The Hottest Date Night in LA is in...La Cañada Flintridge?

As a Pasadenan, I've always been a big fan of The Huntington Library and Gardens (who wouldn't be,) but in recent years I've come to really appreciate the slightly sleepier and more manageable Descanso Gardens. It tends to be less crowded, has a lower priced annual membership, and feels like an easy spot to pop in for a quick stroll if you have time to kill. There's also always been a place to grab coffee or tea, but they've just upped their game in a real way with their first full restaurant, Farmhouse. 

So here's the date night play: Get to Descanso between 5-6 pm, when it's starting to cool down, take a leisurely jaunt all around the impressive grounds, and when the grounds close you sidle up to the bar at Farmhouse, the brand new full bar and restaurant that feels like it was always there (or always should have been.) 

The restaurant offers a super serene setting with high open-air ceilings, a wraparound patio, and an indoor-outdoor bar. The farm-to-table menu from Chef Rich Mead draws inspiration from all of southern California's best produce purveyors. Everything looks and tastes exactly the way the gardens feel: lush, fresh, inviting, balanced, and satisfying. 

Alternatively, take an early morning hike and retreat to Farmhouse for brunch. 

If you want the full white glove treatment, here's what to order after having done a few test drives:

To Drink: Yellow Jacket (mezcal, kumquat tarragon, Lillet, lemon,) a Danish Mary (Housemade tomato, aquavit) if you find yourself there around brunch, Summer Solstice (limoncello + prosecco) or a Lavender Buzz (honey gin, lavender, and lemon) for after dinner.

To Eat: Market Crudite, Roasted Asparagus, Cauliflower Steak, Prince Edward Mussels, Chopped Grilled Vegetable Salad, Herb Roasted Jidori Chicken, DG Burger.

To Treat: Cuyama Orchards Apple Crisp (the best apples in CA,) Meyer Lemon Tart 

To stay up to date on things there, follow their instagram @farmhousedg.