Mr. Seeking Ambition: “Darling, where do you want to go for dinner?”
Me: < insert deafening silence here >
I’m just going to come right out and admit that I’m THAT person – yes, the dreaded Horrifically Indecisive Diner™. So far, this has yet to be classified as a disease with an acronym like seemingly everything else these days, but give it time. 2017 just started.
It’s somewhat comforting to know that I’m not the only one suffering from this problem. And thankfully, there’s a solution. Date Seat, a free iOS app, enables you to find the perfect restaurant in Boston for you by presenting curated options not only in areas of cuisine, but also in atmosphere and ambiance.
New Hampshire natives turned Bostonians Mike Laskowski and Jake Hajec launched Date Seat in August 2016 with the goal of making it easier to figure out the right place to take a date. They personally visited hundreds of restaurants in Boston, curating a collection that pretty much guarantees something for every palate. It was tough work, but somebody had to do it!
What sets Date Seat apart from other apps is the ability to use it by Category or to Personalize it for your tastes (pardon the pun). The Category section features multiple types of dates you might have, and when you select it, gives you a list of restaurants that fit the bill. Some of the categories include:
- 1st Date
- Classy Date
- Casual Date
- After-Work Drinks
- NFL Sundays
- Live Music
- Club
- College Bar
- Sunday Funday
- Coffee
- Dessert
- It’s Not You, It’s Me (Okay… I made this one up!)
So… there’s pretty much every type of date you can think of!
The feature I love most about Date Seat is the ability to personalize your date. You can search by price, distance, or just scroll alphabetically through all the restaurants in their database to see what grabs your fancy. Where it really gets cool, though, is the ability to use any number of filters including cuisine, neighborhood, lighting, interior décor, noise level, proximity to other tables, and many more.
I have to be honest – the noise level filter is a HUGE plus for me. Ever since my surgery to evict Murgatroyd (that would be my brain tumor, for those of you who are just tuning in), super noisy bars and restaurants have been a no-go for me. Also, it’s kind of nice to be able to hear what your date is saying. Who knew?!
And, in the spirit of full disclosure, the lighting filter is a win for me too. I often wear sunglasses indoors – again, because of Murgatroyd-related photosensitivity, not because I’m trying to get people to murmur “Is she a celebrity?” when I walk into a room, or because “Sunglasses At Night” is my theme song.¹
¹ It’s not. The theme to Star Trek: The Next Generation is my jam. I walked down the aisle at my wedding to it. #imnerdyandiknowit
Mr. Seeking Ambition and I first gave Date Seat a whirl when we were looking for a place to eat before the Boston Ballet. I plugged in some parameters (no strobe lights; no tables on top of each other) and we found our way to Sip Wine Bar & Kitchen. At the bar, I met a macaroni and cheese I formed an intensely passionate relationship with; it’s quite possibly ruined all other mac and cheeses out there for me. Bold statement, I know – but I’m standing by it.
Currently, Date Seat is only for the Boston market, but heads up to all my North Shore and New Hampshire people: they’re launching in Newburyport, MA and Portsmouth, NH this spring! Also, Android users of the world, don’t despair – your version of the app is slated to launch this summer.
Download the free iOS Date Seat app here and make sure to wear your eatin’ pants on your date!
Where’s your favorite restaurant in Boston? (Extra points if I’ll fit in with my sunglasses at night!)
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog.
This is awesome!! They seriously have an app for everything 🙂 I don’t think this would work in my teeny tiny rural town, but I’m sure it’d work when we go and vacation somewhere for the weekends!
Caitlin
I think it’s a great resource if you’re visiting a new city, or if you’re a business traveler… I’m hoping they expand ASAP 🙂
Amber
This is fun! When does it come to Cincinnati?
Caitlin
I’ll put a bug in their ear 🙂
Terri Steffes
Myhusband and I take turns being the indecisive diner. I love the idea of this app. We are going to give it a try, too, thanks for sharing it with us!
Caitlin
I’m so glad you’re going to give it a try! It’s a great app. (And I love that you and your husband take turns being indecisive haha!!!)
Amber
This sounds like a great app! I hope they make one available for Texas.
Caitlin
They definitely have plans to expand 🙂
MeganPaleo
I’m in the same boat as you, I can never decide where I want to eat. This is a great app and I hope it expands to my area soon!
Caitlin
Isn’t it awful that this is the hardest question to answer sometimes?! Why is that?
Allison Rebecca
Ok this is pretty cool! i need to try this, it sounds so interesting especially for those of us (like me) who are indecisive!!
Caitlin
The Indecisive (we are totally a market segment!!!) are finally being addressed! 🙂
Belle
I love discovering new apps that can make your life easier and this sounds like an awesome one. My husband would always let me decide whenever we’re going out and I just hate it. I can definitely use some help from this app.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Caitlin
I love apps that make your life easier too! This is definitely one of them!
kaitbrough
This is so awesome! I am definitely that person as well… super indecisive. I am going to have to show this to my husband. Great post!
Kaitlyn
http://www.mypostpartumlife.com
Caitlin
Well, you’re in good company… there are MANY indecisive people, apparently 😉 Thank you so much for reading!
Author Brandi Kennedy
It’s a shame this isn’t more widespread – and particularly that it isn’t available for Android users yet. I’d love using it if it opened for the Knoxville, TN area – it seems like a really great way to find just the right place!
Caitlin
They’re releasing their Android version this summer… not sure about plans to expand to Knoxville, but I’ll pass that along 🙂 I know that’s definitely on MY list of places to visit! I have a friend that lives very close to Knoxville and I’ve been dying to go visit!
Sarah Koves (@kovescence)
What a great app. Mr. Koves and I frequently have conversations like yours.
Sarah Koves (@kovescence)
I also wanted to ask who did you logo/header…love it.
Caitlin
Thank you so much! My friend Lindsey did it – she’s a graphic designer. I’ll e-mail you her details!
fashionphases
Mmmmm, I wonder if they have this in my rural area in PA. I will have to download it and check it out.
Everyday Made Fresh
What a fun app….I’m always the one that says wherever you want to go, whatever you want to eat.
Debra
Oh man, this is so fun but I think my town is too small for something like this! Bummer
GingerGoose Boutique
This app is incredible! I am that person as well, so is my mom, and most of my friends! Hopefully this app will go national, we could use it here in PA!
Mommy Engineering
What a great app! my husband and i are completely indecisive diners too! we are just indecisive together! this would be a great app for people like us!
Amanda Love
Sounds like a convenient way to find food with your significant other! I’m sure this will resolve a lot of “where do we eat?” issues between couples! Lol.
Caitlin
ABSOLUTELY! So you can get on with the actual date haha!
Gessell Wolitski
Very interesting concept. I can see this being a very handy app.
george
Apps are completely taking over the world – in a good way! This is indeed an innovative concept. I wonder if it will expands and be available in my country as well, unfortunately we seem to lack many of the great apps that are available in the US.
Caitlin
Apps really are spreading like wildfire – here’s hoping they take off and make it to your country… this one’s a great one! 🙂
CECILIA keki CANNON (@homewithkeki)
I just saw this the other day and it is truly an app I would use, we needed it last Saturday!
Caitlin
It’s such a great app – I’m planning to use it next week when I have lunch with a girlfriend!
theboutiqueadventurer
what a great sounding app! I wonder if they have one for london? I agree with you on how key the noise factor can be
Caitlin
I used to work in London – I should send them over there to get cracking on a London version! 🙂
Elizabeth O.
I think this makes dating convenient even for long time couples who constantly struggle with looking for places to eat. I’m sure a lot of people will love this app!
Caitlin
Exactly! My husband and I have been together for 14 years and we STILL have the same conversation haha!
reesann723
PERFECT! Someone to make the decision for you. LOVE IT! My family is awful with deciding where to go for dinner, drives me insane!
Caitlin
Right?! We’re terrible in my house too!
Jeanine Macintosh
What? This is really cool. I hadn’t ever heard of this before but it sounds like it would be so worth trying out! Very cool and very convenient!
Caitlin
It’s SUCH a great app! It definitely solves a ton of problems!
Amber
I also cannot do loud restaurants! It’s always a deal breaker for me! I wish this was in the ATL area as well, we always struggle with where to choose!
Caitlin
Fingers crossing they expand down to the Peach State 🙂
Marceline Dementori
My husband and I still struggle with what to eat from time to time. I think this is a pretty reliable app and I’d love to give it a try!
Caitlin
I hope you do! It’s a great app – I’m looking forward to discovering new places to eat this way.
TColeman
This is so funny! I am exactly like this when it comes to someone asking me what I would like to eat.
Caitlin
I know… I don’t know why this is such a difficult question!
Robin Rue
This is always the debate when it comes to going out for sure. This would definitely help.
Caitlin
The ETERNAL debate… at least in my house haha!
courteneynoonan
This app seems so cool – I love all of the categories. I’d love it if there was one for restaurants where I live in London
Caitlin
Aren’t the categories awesome? There are so many different types of dates… it’s great to be able to jump right to the one you’re looking to plan.
Kristin
Where has this been all my life? The hubs and I can never figure out where to go to eat on date night. We could use the help! Ha!
Caitlin
Right?! This totally solves a universal problem 😀
2momsandababyblog
Oh wow this is great! Even though I’m married this would still be useful because we allllllways struggle with coming up with a place to eat.
Caitlin
That’s why Date Seat is perfect – it can be used to help anyone find a place to eat 🙂 I’m actually using next week when my friend and I are going out for lunch!
JcCee
This app would come in handy with date night because I am never really sure where I want to eat at. I would ask my husband what do you have a taste for which causes us to go back and forth lol
Caitlin
I’ve had that EXACT same conversation with my husband, oh, a MILLION times in our relationship haha!
amandahrosson
I’m totally an indecisive diner as well and this app sounds so great!! I hope they branch out to Los Angeles soon!
Caitlin
It’s so nice to know that I’m not alone in my indecisive-ness! Here’s hoping they spread across the country too! 🙂
Sandra Crespo
this sounds like a pretty cool app for those days we can’t decide! I’m going to check it out and try it ty for sharing this!
Rose A (@mail4rosey)
It’s not you, it’s me, lol. That’s a fun sounding app!
Kiyshia
I think this is such a brilliant idea as I also can never decide where to go for a date with the Hubby. As a result, we visit the same places each time. Can’t wait till its worldwide xx
Blythe Alpern
This is a genius idea. It kind of reminds me of Urban Daddy I think where you can find places to dine based on preferences. It’s so nice to have technology on hand to help you find the perfect restaurant.
Chrissy Mazzocchi
Wow, what a cool idea for an app! These are great ideas as well.
Jazz
That’s so funny! I am an indecisive diner, too! I might have to give this app a spin.
asseenonjean
This sounds like a really great app! I’m totally that person too, and my husband is indecisive too so it takes us forever to decide what to have! I hope they launch this in the UK too.
My Teen Guide
Interesting. I always thought people would just go with a reservation app but this takes it into a new level of efficiency. I chuckled at that last option you made!
Lisa Rios
Date Seat sounds like a wonderful idea and I love how you can personalize your date so easily & efficiently. The features are quiet amazing and I am surely going to look for it when it comes to our area!
toughcookiemommy
I don’t think we have ever eaten out in Boston. Most of the times we visited, we were just passing through. It’s great to learn more about the local cuisine.
Everything Aliexpress
I am in UK and don’t know Boston or have ever eaten out these but this sounds like a great idea.
Robin Rue
This app looks like it has a lot to offer. I love that it tells you about the local food!
Irina
Oh this app sounds amazing. I love all the different options they offer because sometimes I want a fancy/classy place when it’s hubby and I while other times I want a place that not so formal.
kerenscharles
I really need this app in my area soon. I am surprised Atlanta is not on the list yet. This will be a great solution for my Duke & I. We can never decide on a place for dinner. So this will certainly help us.
duffelbagspouse
We live in South Korea and eat out regularly. So unfortunately we have this disease. When you eat out 4-5 times per week anyone would eventually suffer from indecision. It probably doesn’t work here though I will try it anyway.