6 Years and 2 Kids Later, Eddy Luw and Jack Smith's Datenight

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Six years of marriage and two kids later, Eddy Luw and Jack Smith are still as in love as the day they said “I do!” The couple met us at the newly opened modern casual restaurant Superfly for some hot tips of love and marriage, with a side on hot and spicy Sichuan food.

The Opposite House’s newest restaurant puts a creative spin on Sichuan’s famous ‘fly restaurants’ – casual eateries known for their authentic cuisine, which are literally buzzing with energy as the go-to hangout for locals in their area. Superfly at The Opposite House gives the timeless classics a cool new look, both on the plate and off. Part mid-century, part art deco, the decor of Superfly isn’t what you’d normally expect from a luxury hotel, but hey, this is The Opposite House and they’re anything but traditional.

Among the spicy new dishes, is a refined and completely vegetarian version of classic mapo tofu (RMB 88) that uses Pixian county bean paste, chili, black beans, and tofu so silky that it feels like it is literally melting in your mouth. And for those who are hoping for a cold drink with their partner before digging into a feast, the spicy, tender and juicy Sichuan beef jerky (RMB 88) is the snack to pair with a cocktail or craft beer. The Superfly bar menu offers a list of signature cocktails that highlight local Sichuan flavors as well as Great Leap craft beers on tap for those who are looking for something a bit more down-to-earth. But the whole dinner can’t be all about spicy foods and nothing on the menu gives you a better break from the spices than their crispy salt and pepper shrimp (RMB 128). Whole large shrimps are fried with oolong tea leaves that look almost like dehydrated seaweed, making a delicious and delicate counterpoint to the other spicy dishes on the menu. It’s a dish that’s subtle in flavor and pays tribute to the beautiful tea fields that Sichuan is famous for. In China, no meal is complete without some sort of carbs and while their small bowls of sweet water noodles (RMB 35) might not look like much, these hand-rolled noodles are cooked to chewy perfection and mixed with Superfly’s own sweet and chili oil blend.

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So what’s the secret to a long loving relationship? These two Beijing hot dads shared a bit of their history with beijingkids. “We met on a gay dating website, back when those still existed and we didn’t have smartphones,” Smith tells us. “It was actually our third attempt at a date. I’d canceled on him twice before and later he told me it was my last chance. I’m just lucky he gave me that chance!” And as fate would have it, one date turned into true love. Smith and Luw celebrated their six-year anniversary this past May.

When these dads of two four-year-old boys aren’t busy setting up play-dates and fussing over their kids, they make a little time for themselves to keep their love ablaze. “We don’t get many date nights!” Smith admits to beijingkids. “Like most working parents, when we get time alone together we usually just collapse. It’s tough finding the energy to plan and get dolled up for a date night. More often than not our date nights are just a drink and a chat on our rooftop once the kids are asleep.” But on the rare occasion that the two get a night just to themselves, their rule is no phones at the table and to try not only to discuss the kids – or if they do, only within the context of fun future plans like holidays.

Parenting isn’t easy and it’s bound to cause friction at times, but Luw and Smith believe that the secret to a long happy marriage is that the couple never goes to bed angry. “Stay up and fight until you’ve worked things out. We’ve missed more than a few social engagements because we had to finish an argument!” Smith admits. If you’re ready for a date night out with just your other half, then a belly full of spicy Sichuan cuisine might just be what you need.

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Photos: Uni You

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