DATE PLACE: Bobo Noodle House
BY: MARK WEBBER
Think about the best date you’ve ever been on.
What was it that stood out to you the most? Maybe it was the romantic setting, the delicious food at a restaurant, or perhaps it was that your date was so adorable it didn’t matter where you were.
Of course, if none of this is familiar to you, then perhaps it is easier to think of the worst date you’ve been on. Think loud annoying atmosphere, unflattering lighting, food that made you ill by looking at it, neglectful or rude service staff, a face on the other side of the table that you’d rather forget…
The point is that there is a lot that can occur that can make or break the quality of a date and whether or not you wish to cherish it or wish to hide it away in the deepest, darkest corner of your memory.
Lucky for us all there are places that can help make the date pleasant before you even arrive.
One of those places is Bobo Noodle House on North Skinker Boulevard in St. Louis.
Both fresh in style and easy on the wallet, Bobo Noodle House is an attractive place to take either the love of your life or someone you think is kind of cute.
The restaurant, placed just outside of Washington University, is perhaps best suited for the young (however, I witnessed an elder couple who looked like they absolutely loved the set up). It is designed for counter service, so customers order their food before seating.
Yet, this is no fast-food joint.
While the meals are affordable (9 – 12 bucks for entrees, 5 – 8 bucks for appetizers or side dishes), the quality is far from cheap. The food is attractive so you won’t have to worry about grossing out your date, but more importantly it’s delicious!
The food is South East Asian, but I don’t believe you have to be a lover of South East Asian food to enjoy your meal. There is enough of an assortment to find something that’ll make your stomach happy. Side note: If you are not a fan of spicy food, just ask to be sure. And if you are a fan of spicy food like I am, get the Spicy Salmon with Vermicelli Noodles along with the Spicy Cucumber Salad and a big glass of water; you’ll be loving life.
While the food is both delicious and inexpensive, it is the style and atmosphere that might best make it a great place to take a date.
I thought about this counter service set up and decided it is really quite nice. There is still a helpful staff that brings food, refills drinks and takes empty plates. It isn’t like you have to walk around crowded seating to get to the counter or to your table. You see, in this design your food comes quicker because there is no waiting to order or waiting for the waiter to process the order. Basically, there is no neglect. And everything else about fine dining is there.
The seating is both very simple and intimate. You can sit across from one another at a table that is large enough to fit your food dishes, but not so large to where you can’t reach across and steal a bite of your date’s Mango Salad. Or you may choose to snuggle in close on the booth seating.
The atmosphere is wonderfully soft, with dim lighting and perfect sound. That is, you can talk casually or intimately with your date without any noise drowning out your conversation. Yet, it isn’t so quiet that you’re uncomfortable.
The walls are bare white and the floor is concrete, but there is nothing boring about the design. It is simple and attractive and allows you and your date to focus on each other instead of distractions around you.
This design also allows the paper chandeliers that hang above you to really stand out. They are made of small pieces of paper connected together with writing on them.
When I asked Michael Briggs, the manager, about the pieces of paper he replied, "They’re notes about love, both good and bad." Is that not perfect or what?
Favorite dish: Crispy Pork Spring Rolls with Lime Soy Sauce (6 bucks).
