People on Yelp say that they love the food at my bakery, but that they “wouldn’t bring a date” here, or that it’s “not a great date spot,” or that it’s “more of a grab and go joint,” or that it’s “not a great spot for dates.” They’re wrong! In addition to featuring fresh baked breads and pastries and housemade soups, salads, and sandwiches, The Little Loaf is dripping with romantic charm. You just gotta know where to look!

1. The table by the window

This is probably the best table in the whole spot. It gets a lot of good light, you can look out at the street while you eat, and it’s right below the stereo speaker in the corner. If I saw a couple sitting there, I could put on some jazz to really put it over the top.

2. The two stools at the counter on the wall

Someone also once said that “love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction.” I don’t know if I agree. I kind of think that it’s nice to look at the person that you’re in love with, especially if they’re pretty! And if you’re not looking at them, how are supposed to know when they get mad at you? Well, if you think that there’s something to it, then there’s no better spot than the stools at the window counter. You both gotta be facing the counter when you eat or else you’re gonna end up with a bunch of your lunch in your lap.

3. The table between the drink coolers

My staff keeps begging me to get rid of this table. They tell me that no one likes to sit there because you’re squeezed right up against the drink coolers on two sides and the wall on the other. They say it feels claustrophobic being closed in like that and there is nothing to look at that the noise from compressors makes it hard to hear one another. But I’ve seen a bunch of couples that looked like they were having a fine time at that table. The Beatles said “all you need is love” and I kinda like think that this table is proof.

4. My office

I usually don’t let customers anywhere in the bakery besides the dining area, but if a couple was really looking for a little privacy, I might think about letting them eat in my office. It’s got the only door in the whole bakery that locks, except for the bathroom, and there isn’t even a window, so you don’t have to worry about a bunch of strangers listening in if you need to spill your guts to somebody. If it’s not gonna take too long, I can always do my ordering in the hallway or go for a walk or something.

5. The bathroom

If a couple was desperate for a moment alone and I wasn’t around to open up my office, I guess the bathroom would be their next best bet? For sanitary reasons, I don’t recommend that anyone eat their lunch in the bathroom, but like I said, it’s got the only other door that locks and there’s no windows in there either.

6. Standing next to our brick oven

The kitchen is typically off limits to our customers, but I know that being so close to all that fire and heat can really get some people’s motors running. For very special occasions, anniversaries, birthdays, etc., I’ll let couples sneak back there and eat next to the open oven. The only catch is that I’m gonna hang around and do some prep work or cleaning or something, just to make sure that no one gets carried away. If things got hot and heavy and the Health Department found out, it would be the absolute end of me.