For first dates, picking a restaurant that's familiar and
comfortable for both parties reduces the stress of the date so you can focus
on getting acquainted and not on how to cope with the restaurant.
If you're the adventurous type, for any date after the first you can pick
restaurants that are new to you both. It keeps the date interesting for you,
and gives you clues on how the other person handles the unfamiliar.
If you're adventurous and you know your date isn't, let them suggest a
restaurant that they know but is new to you. They'll be more relaxed in
familiar surroundings and you'll learn how helpful they're inclined to be in
situations when they have the advantage.