A Great Saturday Date

In the numbers game of online dating, it often feels like the odds are decidedly against making a connection. Which is why my date with Match.com member Chris was such a refreshing surprise.

I had Saturday night plans with a friend, so Chris and I met mid-afternoon at Annie Moore’s, a low-key pub near Grand Central. I was impressed that he was willing to drive in from New Jersey – and even more impressed when he suggested we adjourn from the bar to a table (unlike my last Match.com date, who kept us crammed into a tight space at the bar and bolted after an hour).

Annie Moore’s: Pub grub in a pleasant setting near Grand Central, perfect for a midday date

Tall, adorable and witty, Chris is as good at listening as he is at making conversation. We reminisced about our respective college years, shared our mutual desire to visit Prague someday and laughed about wearing braces as teenagers. I learned that, in addition to working hard in the compliance department of MetLife, Chris keeps busy with running, scuba diving and staying close to his parents and older brother.

There was plenty of playful banter, complemented by just a few moments of comfortable silence. We were both astounded when we checked the time and discovered that more than two hours had gone by.

Neither of us were in a hurry to say goodbye. As we stood in front of Annie Moore’s, I teased Chris about his daily caffeine fix and suggested he might need an IV transfusion of coffee. He laughed, saying he’d just sent an email to a friend saying the same thing.

He bent down and kissed me on the cheek, and continued to prolong the moment, telling me that he’d had a good time. So did I, I said.

Mindful of my evening plans, Chris said he didn’t want to keep me. Then, to my surprise and delight, he kissed my cheek again -- this time skirting tantalizingly closer to my mouth.

“We’ll talk soon,” he said as we finally went our separate ways.

Since then, we’ve exchanged text messages a few times. Though I’m not sure whether I’ll see Chris again, the sheer perfection of our date had me smiling for the rest of the day.

That’s the thing about a glimmer of romantic possibility. It’s just enough to remind you the journey to finding Mr. Right can be every bit as fun as the destination.

Friday Night Double Header

Friday night, I ventured out to two very different watering holes in Midtown for an evening with friends.

First, I joined work galpals Caroline and Morgan, and three other Quinn & Co. colleagues at the historic and elegant Algonquin Hotel's Algonquin Hotel's Blue Bar. The occasion – catching up with our former co-worker Vanessa and her hubby Jeff, in town for the weekend from New Orleans.

Happy Hour At The Algonquin: Enjoying cocktails with (from left to right) David, Jeff, Vanessa, Nicole, Caroline and Morgan

Vanessa filled us in on her gig promoting local tourism and how NoLa is managing to weather the recession because of its post-Katrina bounceback.

Later, Morgan, Caroline and I continued the economic talk over cosmos, reflecting on how the downturn is affecting the travel industry.

From the Algonquin, Caroline and I walked over to Annie Moore’s, a nearby pub, where met up with our friends Natasha and Theresa and some of Natasha’s cute City Hall co-workers.

Theresa shared tales of domestic bliss with her boyfriend of one year, Chris. Chris, meanwhile, chimed in about not being a fan of playing matchmaker. Thankfully, Theresa sided with me when it comes to paying it forward once you’ve found your life’s mate.

Girls Night Out: Drinks at Annie Moore’s with (from left to right) Theresa, Caroline and Natasha

While enjoying a delicious Shepherd’s pie and a screwdriver, I chatted briefly with another Chris in the group, this one a member of the Deputy Mayor’s staff. He and the other guys were doggedly focused on work-related brainstorming, so I happily returned to the girls and talked about plans for Theresa’s housewarming party. A hot tub will be involved, so I’m definitely there.

Coming up…an insider's look at the Australian Outback and St. Paddy’s Day C-Squared style.