Just some ideas..

I suggest you don't do meal dates. Keep it short. Coffee place. Cup of tea of coffee. If it goes well then either proceed to go somewhere else eat or make an arrangement for next date. If it goes badly then you don't feel like wasted time because it's just an hour and just coffee. The only time longer meal on the first date is ok if it's longer distance.

Do you have phone conversation before meeting? Is it a good long conversation with substance? I mean not texting or emailing but actually talking? Personally if I had good connection on the phone I'd have a good date. If I don't click on the phone I wouldn't go on a date. Waste of time.