Room raiders

The raider
Isabelle D., 24; editor of InstantCast, a social-networking and casting website for actors and models; Park Slope, Brooklyn
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“I’m looking for someone who’s attracted to similar things as I am: art, movies, food—very important, you have to be a good eater. He’s gotta be very well cultured, well traveled, attractive, charismatic and funny. I’m hard to please in the long run, so I’m not gonna call you back after the first date if I’m not feeling it.”

Apartment No. 1
Denson J., 29, general manager at Cabrito; Jackson Heights, Queens
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About Denson: “I’ve been in the restaurant industry for ten years. I’m married to my restaurant, so I’m looking for someone low-maintenance. I need a laid-back, fashionable girl who loves food.”

About his apartment: “It’s decorated with things from around the world. Pictures of Italy and Prague are on the wall because they’re my favorite spots. In the few hours that I’m home each day, I want my apartment to engulf me with comfort. I think she’ll see that.”

Isabelle’s inspection: She grills Denson’s roommate, plucks a couple guitar strings and discovers Denson’s stylish green eyeglasses. Then, she unearths something from under the bed…

Apartment No. 2
Max B., 27, freelance lighting technician; Washington Heights

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About Max: “In the past year, I’ve had a lot of first and second dates but haven’t met anyone who’s really piqued my interest. I want drive and ambition—someone who doesn’t take herself too seriously but knows what she wants and what she needs to do to get it.”

About his apartment: “All the photography in here was taken by me. And I don’t know if she’ll notice it, but my desk is set up as a home studio for making music. Though that’s one of those things you have to have an interest in to notice.”

Isabelle’s inspection: Note to any guy thinking of inviting a chick back to his place: Isabelleis not impressed by multiple bikes. Or motorized tarantulas. The contents of the fridge mostly make up for it, though.

Apartment No. 3
César N., 27, freelance software developer; Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
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About César: “I meet girls here and there, but I’m pretty picky. I’d like a sweet, intelligent girl—that’s about it. ”

About his apartment: “I think she’ll see that I’m all over the place: I have books in French, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Catalan—it looks like I attempted to learn them all. Which is true. The thing I hope she doesn’t notice is the ladder leading up to the loft with my bed in it. Every guest and girlfriend I’ve had hated that ladder—it’s a pain in the ass to climb.”

Isabelle’s inspection: She’s perplexed by the combination of yoga books and computer programming manuals. But would a girl ever turn down a dude with an inauguration invite on his wall? The answers are all in the online video.

NEXT in Dating 2009: $50 win-a-date >>
Five readers will get to go out with these singles—on TONY’s dime. But there’s a catch: They’ll have to dish about it after, just like on that show Love Connection.

See the complete Dating 2009 guide >>