietary journey. However, the best advice you can take to heart is don’t take your dietary differences personally. No matter how you passionately believe in your food choices, never project your feelings about your diet onto your partner.
For instance, you shouldn’t share any disturbing information about food during your date in hopes of encouraging them to eat the way you do. Otherwise, it can create a rift between you and your partner. It may even end your budding relationship altogether.
Instead, keep an open heart and mind. You can ask your date about their vegetarian journey and educate yourself about this lifestyle. This way, you can learn more about their food choices and give them your support.
Conclusion
Going on a dinner date with a vegetarian can be intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the best food places and have limited knowledge about its food options. The good news is that you can make a positive impression and get a second date by following this guide.
If you’re looking for a Phoenix-based restaurant that promotes healthy eating, then you’ve come to the right place. At Sexy Chef, we offer vegetarian-friendly options, salads, side dishes, desserts, and more. Order online now through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub!