I was planning to visit MOCA around lunch time, so I thought I’d find a nice place for a relaxing lunch. A variety of items I read online led me to conclude that Patinette Cafe at MOCA would be the perfect choice. Wow, was I wrong!

I read that Patinette Cafe is the smaller, less expensive offspring of the upscale Patina restaurant located at the Disney Concert Hall. And, it was located right on the museum property. Sounded like a perfect place for lunch.

Reality check: Patinette Cafe is a tiny space located under the stairs that lead to the main entrance of MOCA. It’s a glass display case with some pastas and pre-made sandwiches. The top of the display case is cluttered with small baskets of cookies, potato chips, candy bars. Behind the cash resister is a glass front refrigerator with canned and bottled beverages. The “cafe” is barely more than a snack bar!

I was running late that day, so I got a sandwich (very ordinary) and a Snapple for about $13.00. Later, when I was leaving the museum, I noticed a Koo Koo Roo right across the street — I wish I would have noticed it earlier!