YFC Tour Series - Date Night

Ahh, so you want to take your date, wife, partner, person you identify with, etc. ... to that special place. And maybe before that you want to take your date, wife, partner, person you identify with, etc. to a nice dinner. You want to impress with your knowledge of secret little restaurants you know. And you want to show your skill at reading Japanese menus even though you haven't a clue what the heck you're looking at. 

Well - this tour should help you out with some ideas. You can't loose with the choices outlined below. So let's just forget the O-club, Chili's, and Club Alliance (not that there is anything wrong with them :-) !) for a minute and head into town for some excellent meals.

Belle Neige

In no particular order we'll start with Belle Neige. French of course. Here they have several set dinner options to choose from. As far as I know there is no English menu. But, I've provided the course menus on the main post and you'll be able to pick the expense level to suit your goal for the evening. Prices range from about $40 to $85.   I think the ambiance is less than the other choices below, but it's a quaint place run by a very friendly husband and wife team. In the Belle Neige post I've provided a reservation aid that you can bring into the restaurant ahead of time (or any restaurant for that matter). Also have your set menu choice ready as you'll need that when you book your reservation I believe. As you walk there, a quick fake turn into Hamazushi may be in order, but then continue walking another 50 feet or so to take you to the corner, where Belle Neige and your fine dinner awaits. No smoking.

La Corte

La Corte, as long as it is not raining or snowing, has an outdoor seating area that can be quite nice under the stars (and umbrellas or heat lamps if it's cool). It's fully enclosed and protected from the wind. Equally nice though is inside. You'll feel like you're in a very nice restaurant and the service is about the best you'll encounter in Yokosuka. La Corte has a partial English menu. The course menu has English subtitles, but the regular menu does not. That's where the blog entry should help with a translated menu. Study the menu on the blog, then impress your date by reading the Japanese menu in the restaurant. That will last until the wait staff asks you the first question. But they all speak some English there so have no fear about going to La Corte.

Now to get there you do not want to walk straight down Blue Street. Take some time in the days before to find the back alley entrance. There are several back entrance paths to choose from (I can count three besides the Blue Street path).  This is much more impressive than entering via Blue Street and will display your great navigation skills (and your knowledge of narrow, dimly lit alleys). While you are at it, you could go there in person to make a reservation and maybe discuss the menu with the manager - who speaks pretty good English.  No smoking.

Hananoya

Hananoya - Perhaps the best restaurant in Yokosuka. Get a downstairs table for starters, the ambiance is much better than upstairs. If you prefer privacy, they do have one private room downstairs as well. Otherwise you can sit at a table on the main floor or the counter and watch the chef do his magic. Order the good stuff (who am I kidding, it's ALL good) and the place will not let you down on presentation or taste. Both are top notch. Best meal we've had in Yokosuka. It's simple, you WILL impress with Hananoya. English menu is good. But peruse the blog to get some ideas on what to order.  I highly recommend the beef stewed in red wine sauce. The owner is Hananoya-san, and you can pretend to know him, back from when he worked at the famous restaurant Daniel in New York. No smoking.

Hotaru - Braised pork pie with sauce

Hotaru - If your date is impressed with good food and hidden gems, Hotaru will deliver. Open the door to a beautiful array of color and a sleek bar. Some really really good food here from the Banzai chain.  They have an English menu so you'll be able to get by. Unfortunately not everything on their Japanese menu shows up on the English menu. But you should still have enough options from which to choose.  There is one minor problem that I have to report. I've yet to post a blog entry on Hotaru.  It's one of those places that is kept in "reserve" like a private hideaway. But since you've read down this far it is now uncovered for your eating pleasure. I'm still not going to reveal its location though.  I know you can find it if you have the motivation, but do keep it a secret. Hotaru is just a tiny little place. (Update: I have posted on Hotaru. Search for Hotaru and Yokosuka and you should be able to find it).

I originally forgot one restaurant for this list and I'd be remiss if I didn't include Restaurant Don.  The view can't be beat if you time it correctly. They post the time of sunset on their website. It'd be best to call ahead for a reservation.


There are a few more destinations that I have in mind, but they still have not convinced me yet. Mostly it's my fault for not having visited them except for once. As I go back for return visits, if I feel they rise to "date night" criteria, they'll be added.  Enjoy, and let me know how it goes.