Need suggestions for a proposal dinner?

You post is a little vague. We'll need more info if you want meaningful responses.

I gather you're talking about casual dining rather than fine dining establishments (coupons). If so, which do you have in mind? More to the point, which are your favorites---or, more importantly, hers?

I would suggest, too, that no matter how, eh, non-wealthy you are, there are certain times when splurging is called for. Were it me, I'd bite the bullet and take her to a really nice restaurant. Presumably she's going to say "yes," and that's a very important time for a woman. You want her to remember everything about the evening fondly.

USC? California or South Carolina?

If the former, I'm fairly certain that BDL will have some excellent suggestions. It has been so long since I lived there (Beverly Hills, West Hollywood), my advice would be well "out of date", i.e. Ma Maison, Frascotti's, Liu's...

If the latter, hopefully someone will "chime in".

There are a pantload of mid-priced, wonderful places in the greater L.A. area. 

Brunch, lunch or dinner?  Asian, Euro, American, Hispanic?  What are some of her favorite foods, neighborhoods and restaurants?  Anything she won't eat or hates?

Don't be afraid to go to one of your favorite hangs.  If they know and like you, it's quite likely they'll go out of their way to make things special for the two of you. 

You can make someplace otherwise strip mall humble very special with a bottle of Perrier Jouet and the flower-painted glasses. 

Plus, she'll get to keep the glasses.  What can I tell you?  Chicks dig flower painted glasses.  They're funny that way.

Some very special places discount on coupons or other bases -- although I'm not saying I know who does what.  Once you've narrowed this down to a few choices, call ahead and take care of your discount negotiations some place other than under her nose. 

For instance, I've arranged substantial discounts on what would otherwise have been fantastically pricey omikase sashimi dinners in K-Town by negotiating in advance, telling the restaurant how much I was willing to pay, and accepting some limitations.  Most places actually want to work with you -- especially for something like this.  

Wherever you eventually decide to go, call ahead and make arrangements which go beyond mere reservations.  The whole point of a dinner like this is to show her how much you value her.  Take care her by taking care of all the details in advance.  And by the way, that certainly includes for example telling the restaurant that you've got a special bottle of champagne for the occasion, along with its own glasses and gift box, and getting it to the restaurant so they can take care of it seamlessly.

Show your love by being considerate.  That can include splurging where it counts, but not spending more than you can afford on a place which has a parking lot filled with Porsches serving food you won't really remember anyway.   Besides, it will make you feel more like a mensch. 

Let me know what you're thinking.

BDL

   Hi Ronnie  

   It's sounds like you're off to a great start.  You may not have any idea what you're going to do...but you care enough to ask.  

  There's so many things you can do but it's difficult because nobody here knows this women like you do.  As someone else mentioned...she's going to say yes, right?   I'm also going to assume that you two kids are in love, right again?

   Now, what's the lucky lady's name for starters?  What are her likes/dislikes (generally...food, entertainment, etc)?  Does she feel any ties to certain ethnic parts of her family history (Italian, Irish, German, African, etc)?

   Now...what are her hopes and dreams for the future?  What do you two enjoy doing together now?  What do you talk about doing together in the future?

   Do you have transportation?  Anything else that you can tell us about her (her/you) that makes you smile?

     best regards,

  dan

One place you may want to check out in the San Fernando Valley called The Odyssey.  It's not too fancy, but very nice. I've taken my wife there a couple times for a romantic get away dinner. The place overlooks the entire valley.  And the price isn't terrible. It's probably a mild splurge for a college kid. That's just my 2 cents.

Good Luck

   Steve

Here's what you do.   Go to Cafe Bellissimo in Woodland Hills.  They have singing and performing staff there, many of whom are music majors.

Call them up, or better yet, go there and plan it out with them.  Be sure to leave a big tip.  It's totally worth it.

Hi Ronnie - you are a brave and good person.   She's a lucky lady.

Think of all the things she likes - how would she feel spoilt the most.  Given that it is California and high summer - why not a picnic on the beach just before sunset - pop the question just when the sun goes beyong the horizon/ or in a secluded park by a lake or river - nice big rug, simple food like chicken and slaw and fresh crusty bread, bottle (or two) or her favourite wine.  Or some fresh and friendly sparkling wine, plus chocolates and flowers.  They don't have to be pricy flowers, there are lots out there (if it would break your budget) that are pretty, or you could - ahem - liberate some from locations you may know of.  That doesn't cheapen the experience, it just helps cash flow :)  Even a single red rose does it for me.

But definetly chocolates.

Too late to chime in but I would steer anyone away from a proposal at a restaurant where you will be using coupons.  If it were me, I would forever remember the coupon as a sour note of the evening.  Truthfully I would probably say "no" because it would lead me to think "hey this is the most important moment of our relationship so far and he's pulling out coupons?  What's he gonna do at our wedding - pick me up in his Dad's station wagon?  What about if we have children - will he make a car seat out of old pillows?" 

Anyway, you get the idea, being financially unstable for the moment is something we can all relate to, but instead of using a coupon why not take DC Sunshine's advice and go for a romantic picnic?  Supermarket delis are perfect for these kinds of occassions.  Pick up some cold fried chicken, potato salad, fruit salad, and muffins and then a bottle of wine in your price range.  You'll spend less money than your original idea, and it makes for a much better story to gush to her friends than "He proposed to me at IHOP over half priced pancakes."

I think its just great that you are going to propose marriage to the love of your life.

As far as the coupons go , I would save those for later use in your marriage-to-be.

Where did you meet her ? What restaurant has the nicest memories between the both of you ?

Is there a particular place on this earth where you can bring her, like a beautiful scenic view, a botanical garden (if she in into flowers) a beautiful river side setting or pond ( yes, make it romantic ), somewhere so special , that when your sitting in your rocking chairs (yes we all get older) she will reach over and touch your hand and gently remind you , " Honey, I remember so cleary the day you proposed at.....(then she describes the scene to you).

Proposing in a restaurant setting is nice , but its not orginal. Make your proposal unique , one she will not forget because you made it that special.

If you can cook, then cook up something you both will enjoy, put on a great song like " At Last " by Etta James....and may I suggest to not forget to get down on one knee.....

...................sorry......I just had to give my two cents.....sorry if I sound off the wall.......

ps. I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by petalsandcoco 

I think its just great that you are going to propose marriage to the love of your life.

 

As far as the coupons go , I would save those for later use in your marriage-to-be.

 

Where did you meet her ? What restaurant has the nicest memories between the both of you ?

 

Is there a particular place on this earth where you can bring her, like a beautiful scenic view, a botanical garden (if she in into flowers) a beautiful river side setting or pond ( yes, make it romantic ), somewhere so special , that when your sitting in your rocking chairs (yes we all get older) she will reach over and touch your hand and gently remind you , " Honey, I remember so cleary the day you proposed at.....(then she describes the scene to you).

 

Proposing in a restaurant setting is nice , but its not orginal. Make your proposal unique , one she will not forget because you made it that special.

If you can cook, then cook up something you both will enjoy, put on a great song like " At Last " by Etta James....and may I suggest to not forget to get down on one knee.....

 

...................sorry......I just had to give my two cents.....sorry if I sound off the wall.......

 

ps. I wish you all the happiness in the world.

 

 

I agree that a restaurant proposal is a movie scene, and if I was proposed to in public I would feel embarrassed and wouldn't be able to react openly.  But here's what I don't get:  don't you think that getting down on one knee is cliche?  I don't see the need for it really.  My husband proposed on one knee and it was fine but it's a bit Gone with the Wind isn't it?  What's the allure to it?
 

What is behind the "Getting on one's knee for a proposal ?" I had to research that to be honest with you.....this is what i found.

http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Marriage_Proposal_on_Bended_Knee

Now don't get me wrong here, how a man choose's to propose to the love of his life is a personal thing, and he can do it any fashion he may chose. I guess I am an old fashioned gal with the fiance having to ASK my Dad first....we are three daughters, one of them did not do that ......he was put straight on that, so in the end all three gals (not at the same time,  had my dads approval and then the one knee )

•  Again, proposing on bended knee is a sign of respect and spiritualism.

Regardless of the origin, the idea of asking for a loved one’s hand in marriage while partially kneeling is a highly symbolic gesture embodying the very essence of committing one’s life to another: the ideas of goodwill, honor, and trust in that one person is opening themselves completely to another without shame or any physical defenses.

The practical reason behind a bent knee proposal is that it puts the engagement ring in an elevated position between the couple, letting the light hit it clearly without being blocked by both individuals. This highlights the glitter of the ring as well as emphasizing the strength of the commitment

.Times are changing , people are changing, and these old customs are getting left behind......Like Gone with the wind.....Best line by Rhett:   Rhett Butler:" No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how ".....ok , I am going ....away smiling.....

if I was proposed to in public I would feel embarrassed.......What's the allure to it?

Spoken like an old married lady.

Just to chime in cuz, well that's what I do-

I've been married 11 yrs now, which sadly, is a long time these days. There are things I regret in life, but choosing to marry the woman I did is NOT one of them. To this day I find her intoxicating. That said, what I do regret is how I proposed. With as much pomp, lace, and planning that goes into a wedding, it is simply a formality. We all know (with the rare catastrophic exception) how it ends. Do you blah blah blah, I DO- Kiss her. Lets get liquored up. You see IMHO, the true test of commitment and evidence of your desire for her is the proposal. And likewise, if she is going to rebuff your intentions for happily ever after, it will be at the time proposal. I (most unfortunately) did not understand this when I proposed, and did so in her parents finished basement. My Dearest had mercy on me (or didn't know any better) and said yes. And to Chef Petals point, she WILL remember that moment. YOU will remember that moment. The trick is to make it a moment she wants to remember. It also helps if she can brag to her girlfreinds about it. This is not about selling you, if she needs a kickin' proposal to convince her to marry you than- you get the point.

On a side note, and I know it seems weird to think this far ahead, but propose somewhere you can take her back to in say 10 yrs, chics dig that stuff. Parks and Beaches usually have longer shelf lives than restaurants.

Let us know how it goes!

>Oops looks like  this message is likely too late. Don't everyone look at me I'm a moron.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boar_d_laze 
Let me know what you're thinking.

I'm thinking BDL should come cook it for you :). 

Remember that (in theory), you only propose once and she only gets proposed to once.  Do you want that experience to be her biting into a ring cooked into her dessert?  IMHO, take her out for a memorable evening, and propose privately in a romantic setting (a park, for instance).  Heck, throw an engagement party (well, a party, no one can know it's for an engagement) and propose in front of her friends.  BDL caters, I'm sure :)

My fiance flat out told me that if I proposed in the middle of a restaurant, she would say no and leave. I believe her too.

I love your fiance already!  Take her to a hockey game, especially if she HATES hockey, and propose on the jumbotron :). 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerm713 

My fiance flat out told me that if I proposed in the middle of a restaurant, she would say no and leave. I believe her too.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobblygook 

I love your fiance already!  Take her to a hockey game, especially if she HATES hockey, and propose on the jumbotron :). 
 

 

That would be a great way to become single again.

It's cheaper than marrying her, and her getting half your stuff in the divorce.  Unless she's rich, in which case, marry her and take half of her stuff! :)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tylerm713 

That would be a great way to become single again.