The answer will likely come with time, but for now, he wants to enjoy the evening without making her feel obligated to enjoy herself. It's easier this way, for both of them.

He looks over the menu for a moment before setting it aside and raising an eyebrow at her. "What if we were to split? Say I get the escargot and you the French onion soup. Think I could convince you to let an old man have a bite or two in exchange for a few snails?" And he's cheeky, to boot.