Restaurants: How to Plan a Special Night Out for a Loved One

If you are going to a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, you should consider a few things first. Planning ahead is a great way to ensure that things go well, especially if you are trying to impress a loved one. Learn a few ways to make sure the night is special, starting with how to choose among restaurants near you.

One of the best ways to plan ahead is to make a reservation. However, not all restaurants allow you to do this, so make sure that the one you choose does. Otherwise, you may end up spending half your evening waiting for a table if it is busy. If you have your heart set on a particular restaurant that does not take reservations, you can always call ahead and ask if an exception can be made, or at least find out how busy it is. When you make the reservation, make sure that you let the staff know of any preferences you have, such as a booth or table, or an area where you can talk privately.

Another thing to be aware of is that many high end restaurants have a set menu on holidays. This means that if you want to go on Valentine's Day or other holidays where many couples go out together, you may have few choices, and you will probably have to spend a minimum amount. If you want more variety, you should either choose a location that does not use set menus for holidays, or go on a different day, such as a day or two before or after. Of course, be sure to make reservations when possible if you do decide to go out on a holiday.

You should also find out if the restaurant you are considering can do something special for you and your loved one. For example, if you plan to propose, a classic move is to hide the ring in the dessert or champagne glass. If it is your loved one's birthday or you are celebrating an achievement, you can ask for a special dessert, or have a staff member sing or play live music. Your options depend on the business you choose, so ask before you go. Just make sure the person you are going with would appreciate the gesture, as some people get embarrassed at extra attention in public.

It goes without saying that you should make sure the person you are taking out would even like the food or atmosphere. Trying something new is great, but if your loved one has never liked a particular type of food, or is even allergic, then do not take him or her to a business that mainly serves that product. Similarly, if he or she has always disliked loud restaurants, then choose one with a calmer atmosphere.

Following these tips may help you both have a good night out. It is usually easy to plan ahead when you communicate with the restaurant that you choose, so take the time to ask questions or make special requests. Your loved one will appreciate it.