DATE SPOT: Exposure Tapas Restaurant (click for address, hours, maps and more)
DATE RATER
Blind date
First date
Seal the deal
Special occasion
Double date
Relationship date
Ambiance: Looking to meet and mingle in the trendy South Loop? Exposure’s lush, deep red bar, nestled in an alcove adjacent to the main dining room, draws a fun and attractive crowd—particularly on weekend nights. It’s the perfect place to meet a blind date: If your date doesn’t meet expectations, stick around after you say goodnight and try your luck with the other beautiful singles. Comfortable leather chairs and low tables create the right atmosphere for close conversation. For a more raucous time, get up, walk around and say hi to your neighbors.
Noise level: Expect a lively crowd after work until 10 p.m., when a festive atmosphere dials the noise level up another notch—especially when there’s a good game on the flat-screen TVs. If you’re looking for quieter conversation and fewer distractions, slink over to the low-slung lounge tables.
What to order: Bartenders here brag about their tasty martinis, caipirinhas, and—believe it or not—mai tais. The chef, Steve Joslyn, makes the occasional appearance at the bar to offer suggestions for small plates, which are perfect for sharing. He’s fond of the cheese fondue, which he says is a big hit with couples—especially after a couple of martinis.
Icebreaker: To get the conversation started, share the fun fact that Exposure boasts the only raw bar in the South Loop—then get to know your date better over a plate of oysters, said to be an aphrodisiac.
Gina B.’s inside tips
>> Wednesday nights are all about seduction. You can’t go wrong with 99 cent oysters and $8 10 Cane mojitos.
>> Impress your budget-conscious date on Sundays with half-price wine bottles. On Tuesdays, buy one tapa and get the other at half price.
>> Call ahead to ask about live music. A quartet occasionally plays near the bar area, and the owners are working to open a lower-level lounge and live music venue to feature more tunes.
[ RedEye sex columnist Gina B. is a Metromix special contributor. ]
