Blind date: ‘He looked like a cross between Andrew Garfield and my primary school crush’

What did you wish for? A wedding sponsored by the Guardian just in time for Christmas? I'm just joking… but I was really hoping for a bit of enchantment.

First impression? Absolutely stunning! She made me feel completely comfortable right away.

What topics did you cover? Your childhood experiences, adventures around the world, job-related stories, favorite hobbies, essential musicals to see, the overrated nature of avocados, and the need for magnesium supplements as you approach 30. She also shared a wild tale about her friend discovering love after losing her bag during a pub quiz.

The most embarrassing moment? When the waitress brought out our appetizers, I accidentally called the artichoke hearts figs. Fortunately, Alison kindly acted as if she hadn’t heard me.

Blind Date is a dating feature that appears every Saturday. In this column, two people who have never met before go out for dinner and drinks, and afterwards, they share their experiences with us by answering a series of questions. Each week, we include a photo of each participant taken prior to their date, and the feature is published in the Saturday magazine in the UK as well as on theguardian.com. This column has been a regular occurrence since 2009, and you can find out more about how we create it here.

What kind of questions will I encounter? We'll inquire about your age, where you're from, your job, your hobbies, interests, and the qualities you seek in a potential match. If you feel that these questions don't address everything you'd like to discuss, feel free to share any additional thoughts with us.

Can I decide who I’ll be paired with? Not really; it’s all part of the surprise! However, we do request some information about your interests and preferences. The more details you provide, the more likely it is that you’ll be matched well.

Can I select the photo? Unfortunately, no. However, there's no need to be concerned—we’ll take care of picking the best ones for you.

What personal information will be displayed? Your first name, occupation, and age.

How should I respond? Be truthful but courteous. Consider how your words will come across to your date, and remember that Blind Date has a wide readership, both in print and online.

Will I be able to view the other person's responses? No, you won't. We might make edits to both your answers and theirs for various reasons, such as length, and we might reach out to you for additional information.

Are you going to help me find my soulmate? We're going to give it a shot! Love and marriage! Starting a family!

Can I participate from my hometown? Only if it's located in the UK. While a lot of our candidates are based in London, we are eager to connect with individuals from other areas as well.

To submit your application, please send an email to [email protected].

Polite dining etiquette? Certainly.

What stands out most about Alison? Her warm, kind eyes.

Would you connect Alison with your friends? Definitely, but only with those who have a passion for American literature so they can really dive into some nerdy discussions.

Describe Alison in three words: lovely, friendly, captivating.

What do you think Alison thought of you? She kindly mentioned that I resemble Andrew Garfield a bit, and I aimed to channel some of that charming vibe you find at a chicken shop.

Did you head elsewhere? We took a stroll in the rain and then rode the subway back to catch my last train.

So... did you end up kissing? Not this time around.

If you had the chance to modify one aspect of the night, what would it be? Perhaps staying longer at the restaurant before heading to a jazz bar in Soho.

Rating: 9 out of 10. I have to take away one point because she confessed to reading the Sunday Times!

Will you get together again? Let's keep our fingers crossed!

What were your expectations? A lively chat with a stranger and lots of content for the voice message I had promised to send my friends on the way back.

My initial thoughts? Friendly, from the north, and quite talkative. He resembled a mix of Andrew Garfield and the boy I had a crush on in elementary school.

What topics did we cover? Our favorite karaoke songs, upcoming shows, and the movie Bend it Like Beckham. We also agreed to take a drink whenever we brought up the Guardian or this questionnaire. The bottle disappeared in no time!

Most embarrassing situation? Climbing out of a booth is trickier than it seems, alright?

Excellent dining etiquette? Flawless.

What I love most about Joe is his authenticity and his inquisitive nature. He didn't bat an eye at my enthusiasm for our shared passion for Paramore or the pistachio pudding we enjoyed together. Plus, he didn’t mind my urgent request for him to watch Bend It Like Beckham right away.

Would you be willing to introduce Joe to your friends? He can handle any social setting with ease and would shine in it.

Characterize Joe using three adjectives: captivating and curious.

How do you think Joe views you? I hope he sees you as someone he liked having conversations with, even if I might have spoiled his experience in Budapest.

Did you go anywhere? Just to the subway.

So... did you two share a kiss? Nope.

If you could alter one aspect of the evening, what would you choose? Perhaps you’d wish for a stronger romantic vibe? It felt more like catching up with a friend, but since I enjoy that immensely, I have no issues with it.

Rating out of 10? 8. There’s nothing quite like a rainy evening.

Are you going to meet again? We've already chosen the karaoke song we'll sing together.

Alison and Joe dined at Quo Vadis in London W1. Interested in a blind date? Send an email to [email protected].