L'avenir China (Chinese)

Shukugawa KS Bldg 1F 10-21 Hagoromo-cho, Nishinomiya/0798-26-3656/11～14.30/17.30～22/Closed on Monday/>JPY5000/7 pickles

A nouvele Chinoise find less than five minutes walk from Hankyu Shukugawa.

L'avenir serves up high-quality, spicy Szechuan - a rare pleasure in Japan. But far from being confined by tradition, the chef also creates sensational fusion dishes by exploring such un-Chinese ingredients as fresh basil and the cheek of tuna. No matter how adventurously we order, we unfailingly finish with L'avenir's fabulous spicy noodle soup. To wash it down, there is a fine selection of Chinese liquor and teas, and even a few wines that suit the food surprisingly well. The decor is modern. Spare white walls with beige brown accents are hung with a series of paintings featuring oddly engaging effusions of color and figuration. But there is no english menu and the chalkboard of specials will test your Japanese. The service, though sincere, is discrete bordering on inattentive. Perhaps there aren't enough staff, or they are shy - though they needn't be. This place is good and fills up quickly.

No English menu, no Enlgish speaking staff available.

Food 8; Service 6; Atmosphere;6

HOW TO GET THERE: Turn right from the main gate of the Hankyu Shukugawa and proceed up the hill. The restaraunt is on the street behind the church, before you reach the small railroad overpass.