Fleur de Cocoa
Price: $$$
Location: downtown Los Gatos next to the Los Gatos Cinemas
Category: Cafe
A peaceful and tranquil pastry shop, Fleur de Cocoa sells delicious delicacies including sandwiches and drinks in addition to the expected sweets. Looking among the display, one sees pastries ranging from croissants to sponge cakes.
The relaxing atmosphere makes the venue a comfortable place to eat; however, the pastries are slightly costly. Each small pastry averages around $5, but the price definitely matches the quality of the food.
When I visited the store, it was difficult to decide which pastry to purchase out of the varying choices, but in the end I bought a Lemon Raspberry Tartelette, which cost $4.50. It was delicious but difficult to eat without a beverage. Fleur de Cocoa is a nice place to treat oneself to a snack after a long day of hard work, especially if one likes quality food.
Falafel’s Drive-in
Price: $$
Location: 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128
Category: Restaurant
Despite its name, Falafel’s Drive-in offers much more than falafels, patties made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans. Along with more unique dishes like Koubby, a middle-eastern meatball, the store offers classics like hamburgers, fries and onion rings.
A 15 to 20 minute drive from Saratoga High, the restaurant is good to visit if one enjoys diverse dishes, especially falafels.
Personally, I do not particularly enjoy falafels so the restaurant did not grab my attention. Since the classic foods sold in Falafel’s Drive-in can easily be found elsewhere, I found it more worthwhile to go eat at a restaurant closer to Saratoga.
On the other hand, the atmosphere of the restaurant is difficult to find elsewhere. Falafel’s Drive-In gives a more retro feeling with its sign, form of ordering and outdoor seating. Rather than having a menu or indoor seating, customers go up to a window to order their food and seat themselves at benches around the ordering station.
This restaurant may be interesting to visit for the atmosphere, if not for the quality of food.
Petroglyph
Price: $$$$
Location: downtown Los Gatos next to Fleur to Cocoa and the Los Gatos Cinemas
Category: Recreation
With its colorful, playful sign, Petroglyph attracts attention on the streets of downtown Los Gatos. In this “ceramic lounge,” customers choose a piece of white bisque pottery that they wish to paint and decorate. After glazing, the pottery needs to be fired in the kiln and then cooled before the customer can retrieve it a few days later.
Customers pay for a one day pass for all supplies and support, as well as for each individual piece of pottery. The pass costs $9.75 for adults and $7 for children 11 years and younger.
Because I enjoy painting, I feel the location would be a nice place to visit with friends, especially since it is located in downtown Los Gatos. However, I would not visit too often because it is pretty costly.
Despite the stereotypical “little kid” image it holds, the venue is enjoyable for all ages.
Laser Quest
Location: 1400 North Shoreline Blvd # C3, Mountain View, CA 94043
Price: $$$
Category: Recreation
Shrouded by the darkness, people of all ages try to conceal themselves while aiming for their friends. With fog and special lighting, laser tag becomes an advanced version of tag.
At Laser Quest, customers choose a code name for themselves, grab their equipment and prepare for the oncoming game. Each 25-minute game costs around $10 and can accommodate up to 30 people per game.
Customers should try to avoid wearing any white or light colors because it shines in the special lighting of the game, making one easy to spot.
Personally, I enjoyed playing the game when I was younger, and it seems like it would more enjoyable as one gets older. Young children do not consider strategy or using obstacles to their advantage, but rather focus on hitting their target. It is an easygoing competition between friends, and they get to shoot at each other with lasers. It is worthwhile to visit with a group of friends.
KTV Music Tunnel & Cafe
Location: On De Anza Blvd. in Cupertino across the street from Baskin Robbins
Price: $$$
Category: Recreation
With its new location on De Anza Blvd., KTV Music Tunnel & Cafe is attracting more attention from students.
A typical group of four to five people pays $15 per hour before 8 p.m., $25 per hour after 8 p.m. and $10 per hour during “early bird hours.” The prices range by the number of people in a group and by the room chosen. Groups reach up to 20 people.
In each room, customers can order food while choosing from a list of songs, including both English and Asian music. The venue offers many mainstream songs to sing along to, as well as some lesser known music.
Although I do not like singing in front of others, I would not mind going with a group of friends. It is a nice place to just hang out and eat at, and is enjoyable for people of all ages.
