On our first date, we went to a classy restaurant. As soon as we sat down, she smiled at the waiter and asked, “What’s the most expensive dish on your menu?” My heart sank.
I was ready to pay for dinner, but I hadn’t planned for a meal that would leave me broke.
The waiter froze, glanced at me, and then said, “I’m sorry, but that’s unavailable tonight.”
She looked annoyed and tried asking about another expensive item, but again, it was “out of stock.” I gave him a very generous tip.
A local man’s first date turned into an unexpected rollercoaster of emotions when his date’s extravagant dining request left him in an uncomfortable situation at a classy restaurant.
The incident occurred at La Belle Époque, an upscale dining establishment known for its refined atmosphere and top-tier cuisine. Mark Peterson, a 28-year-old software developer, had planned the perfect first date. He chose the venue with care, wanting to impress his date, Claire, a woman he had met online just a week prior.
“I thought it would be the perfect spot—intimate, classy, and not too extravagant,” Mark explained. “I had no idea what was about to unfold.”
As the couple sat down, the evening started on a high note. But things took an unexpected turn when Claire, with a confident smile, addressed the waiter with a question that left Mark’s heart racing.
“What’s the most expensive dish on your menu?” she asked, her eyes glimmering with expectation.
For a moment, Mark was speechless. “I was expecting a pleasant evening, but hearing that question made my stomach drop,” he recalled. “I hadn’t planned for a meal that would make me question my entire bank balance.”
The waiter, clearly taken aback by the bold question, glanced at Mark before responding, “I’m sorry, but that dish is unavailable tonight.”
Not deterred, Claire quickly turned her attention to other high-ticket options on the menu, only to be met with the same response: “Out of stock.”
Mark, trying to save face, smiled awkwardly, while Claire’s frustration grew. “She wasn’t pleased,” he said. “She kept asking about different items, and I could tell she was getting annoyed that nothing seemed to fit her expectations.”
While the evening wasn’t going as planned, Mark managed to keep his composure. Despite the uncomfortable situation, he graciously tipped the waiter generously, understanding the awkwardness of the moment.
“I wasn’t sure what to do,” he confessed. “I didn’t want to cause a scene, but I also wasn’t sure how to handle her behavior. I just wanted to survive the night.”
As the date drew to a close, Mark’s anxiety only increased as he paid the bill, which, although not as astronomical as the dishes she had in mind, was still far more than he had anticipated for a first date.
“It was the most awkward meal I’ve ever had. And by the end of the evening, I realized maybe this wasn’t the right fit for me,” Mark admitted. “I think there’s a lot to be said for a simple, genuine experience over trying to impress someone.”
The incident has sparked conversations across social media, with many weighing in on the unspoken expectations of dating and dining out. Some users defended Claire’s desire for a luxurious meal, suggesting that she might have just wanted to experience something special. Others, however, pointed out that the situation revealed a lack of consideration for the other person’s comfort and financial limits.
Relationship expert Dr. Kate Williams weighed in, saying, “While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a fancy meal, a first date is often about connection and getting to know one another. Expectations, particularly when it comes to money, can create unnecessary pressure and might not be the best way to build rapport.”
For Mark, the experience was a wake-up call. “I learned that sometimes, the most important part of a date isn’t where you go, but who you’re with and how you communicate.”
In the end, Mark and Claire did not see each other again, and Mark walked away with a valuable lesson about dating—and budgeting. “I’ll be more careful about setting expectations in the future,” he said. “And maybe pick somewhere that’s not so ‘fancy.’”
