Aroma Cafe in Studio City
It never fails. You’re finally going to meet up with that person you met online. L.A. is a city with endless possibilities, yet you draw a complete blank on where to go for the first date. You want to be original, but you want it to be casual. You want it to be fun, but without a huge time commitment. After all it’s just a first date.
I think dating should be a way to explore L.A. I’ve scouted out different places to meet a first date and I’m back to report them to you. Yes, I suffered through awkward, meaningless conversations with strangers for your sake. You can thank me later.
First stop: Studio City. I have a friend who takes every first date to Aroma Café (4360 Tujunga Ave, Studio City). I love this place because it’s so much more than coffee. They’ve got smoothies, tea, salads, dessert, sandwiches–I recommend the brie and apple panini. Aroma Café feels very European with its outdoor seating, small fountains and eclectic furniture. It’s also pet-friendly, so bring your dog and see if he gets along with your date. There’s a delightful bookstore attached to the café (Portrait of a Bookstore). Make sure to stroll through on your way to the patio.
If things are going well, consider walking down the street to the Starlite Room (11411 Moorpark St, Studio City). It’s a tiny dive bar next to a taco stand (Henry‘s Tacos). The bar looks like it belongs next to a run-down motel in the middle of nowhere, but it’s safe and fun, I assure you! Saloon doors, a jukebox, a pool table and cheap drinks. What more do you need? The bartender will bring over a tub of candy. I’m not sure how long the candy has been there. My date and I ate some to be polite and we didn’t get food poisoning, so that’s a good sign. My point is the place has character. It will give you and your date something to talk about if you run out of topics.
Now there‘s no excuse for blanking out on a first date location. Punch in the address on your GPS and start heading over to Aroma Café or the Starlite Room.
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