Blind date: Being supportive
Blind daters Crystal and Kris have their hands — and feet — all over each during a romantic and acrobatic adventure at an aerial studio in Linda Vista before heading to dinner at East Village’s newest hotspot, Lola 55, for dinner.
Usually, the locals who agree to go on these blind dates are familiar with PACIFIC — or at least San Diego. But Crystal’s about to discover that’s not exactly the case when she meets Krisztian (Kris), who only moved to town a week before tonight’s outing.
Crystal and Kris first lay eyes on each other inside a luxurious EPIC Limo, and although the daters only have a few minutes to chat before their first activity, they’re about to have their hands — and feet — all over each other as we’re sending them on a romantic and acrobatic adventure at an aerial studio in Linda Vista.
Before the fun begins, let’s review their pre-date interviews.
Where are you from, and where do you live now?
KRIS: Short answer, I was born in Hungary and mostly grew up in Florida. I just moved to San Diego a week ago for more schooling and work.
CRYSTAL: I grew up in Irvine, and moved to San Diego about two and a half years ago.
What do you do for a living?
KRIS: Defense contractor.
CRYSTAL: I work in the restaurant/bar industry while working toward my real estate career.
Why are you going on a blind date in PACIFIC?
KRIS: I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, to be honest. I walked out of my friend’s apartment on the way to a yacht party for Labor Day weekend and the magazine’s matchmaker — who lives across the hall — was walking out of her place on the way to work. She mentioned to her friend who was with us that she had a cancellation. Everyone pointed at me, while I jokingly raised my hand. A few questions later, she took my info, and here I am. I didn’t know this was going to be as big as it is, but I’m excited for the experience.
CRYSTAL: What do I have to lose? Sounds like fun! I’ve never been on a blind date, so why not?
What do you do for fun?
KRIS: I’ve spent the last six years, on and off, traveling the world. That’s pretty much been my excitement/focus till now. But my top five hobbies would be scuba, hiking, surfing, kayaking and yoga.
CRYSTAL: I like to pretend that I am good at golf. Learning to line dance is super fun. Watching girly TV shows on girls’ nights. Reading a good book.
What are you best at?
KRIS: Looking at the clock and wondering where all the time went.
CRYSTAL: I’m alright at any little thing I try, but maybe not the best.
What do you suck at?
KRIS: Nothing, I pick up stuff fairly quickly and get pretty good at it. But I would say I suck at sticking with whatever it is past just the point of being pretty good at it — to actually become great at something. I wouldn’t say it’s lack of passion though; I’d say I just like to enjoy more of everything life has to offer.
CRYSTAL: I suck at finding answers for these questions. I also wish I could sing.
What are you looking for in a date, physically and/or otherwise?
KRIS: Physically, she has to take care of her body. I’m an active person so that’s a must for me, and it also shows discipline. Otherwise, I hope she’s very relaxed and easygoing, so we have a ton of fun and laughs.
CRYSTAL: Obviously, being physically attracted to someone is a given. Just hope it comes with a great personality as well.
Describe your special brand of sex appeal in five words or less.
KRIS: Being authentic.
CRYSTAL: What does that even mean? I guess I would say briefs over boxers.
What do you like least about yourself?
KRIS: I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller…
CRYSTAL: I wish I gave myself a little more credit.
Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for looks.
KRIS: Looks are so subjective. I’m gonna go right down the middle and say five. You be the judge.
CRYSTAL: I don’t like to answer this question, but I wouldn’t say that I hate the way I look.
Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for personality.
KRIS: Well, not to toot my own horn, and, as they say, you can’t please everybody, so I’ll go with a nine.
CRYSTAL: Everyone has their moments, but I would normally say I’m a pretty happy, fun person. Depends on who I am around.
What’s your biggest fear?
KRIS: Ghost peppers. I don’t like spicy.
CRYSTAL: Disappointing my parents.
What traits could your date exhibit that would be complete deal-breakers?
KRIS: Ditzy or some comment putting down another person or other signs of negativity.
CRYSTAL: Super cocky/bad personality, bad breath.
How many people have you slept with?
KRIS: An average amount.
CRYSTAL: Who answers this? You guys are funny.
Fill in the blanks: I want my blind date to be “blank” and “blank.”
KRIS: I want my blind date to be fun and have a cute smile.
CRYSTAL: Funny and engaging.
Will the night end with a kiss, something more or something less?
KRIS: It’s hard to say. I know nothing about her. If I’m interested, I’ll definitely push for the second date, though. But naturally, as a man, yes, I’m likely hoping for at least a kiss by the end of the date. Other possible influencing factors: are there going to be cameras on us? If so, is that a turn-off or turn-on for her?
CRYSTAL: A kiss, possibly, if we are into each other.
What’s the most important thing in the world?
KRIS: There are too many important issues that need to be addressed in the world, and I’m not going to turn this last question into a book. But I will say I think it is important for more people to reconnect with nature. I do believe a lot more people’s personal issues would be reduced if they spent more time in the real outdoors. And happier people, in turn, would likely help some of the larger issues we face.
CRYSTAL: Family, friends, happiness and health.
Aerial Revolution is a Cirque du Soleil-inspired exercise studio where fitness enthusiasts and professional performers can mix up their workouts and express themselves artistically. Crystal and Kris exit the EPIC Limo upon their arrival and make their way toward the door, where they’re greeted by Aerial Revolutions’ friendly trainers. Inside the spacious facility, a rainbow of ropes, silks, hammocks and hoops hang from the high ceiling, ready for some attention from tonight’s daters.
Hanging around
Crystal and Kris get cozy
Within minutes of arriving at Aerial Revolution, Crystal and Kris have kicked off their shoes and are already executing intermediate acro-yoga movements with minimal difficulty. At first, Crystal seems a bit tense — and who wouldn’t be while hovering above a virtual stranger whose bare feet are on your inner thighs. Yet, before long, as Kris shows he knows what’s doing, Crystal begins to relax and enjoy the activity even more.
After nearly an hour both on the mat and in the air, Crystal and Kris have each worked up an appetite. They get changed to their evening clothes, head back into the EPIC Limo and crack open a couple cold bottles of Modelo to set the mood for tonight’s dinner destination: East Village’s brand-new Mexican-food mecca, Lola 55.
After more than two years in development, Lola 55 opened in mid-August on the first floor of the new IDEA1 building on the corner of 13th and F streets. The fine-casual taco spot was designed by the acclaimed architectural firm Bells + Whistles, and the counter-style restaurant specializes in a selection of gourmet tacos prepared to order.
Crystal and Kris each take seats at a reserved table in the center of the restaurant, and the attentive waitstaff wastes no time delivering a flurry of delectable tacos alongside a cascade of cocktails made with agave spirits and seasonal fruits. After the daters have had time to taste of some of Lola 55’s finest offerings, we split them up for mid-date debriefings.
How’s it going so far?
KRIS: Great, she’s very relaxed. I like that. Easygoing. We already talked about possibly, after here, going somewhere else and hanging out, so that’s cool.
CRYSTAL: Oh, it’s been great. He’s very sociable. He’s a sweetheart, a gentleman, a little bit flirty. It’s been super fun.
What were your first impressions of your date?
KRIS: She was a little uneasy at first; I was relaxed. But that was the fact that I came to the car and she wasn’t there yet (he was the first to be picked up in the limo). I had a little bit of time to wind into the situation, and she had to jump right into it. So I think that I had a leg up on that.
CRYSTAL: Well, I thought he was adorable. He’s very nice. Opened my door for me. So that was sweet. Very engaging, talked a lot, asked a lot about me, so that was nice.
Is this the type of person you’d normally date?
KRIS: Yes, she’s very sweet. I am attracted to a kind personality, a soft personality, because I travel a lot and talk to a lot of people. To do that, you have to be warm and welcoming, and that’s part of who she is, warm and welcoming.
CRYSTAL: I wouldn’t say normally, because I think I like guys who are not as nice as him. But of course, I want a nice guy. Maybe, you never know. We might go on another date. We’ll see.
What do you think of the way your date is dressed?
KRIS: Oh, beautiful.
CRYSTAL: I think he thought it was going to be a little more fancy, but I guess I’m dressed up a little fancy too, so it’s kind of cute. I definitely like the vest and tie he’s got on.
How was your experience at Aerial Revolution?
KRIS: It was good. I’ve done something like this many years ago, so I had an idea of what I was getting myself into. So it was super easy, and of course, her trusting the fact that I kind of know what I’m doing made the whole situation flow easier.
CRYSTAL: I loved it. I had no idea what to expect, but it was so much fun, and I would absolutely do it again — 100%. I want to sign up now, actually.
How is your experience at Lola 55?
KRIS: It’s wonderful, it’s a very nice building. The prices are great. You can definitely just pop in and have a few bites with anybody.
CRYSTAL: So when I first walked in, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The food is beautiful and tastes great. I can’t wait to try the rest of it.
What did you eat/drink/do there?
KRIS: I had a mule and she had a strawberry cucumber tequila drink. Both were great. I was uneasy about the strawberry, but it’s very nice. It’s actually not sweet at all. The food has been great, too. Nice presentation.
CRYSTAL: I think it’s an Indian something. It’s a strawberry-basil tequila drink. It’s super good. His was the tequila mule and that was amazing, too.
What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?
KRIS: When the natural smile comes out, not the forced smiles we’ve had to do for the cameras. But the natural smile.
CRYSTAL: Probably be a little flirty when I didn’t expect it. He grabbed me on my legs before we were about to do this random pose. That was cute, and I didn’t expect it.
What’s the least attractive thing your date has done so far?
KRIS: I don’t really recall anything.
CRYSTAL: He has not really been unattractive at all. He’s been super sweet and awesome.
Rate your date on a scale from one to 10 for looks.
KRIS: Wow, that’s a harsh one. Nine because I’m typically attracted to blondes, but otherwise, she’s very pretty. Slender. I’m skinny, so that’s typically a problem.
CRYSTAL: Well, I don’t think that’s very nice, but he’s very handsome. Cute and adorably sweet.
And for personality?
KRIS: Personality? Great. 10.
CRYSTAL: He has a great personality. I give him a 10 for sure.
What’s your date’s most attractive quality?
KRIS: I like the long hair, I know it’s a hassle for her. But it’s something that’s grown on me as I’ve gotten older. I used to hate it because it gets everywhere.
CRYSTAL: Well, he can hold me up in the air with his feet for a really long time, so … I was very surprised.
What’s your date’s least attractive quality?
KRIS: Nothing yet.
CRYSTAL: Honestly, he doesn’t seem really unattractive to me.
Do you want to kiss your date right now?
KRIS: Yeah, actually. She had her eyes closed, but I was actually going to go for it earlier when we were doing the yoga.
CRYSTAL: I guess we’ll have to find out. The night’s not over yet.
Does your date want to kiss you?
KRIS: I don’t know, but we are planning on hanging out, so hopefully it goes that way after.
CRYSTAL: Well, right when we got in the ride on the way to our first date, he already asked me to hang out on Saturday, so I think maybe.
How and when will the date end?
KRIS: That’s a good question. Right now, we’re planning on going to another bar after this. So I guess it depends on how long we hang out there.
CRYSTAL: I think we might go somewhere, maybe Moonshine Flats or someplace in Little Italy. We’ll see.
Anything you’d like to add?
KRIS: I’m pleasantly surprised at what has been going on. I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. But it’s been nice. I guess not everybody is totally comfortable with the idea. But that being said, I don’t think it’s that bad if you’re open to just hanging out. Worst-case scenario, you make a friend. It doesn’t necessarily have to go further than that. For me, specifically, I’m new to the town. So even if I were just friends with her, that would be great. I’m enjoying it.
CRYSTAL: I’m glad I got to be on this date. I didn’t expect to have such a good time. But it’s been really awesome, and I really like the yoga we did. I had a really good time, and I’m pleasantly surprised.
A confounding conclusion
Kris loses his P.B. virginity
Empty glasses gather on the table at Lola 55 and are just as quickly whisked away. Between the acro-yoga, the tornado of tacos and everything they’ve had to drink, there appears to be some pretty serious chemistry between the Crystal and Kris. That’s when we decide to set these two lovebirds free and follow up the next day to find out what we missed.
How was your experience and dinner at Lola 55?
KRIS: It was nice. They were very accommodating. The drinks and food were good.
CRYSTAL: The food was amazing. We tried a bunch of tacos, they tasted great. Pretty much all of them were to die for. We also had a Caesar salad, and their bread on the side for their croutons was probably my favorite thing that we tried.
What did you eat and drink there?
KRIS: They pretty much went all out and gave us a taste of everything.
CRYSTAL: I know we tried a bunch of tacos: chicken tacos, pork belly and a veggie, I think it was cauliflower. To drink, he had a tequila mule and I had an Indian something? It was a strawberry, basil, tequila drink and it was really good.
Where did you go and what did you do for the rest of the evening after dinner?
KRIS: We went out to a popular bar in her neighborhood. We had drinks and danced a little bit.
CRYSTAL: He has never really explored San Diego very much because he just moved here not too long ago. I live in Pacific Beach, so we went over to Mavericks Beach Club to check it out. It was pretty much going off. We had a couple drinks and he dropped me off at home in the Uber, and he went home.
When did you get home?
KRIS: I’m not sure, to be honest. I actually didn’t look at my phone all night.
CRYSTAL: I think we probably got home at midnight.
Was there a kiss or romantic exchange?
KRIS: I’ve been very open in my interviews, so I’m going to respectfully decline that one.
CRYSTAL: I don’t really kiss and tell. Maybe he’ll tell you.
What’s the funniest thing that happened during the date?
KRIS: Probably go with the fact that some random guy walked up to us at the bar and he told us we both looked great, and then he would just not stop complimenting me to her.
CRYSTAL: We did get talked to a lot at Mavericks. People wanted to know why we were all dressed up. People would randomly buy us shots. That was kind of cool, kind of awkward. I guess you could say it was funny because we were doing that yoga where we where he had to hold me up in the air basically, so that was kind of funny and embarrassing.
Blind Dates
Blind date: Road hard
Blind date: The cold and the beautiful
Blind Date: A brew day
Blind Date: Being supportive
Blind date: In distill of the night
Blind Date: Getting their axe together
Blind Date: SUP to no good
Blind Date: Build it and they will come
Blind Date: Something in the air
What was the best part of the date and why?
KRIS: I’d say the times we had to sit around and actually have a conversation before we got distracted with pictures or food. The natural part of the communication.
CRYSTAL: I think the yoga was the best part because I had never tried it before and it was super fun. I didn’t think I could do it, because I’m not flexible, but apparently, you don’t have to be that flexible to do that yoga. That was the best part.
What was the worst part of the date and why?
KRIS: I don’t know, I would say I quite enjoyed myself. It was my first blind date and it was also my first date since I’ve been in San Diego, and she was a sweetheart, so there’s nothing bad I can really say.
CRYSTAL: I don’t think anything was bad. I really liked the yoga. The food in the restaurant was really good. We had good drinks, so I can’t really complain about anything.
Will there be a second date? Why or why not?
KRIS: We just met, so maybe we could meet to play some bar games or something, as that was our original intention as of yesterday evening. But we haven’t talked about a second date yet.
CRYSTAL: You know, I think that he wants to take me out on a second one. He asked me out on a second date when he first picked me up. He asked me what I was doing on Saturday when we were driving to yoga. But I don’t know if there’ll be a second date, but we’ll see. If he were to ask, I might say yes, depending on what he wants to do.
What’s one thing your date really should know before going on another date?
KRIS: Nothing, she must do this all the time. (Laughs.) She’s a natural.
CRYSTAL: He did really well. He’s a good talker, he flirts well. He’s a good dater.
What could have made this date better?
KRIS: More time at the beginning to talk, instead of getting thrown right into the activity.
CRYSTAL: I don’t think so. I had a really good time. I normally don’t go on awesome dates like that. I can’t complain. It was good.
Anything else you’d like to add?
KRIS: I think everyone should try new experiences outside of their comfort zone, whether it be a blind date or anything else. You never know. You might enjoy it more than you ever thought you would.
CRYSTAL: I would recommend this to my friends. I had a lot of fun. I think it would be fun for any of my friends to do it.
AFTERMATCH: Hmm… Something’s not adding up. Both Crystal and Kris said they’d be open to a kiss earlier in the night, yet neither of them will admit they locked lips. Plus, during dinner, both mentioned they’d be down for date numero dos, but now neither of them knows? Kris was krushing it; then what happened? We’re guessing he probably just wasn’t prepared for the P.B. scene. So, for now, anyway, it seems like things between this month’s daters are right where they were at Aerial Revolution — up in the air.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Daters’ answers may have been edited for length and clarity.
Special thanks and promotional consideration from:
Epic Limo: 858.270.LIMO (5466), epiclimo.com
Aerial Revolution: 619.220.4909, aerialrevolution.com
Lola 55: 619.542.9155, lola55catering.com
Matchmaker Jessica Pelligra: matchandmagic.com
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