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- Hours:
Mon-Wed 6 am - 12 am
Thu-Sat 6 am - 1 am
Sun 7 am - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Valet
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1727 reviews for Alcove Café & Bakery
Review Highlights
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"had the brie and apple panini and it was DELICIOUS." In 21 reviews -
"Oh, and did I mention the sweet potato fries." In 58 reviews -
"The bread pudding instantly won my heart." In 45 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
1726 reviews in English
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Review from Amanda S.
San Diego, CA
5/25/2012
Came here on a Saturday night, a kind of date night actually. Perfect setting for such an occasion. This charming eatery and bar/cafe has a very inviting atmosphere complete with hanging string lights and patio tables separated by hedges and full grown trees.
This is one of those order at the counter, find your own seat joints, which I've realized I actually prefer on most occasions. It allows you to enjoy some people watching, have some real time to look over the menu since you know you'll be at the front of the line shortly (instead of having to pause during seated conversation and tell the waiter to give you five more minutes and then another five minutes because you become overwhelmed with the options and get sidetracked in chit chat). What's more, waiting in line allows you to inspect the glass case of sugary goodies that you'll be enjoying afterwards.
The menu runs the gamut of obvious bistro fare like wraps and salads and paninis, but what stood out most to me was the Alcove burger which was gourmet-afied with such classy ingredients as arugula, horseradish mayo, a brioche bun, and avocado. While waiting for our meal we grabbed a drink at the Big Bar which is housed inside. We noticed the bartender was working on some very elaborate drinks, taking extreme care in whipping out a first class something-or-other for a couple on our right. Liquor was measured, glasses were selectively chosen, decorative fruit and veggie garnishes were inserted accordingly, some red powdery substance was even dashed on top. It made me realize that being a bartender may require more skill than I previously had thought. I had a delicious and simple Pimm's Cup and my beau had the bar special. Something with bourbon I think. We were both very pleased.
Returning to our tables we sat down at one of the many little patio furniture dining sets (tabletop was maybe a smidge too small) and were grateful to have the heat lamps keeping us comfortable. I was actually able to take my jacket off it was getting so cozy.
The food arrived. It was beautiful. The heaping bacon was crispy, the arugula was peppery and best of all, there was not just a slice of avocado but what seemed like an entire buttery green morsel of California greatness between the buns.
It felt a bit like dining by candlelight at a european sidewalk cafe. Foliage all around, nice lighting. Did I mention it was a date... mood-setting ingredients are pretty important in such a situation.
After our delicious meal, (my only complaints were that my bun was a bit stale and the burger meat a bit charred - emphasis on "a bit") I stopped by the glass case of treasures to surprise my man with a slice of cake to go. I told the attendee I needed something impressive and that nothing less than the most beautiful dessert would do, and he confidently suggested the Berry Blossom, a sponge cake with orange liqueur, silky meringue and berries galore. Yum!
A great experience, I hope to return. -
Review from Genevieve E.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2012
I saw Kristi Alley here. For that, I give it 5 stars.
I loved "It takes two" and I am not ashamed to admit it.
I probably should be.
Anyway, this place is uber cute.
The food is amazing.
They have a nice patio and good coffee.
Desserts look excellent.
It hasn't been too crowded for me, but I can see how it could be. -
Review from Frances C.
Walnut, CA
5/24/2012 1 photo
It's a cute place, with a good amount of outdoor patio seating, but be careful that the leaves don't land in your food.
I ordered the Caribbean Jerk Chicken Sandwich. It was pretty good, it was REALLY infused in rum, something I wasn't expecting, I had to take a break from it. So tried an omelet, that was pretty good. the vanilla latte was refreshing.
It's a little on the pricey side, but the portions are big, I wasn't able to finish my sandwich. It was pretty packed, so expect to do some waiting, the bakery case looked good, must go back to try some of the items in there. -
Review from David M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
The first two times I came here I was not impressed at all. But I just came out for their Movie night screening of Jurassic Park. I am now a HUGE fan of this place.
Although we didn't eat much since we ate before coming, we did get a few snacks and cocktails. I did get a chance to see others peoples food going out and all of it looked great. We just ordered fries and guacamole. The fries came in a big bowl with a bacon blue cheese and a Chipotle Ketchup (I believe). Both were delicious and the Fries were seasoned just right. Now the guacamole on the other hand was AMAZING. There was a good amount of heat, which was a pleasant surprise. The chips it came with were average but the guacamole was outstanding.
The staff here was all very nice. This last experience was so much fun and the only reason I didn't give this place a 5-star rating is because I haven't eaten anything else here and I need to come back. -
Review from Michelle W.
Woodland Hills, CA
5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great atmosphere and an awesome place to eat on a nice Spring/Summer day! The outdoor setting is great. The place reminds me being in a cottage in the woods! The food here is on the expensive side with salads costing around $12-14 depending on whether you add chicken or shrimp. The smoothies are pretty good because they use natural ingredients, no ice cream or whatever that other places add.
I ordered the coffee crunch cake which was so good! Each cake is about $7.50 which is on the pricey side but the slice of cake is insanely big! -
Review from Anon Y.
New York, NY
5/20/2012
OK, here's the brunch skinny...
I would rate the patio space better than Urth Cafe and rate the food better at Urth, which is also little cheaper.
If you get an omelette, you can't substitute potatoes for salad, which is a big downer for those wanting to feel good and healthy after breakfast. Portions are big more than they are tasty.
I think that if you were a big dude you would rate the place 4 and if you were a group of ladies you would probably rate it 3 because of those reasons.
It leaves your appetite satisfied but your taste buds a little wanting.
The purple cake aint that good. I thought it was described to me as full of fruit, but it was more cake. -
Review from Alida R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/18/2012
The Alcove is near my hood, and was repeatedly recommended to me by several friends, so I came with high hopes. They weren't dashed, exactly, but they were not fulfilled. I don't plan on going back anytime soon.
The atmosphere is nice, with a pretty patio with twinkling lights. There's a bar that seems to have a decent beer selection, too (although I didn't look too closely.) But it's very overpriced, especially for a place where you order at a counter, take a number, and have your food brought to you.
A friend told me the onion rings were must-try, and "as big as your head." They're big, alright, but strange -- very bready, with almost no onion inside, and not too much flavor. Not what I expect from an onion ring!
I came primarily for dessert, as it's my favorite meal of the day, and I've never met anything chocolate that I didn't get along swimmingly with. So naturally, I ordered a hefty slice of chocolate peanut butter cake. It was good, and a generous portion. But it wasn't amazing, and so not really worth the high price.
Parking can be hard to find in the neighborhood at busy times. They have cheap valet ($5, I think.) But this is Los Angeles . . . we don't pay to park! At least, this Eastsider doesn't pay to park. So with enough searching, and a willingness to walk a few blocks, you should be able to snag a spot. -
Review from Hannah L.
Los Angeles, CA
i had a really nice mother's day brunch here with my roommate. adorable courtyard seating! loved the ambiance. there was a really long line around 2pm, but we asked the host if we could just be seated and he found us a table immediately. my roomie said she did it the last time she went, so apparently that's a neat trick to try?
because my standard breakfast order wasn't on the menu, i just told the waitress what i wanted - over-easy eggs, bacon, sourdough toast, and potatoes. it ended up being $14 which is kinda whack but oh well. the eggs were over-medium...dunno why restaurants always do that. it's not hard to make over-easy eggs. but whatever, #firstworldproblems. the bacon was not good (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!). i liked the potatoes and the toast the best. my meal here was a little off but everything i saw coming out looked AMAZING and they were all huge portions.
our waitress was really sweet and checked on us a lot (maybe a little too much). only downside was the time it took to make our drinks. i had already finished my meal before my cocktail came out. they need to hire more bartenders! but the cocktail was worth the wait. i can't remember the name but it was fizzy and had rum in it. light, fresh, and fruity.
because we came to brunch on mother's day, our waitress brought us over roses at the end of our meal. that was a nice touch.
this place is too cute, so i'm going to have to give it another shot. i'll just stalk yelp first and find something better to order next time. -
Review from R. B.
Culver City, CA
5/23/2012
LOVE this place. I went there for dinner and shared the grilled veggie salad, the trio hummus with veggies & the crab cakes. I am sure their desserts are to die for, they looked amazing. Thankfully our food portions were huge and we didn't have room for dessert. I love the outdoor backyard intimate patio feel as well as the indoor homey environment. I will definitely be frequenting here.
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Review from Toshi J.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2012
ALCOVE DISCRIMINATES AGAINST PEOPLE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
I have to warn parents that the management at Alcove does not care for you to bring your young children to their establishment. While my one star rating won't make a dent in their 1700 reviews. THEY DON'T HAVE ANY HIGH CHAIRS. When we asked management why? They replied they didn't think it was necessary. They asked us to put our 10 month old child in a patio chair. This was 4 years ago and haven't been back since (we live less than a mile from here and go out to eat ALL the time).
Recently, we thought we'd check in with them to see if they decided to get a few high chairs (we now have a two year old as well as an older child). NOPE they still don't have high chairs. When asked why, this time they said they didn't know and would get back with us. Needless to say management never called back.
Some of the most high end restaurants have high chiars. Little Dom's is less than a block away and is highly acclaimed, they have high chairs. I can't list off the dozens of Los Angeles stops that cater to the foodie with kids. Alcove just seems too good for us.
This time we are putting out money where our mouth is. We'll never go to Alcove. -
Review from Graham S.
5/7/2012
A haiku review:
High quality food
Lovely patio seating
Prices a bit high -
Review from Nicole C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Yummy desserts. I believe this is the BEST local area place for some happy endings! They have a lovely patio to enjoy your dessert.
There's too many to mention so, go check them out. Cakes, Pies, Cheesecakes, Muffins, Tarts,....you name it, you can probably order it! -
Review from Chris O.
North Hollywood, CA
5/21/2012
For a long time, I received nothing but glowing recommendations for this place. So naturally, when my friends introduced me to it, I thought I was in for a real treat. A memorable experience that I could perhaps recount to my grandchildren one day over a breakfast of strained peaches. But I gotta say, the disappointment I felt was just as strong as the hype surrounding the place.
It's crazy popular, so if you're looking for a crowd on any given night, you got it. The patio area is actually very nice and expansive, with varying tiers and levels... The trick is, finding an open table to sit at. And you might want to actually stalk - er, scout out the table situation before even getting in line to order food, and if you're with a group, get one person to save the seat for you, because you may also be in line for a few minutes. The trendy vibe of the place is apparent in its decor, but the hipster atmosphere doesn't end there. Sandwiched on Hillhurst between vintage clothing shops and other artsy restaurants in Los Feliz, Alcove attracts a lot of like-minded people. Not a bad thing of course, just an observation.
Now, the food. It's safe so say I was unimpressed. My first trip here, I made the sore mistake of ordering the crab cakes. And as someone who spent a lot of my young adult years living in Maryland, growing up with a shell cracker in my back pocket, brushing my teeth with blue crab meat, I've learned to tell a "good" crab cake from a "bad" one pretty easily. And these were the latter. Call me a crab snob if you want, it wouldn't be the first time (oh, actually it might be) - but crab cakes are supposed to have crab in them, yes? These were maybe 32% crab (and that's being generous), and 68% questionable materials. Maybe some kind of pepper? Breading. I think there might have been an ambiguous garnish and an inappropriate sauce... But hey, I blame myself. The hummus wasn't bad, for the most part. Though there was a whole lot of it for how little pita bread we got. And the burger I bought on my second trip was just alright. It was pushed on me after the first fiasco - I was told that as a burger fiend, I would definitely love their burger. And I'll admit, it was more edible than the crab cakes. And much more satisfying. But it didn't change my life. And the salad I got with it was a standard, dry, leafy pile of greens.
Currently, everyone's telling me "You have to try the desserts! I promise you'll at least like the desserts!" But naturally, I'm skeptical. Don't get me wrong here though - the place isn't terrible. It's just not the Emerald City or the Ivory Tower or Castle Grayskull or anything else that everyone builds it up to be. Bottom line is - go try it and judge for yourself. -
Review from Kaitlin M.
Glendale, CA
5/22/2012
Great food, nice atmosphere, Too pricey. Been threre twice, both times waited in line for over 10 minutes to place an order. They should think about sitting customers and taking orders, rather than having them for a long line and wait forever to place an order.
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Review from Carol C.
5/6/2012
Sweet potato fries: Soggy
Turkey burger: patty was super dry and the burger was just bland
onion rings: overly battered with tiny onions
Seating arrangement: make sure your waist size is less than 30 inches or you won't be able to go in between their tables
Cashier: after we squeezed through to our table (which is pretty hard work), our cashier came up and told us the drinks we ordered were unavailable, so we had to squeeze through again to go back up to order another drink, with no apology on their side.
The place itself is really cute, which is why this place isn't getting one star... but still isn't worth the $45 price tag for an unsatisfying lunch for 2 people. -
Review from Paul M.
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
The Abbey Rule (http://www.yelp.com/bi...)
The quality of the food will be inversely proportionate to the attractiveness of the person serving it.
The Huevos Rancheros Rule
Avoid ordering anything calling itself "Huevos Rancheros" if your Mexican grandmother would not recognize it. That means, no red or blue tortillas, no soupy black beans and absolutely no rosemary potatoes.
Why not just skip eating altogether and order yourself a nice mimosa and watch all the hipster hotties stroll in, by and--if you're lucky--on.
Holy crap, was that really the Los Feliz fire station 35 that pulled up to get brunch?!
Who cares how mediocre the food is darling, pour yourself another mimosa and get to FANTASIZING!!! -
Review from Dikran I.
Glendale, CA
4/29/2012
OK now what is happening is I want to review a place either because it is totally horrendous or because I love it so much I want my friends to try it.
Unfortunately this place falls into the first category.
As a restaurant owner myself I do not easily give out one stars but here this review is for the FOOD ONLY and not for the atmosphere. The place is decent and lots of cool and very nice people frequent it. It's also close by in Hollywood. So I got the nice things out of the way lets talk about the food and experience.
This place was booked solid on the Sunday I was there and we were forced to get some juice at the nearby shopping center and park illegally so the entire time we're worried about getting towed. That's how it starts.
The coffees and teas are sub-par and can not even compare to how awesome Urth Cafe is or even Starbucks (my opinion take it or leave it for what its worth).
The chilli I ordered came COLD. I asked for the server to bring me a hot one, which to their credit they did do, however having to wait 35 minutes for cold chilli isn't my idea of the best dining experience.
The pastrami sandwich we got was very mediocre...I would give it a 3 out of 10.
The rest of the food and the salads were also very mediocre. So you say why then do I not give it 2 stars or 3 stars? Because this place charges for parking, has bad service which is very slow, and want to charge Urth Cafe prices on you.
Cheers. -
Review from Minkkwan W.
Los Angeles, CA
5/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Such a cute brunch place! Love the atmosphere. Plenty of seating everywhere, and the host will seat you after you place your order at the register and take your number.
Overall, very similar in style to Larchmont Bungalow but with a more extensive menu. I ordered their French Toast, and my boyfriend had their Smoked Salmon Benedict. We also had hot coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice. The French Toast was delicious, but I am still looking for that one that compares to the holy grail of french toast found up in Mammoth (at The Stove). This wasn't quite it yet.
The Salmon Benedict was a bit too fishy for my taste, but my boyfriend enjoyed it just fine and cleaned his entire plate. (Must not have been too bad huh?) Either way, I am sure the seafood lover would definitely enjoy this dish more than I did. -
Review from Jamie K.
Burbank, CA
5/12/2012
Over-priced. Overrated.
The workers are all snobs too. -
Review from Nicole S.
4/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Brunch is quite possibly my favorite meal. Add to that a fantastic, dog friendly patio and a spot with a liquor license? Going to Alcove was a no-brainer.
The cottage vibe at Alcove is adorable, and the food is excellent. This is the sort of place that you to the counter and place your order, they give you a number and they'll track you down with your food (When you're ordering this is also the point where they tempt you with their divine display of pastries and baked goods. Damn them!). Not the cheapest breakfast in town, but you're really paying for the experience. My only complaint about this system is that it's pretty much not doable if you DO have your puppy with you unless you have a group of people holding down your table and watching your dog.
Saturday morning brunch was pretty packed, so I'd recommend a reservation if you're going anytime after 10am. Parking is as expected on Hillhurst (crappy to nonexistent), but even if you park in the residential boondocks there are tons of cute spots along the main drag to check out.Listed in: Brunch Munch
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Review from Maggie Z.
Los Angeles, CA
5/3/2012
I like Alcove a lot--if I go at the right time. When there's a crowd, it's a bit of a hassle b/c you have to wait in line and order and THEN fight for a table. And then, once you've taken your last bite, management will start trying to hustle you out the door.
But it's like most busy places--they're busy for a reason. The food is great. I've had brunch, lunch, and dinner. They have great salads, sammies, and ommies--plus lots of other tasty options. And the bakery. Wow. The cupcakes are on my "favorite in LA" shortlist. Plus they sell cake by the slice, which is usually the only quantity of cake I want to purchase. And the people who are waiting for those insane lines of people are really really nice.
So, I don't care for the droves, but I can't really take off more than one star because they are successful and people come in droves. If you don't go at the busiest times, you will enjoy yourself. -
Review from Zada C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2012
This is one of my favorite brunch spots on the east side. Alcove Cafe is a quaint little restaurant with a homey feel. The atmosphere is very chic, and the crowd very trendy. Their garden patio is a lovely place sit out and enjoy the sunny Cali weather. It is dog friendly too, so feel free to bring your pup along.
The breakfast menu is excellent, from which you can order "anytime the kitchen is open!" Since I only really come here for brunch I have not tried their lunch/dinner menu, with the exception of the Alcove Burger which I thought was disappointingly mediocre and a little overdone. If you like me are a coffee lover, make sure to order an iced latte (comes unsweetened) or a vanilla iced latte (if you like your coffee sweetened), they are refreshingly tasty. P.S. Great place to satisfy your sweet tooth just take a look at the bakery display! So make sure to save room for dessert.
The staff is very friendly and attractive, I'm winking at you handsome host with the charming Aussie/Kiwi accent. However, be warned. This place is ALWAYS crowded and the line to order can be quite a wait.
Despite the typical 15-30min wait time, It's a really pleasant place to enjoy Sunday brunch. -
Review from Rafi B.
La Crescenta-Montrose, CA
4/14/2012
Parking has always been a problem here, but this last incident will make this the last time I go here.
We pulled into the back parking area on a Monday Night. Parked my car and as we were getting out, I noticed an attendant walking towards us from the front! He notified me that it was Valet Parking! I did not see any signs, or cones in the front! However, I was willing to pay, but he informed me that he'd have to move my car anyway! I asked why, since I was not blocking anyone! But got no answer.
I have a brand new car, therefor I don't give my car to valet's. So we were forced to get back in the car and get out!!! Great Welcome People! Also Very Embarrassing for me in front of my guests.
I can't believe that these geniuses have not thought of putting up some sort of a cone or something, so people will know they are not to enter their precious parking. Well guess what, take your parking and keep it to yourself.
And yes, I agree with the other comments, the ordering process Sucks. And what's worse is that they don't even have Trays!!!! WTF?! -
Review from Sarah W.
Studio City, CA
5/19/2012
I adore Alcove. It's overpriced, yes - but, the staff is friendly, the food is nice, the ambience is fun, and it's great to go to with a small group of friends. Their desserts are delicious - plum tart is my seasonal favorite here. Their breakfasts are good, as are the sandwiches. I suppose Big Bar deserves it's own review, but it's worth checking out as well. Whenever I come here, I see Mustard Seed Cafe across the street and think "someday I'll try that place instead," but I still haven't been there, so that must say something good for Alcove. :)
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Review from Míkéy L.
Los Angeles, CA
What a cute place. Alcove Cafe and Bakery reminds me of visiting someone's house for dinner. It's small and cozy with most seating being outdoors in the front patio. I came here with a dinner date and it was a very good choice for a place to visit after work.
I ordered a club sandwich and she ordered ginger soup and fries...a boatload of them. The sandwich was really good. We also got dessert of a chocolate lava cake and an leprechaun cookie. The cookie looked better than it tasted though.
I was scolded by an employee for taking pictures of their dessert display. Really now? -
Review from Delsy O.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 4/16/2012
Still too expensive but this time I ordered lunch. I had the Vegan Wrap (not bad, hummus was rather good) with the Apple-Pear Coleslaw (a refreshing slaw for my palette). I was most excited to order an Iced Chai Tea again (this drink is still oh so heavenly). I had some bites of my friends Turkey Pesto Panini (greasy but tasty) and Yukon Gold Fries (decent and she had a large amount of them on her plate, enough for 2!).
P.S. I should add, you will most likely see a famous person or two. At least I have (and I've been here only twice) hmm...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/30/2012
Pro: Their Iced Chai Tea is amazing! They perfected this drink to the T ;]
Con: Not a fan of their… Read more »
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Review from Risa Y.
4/2/2012 1 photo
Although we waited about 45 minutes in line to order and nearly fainted from a minor heatstroke while I was waiting in line... I can't give this place any less than 4 stars. I ordered the turkey pesto panini (11.95) - sliced turkey breast, cave aged gruyere swiss, tomato and pesto on focaccia. It was a lot of food but I managed to finish the entire sandwich because it was so good~
I like the atmosphere of the place. It is a lot like Urth Café. I sat there for hours with my gfs before we decided that we've been there for too long lolListed in: Breakfast and Brunch places…
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Review from Diane D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/1/2012
My favorite outdoor restaurant!
I always bring the kid, the dog... the friends: wonderful on a hot summer night.
My favorite remains: the brie and apple panini... my kids favorite is their Crab Benedict breakfast.
I definitely recommend it!!! -
Review from Gabrielle M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow... what is there to even say about Alcove. On the top of my LA favorites list. I've been coming here for years and have always had an A+ experience.
Equally amazing for dinner or a simple tea/dessert as it is scrumptious for breakfast. Great courtyard for al fresco that is subtly romantic by evening. Right, and they have a fabulous bar as well with quite interesting libations.
Service is IMPECCABLE. Oh Alcove, you will always have my heart! :) I will miss you oh so much if I ever leave this city. -
Review from Janine N.
Los Angeles, CA
3/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
The place is super cute, has outdoor seating and busy when you walk up. However as cute as it is; here is what destroys the whole experience. The ordering counter figure it out, it's small, annoying and makes it feel like it takes forever to get your order in. Add a twist of what feels like the tourist experience perfuming from the other customers. By tourist experience I mean the "Oh, wow how cute, I don't know what to get what is going on, etc." , with a small line that seems to take 30 minutes to place your order. There was a total of 5 people in front of me, I timed it.
After you find your sit outside, if inside is full you will have the lovely experience of two things an annoying small dog checking the floor for treats or a kid hitting the back of your chair. I personally would go with the kid, over the dog. There is something that is just gross when your trying to eat when multiply small dogs are jumping, pulling and shedding all over the place.
As you wait for your over priced food, you start to notice that your chair is a cheap lopsided wicker piece of junk that has slowly been placed next a tree or another place that would seem nice. Everything had seemed wonderful and when you first saw this place from a cross the street. After a bit of a wait, a food server not your waiter brings you your food. Personally I think the experience would be 10 times better with waiter, I like to order a second time when trying a new brunch place. Returning to the ordering counter just made me not want to give them anymore money based on waiting in that line again.
I had ordered a side of applewood smoked bacon and the Chilaquiles. Ok so really what was I thinking when ordering the Chilaquiles, it's one of my favorite double favorite breakfasts. For how bland the taste and size Alcove needs to knock 4 dollars off the price, it was ok at best. I will also add that everything that was order was lukewarm. Next the bacon, really? If I wanted crappy bacon that was way to crispy I would go to Denny's. My friend had order the crab cake benedict, so I sampled that dish as well. We both agreed that the crab cakes did not taste freshly made, more sitting in the freezer getting burned taste.
On a final note here are some ideas for Alcove:
*Get food heating lamps so food is served hot
*Hire a better chef, or knock your prices down - your food could use some help
*Figure out the ordering counter asap
*Create space between tables
*Maybe create an area for people dining with their dogs. Having a small dog running under my chair and watching his/her fur shed as I ate made me want to snap, it's gross. -
Review from Rene B.
Tujunga, CA
5/15/2012
I actually liked this place a lot! the food was great and the workers behind the counter were super nice! I didn't like the fact that there wasn't any parking lot though.
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Review from Lousie M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/8/2012
Blerg!
Went here for the first time today because the online menu looked great....
Unfortunatly this place was a total let down, I wish I read the reviews here on Yelp before going there.
The place is nice to look at. The garden environment is really sweet, but thats about it.
We were surrounded by people having business meetings and/or babbling loudly about how great their show idea/screenplay/acting carreer etc were. This place is a magnet for poseur's.
The food service is terrible. We also decided to get our drinks at the bar - BAD IDEA! The waiter took a good 10-15 mins to serve us and we were the only ones at the bar!
The Veggie burger was sloppy, the Turkey Burger was dry. I ordered the Portobello Mushroom sandwich and it was REVOLTING! The mushrooms tasted like they were stored in vinegar, and I have been sick ever since!!
Thanks Alcove for making me sick! (it hit me 1 hour after leaving, just like food poisoning!) I wont be coming back and I will be telling everyone not to risk going there!
(I gave it 1 star because the garden area is nice. But really, It doesn't deserve any stars for making me sick) -
Review from Sunhae Y.
Garden Grove, CA
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Maybe it was the heat and sitting out there even under the shade, i was not comfortable. Line for ordering food did not take too long and i was able to order my sandwich within a couple of minutes.
The waiting process for the food. My boyfriend and i had came early to order and to grab seats while our other friends were on their way. When they had ordered their food and had came to sit with us, our food had still not came out. We ended up spending about 2 hours for the waiting and eating process of our food. Normally, I would not complain about the wait, but we were crunched with time.
Food was good. I got the turkey pesto sandwich which wasn't any new amazing taste. Portions were huge and our party of four ended up taking about half the food back home. Setting was nice and cute with the outdoor patio. I just wish the next time, i do end up going i find seating inside. -
Review from Christine N.
Fountain Valley, CA
4/30/2012 6 photos
My bestie had her wedding here and she had it in the private outside patio area of Alcove Cafe. Oh, how sweet and cute the place was. Before heading here, I read reviews from my yelper friends Mel D. & Chris B. regarding their take on the place. I knew I wouldn't be disappointed at all. My friend catered her food from the Cafe's list of yummy food selections. We had unlimited Stuff Crabs, Stuff Artichokes, Chicken skewers in a peanut sauce...which I didn't do (allergic to nuts). Did I forget to mention UNLIMITED wine as well. We had Red or White throughout the entire nite and it was pretty fun after 30 minutes into the festivities! The staffs at Alcove were TOP NOTCH! We were kinda bias to Eric, who literally became our server the rest of the nite. Dinner was a choice of Black Pepper Steak with Fries, Miso Salmon with Asparagus or Tuscan JUMBO Shrimps. I tried all three of the selections. The steak was decent, salmon was a bit under cooked and the shrimps were perfect! You can't expect AMAZING when they are serving about 100 people in a small window of time! I know the food at the restaurant was yummy becuz after the wedding, we were still so hungry from all the laughing and mingling that we ordered directly from the restaurants and the food was GOOD. I can't remember any of them as the Bride ordered a la carte for the group that was left.
This is such a cute place. While there, we all met some really nice people...randomly! It was definitely fun and a cool place to just chill and hang out with a few friends or a handful of them. Like Chris B. said, cute for a date and you have a choice of providing coffee or a drink from the bar depending how your date is coming along! Then if you've stayed way pass their hours, head down the street to Thai Town...which was our next destination for the evening!
I'm going to drop by next time I'm in the area. I truly miss LA. Great choice for your wedding BESTIE!
I love LA!!!! -
Review from Dani S.
Los Angeles, CA
3/21/2012
Only if I lived closer, I'd be eating here every single day!
Been here half a dozen times over the last several years and this place is consistently AWESOME! We went for a sunset hike at Griffith and was starving. Ordered the Turkey Melt and the lamb burger. Who would have thought that having hummus in my Turkey Melt would make it taste so eclectic. The quality of meat in the lamb burger was noticeable but the tardy taste normally found in lamb was nowhere to be found! After dinner, I walked past the bakery display on the way to the bathroom and didn't even make it to the bathroom. Stood there for 10min drooling and wanting to put everything in my mouth. We ended up getting the carmel toffee cheesecake and loved it. Really wish they would do sample platters so I could try a bit of everything!
Outside patio area is super cute and there are plenty of heaters to keep my cold a$$ warm. Love this place. -
Review from Connie W.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had been wanting to check out Alcove for a very, very long time, so maybe it'd been a little overhyped in my head, but... I left feeling disappointed, and not intending to go back anytime soon.
The ambiance was as beautiful as I imagined it would be, and the service was very friendly despite how busy it was during Saturday brunch-time, which I was impressed with.
After much foodie angst and indecision ("everything sounds so GOOD!"), I went with the Americana panini. I also ordered a soy chai latte. The chai was pretty lackluster for me - too much frothy creaminess, not enough flavor. It also came kind of lukewarm. When my panini came, I was pumped. I was very hungry and it looked amazing, with a portion so big that it was definitely enough to feed two me's.
It wasn't bad. But it wasn't great. I think I was most disappointed by the bread - it was kind of flat and tasteless, not adding very much. For me, a panini is ALL about the bread quality. Honestly, it tasted like a glorified egg and bacon mcmuffin. I haven't had many of those in my life, but that's what it reminded me of. :(
I'd maaaybe go back if a friend talked me into it, but I generally wasn't too impressed, especially given how much it cost. There are plenty of other places with food like Alcove's to explore for future brunch adventures, thankfully! -
Review from Ivo R.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
4/8/2012
My friends and I are always coming here after work in the morning... After a long 12 hours shift saving babies lives! we deserve delicious food & mimosas to wash all our sorrows & stress away. It's so dang good! I've tried everything from fruits, oatmeal, salmon plate, omelette...I can go on but you get my drift.
Service is a little slow because it does get packed. It's worth it though. There are a lot of sitting areas inside & out. However, if you get here too early before the manager comes, they might not be able to serve any alcohol just yet. -
Review from Samuel G.
Los Angeles, CA
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
There's not much I can really say about this place that hasn't already said. So, let me sum it up like this: fantastic place for weekend brunch. Good food and not too pricey (despite what other reviewers have said). I had a steak eggs benedict, and the steak was actually done medium rare as requested, good hollandaise, and yummy olive bread. The bar is great...they give you a little airplane-sized champagne bottle with your juice for a mimosa, and the bloody mary was awesome. The coffee was great too.
The best thing about this place is the ambiance. It's really, really nice, with a lovely large patio with beautiful landscaping and a nice deck, AND....and....AND, it's dog friendly! So, what more coule we want. This place is awesome. -
Review from candace r.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here today for lunch and it's my new fav weekend spot! They have a nice outdoor seating area as well as indoors where there's a bar. The line to sit outside was pretty huge so we decided to sit inside and get full service at a table. The entire time we were here, this place was packed, but it didn't take away from the quality of the service or food. All of the staff here are super nice and hustling to make everyone's order within a reasonable amount of time.
I ordered the smoked salmon sandwich and got the house salad as my side. My bf ordered the alcove burger with fries. Everything was delicious. The piece of salmon I got for my sandwich was huge and the black rub they used was amazing. They also gave me a generous amount of avocado which I used on my sandwich and salad. The house salad had delicious pecans on it and the dressing was nice and homemade. My bf's burger was juicy and the fries were the perfect amount of crispy. For the price, the quality and amount of food you get is way worth it.
They also have a full bakery with treats, coffee, teas, etc...I cannot wait to come back here and try their breakfast and maybe even come here for dinner. Their choice of parking is valet (meh) but we were able to find street parking not too far off. If you're looking for delicious, healthy food I highly recommend coming here. Love this place! -
Review from Amanda C.
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Honestly, Alcove does not deserve all the hype.
I keep coming back (always for brunch) because it's within walking distance of my friend's apartment, but I've been disappointed every time.
Their eggs are often cold by the time they get to my table and they have an unappetizing plastic-like texture. Their onion rings look great but are over-breaded and taste horrendous. The vegetables in their french vegetarian panini are under-seasoned and completely overpowered by the goat cheese (note to self - goat cheese does not work well in breakfast paninis). Everything I've tried has felt like a waste of money.
I will admit I have not yet tried their desserts, because I'm never in the mood for it by the time I'm through with the less than mediocre food. Their selection of cakes looks pretty good, but I'd rather just go to Susina Bakery where they have a similar selection and I KNOW I can trust the quality of their stuff.
Their only redeeming quality is the cute patio and whimsical interior. Apparently their decor alone has won them high ratings from most people..
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