A Guide to Date Night at First & Main Town Center

0
This guide is brought to you by our partners at First & Main Town Center, but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Guide to Date Night

Are you in a date night rut? Are you looking for something fun to do with your sweetie other than the typical dinner and a movie? Well, our friends at First & Main Town Center are here to save the day. Located in the heart of the Powers Corridor, First & Main Town Center boasts a number of shops and restaurants that make planning date night a breeze.

To make it even easier, we came up with 12 themed date nights that we know you and your hubby are sure to enjoy. So, schedule a date night, sync your calendars, call a sitter and get ready for some intentional quality time with your partner.

Click on a date night below to begin your adventure.

Progressive Dinner

Not your average date night out, a progressive dinner puts a fun spin on things by requiring that you eat each course at a different restaurant. Head to one location for appetizers, another for your main entree, and a third restaurant for dessert. It’s a great way to try out various restaurants. Plus, if you already have your go-to spot for entrees, and places you love to hit up for appetizers or dessert, then this date gives you your favorite things in one delicious package.

This is also a date that takes its time. And taking your time should be the focus of the evening. Don’t feel the need to rush through each course. Savor each bite. Keep in mind that there may be a bit of a wait at one or two locations, but that’s okay. Look at it as bonus time to connect with your spouse. This date may also require a bit of traveling between restaurants. If it is nice outside, you may consider walking. This will give you and your honey time to talk and burn off your completed course before starting the next one. If you find that one course leaves you a bit full, you can always peruse the many shops at First & Main Town Center, before heading to your final stop for dessert.

Since it’s always good to have a game plan, we suggest scoping out menus and choosing your restaurants beforehand. You can see a list of First & Main Town Center restaurants here.

To make things easier, we compiled a list of course suggestions for you:

  • Appetizers
    • Bloomin’ Onion or Aussie Cheese Fries – Outback Steakhouse
    • Skillet Queso – Chili’s
    • Great Northern Poutine Fries – Red Robin
    • Artichoke Cheese Bread – Old Chicago
    • Brewery Nachos – Rock Bottom
    • Hummus Trio – Fox &Hound
    • Bavarian Pretzel Sticks – Bar Louie
    • Cheese Sticks – Paninos
    • Lobster Fritters – Wobbly Olive
  • Meal
    • Filet Mignon and Lobster – Outback
    • Mix & Match Fajitas – Chili’s
    • Royal Red or Avo-Cobb-O – Red Robin
    • Meat Me Calzone – Old Chicago
    • Pretzel-Crusted Chicken – Rock Bottom
    • Drunken Chicken Tender Dinner – Fox & Hound
    • Backyard BBQ Burger – Bar Louie
    • Gino Panino – Paninos
    • Prohibition Burger – Wobbly Olive
  • Dessert
    • Mini Dessert Parfaits – Outback
    • Chocolate Molten Cake – Chili’s
    • Mountain High Mudd Pie – Red Robin
    • Cheesecake with Fresh Berries – Old Chicago
    • Bourbon Pecan Pie Mason Jar Dessert – Rock Bottom
    • Nutella Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich – Fox & Hound
    • Key Lime Shiner – Bar Louie
    • Frasca Flight – Paninos
    • Chocolate Bomb Brownie – Wobbly Olive

All in Good Taste

This date is a treat for your taste buds and gives you and your significant other a chance to try new things. We even tripled the fun and came up with several options to choose from.

Date 1: Taste of Brazil

If you have yet to try a Brazilian Steakhouse, then do we have a treat for you. For this sizzling date, you will head to Tucanos Brazilian Grill. We recommend that you each order the Full Churrasco, Brazilian Lemonade, and Pudim de Leite (Brazilian Flan). This will give you the complete Brazilian experience.

Date 2: Tasting Tuesday 

Tuesdays are for tasting at Rock Bottom Brewery. On this adventurous evening, you and your spouse can taste your way through Rock Bottom’s expansive selection of unique beer styles. On Tasting Tuesday, select from five 1 oz. pours for only $4. The hardest part will be narrowing down your choices.  Thankfully Rock Bottom provides an interactive guide to help you select a beer to complement your entree.

Date 3: Old Chicago Mini Tour

This is another beer tasting adventure that you are sure to love. However, a bit of planning is involved with this date. Old Chicago offers Mini Tours several times throughout the year, but you will want to check the First & Main location before heading out. At the end of each mini tour is a limited-edition mini tour t-shirt or other prize. If you don’t want the fun to stop there, you can take your beer tasting adventure up a notch and join the Old Chicago World Beer Tour. Upon completion, you will have enjoyed 110 different beers from around the world. Yes, this will require more than one date night, but that’s a Win-Win in our book. 

Brunch and Matinee

We know that with little ones, it is sometimes a challenge to get away for an evening. That’s okay. Date night doesn’t technically have to occur at night. Why not escape in the middle of the day? You can delight in a scrumptious brunch and then enjoy a movie together. You will also love the money you save on matinee tickets.

There are several brunch options at First & Main Town Center, including Kneaders, Panera Bread, Mimi’s and Bar Louie.

Bar Louie serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 3PM. They have breakfast classics, build your own omelets and $10 bottomless Mimosas. Check out their brunch menu here.

At Mimi’s, breakfast is served all day every day. If you aren’t in the mood for breakfast, don’t fret. You can order from the lunch menu as well. Mimi’s also has several Mimosas to choose from.

Kneaders and Panera Bread both stop serving breakfast at 11:00 AM. So if you are looking to enjoy an egg Soufflé or French toast, you may want to start your date closer to breakfast time.

Once your bellies are full, head over to Cinemark for a movie. If you arrive early, you may be able to snag one of the “loveseat” seats. Cuddle up and enjoy. 

Hibachi Movie Night

Yes, we did promise dates that were alternatives to your basic dinner and a movie, so you are probably wondering why Hibachi and a Movie is an option. But, if you haven’t experienced Teppanyaki yet, we promise this isn’t your typical dinner and a movie. Teppanyaki is an experience all on its own. Your chef will take your Hibachi grill order and cook it right before your eyes while putting on one heck of a show. It is a ton of fun.

For this date, you will head to AI Sushi & Grill, which is very close to Cinemark. You will definitely want to make reservations and note that you will be coming for teppanyaki. We recommend the AI Couple Special, which includes a 10-ounce Hibachi steak, scallops, shrimp, one California roll or tuna roll and one large bottle of hot sake. If you choose to purchase movie tickets in advance, we recommend giving yourself ample time for your dining experience. This is one dinner that you will not want to rush through. 

Just Desserts

Sweeten up your time together and indulge in a dessert only date. Because you deserve more than one treat, we have divided this date up into 3 tasty sections.

First, you and your sweetie will head to Edible Arrangements to split a 3 piece or 6-count Dipped Fruit Treat. Choose from pineapple, apple wedges, banana bites or strawberries dipped in gourmet chocolate.

Then, head over to Cold Stone Creamery and share a Signature Creations. Don’t forget to ask for two spoons.

Finally, end your date with dessert drinks and sweet-nothings at The Wobbly Olive. We suggest the Strawberry Shortcake Martini, Mudslide Martini or Coconut Key Lime drink.  While you indulge in libations, take some time to share affirmations with one another. Here are some conversation topics to get you started.

  • Thank you for……
  • I love watching you when you…….
  • You’re really good at……
  • You recently made me laugh when you…..
  • I admire your ability to……

Kidding Around

If you are a kid at heart, then this is the date night for you. You will eat like a kid, play like a kid and even go on a treasure hunt. What fun!

Eat

Begin your date with a meal fit for a kid. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

  • Chick-Fil-A: Chicken Nuggets, Fries, and an Ice Dream Cone.
  • Red Robin: Four Cheese Melt
  • Chili’s: Big Mouth Bites
  • Panera Bread: Mac & Cheese
  • Rock Bottom: Classic Mac ‘N Chicken
  • A&W: Root Beer Float for dessert

Play

Bring some paper along with you for the evening, or ask your waiter for a kid’s menu and crayons. While waiting for your food, pass the time with some Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Dots, and M.A.S.H.

Treasure Hunt

When dinner is over, it’s time to go on a treasure hunt. If you have never tried geocaching before, we suggest that you watch this short video.

Now that you are familiar with geocaching, it’s time to go on a treasure hunt. We discovered a geocache hidden at First & Main Town Center. Get the coordinates and clues here. Happy hunting!

And More…

If you aren’t quite ready for your date to end, skip on over to Cinemark and enjoy a family movie sans kids. Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and relax without having to clean up popcorn spills and leave the theater repeatedly to take little ones to the bathroom.

Give yourself time to play a few games in the arcade before your movie starts. Try your luck at the crane machine and take some fun pictures in the photo booth. Man, it’s fun to be a kid!

Looking for even more kid-themed fun, race on over to GameStop to pick up a video game or make a quick stop at Target for a board game. Take it with you as you complete your date night at home. 

Get Quizzical

Test your knowledge with some pub trivia. Fox & Hound hosts the area’s best trivia night every Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M.

Trivia night includes no cover, drink specials, giveaways and prizes for the top teams. Will you and your honey win big?

Plan for the evening by coming up with a fabulous team name. There are some great suggestions here. Or if you are feeling lucky, you can give this team name generator a try.

While you will be playing as a team, you could still put a competitive spin on things. Which one of you can answer the most questions correctly? Place a wager. Take a slip of paper or a napkin and jot down what you want to receive from your partner if you win. At the end of the night, tally up your scores. The winner hands over their paper to redeem their prize. 

Perfectly Pampered

You both work hard, so treat yourselves to a bit of pampering on your date night. Plan ahead and book 30-minute massages at Massage Envy. It is one of the most relaxing ways to start off a date night.

You can then head over to Envy Nails for a couples pedicure. Just think, with your feet nice and soft you have the perfect excuse to ask your sweetie for a foot rub later in the evening. But be prepared to return the favor. After all, his feet will be just as smooth.

It’s then time for a little spoiling. Give yourselves a budget and then go shopping together. You could pick out a new outfit, accessory, or beauty item, while he shops for sporting equipment. Or perhaps you both want to pick out some new electronics. Whatever your fancy, First & Main will have the right store for you. ENJOY!

Around the World

There is a world of treasures at Cost Plus World Market, your destination for this adventurous date night.

Become globetrotters as you head down each aisle and peruse great finds from all around the world. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss the places where you would like to travel together someday. Which spot is number one on your bucket list? Perhaps you should purchase something small from your dream destination as a reminder of the place you most want to explore together someday.

Your final stop on your Cost Plus date will be the food and drink section, where you will explore gourmet treats and delectable drinks from across the globe. Each of you should select a new food and drink to try. We suggest that you each pick something from a different part of the world to broaden your experience.

Bring Adventure Home

Don’t let the date end there. We found some recipes and other fun from Cost Plus that will allow you to continue your adventure at home.

  • Heart-Shaped Pretzels: Have fun with your honey, while you spend time in the kitchen together making heart-shaped pretzels. Shop for the ingredients during your Cost Plus journey and continue the date in the comfort of your own home.
  • Secret Love Letters: As you explore Cost Plus, keep an eye out for the Secret Love Letter invisible ink set. When you head home, take turns writing each other invisible ink love notes. Then use the blacklight caps to reveal each other’s tokens of affection.
  • Guinness Brownies: You’ll want to be sure to grab the ingredients needed to make this delicious dessert, and then head home to create this midnight snack.

Project Date Night

Is your honey-do list a bit long? Use your time together to tackle a home project that you haven’t had the chance to start yet. This is a great option if you are sneaking away during the day. Better yet, take your kids to spend time with family or friends, so that you have your kid-free house available for projects.

Begin with some fuel. You may find that you need a little caffeine boost to keep your energy going. Thankfully First & Main is the home of Coffee & Tea Zone and Kangaroo Coffee. Now that you’ve had your coffee, it’s time to get to work.

Pick up any supplies that you may need at Lowe’s. Then head home and get started on your project. Working together is a great bonding experience.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any current projects you are looking to work on, Lowe’s has a great resource filled with how-tos and DIY ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Watch some instructional videos, read some blogs, pick a project, purchase supplies and get to work. 

Selfie Scavenger Hunt

If you and your sweetie have an adventurous spirit, love to laugh and enjoy social media, then our Selfie Scavenger Hunt is the date night for you!

Make First & Main your stage as you search for creative ways to check each selfie challenge off your list. Take turns making your way down the list, marking each one off as you go. Keep the images to your self, print them out and make a fun scrapbook of memories or post the selfies to social media so that all of your friends can partake in the fun. Feel free to use #FirstandMainHunt.

  1. #MannequinChallenge – This can be silly or serious, as long as you pose with a mannequin.
  2. #ItsSoFluffy – Grab the fluffiest item you can find and smile.
  3. #OOTD – Try an outfit on and snap a picture or capture a shot with one that’s on display.
  4. #ButFirstCoffee – Grab some coffee and take a selfie.
  5. #AmReading – Find a book and click away.
  6. #Namaste – Find a zenful place, get into a yoga pose, take a selfie or have your partner take the shot for you.
  7. #JustDance – Bust a move and take your best shot.
  8. #Disguise – Find a creative way to disguise yourself and snap a picture.
  9. #TreatYoSelf – This one’s easy, find a yummy treat and document it.
  10. #RelationshipGoals – This is a selfie that you should take together. You just need to get lovey-dovey for the camera.
  11. #Grateful – Find something you’re grateful for and smile big.
  12. #Strong – Let’s see your power pose.
  13. #SnapHappy – Find something that makes you happy and document it in a selfie.
  14. #LiveColorfully – Hunt for pops of color and strike a pose.
  15. #Relax – Rest somewhere, even if for just a moment. Let’s see that selfie.
  16. #MessyHairDontCare – Give yourself a wild ‘do, take a pic or two.
  17. #YOLO – Find a way to capture the ‘You Only Live Once’ mentality in one beautiful selfie.
  18. #KidsTheseDays – Illustrate the joy of childhood in a lighthearted selfie.
  19. #FromWhereIStand – This is a shot of your feet and the ground. Make it interesting.
  20. #Instaquote – Search for a quote and make sure you’re in the shot.

Late Night Shenanigans

This is for you night owls out there whose children are staying overnight with friends or family, lucky you. If you have hours of evening freedom or if your date is starting pretty late, we have some fun options for you.

Bar Louie offers Late Night Happy Hour from 10 PM – Close, Thursday – Sunday.  Enjoy $3.50 14 oz drafts, $4.50 wines by the glass, and $5.50 signature martinis. Plus select apps and flatbreads are 1/2 price.

Grab a late night snack at Fox & Hound and shoot some pool or darts while you are there.

You can also catch a late night showing at Cinemark.

Finally, if you really want to make a night of it, book a room at Holiday Inn Express and Suites. There’s nothing like a little staycation to give you a much-needed break. Enjoy a late-night swim in their heated pool which is open until 11:00 P.M. Then in the morning, after you’ve slept in a bit, partake in a free breakfast buffet and complimentary coffee.

Did you give any of these date nights a try?

We’d love to hear all about it in the comments section below.