Love at First Bite?

You can tell a lot about a man from what he chooses to eat on your first date, says Alexandra Antonioni.

A picky, fastidious guy is unlikely to be as passionate or impulsive as a finger-licking gourmand. Here, she reveals how to work out what's really on the menu from your potential lover's choice of dishes.

Traits to Watch Out for on a First Date

• As you sit down, he asks the waiter for a glass of tap water, then skips the starter and orders the cheapest main course on the menu.
  
  
• When he asks for a glass of house wine, he nurses it all night, and when the bill arrives, he divvies it up, making you pay for the extra coffee you ordered, then refuses to leave a tip.

Conclusion: He's cheap and has no style. This is date hell. Dump him.

• He orders pink champagne and two dozen oysters, then suggests you skip the main course and have more fizz instead.
  
  
• He asks for a vast dessert, which he spoon-feeds you in such a way that the other diners in the restaurant blush.

Conclusion: He is plying you with aphrodisiacs, while simultaneously trying to rush dinner. The idea, if you hadn't guessed, is to get you into the bedroom in record time. On the plus-side, he probably has bags of charm. But remember, no sleeping with anyone on a first date (no matter how many oysters he foists upon you).

• This one does not drink and follows a strict macrobiotic diet. He frowns heavily at your choice steak and polishes his cutlery on his napkin (in case it's contaminated).
  
  
• He drones on endlessly about the environment and even wears plastic shoes (he boycotts leather).
  
  
• He cycles everywhere, refuses to drive or use public transportation. He's 45 and still lives with his mother.

Conclusion: Yawn. Next!

More Traits to Watch Out for on a First Date

• He skips the food part of dinner entirely and gets drunk instead.
• He lurches between morose and euphoric and is appealing in a "Help me, I think I'm drowning!" sort of way.

Conclusion: What you mistook for gentleman when you first met him is actually sheer desperation. He's an alcoholic, and you can't save him. Don't even try.

• He orders a beer, some half-decent wine, an adventurous starter, an indulgent main course, and a chocolaty pudding to share with you. Later, he asks for more wine, coffee and a few brandies to finish. He's funny, charming and seems to listen to what you have to say.
• Just as the bill arrives, he reaches for your hand and tells you how beautiful you look.
• He's in no hurry to bolt down dinner in a bid to seduce you. He's here to have a good time.

Conclusion: He's lovely, interested and interesting, you can't believe a date could go this well. You actually want this one to make a pass at you.

A note of caution: If he flirts with the waitress, he's almost certainly bound to be unfaithful.

Girls, What Not to Do on a First Date

• Don't push a mixed salad (no dressing) around your plate, order flat rainwater or an egg-white omelette. Men adore women who go to dinner and actually eat.
• You may be nervous, but downing margaritas while getting ready [for your date] won't help. Instead, take a deep breath, listen and make conversation. And try to enjoy yourself; it's meant to be fun.
• Don't ask how many children he wants and how he feels about living in the country. It is just a first date, remember.
• Be adventurous with what you order, but don't show off. If you've never eaten monkey brains before, tonight isn't the night to do so.
• Don't be tempted to cook. You have got plenty of time to wow him with your culinary expertise if the date goes well.

Go out to a lovely restaurant and enjoy getting to know each other on neutral turf.

This edited extract is taken from Eat Me by Alexandra Antonioni, published by HarperCollins. To order a copy, visit www.you-bookshop.co.uk.

Source: Mail on Sunday (London, UK). Powered by YellowBrix.