What sports these kids were! Walking blindly into the most intrinsically awkward of situations and eating intimately in front of a stranger. A girl and a boy; the girl from the "West Side" of the moon, and the boy from the Bahamas; she a senior, he a junior; she a History/French major, he a PPE major. They both went to private high school, so naturally, they got along. Destined to be friends or lovers? Well, he's scared of curly blond hair, and she prefers big balls... Whatever. They put themselves on the line for our entertainment. And ate at Ernesto's 1521. Here's what they had to say:
Were you nervous about your blind date?
Boy: In a way. I was told she was a curly-haired blond; that is usually enough to scare me.
Girl: Yes! I had no idea what to expect and I wouldn't have put it past [certain Street editors] to set me up with some obsessive Wharton frat boy! Then again, I didn't really take this seriously since it was just for fun.
What did you wear?
Girl: I was very creative: black pants and a black shirt. I didn't know what type of restaurant this would be so I was ambiguous and unadventurous.
Boy:Well, as the moon is waning, I decided to wear my docker shoes, which led to my jeans, and they led to needing a blue shirt. And a sweater. Actually, I always wear the same thing.
What did you talk about in the cab?
Boy: What we study, why we like it.
Girl: Our majors, mostly history, and basic getting-to-know-you questions.
How were you greeted at the restaurant?
Girl: At this point I was apprehensive so I don't quite remember--although the host and waitress were very friendly and polite.
Boy: Carefully.
Was the restaurant well-lit?
Boy: Extremely.
Girl: Yes, it had a cozy feel to it--like being in someone's living room, it was very simple.
What did you eat?
Girl: Bread and olive oil, bruschetta, fried calamari, angel hair pasta with spicy pomodoro sauce and lobster.
Boy: Calamari, bruschetta, risotto.
Was it yummy?
Boy: Parts of it were. I got lost on the main dish.
Girl: Yes it was--maybe not orgasmic, but definitely tasty.
What did you talk about during dinner?
Girl: We talked a lot of politics. Anyway, we had pretty opposing views, but we definitely had some laughs even though he's a dirty Republican.
Boy: She was funny, but I don't know if it was intentional. Conversation was lovely, many different subjects, all of them fun.
Was your date funny looking? C'mon, be honest...
Boy: She had curly blond hair.
Girl: No, he was cute. He wears glasses, which is something I'm usually attracted to in guys.
Would you recommend Ernesto's to friends? Would you bring your mom there?
Girl: It was a great date place because it has a very personal feel to it and is not badly priced [average entr‚e price: $12-$21]. Also, the service was good. Yeah [I'd bring my mom there], although I can think of some more interesting places to go with more ambiance, but Ernesto's has a low-key aspect which is appealing.
Boy: Not really. I prefer restaurants with a saucier atmosphere, perhaps more intimate. [I would] also not [bring my mom here]--we have similar tastes.
Would you go on a blind date again, judging from this experience?
Boy: Judging from this experience yes, but I still have nightmares about my first blind date. I will always be wary.
Girl: I don't know, the date went well, but I have a feeling that next time I would get stuck with a loser.
Does your date have a tattoo?
Girl: Our conversation didn't get that far.
Boy: We didn't get that intimate, but if I had to guess, yes.
Did you learn anything interesting about your date's family?
Boy: She is related to one of the coolest surfers in the world. And her mother is from Spain. Both facts rank high in my book.
Girl: He comes from a very dynamic and cultural background, which was unexpected and attractive, even if he was a dirty Republican.
Would you go out with this person again?
Girl:He's not in a fraternity or Wharton, so that makes the probability much higher.
Boy: Yes, but just as a friend.
What do you usually look for in a person?
Boy: That they be bright. I don't usually look. People who I meet who would interest me have something about them that is special, and more than I would have asked for. And they would be happy with themselves and their endeavors.
Girl: A sense of humor, ability to put together a cohesive argument and big balls.
