Seriously man. It could be to a book store. All you're doing is being a good friend and seeing if there's chemistry there. It's turning into a complicated affair and it shouldn't be.

Decide on a place, and say these words: "Hey, I was going to go to Applebees or IHOP for lunch. Wanna go with me?"

It says a few things. You're decisive which is attractive. She can say no, but you offered. It's up to her. Then if she says no, no hard feelings. Ask about a week later. She flakes out "Too bad, oh well, see ya later" and mentally dismiss her as not a potential prospect. If you want, you can tell her she seemed flaky or something. Then again, I'm more bluntly honest. Keeps people respecting you more when they know they aren't getting away with things around you.

Going on the date, talk about books, talk about movies, be yourself. If you don't like a movie, give a reason. Just see if you want to spend more time with her. And if you find that you two aren't compatible, you're still friends.

Just keep it simple. Dating isn't that hard.

Applebee's guys, seriously?

Applebee's is in the nebulous gray area where it's too nice to be seen as a totally casual offer (like offering to grab some fast food or IHOP or whatever), which you could play off as being not really a date or whatever to deflect awkwardness, but also still a chain so it's not nearly nice enough to impress a chick.

That's like a place you go before or after an actual thing that is the actual date.

I don't think most people get that analytical over eatery choices unless they're a pain in the ass or can't eat somewhere due to allergies.

Whatever, though, Chili's is simple too. That's a chain as well, though, so eh...

Unless you know of a great local place that isn't balls expensive.

Whatever happened to people just going to dinner and a movie as a first date to see how things go....god I'm old aren't I?

Nah, that's still alright, Krog, and Applebee's would work fine for that.

But Bob is thinking like, asking her out for lunch from work or something, and Applebee's isn't a good idea if your whole 'date' is nothing BUT dinner.

I've found that Mexican food is a safe bet so long as its a legit mexican restaurant and not Taco Bell or Moes. A mexican place where you can sit down and order and get drinks and etc. Like a Jose's or a Monterrey's.

The town I work in is predominantly hispanic, so is she. =) She's lived there most of her life and probably knows a place, I could ask if there's anywhere she'd prefer. Because I don't think I could play off decisiveness as far as Mexican eateries go.

Or maybe asking is taboo? Hmm...I'm surprised no women have posted yet LOLing at me. I was waiting for Mesden to come in and say "just fucking ask her."

Reveal your psychotic tendencies on your second date, not the third. This will catch her so off guard it will blow right over here and she won't think about it again until you're on your knees holding a ring.

@Bob:
Just fucking ask her, and ask her to lunch, then ask her to pick the resturant. If she says a Mexican place, take her there, no smartass comment.

@EvilEarl: That is terrible advice. Always be upfront with your neurotic tendancies or else she'll feel lied to.

*smacks forehead*

Bob, just decide on a restaurant. Making women choose is usually a sign of insecurity on your part. Take the lead and go. She'll tell you if she doesn't want X, Y or Z.

Or meet her half way. Suggest a type of restaurant. Italian, Mexican, American... Then go and do it.