at last cafe
204 Orange Ave
Long Beach, CA
(562) 437-4837
February 4, 2009
a classy neighborhood cafe
at last cafe is what a neighborhood cafe should be—fresh, delicious and affordable, and for now is my new favorite in the hood resto. it’s a cute little place, and the emphasis is on “little”, which means that if it continues to be popular, take heed and make reservations. we came for lunch on a saturday, and though it wasn’t bustling, the majority of the tables were filled up from just two parties. if you’re lucky enough to live in the hood, definitely ride your bike or walk as parking can be difficult at times.
everything on the menu looked and tasted good. for those who may be in a hurry, i warn that it can seem a little leisurely because the chef is cooking by himself, and there was only one waitperson when we were there, waiting on everyone, but we were fine. service was responsive and friendly. we’re definitely going to return and try all the things on the menu.
Dishes I tried:
roasted artichokes
it was done well, with a little red pepper sauce and sprinkled with parmesan.
arugula salad
tasting like it was picked fresh from a garden. some of the stalks were a bit thick, but it was nice and peppery with some bitterness, shredded cheese & homemade croutons. i quite enjoyed it, although some people may not like bitter greens.
mac & cheese
the mac and cheese is simple and delicious. a good balance of cheese and cream with some contrasting texture from the breadcrumbs, it is a comfort food done well. it’s probably not the healthiest thing, but somehow it tastes like it’s good for you!
pleasurepalate
07/31/2008Yay! You joined! :)