![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Bearing the promise of sweet treats and Hello Kitty-themed delight, the Hello Kitty Cafe at Westfield Valley Fair opened mid-July. With the face of the iconic cartoon figure everywhere, the cafe sparkled with Instagram potential from decor to desserts, drawing massive lines during its opening days. But while the cafe looked magical and the Hello Kitty-themed desserts were visually well thought-out, the subpar flavors didn’t match the presentation.
We ordered the Strawberry Dream, Strawberry Cloud Matcha, Strawberry Tart, Mama’s Apple Pie and Chocolate Cake. Among the pastries, only the Strawberry Tart ($11) stood out. Fresh fruit, smooth custard and a buttery crust all meshed together beautifully in this cohesive, seasonal treat. This dessert was delicious, and its limited-time label made it all the more appealing. Although the Hello Kitty-shaped butter cookie on top was cute, the rest of the tart was so delightful that it almost felt like an afterthought.
The other desserts on the standard menu, meanwhile, lacked compelling flavors. Though the crust of the Mama’s Apple Pie ($11) was light and flaky, the filling was too mild, lacking the warm apple-spice punch we expected. The Chocolate Cake ($11) was our least favorite. The cake itself had a grainy texture and such overwhelming bitterness that the cocoa flavor was completely lost, making it nearly inedible after one bite. Though the silver Hello Kitty face and glossy ganache looked promising, the actual eating experience disappointed us.
On a similar note, the drinks were visually enticing but lacked memorable flavor. At first bite, the pastel pink Strawberry Dream ($9) resembled strawberry yogurt with a lively tang, but the flavor soon faded into flat, one-dimensional sweetness. The Strawberry Cloud Matcha ($8) promised whimsy with its top layer of pink cotton candy dusted with a matcha Hello Kitty face, yet was unpleasant from the first sip to the last. With thin and watery consistency, weak matcha flavor and clumps of undissolved cotton candy and matcha powder that sank to the bottom, it tasted far worse than it looked. Both drinks proved more appealing visually than in flavor.
While the drinks and desserts looked the part, the real centerpiece of the cafe experience is the Bow Room. This exclusive pink restaurant-like space is only accessible by reservation and offers two specialty services: Afternoon Tea, a prix fixe menu with a mix of sweet and savory bites plus a pot of tea of your choice offered for $70 per person, and Evening Delights, which pairs a premium dessert with a drink at $30 per person. Both experiences are in high demand, and we were unfortunately unable to secure a reservation. We recommend that those interested make a reservation ahead of time to secure a spot.
Without access to the Bow Room, we ordered instead from the storefront, where customers without reservations must take everything to go. The staff boxed up our pre-made desserts and made our drinks to order before placing them on the pickup counter. Though missing the Bow Room meant missing some of the cafe’s immersiveness, the main space still offered charm with its simple, adorable decor — we especially loved the giant Hello Kitty cutout and the bow-themed wallpaper that added a cozy touch.
The Hello Kitty Cafe is worth visiting for the novelty, though the price is hard to justify. With its playful atmosphere, charming decor and themed treats, it offers an experience that fans will appreciate. But if you’re looking for delicious flavor to match the cuteness, you might want to look elsewhere.
