If you’re really committed to the idea of finding that special someone, then you have to have to put the time in. But where to find it these days? Between work and a hectic social schedule, finding time to squeeze in that extra date can prove somewhat of a challenge. The solution? Sometimes like your lunch, your dating schedule has to be “on the go”. More and more I hear about friends opting out of working lunches in favour of dating lunches. So, let’s do lunch.
A great lunch date venue has to be Pho. Promising “Vietnam in a bowl”, this restaurant has a fast paced environment and doesn’t waste time in getting the food out to you. So busy you can’t book in advance, if it’s just the two of you then you can find your seats pretty quickly. Pho’s are considered the national dish of Vietnam and is essentially noodle soup made with fresh stock, herbs and spices. Served in big bowls with ladles, the concept is fun though you might want to bring a bib as it can get messy! A few locations dotted around London, you can dash in, date and be back at your desk within the hour.
Vapiano on Great Portland Street is another excellent option especially if you like your Italian food fast and furious. Queue up canteen-style for authentic Italian cuisine in a well decorated restaurant where you can watch the chefs making fresh pasta throughout the day. There is no service in this restaurant so you can dictate your own pace whether you’re keeping it short and sweet or taking a long lunch. If you can manage the whole Oyster card concept, then you’ll love the mechanical like efficiency of the self service option.
Like Dim Sum? Have your lunch date meet you at Ping Pong. Spread out in eight different locations in London, it’s a favourite of celebrity types like Kate Winslet, David Schwimmer and Danii Minogue. Like Vapiano the ordering process is independent of service where you’re given a paper menu and it’s very much a case of ticking the right boxes. Everything is quick and it’s easy to re-order more food. The duck sticky rice, pork puffs and green lipped mussels are a particular house favourite and the sharing opportunities make it a great option for a date. Each dish presents a talking point. Ping Pong is essentially a modern take on a traditional Chinese tea house so enjoy the experience and finish lunch with a traditional flower tea or one of their exotic cocktails.
Things seem to move so quickly at the moment and though it’s hard to keep up sometimes, we have to adapt and learn to compartmentalize our time. It’s all about proportions. How we divide up our free time is important and when it comes to dating, the more time – even that extra hour once a week during lunch can make all the difference.
