Explore local, hidden restaurant gems

When looking for a new place to dine, most people will recommend driving to downtown or going far lengths, when in reality there are countless hidden gems in our own backyards.

Marketplace Cafe

While browsing through the racks of clothing, one would be surprised to find this cafe hidden away on the second floor of Nordstrom. Marketplace Cafe is a well furnished and fully functioning cafe, providing well relaxed environment. They had a well composed menu, offering anything from sandwiches to pasta dishes. The chicken salad and roast beef sandwich with fries looked fresh and tasted  delicious. The food overall was tasty, the portions were just right, and the price was decent.

Peach Cafe

Old town Monrovia is home to many delightful things, like the weekly street fair and the lesser known Peach Cafe. Hidden down a small avenue off Old Town’s main street, Peach Cafe boasts its DingDong Cake and a long stream of delicacies for any taste. The decor was quite modern and with a cute city cafe aura.
Despite the wait, the Monte Cristo and the chocolate chip pancakes were both quite tasty. The overall experience was great in all honesty, the food was absolutely delicious. The waiters were very respectful and the price was quite reasonable. The parking can be difficult depending on the day and the cafe shares it with several other businesses. The wait time and the limited parking is annoying, but it can be overlooked by the delicious food.

Duck’s Restaurant

Located on a busy corner of Las Tunas Dr. right across from Jefferson Middle School in San Gabriel, Duck’s Restaurant is almost virtually invisible thanks to foliage blocking its sign and any other indication that it is even open. Cozy, authentic Japanese vibes filled the restaurant, and the menu was filled with popular dishes. The chicken curry dish and the cold soba noodles were delicious and fragrant. The curry had a rich, meaty flavor and it surprisingly had a nice kick to it. The food is quite pricey, with a single dish of curry costing about $17. The service was kind, and the parking was a bit tiny. Duck’s Restaurant is a definite must for those who are willing to pay a bit more for a quality and traditionally made Japanese cuisine.