By  Jay Friedman

The Japanese believe as Americans do: The way to a lover’s heart is through the stomach. Given the sensuality of Japanese cuisine, why not (re)discover love this Valentine’s Day by enjoying a fabulous dinner at a Japanese restaurant?

Few foods are as sensual as sushi. It’s light and refreshing, so there’s less chance of a food coma if you’ve got post-dinner plans for passion. Cozy up to the counter and take turns ordering pairs of nigiri. You’ll learn to give up control, and in the process you might discover new pleasures. You can eat with your hands, and as a bonus, unagi and uni are considered aphrodisiacs. The Seattle area has great sushi, from Rikki Rikki to Shima Sushi to Shiro’s.

Unishot at Miyabi Restaurant

Nabe is also romantic for dinner. You and your partner can laugh and play while you cook together in a shared, bubbling hotpot that provides warmth and comfort. Fish out the food and feed each other in this interactive meal. Miyabi Restaurant is one place that can serve up a special nabe feast if you reserve ahead.

By request, a special nabe feast awaits at Miyabi Sushi

Should small plates be to your liking, an izakaya meal might be ideal. Kick back with sake, shochu, beer or wine, and order shareable nibbles as you nuzzle up to your loved one and pass the night away. If you’re lucky, kokoko (heart) might just be on the menu! Issian is a friendly place for such festivities, while Umi Sake House offers a more upscale setting.
For fine dining, few experiences are as memorable as a kaiseki meal. If you’ve enjoyed kaiseki in Kyoto, you know it’s an elegant, multi-course affair in which you’re wowed by both the beauty of the plating and the balance of flavors and textures — eating with your eyes as much as your mouth. In Seattle, Momiji has a stunning Zen garden that’ll be the backdrop to kaiseki meals starting late January, while I Love Sushi’s Lake Bellevue location offers two kaiseki-style omakase dinners that change monthly.

Finding Zen while enjoying a kaiseki meal at Momiji

Post-dinner, how about something sweet with your sweetheart? Dozo Japanese Sushi is debuting Japanese-style confections, or you can pick up dessert from Fuji Bakery, Fumie’s Gold or Hiroki Dessert.

My recommendation for a romantic Valentine’s Day: Mont Blanc or another treat paired with terrific coffee at Queen Anne’s Café de Lion, a walk to take in the scenic view at Kerry Park and then sushi dinner at Tangletown neighborhood favorite Kisaku or Eastlake’s elegant Sushi Kappo Tamura.

About writer
Freelance food writer Jay Friedman is the co-editor of the Fearless Critic Seattle Restaurant Guide, and pens a weekly column about Asian noodles called "The Mein Man" for Seattle Weekly's Voracious blog. Concerns about cholesterol can't keep him away from a good bowl of ramen! You can read his writing at his Gastrolust.com website.