Making my lunch date Kino friendly

On Thursday I have a lunch date with an HB 8. She’s actually a friend I’ve known for about 3 years. She’s always had a boyfriend, but recently became available. She’s already comfortable around me, and I’m hoping I can get her to see me as more than a friend. We’re doing lunch at a Chinese restaurant. It’s low key. I’m not picking her up, but instead am meeting her there.

I’ve already done some C&F with her in other venues when she had a boyfriend. At lunch I want to do some more C&F and bring in dhv stories. In other venues it’s often been much louder and so this is a chance for some good communication. The thing is, I don’t know that this restaurant is all that Kino friendly. It has wooden booths that are essentially benches facing opposite one another instead of the wrap-around leather booths that are more comfortable. The other choice is a table.

Here are my ideas to make it more kino friendly.
1. Arrive there before she does and toss my big coat on the opposite bench and then invite her to join me next to me. What concerns me about this is it’s unusual to sit side by side in that kind of place, and inviting her to be by my side right when she arrives may make her uncomfortable.
2. Choose a table with 4 chairs, get there first, and then invite her into a chair that’s at a 90 degree angle from me instead of opposite me. (Do I pull it out for her?) Seems like a better option than the first, but is it less comfortable in the chairs.
3. Ditch this restaurant in favor of one with the leather wrap-around booths. There’s still time to change the venue, but does changing my mind make me look weak? I could always concoct some excuse such as their food is better.

Oh, one more thing. Should I pay for this thing? I know a lot of PUA sources say not to pay for dates, but I’m the one who invited her. It feels weird asking her to fork over half. I’m thinking maybe I pay, and if she offers I can say she can treat me next time.

You asked her on the lunch date so you pay for it.