This is not my idea but from a friend who did something a bit different with dinner dates. He and his girlfriend are world travelers and by nature are into exploring new countries, cultures and cuisines. They reside here in NYC and they always remind me how much they love living here because of its international flavor. Well, my friend coordinates date night with his gal every Tuesday evening and I'm impressed by their religious adherence to this effort -- maybe that's why they've got such a healthy relationship that I admire.

They take advantage of a different cuisine every other date night by venturing not just to an ethnic restaurant but into the ethnic neighborhoods because where else are you going to find authentic home cooking. Their most recent dates took them across the East river to Astoria for Greek, Brooklyn for Russian and Flushings for Korean. Of course there's Manhattan neighborhoods which are home to Chinatown (Canal St) and Little Italy (Mott St).

It is a bit adventurous but quite a committment which I admire.