Date ideas to have a good time with a Valentine
With lined up easy-ups in its parking lot, the Mt. SAC Farmers Market is a pleasant spot for a quick and accessible date. The farmers market is located at 1100 N. Grand Ave, Lot B in Walnut, and open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After a hot morning, the first thing on my mind was a refreshing drink and basket of fresh fruit. The parking situation at the farmers market was relaxed as the area was uncrowded and peaceful, with a duo of live singers softening the atmosphere. There was a small seating area that was shaded where a small cluster of people were eating food from booths.
Though there were not as many booths as I initially thought, there was still a lot of diverse foods and goods at the farmers market. The market sells items from essential oils to wood carvings to jewelry, all from small businesses or local farms.
I first got the Cinnamon Matcha ($7) from “Cravo Toast” and a carton of blackberries ($6) from “Bonita Farms.” The matcha flavor was prominent and the perfect balance of sweetness and earthiness. I wish there was more cinnamon in the matcha as the spice in the drink was quickly drowned out. I was a big fan of the blackberries, and although the carton was on the smaller side, all the berries were perfectly sweet and ripe.
I found myself running out of booths to explore after 45 minutes, but I would like to visit the farmers market again as each booth has its own personality and charm. I would give the market 4/5 stars. Ω
Are you looking for the perfect café date spot with the right balance of comfort and charm? Hide Out Café at 18888 Labin Court, Suite C106 in Rowland Heights is easy to miss but worth finding. Open every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hide Out Café creates the ideal setting for a relaxed date with its relaxing ambience and delicious food.
Engaging in conversation is hard on an empty stomach, but Hide Out Café’s got you covered. Its menu offers both classic café items like the Fresh Avocado Toast ($19) and dishes with Asian flavors like the Three Little Pigs plate ($19.50), which features sautéed pork belly, Taiwanese sausage and spam. I ordered the Basil Sauteed Chicken with rice and salad. The chicken was perfectly tender with the right amount of seasoning: not too strong but just enough to feel a kick of spice and garlic. The salad and rice balanced out the flavor of the chicken.
They have a wide selection of drinks ranging from teas and coffees to matcha and fruit juices. I ordered one of their signature beverages, the Boba Bear Set ($8.50), which features a frozen milk tea bear, cream top, boba, brown sugar milk tea and house-made cookies. To assemble the drink, I placed the frozen milk tea bear into the warm milk and watched as the bear melted into my beverage.
The glass wall entrance allowed sunlight to fill the entire room, creating an inviting atmosphere. Plants decorated almost every corner of the room and soft wooden accents tied the space together. All the interior design choices made the café feel warm and comforting.
From my own personal experience, cafés either have poor food, a lackluster environment, overcrowding or prices that don’t match the quality. Hide Out Café manages to deliver both great food and a pleasant atmosphere–something most cafés can’t pull off at the same time. I would give the café 5/5 stars. Ω
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