Anyone who has a clue about male leadership, masculinity, and "frame" as the PUA crowd might say...
...would understand that the guy is in the lead, the date is him offering the woman an opportunnity to go on the journey that he has planned and will take her along with him (he is in charge). So of course he is paying for the meal,...it isn't even a question. It is her job to enjoy it, respect it, and be worth his time and effort,...or he doesn't offer it to her a second time. He isn't the one wringing his hands worrying if she "likes him",...will she show up?,...who pays for the date? No. She is the one to worry if he found her interesting enough to offer a second date, and that she better show up on time or he will offer it to someone else next time.