Magazine

Dinner with Cupid

Blind date: ‘He took over most of the conversation’

They’re both pursuing careers in health care. Will shop talk kill the chance for romance?

Gabby Kolaci and Matt Villanyi.

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MATT VILLANYI: 24 / medical student

First thing people notice in his home: Textbooks everywhere

What makes him a catch? His honesty and drive

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GABBY KOLACI: 21 / echocardiography student

What makes her a catch? Always ready for a new adventure

Her ideal mate: Zac Efron as a doctor

7:30 P.M. ELEPHANT WALK, SOUTH END

ON CALL

Matt Balancing medical school and personal life can be a struggle. I figured this could be a fun way to meet people.

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Gabby My friends and I always read it, so [they] signed me up without my knowledge and then one day I get an e-mail that they have a match for me.

Matt I had a busy day starting with soccer, then catching up on schoolwork.

Gabby A friend came over and hung out with me to calm my nerves.

Matt I was seated at an empty table. Eventually, I saw a girl walk in by herself. She looked put together, with a smile that immediately caught my attention.

Gabby Cuter than I expected. His blue eyes stood out to me.

PALPITATIONS

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Matt We are both going into health care, which provided a nice talking point. She is in school for echocardiography, something I wanted to know more about.

Gabby We mostly talked about the health care field and our career paths.

Matt This led to us talking about our families and heritage, which then turned to travel. I learned she has been to Italy several times, which is near the top of my personal list of places to visit.

Gabby He took over most of the conversation, which was fine, but I definitely learned a lot about him.

Matt I ordered the trout with spicy jalapeno-lime marinade with Chinese broccoli and wild rice. The presentation and taste were great. It was a touch expensive but overall I would go back.

Gabby I got the beef tenderloin. We shared a bottle of white wine.

Matt As the date progressed, more of our personalities started to come out. For me, that led to an increased attraction.

Gabby I got more comfortable as the date went on. It wasn’t until the end that we started to talk about things I would have wanted to talk about.

MAKING A DIAGNOSIS

Matt Gabby was very friendly, but I don’t think that there was romantic chemistry.

Gabby I really liked him throughout the date but eventually realized that there wasn’t going to be another.

Matt We had been at the restaurant for over two hours. The conversation slowed and she asked if I was ready to leave.

Gabby We hugged and parted ways.

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SECOND DATE?

Matt I don’t think we will.

Gabby No, we didn’t exchange contact information.

POST-MORTEM

Matt / B+

Gabby / B+

— COMPILED BY MELISSA SCHORR

Go on a blind date. We’ll pick up the tab. Fill out an application at bostonglobe.com/cupid. Follow us on Twitter @dinnerwithcupid.