That is why I said 'not' Dinner but a few drinks. I dont know how much you can drink but after 3 drinks I would say for myself that on a "first meeting" that should be pretty much it not to give the impression of an alcoholic (except you get to the point where you dont care anymore). To bring wine into play is always a different game, it can be 50$ a bottle or 500$ a bottle. Expensive wine is not really suitable for a first meet IMHO except someone really doesnt have to care about money. You never know if it makes your date uncomfortable (whoever pays in the end) to have a few hundred dollar wine bottle. And even if I run it as business expense, to play Mr Bigshot is sometimes not the best impression to leave.
If I ask someone out I pay. Easy as that. I sometimes use more words than necessary !
