>>17 should learn to accept the fact that sometimes things are funny and he is not.

In complete seriousness:

I'd go to a recipe site and search for appetizers. They're usually great to eat with your hands and as long as you'd find something not too messy you should be set.

California rolls and any other kind of sushi rolls should work good too.

But if you're going for romance instead of performance art, I'd stick to fruit and small cakes. I'd use the "would I want to kiss her after munching a giant plate of it" rule right there.