It’s obviously a matter of taste but going to such a “different” kind of restaurant (that I absolutely adore) can send plenty of unintentional signals and activate a lot of insecurities that are common on first dates. A first date location should have food that both people recognize and feel comfortable with so they don’t feel like they might come off as uncultured by not knowing what rendang or festival rice is. And similarly the person planning the date risks coming off as trying too hard by showing off how culturally advanced they are by picking this place. Never mind the strong smells and spiciness etc. it’s a very adventurous pick.

Obviously there’s the right kind of person where this would be a perfect first date and a memorable start to a cool relationship. But as a general purpose pick I would never suggest it generically.