I found that ordering pasta and only eating maybe half was the best route. You get something that's filling and will last all night, you're not eating too much of it, and you're allowing yourself to indulge in front of the new guy so that he doesn't think you're a rabbit. (who knows, he may be uncomfortable himself when he orders the ribs and wing combo while you get a garden salad with dressing on the side)
Most of the time I would barely even eat half when I was first going out with someone because I was all nerves and adrenaline. I would tear up coasters until I made huge pyramids of ripped up paper glory. (yet my fiance still fell for me, who knew?)