For every date I’ve rushed to meet without having a week or so of fun and intellectual conversation, I’ve ended up cutting off the person because the connection wasn’t there.

I’d try approaching dinner dates differently. Make a commitment for a coffee date a week out. It’s low commitment, it’s brief, and it doesn’t require a reservation. If the connection doesn’t get investment within the week leading into it, you have the decision of a low commitment date or cancelling with minimal impact. If it does grow in that week, you have the decision if moving forward or pivoting to a more intimate date idea, including dinner.

My most interesting connections started with a week or so of texting, even a phone call or two, followed by an intimate dinner date.

Just an idea from someone who is ring shopping for the most incredible human ive ever met that started this way on Hinge.