The Guardian's long-running Blind Date column paired two Londoners for dinner and drinks this week, resulting in a pleasant but ultimately platonic evening. Aaron, a 28-year-old digital producer, met Tara, a 30-year-old marketing professional, at the Mexican-Japanese restaurant Los Mochis in London EC2.
The Date: First Impressions and Flowing Chat
Both daters arrived simultaneously, which Aaron felt helped ease initial nerves. He was immediately struck by Tara's "great smile" and stylish dress sense, though he confessed to feeling underdressed himself. Tara's first impression was of a tall, well-dressed man who had rescheduled due to a cold.
Their conversation flowed easily, covering topics from their work and families to their shared pride in being from south London. They also discussed Aaron's creative job designing activities for after-school clubs, Tara's sister's obsession with the TV show Taskmaster, and even the fancy facilities at the restaurant.
Awkward Moments and Table Manners
The evening wasn't without its slightly awkward moments. Both mentioned the indecision over whether to have another drink or call it a night. The most pointed moment came when waiters took their photo under a Christmas tree with a surprise flash, which Tara found awkward.
Table manners were generally good, though with some humour. Aaron noted Tara navigated the sharing plates more elegantly than he did, while Tara joked that Aaron made her look away when he tackled his tacos.
The Verdict: A Friendly 6/10 and a Great 8/10
When it came to scoring the date, their perspectives differed. Aaron gave the experience a 6 out of 10, explaining that while he found Tara to be a "10/10 person" with a bubbly, smiley, and warm demeanour, there simply wasn't a romantic spark for him.
Tara, however, had a great time and rated the evening an 8 out of 10. She described Aaron as creative, warm, and curious. Her one regret was the date being on a Monday, making it hard to enjoy the free margaritas fully.
The night ended with a hug, not a kiss. "Kiss? It's flu season!" Tara quipped, though she appreciated that Aaron texted to check she got home safely. Neither felt a strong romantic connection, with Aaron doubting their social worlds would mesh and stating he'd only say hello if their paths crossed again. Tara was more open, saying she'd love to attend one of Aaron's gigs.
How to Apply for a Guardian Blind Date
The Guardian's Blind Date column has been running since 2009. It pairs two strangers for a meal, after which they anonymously review the experience. Applicants are asked about their age, location, job, and interests to help with matching. The feature is open to singles across the UK, and you can apply by emailing blind.date@theguardian.com.
