Benjamin on Mark
What were you hoping for?
Good food and flowing conversation.
First impressions?
Not too shabby.
What did you talk about?
Our mutual love of Björk, Stravinsky, Schoenberg. Our shared desire for a Georgian terrace house by Highbury Fields. I think we agreed he’d write the libretto for my next opera, too.
Any awkward moments?
He doesn’t like Gerhard Richter. Unforgivable.
Good table manners?
He navigated sharing dishes like a pro – although he’s allergic to carbs, so I let him enjoy the pork sausage alone.
Best thing about Mark?
His musical leanings. And his face wasn’t bad.
Would you introduce him to your friends?
Sure, they’d get on.
Describe Mark in three words
Smart, musical, cute.
What do you think he made of you?
I don’t think he was as keen.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. He was tired, so we parted ways.
And… did you kiss?
No.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
We’d embrace carbs in a bigger way.
Marks out of 10?
A solid 7.
Would you meet again?
I don’t think it’s on the cards. Maybe we’ll bump into each other at a Björk gig.
Mark on Benjamin
What were you hoping for?
I didn’t expect to find love, but hoped I’d enjoy myself.
First impressions?
Dashing and friendly, but not my type.
What did you talk about?
Our favourite operas, teaching piano and our fantasies of meeting Björk.
Any awkward moments?
I declined going on for another drink and owned up to being hungover. That was a little embarrassing.
Good table manners?
As far as I remember, yes.
Best thing about Benjamin?
A good conversationalist.
Would you introduce him to your friends?
I don’t think the opportunity will arise.
Describe him in three words
Punctual, musical, polite.
What do you think he made of you?
Probably just what I made of him – nice, but not a second-dater.
Did you go on somewhere?
No. We parted ways after dinner.
And… did you kiss?
No, that wasn’t the vibe.
If you could change one thing about the evening, what would it be?
I would have eaten more.
Marks out of 10?
6. Nice guy, but no romance.
Would you meet again?
Unlikely, we didn’t swap numbers.
• Benjamin and Mark ate at Cucina Asellina, London WC2.
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