About the daters ...

Your type ...

Brian: Dark hair, dark eyes, shorter, great fashion sense but not fixated on name brands. Someone with style.

Beth: Physically, I tend to like dark hair, and I’m definitely more attracted to guys who are fit and somewhat muscular. Straight teeth are pretty important, too. Personality-wise, it’s hard to pinpoint, but some people just “sparkle.”

Happiest when ...

Brian: I’m strangely never down. It’s weird, I know, but I’m known to be positive 99 percent of the time. Peak happiness? Friday driving home from the office, although I love my job. Or, actually, about to leave for vacation or a long weekend. I love going somewhere.

Beth: I love group fitness, and there is such an emotional high associated with a really inspirational class where you push your limits. I’m also happiest when hanging out with friends or my mom and just having a really fun time.

Dream date ...

Brian: Writer who works in a coffee shop. Gallery curator who runs half-marathons. Graphic designer who bikes to work. Architect who loves to find new bands.

Beth: The people I end up really, really liking are often so different from what I imagine I would like. But if I had to describe what I think I would like in a date, it would be someone with the personality of Jim from “The Office,” but who is a group fitness instructor and likes to cook (because I don’t like to cook at all!).

Interests to share ...

Brian: Music is important to me. I don’t play it, but I spend a lot of time listening and would love someone to go to shows with. I’m interested in design and art, but as hobbies, not as a lifestyle. I don’t typically connect with people that haven’t traveled much — leaves a big void in the conversation. I go to the gym five days a week.

Beth: I spend a lot of time at the gym — it’s where all my friends are! — and I would hope to share the interest of working out. If he likes group fitness, we just might be soul mates!

About the date ...

7:30 p.m., Cafe Milano, Georgetown

Brian: I work with mostly guys and they’re all really cool, but most of them have families. Everyone’s always coming up with people to set me up with. I don’t know if they think I need the help, or what. [They told me], “We’re going to [apply to Date Lab] for you, or you’re going to do it.”

Beth: I was dating someone for, like, three years, [and] we broke up last March. Then one day I was just like, hey, I should sign up for Date Lab! That’s why I broke up with the guy, so I could do fun things like that! My sister and her boyfriend came over and my sister straightened my hair, and I had been going back and forth [about] what to wear, so I modeled outfits and they unanimously chose one.

Brian: I got [to the restaurant] in perfect time. I was playing with my phone, reading e-mails. I wasn’t looking up so all of a sudden she was right there at the table. I stood up [and] shook her hand.

Beth: I could tell he was a little shy, slightly nervous, but very nice. Normally I say my type is more dark hair and dark eyes. [But] maybe I don’t have a type, my last boyfriend had light eyes. [Brian] had light brown hair and lighter eyes, so not what I think of as my type, but still totally good-looking.