We actually do have a Waffalonia nearby.

Huh, looking them up, apparently they're native to the Pittsburgh area. I figured they were national. http://www.waffallonia.com/

Do they have waffalo creation?

Nah, they just do gourmet waffles, more sugary than eggos or breakfast waffles, with sweet stuff added in.

Wouldn't be a viable date location though since it's open air. For romantic or platonic purposes I would favor something more intimate.

You haven't even had cofee yet with her.. >_>
let not go to far ahead shall we...

Go with NiKKoMs advice!!!

I am an old man now with three grown-up kids, but I would probably be in mr Khans position still if I had not tossed all anxiety overboard and tried my luck.

It was on a ferry, she sat alone I was next to her. I offered her some candy, she did not want it....

We started to talk and as we were both traveling I changed my plans immediately and went along to the hostel that she was going to. 

She told me later that I made nearly everything wrong that day but that the unsecurity, my biggest weakness, was refreshing compared to all cocky guys that mostly came on to her.

Well, Good Luck, you will do many things wrong but do not linger on that feeling, she sees something else than what you think she sees.

If the weather's nice, outdoors should be fine!

Get to know her before you announce your romantic interest. Hell, the girl might be a massive bitch or have majorly conflicting views to you. Find this stuff out before you commit to trying to woo her. 

Good luck and sugary waffles are the best kind.

I see... because waffalos is the animal from which we extract waffles, so Waffalonia could be the countrie from were they came... just trying to lighten the mood here.

But yes a more intimate place is good, but try the less oppresive ambience for a first date.

But you agree with the general consensus here that "informal" dates are the best way to get to know her, right? A casual meeting as described? I mean, i cited that concern about her being totally incompatible for me, but was at a loss as to how to figure that out.

Conflicting views is unlikely, in any event. We're in the same degree program, possibly the same major (met too many people at that party to keep track of who had which major), in either case, it means we share academic/professional interests to a certain extent, and it gives her a high likelihood of being a bleeding-heart type like me (right wingers generally don't go with this degree program). The real concern is just general personality compatibility; will she like how i conduct myself, and vice versa?

As NiKKoM said: it is just a coffee, not a marriage proposal! 

As for compatibility: Do not worry, "Opposites attract" as well as "Birds of a feather flock together" are equally true.

Me - 6'4'' - Protestant - silent - slow - mediocre student - liberal. And I am three years younger. 

My Wife - 5'1'' - Catholic - vocal - fast - top class student (nr 1) - strict.

And as I said before - you WILL do everything WRONG - so do not worry!