When you decide to meet for the first time, it is always  a good idea to meet in a public place, ( I have met women in bookstores,  coffee bars, and even restaurants. Restaurants being the poorest choice, because, trying to tell you life story and look like a stud is real tough with your mouth stuffed with quesadillas..).. Again to reiterate, if you can exchange pictures before hand, it can save a lot of face for everyone if you know what you are going to be looking at..