Top 10 Great First Date RestaurantsFrom Katie Zurlo Congratulations--you've met someone new! First dates can be nerve-wracking. Choose the right setting, though, and you'll get past those initial awkward silences and maybe even stick around to order a dessert to share. Whether you have expensive tastes or prefer a small, cozy place, these 10 Hartford-area restaurants are all good choices for a first date. 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT, 860-522-2530. Max's has an extensive, decidedly upscale menu that will satisfy any craving, so you can be sure your date will be pleased. Salads are available for those on diets, but you can also get serious quickly over a juicy filet mignon. 385 West Main Street, Avon, CT, 860-678-8989. Some dates don’t need to be impressed by an expensive dinner. If fancy restaurants aren’t your style, invite your new love interest to join you for a reasonably priced sandwich or salad at Cosi. If you feel a spark over sandwiches, toast marshmallows together! Cosi's wonderfully exciting S'mores dessert features marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate surrounding the intimate flame of a small hibachi. 3. Butterfly831 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 860-236-2816. Consistently one of the Hartford area's favorite Chinese restaurants, Butterfly is the perfect place for a first date. A lovely atmosphere with mood lighting will create a wonderful first impression. There is also a bar if you'd like to start with drinks before you commit to a night of Szechuan and Cantonese delights.4. Amici Italian Grill401 West Main Street, Avon, CT, 860-677-7089. Amici is a very intimate setting for a date with a bowl of Fettuccini Genovese and a side salad—oh, and someone who's caught your eye, too. This Italian grill serves many other international foods including Greek Salad and Mediterranean Salad. The menu is reasonably priced with entrees such as Penne a la Vodka. This is the place to take your date out in style without making a huge investment.59 Pratt Street, Hartford, CT, 860-882-1560. If you think your date might enjoy a quaint public house that serves traditional Irish food with an American twist, head to Vaughan's. Hearty meals such as Shepherd's Pie and Guinness Lamb Stew are just a few of the items on the menu. Salads and soups are available if you prefer lighter fare. There is always something to talk about at Vaughan's. Upstairs tables are great for a first date; they provide a look out over the restaurant and bar. 51 East Main Street, Avon, CT, 860-677-7788. Carmen Anthony is a very well known name in the restaurant business for those of us who are Connecticut natives. If your date is new to the area and enjoys pasta, seafood and wine, this is a perfect choice for dinner in style. Complete your meal with a well-matched bottle of wine, and you'll be assured a second date, especially if you suggest Carmen Anthony's again. 228 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT, 860-244-WINE. Bin 228 is a cozy and perfect place for a first date without the pressure. Bruschetta, olives and smoked meats are a few of the Italian choices offered at this wine bar. A glass of wine and bruschetta make a quick, light meal if you're meeting someone for the first time. Surrounded by intriguing bottles perched on every wall, however, you may be tempted to order a bottle of wine, which will give you plenty of time to get to know your new flame. 1555 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 860-231 8823. The Pond House Café is located in Elizabeth Park, so you'll find a relaxed setting with an amazing view any time of year. With a menu that offers everything from Baked Mac and Cheese to Crab Cakes, as well as sandwiches and salads, any finicky date can find at least one item he or she will adore on this menu. That will make you look pretty fabulous, too. 9. Arugula953 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT, 860-561-4888. This Mediterranean bistro is small, so make reservations. The seating is cozy enough for two, but with a décor that features many different shapes and angles, the ambiance is relaxed enough for a casual dinner. The Mediterranean dishes at Arugula are very good and perfect to share.1 Union Place, Hartford, CT, 860-249-5100. Pasta Pillows--sweet potato-filled raviolis--will tantalize anyone's taste buds, and you'll be assured a promising dinner is off to a good start. The appetizers are only the beginning, though. Entrees at Hot Tomato's include Chicken Pesto and Three Devil Shrimp. The restaurant's lively atmosphere will make it easy to amuse your date, and if you're not ready to say good-night, you're within walking distance of bars in downtown Hartford. | 
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