[papabear]

If the guy is a guy, that it is steak is more important than the amount of time spent cooking it.

[srenity]

Thanks for the input everyone!

You could make him something. Like art, or a website, or poetry, or a recorded song (if you can sing), or a clever crafty card.

Or, do something creatively sexy . . .

I was trying to think of something creative.. but I haven't thought of one yet. I think I've used up all of my sappy-creativeness in past anniversary/monthaversary gifts. Thanks though! I have a whole month so hopefully I'll think of something cool.

where did your sister recommend? you lived in so cal right? the 50+ places that i can think of are places like mastro's or turner new zealand. but you can certainly get a decent steak at places like wood ranch or taylor's in LA. [20~35/person]

there's plenty of options out there if you look for them. i'd loan you my zagat if i could. haha... hopefully you find a classy place that meets within your budget needs. good luck!

Most of the cheaper steaks that my sister recommended are in LA. I live in the OC area and I'd rather not drive up to LA. She recommended Fleming's (I think that's what it was called) but from the reviews, it sounds pretty pricey. Thanks for the luck!
Since I've never been to restaurants like that... Is it bad if I go there with like.. hoody+jeans+sneakers? I'm so embarassed to ask this question


Cooking suggestions:
Unfortunately I still live with my parents. So that's out of the question O_O;; I always wanted to cook for him, I only had a chance to bake him stuffs and make desserts for him. oh well... one of these days,...

[watcher]

hehe... if you go to wood ranch, you should be ok in hoody and jeans. if you go to flemings or any decent steak establishment, then probably not. if you wanna go grab some meat, i'd suggest wood ranch. it's pretty good for the price. get the prime rib. [most places serve it weekends only, and once it runs out, you can't order them until next weekend]

family friendly, casual dress place with lots of good meat. multiple locations too. the only one i know anywhere near OC is cerritos, but OC might have a location too. i don't know OC that well. except for the pricier restaurants that is...

[papabear]

Most of the cheaper steaks that my sister recommended are in LA. I live in the OC area and I'd rather not drive up to LA. She recommended Fleming's (I think that's what it was called) but from the reviews, it sounds pretty pricey. Thanks for the luck!
Since I've never been to restaurants like that... Is it bad if I go there with like.. hoody+jeans+sneakers? I'm so embarassed to ask this question

Even if there's no dress code, dress up (to whatever level you can afford/be comfortable in) for yourself and for your date... (if he's clueless about this intention, give him a strong hint)

[addicted2kdrama]

You should make sure your boyfriends not thinking of doing the same thing as you. Because the way I see it, most guys seem to take their girlfriends to a romantic restaurant for the 1year, 2 year, 100th day, 1 month anniversaries. lol

[watcher]

You should make sure your boyfriends not thinking of doing the same thing as you. Because the way I see it, most guys seem to take their girlfriends to a romantic restaurant for the 1year, 2 year, 100th day, 1 month anniversaries. lol

haha... sounds like somethin i would do.... nice dinner, then go catch a show and then hit up a hotel lounge or a nice rooftop bar and enjoy a cocktail before heading home

[addicted2kdrama]

haha... sounds like somethin i would do.... nice dinner, then go catch a show and then hit up a hotel lounge or a nice rooftop bar and enjoy a cocktail before heading home

Exactly my point. haha It would be kinda bad if he made dinner plans with you and you made dinner plans with him without each other knowing.

[badboy yardy]

Hullo everyone

My 3-year anniversary with my bf is coming up in the end of March. Instead of giving him a present, I wanted to treat him to a great steak; he likes steak =D As much as I love Outback, I'd rather take him to some "classier" place. =P He tells me he has everything that he needs/wants. Because it's a long-distance relationship, it's hard to know what he has or don't have if I were to really get him something. The kind of eating-out budget for me is like.... $10 per person; anything over means something good has happened and it's a reward to myself =P But the most I'd ever spend is $20. This reveals the fact I'm a "cheap date", and the fact that I can't take alcohol adds to this. ....not that he complains, in fact, he's the same way. But when he treats himself, he spends more than I would ever care spending.

esther, i can honestly say that our girlfriends and wives care about our birthdays more than us.

what you can do is go to one of those $10 a person places like chilis, sizzlers, applebees, olive garden, etc. Call in and say you want a birthday dinner for two. They will most probably give a free small dessert on the house with a candle. More importantly, their staff should all come out and sing happy birthday for your bf. you should confirm the singing part with the person on the phone because that will be the whole point of the dinner.

I guarantee you he'll remember that dinner for years. lol

[melkimx]

^ but it's not his birthday!

i think there has to be a compromise between outback and a restaurant where steak costs $50. or you don't have to have steak, because steak tends to be expensive. you can do french or um... something else fancy. there are a bunch of restaurants where entrees cost only about $25 and the atmosphere is still nice enough that you can dress up and make it an occasion. in socal there must be so many options! idk.

but you're talking to someone who didn't even remember her own third year anniversary (past relationship) much less care to celebrate it. i mean, if you add up two birthdays + valentine's day + anniversary, that's just too much celebrating going on there. but i admire anyone who has the energy and goodwill to do it

[srenity]

Oh, I told him about the steak dinner thing and about my budget (I've stated it in my "opening post") and he said that it wouldn't matter how much money I spend on a dinner. So he told me to find a nice dessert place. Stubborn that I was, I was still looking at steakhouses and agonizing over the prices

Now after much thought, I've decided on The Melting Pot's dessert fondues! I've never had fondue before =9 I'm looking at yelp.com and they're all complaining about the overpriced bland, greasy food and such. Good thing I'm only planning on dessert since not many complained about the chocolate fondue. I wonder if that's a good thing..

badboy yardy: I'm sure they can change "anniversary" from "birthday" if I request it! Hahahaha. When those waiters sing to other people, I'm always embarrassed FOR them

melkimx: Being the cheap budget person I am, I LOVE going to Norcal to eat! They're all open so late too! And I agree with the too many milestones. I stopped going "happy 27 monthaversary", 28, 29, etc etc =P I'm gonna stick to birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries~

Thanks again everyone!!

[melkimx]

i think it's hard to screw up chocolate fondue, that's why. it's chocolate! how can you go wrong? and it's an aphrodisiac! isn't it?

fancy dessert is a great idea! good one coming from your bf

[watcher]

Oh, I told him about the steak dinner thing and about my budget (I've stated it in my "opening post") and he said that it wouldn't matter how much money I spend on a dinner. So he told me to find a nice dessert place. Stubborn that I was, I was still looking at steakhouses and agonizing over the prices

Now after much thought, I've decided on The Melting Pot's dessert fondues! I've never had fondue before =9 I'm looking at yelp.com and they're all complaining about the overpriced bland, greasy food and such. Good thing I'm only planning on dessert since not many complained about the chocolate fondue. I wonder if that's a good thing..

badboy yardy: I'm sure they can change "anniversary" from "birthday" if I request it! Hahahaha. When those waiters sing to other people, I'm always embarrassed FOR them

melkimx: Being the cheap budget person I am, I LOVE going to Norcal to eat! They're all open so late too! And I agree with the too many milestones. I stopped going "happy 27 monthaversary", 28, 29, etc etc =P I'm gonna stick to birthdays, Christmases, and anniversaries~

Thanks again everyone!!

yea, i wouldn't go to melting pot except for the chocolate fondue. once in a while, cheese fondue's not bad either, but you can only take so much cheese! their main entree's are a joke... except maybe their seafood platter, but that's way too expensive IMO.

if you're looking for alternatives, there's a handful of cafe's and cozy little boutiques lined up on PCH @ laguna beach. you don't necessarily have to do chocolate, but maybe a glass of wine in front of the beach could be nice. there was a lighthouse place in long beach that i liked as well, and a place called orange hill [very nice view of OC] that's pretty upscale and romantic.

in any case... i hope you have a great time.

[addicted2kdrama]

Damn I want to eat some steak, eat some dessert at the beach with some bubbly champagne and cozy up in front of a bonfire now. Too bad I don't have a gf.

[watcher]

Damn I want to eat some steak, eat some dessert at the beach with some bubbly champagne and cozy up in front of a bonfire now. Too bad I don't have a gf.

lol... go find someone =)

[Raito!]

srenity, maybe you can cook steak for him, it is really easy to cook.

Just take out the frozen steak and defrost it, then slice it into smaller layer and drop then in a pan. But before that make sure theres oil in there. =D the thing that i hate about cooking steak is that the splashing bubble or w/e its call [when water comes in contact with heated oil] hurts a lot when it gets on your skin.

[papabear]

^she already said she doesn't have access to the kitchen

while frying may be easiest, grilling or broiling may be better...

srenity, maybe you can cook steak for him, it is really easy to cook.

Just take out the frozen steak and defrost it, then slice it into smaller layer and drop then in a pan. But before that make sure theres oil in there. =D the thing that i hate about cooking steak is that the splashing bubble or w/e its call [when water comes in contact with heated oil] hurts a lot when it gets on your skin.

[monkeygirl]

Now after much thought, I've decided on The Melting Pot's dessert fondues! I've never had fondue before =9 I'm looking at yelp.com and they're all complaining about the overpriced bland, greasy food and such. Good thing I'm only planning on dessert since not many complained about the chocolate fondue. I wonder if that's a good thing..

thats a great idea. the atmosphere is pretty cozy, been to the melting pot in OC (on jamboree right?). we went to get the whole course meal but i don't think it was worth it.... just the dessert is fine.. thats the best part anyways... its a good place to sit down and talk for a long time.. since it all mostly cozy booths (privacy).

[addicted2kdrama]

lol... go find someone =)

only if it was that easy... lol

[watcher]

only if it was that easy... lol

sure it is.
the real challenge is not so much finding someone, but finding someone you really like.
but honestly, it's not really hard to find a decent girl in LA.
heck, you can even try your luck out at the bookstore / coffee shop.
batting average may be 10~15%, but it just comes down to technique and making a good appearance.

[chewy117]

sure it is.
the real challenge is not so much finding someone, but finding someone you really like.
but honestly, it's not really hard to find a decent girl in LA.
heck, you can even try your luck out at the bookstore / coffee shop.
batting average may be 10~15%, but it just comes down to technique and making a good appearance.

finding a girl in LA isnt that hard but finding a decent girl in LA?
now... thats like trying to find a needle in a hay stack.