Nagoya's "Hottest" Dates

By Adam Miller

February is infamous - yes, infamous - for being the month of love and romance, a time when horrible men can pretend to be Casanova and crazy ladies can pretend to be potential wives, and the 14th for being a night when everything hangs in the balance and one solitary date can make the difference between going home alone or not going home at all! I, for one, hate this holiday - but I know that if I don't find a decent place to eat I'll end up sleeping on the sofa ...and there are much more enjoyable ways to have a restless night.

But there's another problem to tackle: whether you have a burning new relationship on the go or an old flame, you'll still be bloody freezing if you head outside for a date in this stubborn late-winter weather. That's why I have tried to find three decent meals that make for three very different dates, and which are sufficiently spicy and hot to warm up any frostbitten couple.

(I am not looking for the spiciest meals in Nagoya; if I were, you wouldn't need to look much further than your local Coco Curry Ichiban, as if you crank your chili up to the dreaded Level 10, you'll be sweating for days and then crying with pain when the curry inevitably comes to pass. Another top tip for taste-bud-busters is the insanely spicy Shin-Ramen cup noodle, a Korean concoction that is widely available in supermarkets and conbini. I even saw it in the big Daiso in Sakae once.)

But on with the list. I have chosen three amazing eateries that each have a unique vibe and offer a distinctive menu, so whether you're a flashy filly, a grand gentlemen or a humble humanoid (all this alliteration is pretty difficult [And unnecessary! - Ed]) there should be something perfect for you...

My first stop was at a popular and quirky noodle bar called Asian Noodle, which you can find in Chikusa. The place is always bustling but it gets downright packed-out after midnight, as it stays open till 2am during the week and therefore attracts the drunk and the tired. Asian Noodle has a very extensive menu (which you can check out at www.asian-noodle.com) but by far the most popular dish is the tairiku tantanmen, which is delicious. There are endless places that claim to have the spiciest tantanmen: Asian Noodle ignored that accolade and made the best. It isn't so spicy but is excellently easy to eat; the bowl is literally brimming with a creamy, spicy sauce and is stuffed full with beef, negi and noodles. I'm not overly sure what the secret is, but it's either a healthy portion of coconut milk or crack cocaine as the stuff is, to say the least, moreish. With the noodles I had some ao-togarashi, a deep-fried gyoza filled with the typical beef and green onions, but also with a sprinkling of jalapeños. If you can finish that meal without undoing a button or two on your jeans, you deserve a handshake. The food here is superb, the décor is quant and welcoming, and most importantly, it won't cost you the proverbial limb to eat here.

Restaurant number two was a posh establishment in Mei-Eki called Sukhontha, a Thai place that had humble beginnings in a tiny upstairs location in Shin-Sakae. The food was so good that word got around and there are now four of these establishment dotted about Nagoya (details at www.sukhontha.jp). The one I went to was pretty busy, so make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment. The best food here (in my opinion) is either the "Poo Da Pong Ga Ree", an awesome crab-curry, or the "Poo Da Prig Thai Dam", which is crab cooked in a black pepper sauce. I went for the latter and it was unbelievable. However, reader beware: cracking crab shell with nothing more than your fingers and teeth may scare some dates away, but if you've found that special someone who is as disgusting as you, it's well worth trying this dish. With this I got the "Gai Pad Med Ma Muang", a chicken and cashew nut dish, fried with vegetables and chili. None of the stuff I bought was overly spicy, but with your meal you get a selection of condiments including jalapeños and dried chili powder, so you can make your dish as hot as you like. The place is far more sophisticated than Asian Noodle, a fact that is reflected in the price tag: my meal here cost nearly double what I'd paid at Asian Noodle. In the pros column, Sukhontha has a great atmosphere and delicious food, and there's less of the hustle and bustle of Asian Noodle, so it makes for a far more relaxed and intimate date.

The last place on my list is Desperados, a Mexican restaurant in Shin-Sakae. This might be a better option if you're going out on a group- or double-date, as the place has the same vibe as an izakaya, with people getting tipsy on the fine booze selection whilst tucking into some easily shared food. Desperados has a real Mom and Pop store feel to it and so long as you can find a seat, it's a really enjoyable place to eat. For dinner I got a plate of Mexican nachos (with a healthy supply of jalapeños), Mexican chili, and a pork and rice burrito (I didn't eat it all myself, honest - I shared it). With this I also got a spicy cocktail called Vampiro, which is made with tomato juice, tequila and Tabasco. They are often running special deals on the drinks as well, so be sure to check the blackboard behind the bar. I got a Cuervo Slammer for just ¥300! Eating alone, Desperados might seem a little expensive, but so long as you're willing to share it should make for a fun and lighthearted date, perfect if it's your first (and, let's hope, not your last) date.

So there you have it: for the good of you, the reader, I've burned a hole in my wallet and in the back of my toilet. If I were a dinosaur I'd be a Mega-sore-arse!

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