WOODEN BAR: WORCESTER, MA

Last week was the first time in my life that I made it to Wooden Bar on the first try. Generally I get all confused and end up driving through random neighborhoods in Worcester for about 30 minutes until I finally figure out where their parking lot is.

It's a great place for a terrible date, because that lot filled with broken-down cars next door is the perfect place to leave a body.

It's also a great place to go on a date with someone you enjoy, aside from the fact that the acoustics make the space fairly loud. So if you're a disgusting person like me who loves inappropriate conversations, WE CAN ALL HEAR YOU.

Every time I venture to Wooden Bar, it brings me right back to my travels in Japan. I adore the simplicity of the bar, and the menu is perfection. Nothing makes me happier than finding a tiny menu where you know every option is going to blow you away. I can't stand looking through page after page of mediocre options.

So far I've had their pork buns (possibly the best I've ever had), their ginger mazemen noodles (infused with SO much unami goodness), and their scallion pancakes (really good, but I rarely eat these so I'm not the best judge of what makes a great scallion pancake.)

Prepare to get lost the first time you look for it. But once you discover it, you will absolutely find your way back.