Blind date: Nelson and Louise meet at Mirtala, London
Nelson, 41, and Louise, 37, met for dinner at Mirtala in London W4, seeking an evening of interesting conversation and a new culinary discovery. When we met, I wanted to greet her with a friendly hug but she was seated and had to get up. Impeccable, and she had amazing taco-eating skills. She will laugh and think I’m taking the mick but I’m not: her dedication to the things she loves. Two strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, and then spill the beans to us, answering a set of questions, blind date is Saturday’s dating column: every week. Tell us what’s on your mind, if you do not think these questions cover everything you would like to know.
Nelson, who works in legal services, arrived hoping for great company, while Louise, a marketing professional, hoped to connect with someone interesting.
The pair bonded over an array of eclectic topics, ranging from the intricacies of volunteering at the London Zoo to the nuances of feeding monkeys and discussing wooden toys. From feeding monkeys to the worst theatre shows and wooden toys, all sorts of funny things. It’s been running since 2009 – you can read all about how we put it together here.
They also reflected on their experiences living through the pandemic and shared stories of Nelson’s upbringing in Singapore.
The Date Details
- Diners: Nelson, 41 (legal services) and Louise, 37 (marketing)
- Location: Mirtala, London W4
- Nelson’s impression: A sweet, sincere person with interesting hobbies
- Louise’s impression: A polite, gentlemanly person with a loud, infectious laugh
- Most awkward moments: A failed hug attempt and a misunderstanding about a third guest at the table
- Marks out of 10: 9 out of 10 from Nelson; 8 out of 10 from Louise
Participant Insights
- Describe Louise: Energetic, passionate, and an excellent conversationalist
- Describe Nelson: Perceptive, warm, and bright
- What they thought of each other: Nelson found Louise sincere; Louise thought Nelson was an oddball with similar interests
- Did they kiss: No, it was a work night
- Future plans: Nelson would meet again; Louise is interested in meeting as friends, perhaps for the cinema
Information for Applicants
- Can I pick the photograph? No, but don’t worry: we’ll choose the nicest ones.
- What personal details appear? Your first name, job, and age.
- How should I answer? Honestly but respectfully. Be mindful of how it will read to your date, and that Blind date reaches a large audience, in print and online.
- Will I see the other person’s answers? No. We may edit yours and theirs for a range of reasons, including length, and we may ask you for more details.
- Will you find me The One? We’ll try! Marriage! Babies!
- Can I do it in my home town? Only if it’s in the UK. Many of our applicants live in London, but we would love to hear from people living elsewhere.
- How to apply: Email blind.date@.com
The chemistry between the pair was clearly felt.
Regarding their interaction, Louise noted, “He said: ‘If heaven is real, you’ll definitely be going there’, which might just be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.
Despite a slight hiccup with the menu, where Louise found the pineapple/lime/cinnamon ice-cream a bit unexpected, the evening was deemed a success.
They were the final guests to depart on a Tuesday night, signaling a very enjoyable experience for both.
Important Details
- Very polite, laughs very loudly (in a good way), first impressions? A gentleman.
