People who are in long-term relationships tend to forget about their singled past. One of the things I remember, and miss, from my single days is the cultural eccentricities of singledom.

Take Valentine's Day, for example. As the coupled-off enjoy five-course prix fixe meals in Richmond's hottest restaurants, the singles celebrate something they call "Singles Awareness Day."

It's an empowering concept, for women to celebrate their independence and embrace the fact that they don't have a love interest on the horizon. But I have a theory on why there's a lack of love pre-V.Day, based on another single-life eccentricity. It's because men freeze up at the prospect of starting a new relationship with Valentine's Day looming. Instead of navigating the awkwardness of buying trinkets for a new love, they hold off their pursuit of romance till after Feb. 14.

But since Valentine's Day has officially passed, it means there's about to be a spree of first dates in Richmond (based on my own theories and unscientific research). So for those of you planning a first date, or even if you're a couple looking for a date night, I have some tips for selecting just the right first date restaurant.

The first date restaurant shouldn't be your favorite corner watering hole, nor should it be one of the priciest spots in town. Despite speculation to the contrary, most women are as uncomfortable as their dates at the prospect of paying $50 for an entrée. Something reasonably-priced, with entrees around $20 or less, is ideal.

Keeping the cuisine relatively simple is also important. Exotic, ethnic restaurants are some of my personal favorites, but you don't want your first date with someone to be the same day he/she discovers a severe food allergy. And no one wants to be confronted with a menu of unpronounceable entrees when they're trying to impress someone.

Finally, try to steer clear of restaurants with excessively long waits. For reasons I've never fully understood, every chain restaurant in Richmond has wait times that can be as long as two hours on weekends. There are also a few independently-owned places, especially the new hyper-trendy ones, where people are waiting for hours to get a table. Standing awkwardly outside a restaurant waiting for a buzzer to ring is a sure way to kill the romance, so try to pick a place where the wait time is minimal.

So with that criteria in mind I've come up with a list of 10 of my favorite first date spots. But these are just a few, so take a look at the list and, if you have some better options, add it to the comment section below. Remember, first daters need all the help they can get.

Avenue 805: Avenue 805 is probably best known for its Cheap Date Nights, but a little-known secret is that you can get an affordable meal there any day of the week. Its menu of pastas, salads and entrees, like chicken cacciatore, grilled pork loin and seared salmon, is almost entirely under $20. Add to that a romantic Fan setting and affordable wine list and you've got a terrific first date spot. 805 N. Davis Ave., 804-353-2505

Avalon Restaurant & Bar: With its new menu selection of tapas or entrees (all of which are under $20) Avalon is a great spot to test out new love. You can go the traditional route of one entrée each or get a little creative and share some tapas. Either way, Avalon's mahogany booths, low-lit sconces and chandeliers make it a very romantic setting. 2619 W. Main St., 804-353-9709

Café Gutenberg: As I reported in this week's "Dish" column, Café Gutenberg isn't going to be around much longer. Still, it's a great place for a first date. This Shockoe Bottom restaurant has an eclectic, rustic interior that makes it seem like a diamond in the rough. The food is fabulous and affordable and the wine list is stellar. What more could you ask for? There's also plenty to do in the Bottom should you and your date not want to call it a night after dinner. 700 E. Main St., 804-497-5000