Hannah and James went to No Man’s Grace for a blind date

Name: James
Occupation: Aerospace Engineer

1) Have you ever been on a blind date before?
I accidentally went on one once but that’s another story.

2) What made you want to go on this blind date?
I’ll try anything once. It was a good opportunity to wine and dine in a place I hadn’t been to before, and meet someone I wouldn’t usually bump in to. Free wine is a bonus.

3) What were your first thoughts when you saw your date?
 If we were playing umbrella top trumps, she would win on colour and length.

4) What did you talk about?
 Thundercats, cycling and the art of a good fancy dress costume.

5) What was the atmosphere like?
 No Man’s Grace is a very chilled out place.

6) Any moments when you wished you were somewhere else?
 I was slightly nervous at first, as I didn’t know what to expect but no, I enjoyed it.

7) What would you say is the best characteristic of your date?
Hannah’s energy levels. Her spark injected a lot into the evening. She has a great figure too (most probably from the cycling – she does a lot of cycling – there’s those energy levels again).

8) What do you think your date made of you?
She probably thought her dreams had come true. Or nightmares. One of the two.

9) Is there anything you would change about the evening?
 I wouldn’t set off from home as late, meaning a mad sprint to be unfashionably early.

10) Did you go somewhere else after your meal?
No.

11) Were there any sparks of potential?
 There is always potential, never say never.

12) Will you meet again?
If she says yes.

Name: Hannah
Occupation: Charity Project Officer

1) Have you ever been on a blind date before?
I’ve been on a couple of blind dates usually a mate of a work colleague. I knew zip about James, it was kinda exciting.

2) What made you want to go on this blind date?
Spirit of adventure, chance to meet someone new and have a lovely evening out. It’s important to widen your circle of people you know and step out of what you’d normally do.

3) What were your first thoughts when you saw your date?
Relief, I thought I’d arrived first and would have do phone admin, while expectantly looking at the door for my date to arrive. Phew! He was already at the table.

4) What did you talk about?
The one degree of separation between any two people in Bristol, the reputational importance of a good fancy dress costume, 80s kids shows, jive and swing dancing, Somerset carnivals, his super cute nephew and German bars featuring an axe and hammer, for drinkers’ entertainment.

5) What was the atmosphere like?
No Man’s Grace is a classy foody joint. The staff were really down to earth and helpful and as it was midweek, there was room between us and the next diners so we could chat freely. The atmosphere created by No Man’s Grace really contributed to the success of the date.

6) Any moments when you wished you were somewhere else?
None, James was charming company and we had so much to talk about.

7) What would you say is the best characteristic of your date?
He’s so interesting and easy to talk to, he’s an enthusiast and has a wide range of interests certainly defied my stereotype of a typical engineer. He’s a gent, and knows how to put people at ease.

8) What do you think your date made of you?
Who knows! That I’m an adventurous eater, I went for all the options which I’d never had before – pigeon, cuttlefish and venison carpaccio.

9) Would you change anything about the date?
That it wasn’t midweek, I had an early start the next day so couldn’t stay out too late, so felt like we cut the evening short.

10) Did you go somewhere else after your meal?
Nope, had to get home to bed as had long commute and early start the next day.

11) Were there any sparks of potential?
We had a really successful first date. I have an open mind, as you don’t always know instantly one way or another. Slow growers can be keepers and instant sparks can blow out.

12) Will you meet again?
We talked about a local pub quiz and a Halloween party. So will wait and see if I’m formally invited to go along.

http://nomansgrace.com/