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American Girl Cafe
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
189 the Grove DrLos Angeles, CA 90035
Neighborhood: Mid-City West
(877) 247-5223
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for American Girl Cafe
20 reviews in English
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Review from Shannon V.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 3/14/2012 8 photos
I'm sticking with 4 stars! I get the questions when it comes to the value for the money, it IS expensive, but the experience the girls have here is priceless. These girls love American Girls and have several dolls each, they are totally vested. The 4 girls' special birthday lunch included goody bags; a t-shirt for their doll, paper crown, etc. they LOVED it! Drinks like ice tea, lemonade, etc., are included with the lunch, but of course our girls wanted $5 smoothies! It's all good. They drank them up and enjoyed their lunches, we took what they didn't eat of to go for the drive back to Ventura. 2 girls got pizza, one got pasta and one got chicken nuggets. I opted for the Veggie Strata since the salmon was not on the menu (the fish choice was talapia, which I wasn't into). I like that the menu changes, but I was looking forward to the salmon... Our mom got a salad too and enjoyed it, true none of them were worth $30, but we had a day with our girls that we will never forget.
We planned and saved up for this trip since Christmas. My niece was turning 10 and wanted an American Girl birthday party. She is apparently aware of the treat it is and told her mom, "I'll only invite one friend." What a sweetheart! Her mom said she could bring 2, so with her sister and me and our mom that made 7 for lunch (plus her 3 month old!). The total was $214!!! YES! It is crazy, works out to about $30 each for lunch, not so great food, but again, the experience is what you are paying for here. The memories. We had the same super friendly server we had in July. I came home and told my DH this, he said, "must be a good gig." I'll say!! The place was PACKED!! 2:30 Saturday seating. We sat on the patio again and noticed the chairs had been improved, we didn't feel rushed and were stoked they boxed up the extra cake! "Daddy gets cake!!" What a fun treat of a day. I'm only bummed out now that I didn't get the Hollandaise sauce! At least on the side...1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/6/2011
"Best day ever!" exclaimed Ms. Marley. My 2 nieces (7 &9) were looking forward to this for a while… Read more »
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Review from Angela C.
Los Angeles, CA
3/21/2012
Belated review - had lunch here a few years ago with friends and yes we are all in our late 20s.
Not only did we get to pick out loaner dolls from a shelf display of slightly haggard American Girls, but they sat in mini high-chairs as cheery servers served THEM tea. We hardly noticed the stares from the other 7-10 year olds as we licked the chocolate mousse clean from mini flowerpots. It was worth the sugar-headache we each suffered afterward.
I wouldn't return (the food was good but still cost too much), yet I will always cherish the memory. I'd recommend the place for a group of girls - any age. Just do it! -
Review from Jessica W.
Santa Barbara, CA
2/26/2012
I came here for a Birthday party for my little niece. I was not expecting much but a bunch of little kids running around and some sort of Chuck e Cheese experience. Boy was I surprised.
The cafe looks like the inside of a doll house. Not a detail was spared or not considered in the design of this cafe. They have high chairs for the dolls to sit at the table with their "mommies" (the little girls who carry them). They even had places in the bathroom stalls to place the dolls. They thought of everything here.
Something else that made me happy was that there is something for the adults to eat and drink here too. I was totally expecting a macaroni & cheese situation and once again was happily surprised to see that we can order adult friendly food as well as an adult drink!
The store itself was cute. Hello, they have a "Hair Salon" for the dolls, and a hospital among many other departments within the parameters of the store. But the cafe was really cute and a great experience over all! I could tell that my little nieces had a great time and that is what it's about! -
Review from Muchin K.
11/29/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I don't know how I'm supposed to rate this place. To me, this place is a "meh", but to the little girl I was with, good lord, did she love this place. Auntie Muchin went up on the Best Auntie list a few notch cuz I bought a her a doll and gave her a tea party... Also let her indulge with all the sugary goods she can get her hands on for an hour.
I gave it a 3 star initially, but since they do serve wine for parents to tune out all the screaming kids in the room, I'm gonna give it a 4 star! it's Brilliant! no one can tolerate an hour or two of a room full of screaming and crying children for an hour or 3... without the sauce... yikes.
The tea party actually is reasonable priced, only $20 dollars per person, and they do give you a lot of food. The wine list is surprisingly cheap, I guess they want you spend more money downstairs on dolls and accessories...
The staffs were very attentive and nice, they're very friendly with children, our guy would ask her what she wanted, and what she needed. Not very many places addresses the kids when taking orders, that's kinda nice I thought.
Over all I had a good time with my little friend. Good place for little girls to have birthday parties, but if I have to go back for a birthday party I might need to get a bottle instead of a glass.Listed in: Best Happy Hour
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Review from Terin C.
10/4/2010
I have grown up with American Girl in my life. Back when I was little it was called The Pleasant Company... Things have changed a little since crappy Mattel took over (i.e. gearing everything toward the more "sophisticated" little girl of today - little girls who no longer seem to play tea party and dress up like I did, but rather conform to the now popular disney-channel-star-in-spandex-leggings-and-sparkl y-fedora ideal). However, having said that, American Girl still has this way of reminding me what it was to be a 9 year old on christmas morning - opening that oblong box that I've been staring at under the tree for three weeks. I have wanted to go to American Girl Place my whole life... and last year for my birthday, my boyfriend made this a reality for me.
Needless to say, I was very very excited. I suppose I am a bit biased seeing as how this place falls decidedly under the category of "my thing"... And, oh, how it was. I had been surprised at the table by Perfect Boyfriend with a brand new doll, and she was accommodated right away with a small chair and tableware set of her own. As to the food, they start you off with a warm cinnamon roll (baked from frozen, perhaps? Who am I to judge? Tasted good to me), then an entree, then a dessert. Mine came with a candle in it - and I was so happy I did not even mind the confused stares from mothers and 5 year old little girls as the waiter sang happy birthday to me... a 23 year old woman alone at a table with her boyfriend.
The service was super friendly and the food was - eh, it was what you would expect from a cafe nestled on the second floor of what is essentially a toy store. Not very vegetarian friendly, but in this case it did not bother me. My boyfriend was particularly impressed with the gummy bear smoothie - which may be a bit cruel of me to mention because they no longer serve it there.
Anyway, went back this year for my birthday - just as fun and charming. We went for tea this time. Food comes served on a tiered plate - a treat representing each historical character. The tea was quite unimpressive - small pot of water served with a tea bag of your choice. Again, wasn't expecting much more than that... but the treats were delicious and fun.
I would say, if you have a little girl at home - give her this memory!
This place loses a star because I hate crappy Mattel and because they stopped serving the gummy bear smoothie.Listed in: Tea-rin (A Tea Time Story)
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Review from Chris A.
Irvine, CA
12/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
Wow, just wow. I don't know how you all come up with those four and five star reviews.
The gimmick here is the little girls bring their American Girl dolls with them, and the place has "chairs" that attach to the tables so the girls can have their dolls "sit" next to them at the table.
We made a reservation (weeks ago) and took our girls (ages 5 and 7) there for lunch today. I realize this place is not really about the food, and it's for little girls, and all that jazz. I do. But. . . .
Here's how this place runs its drill. You need a reservation. On the appointed day, you must check in 15 minutes in advance of your seating. You then must wait about 15 minutes to be let into the "cafe." You cue up in a hallway like cattle to be let in to the "cafe" and led to your assigned table. Trust me, once inside it's nothing special. Everything about it looked cheap to me. Ironically, it looked to me like the dinning room you would find in a rest home (i.e., cheery but depressing at the same time).
Each seating lasts one hour, so things move pretty quick (a blessing).
It starts with drink orders. My diet coke in one of those mini bottles was $2.50.
Food is $20 per person, and each person selects an entree from the quite limited menu. The total with tax and before tip for two adults and two kids was $112.49. Lunch at the Four Seasons is less than that. Let that fact rattle around a bit as you read on.
While the entrees are being "prepared," they start you off with one mini cinnamon bun per person. The cinnamon buns are about the size of a golf ball, perhaps a little smaller.
The appetizers were next, what the place calls "fruit kabobs, crudités with ranch dipping sauce and pretzel bread served with honey mustard." What is that you ask? If you want to make something ordinary sound fancy, use a French word! It is couple of grapes and a couple of other small pieces of fruit on a small stick (1 per person); four carrot sticks, four celery sticks, some ranch sauce, and some honey mustard sauce; and four small pieces of pretzel bread.
I got the salad, which was awful. It was some beat up lettuce, a few small pieces of chicken, a few pieces of sliced mushrooms, and a few other things I don't recall, in a vinaigrette dressing.
My wife got the turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and cranberries. It looked to me like a cafeteria plate.
The girls both got "pizza." It was the worst "pizza" I've ever tasted. I tried a piece and put it down after one bite. I've had better "pizza" in school cafeterias, but I've never had worse.
Next up is what the place calls "chocolate mousse flowerpot, a vanilla heart shaped cake and a star sugar cookie." Each person gets the following on a small plate: The smallest "cake" you will ever see (smaller than a golf ball), a "flowerpot the size of a Dixie cup (a little bigger than the littlest one) with chocolate mousse so bad tasting even my kids wouldn't eat it, and a very small frosted sugar cookie.
The hell of it is, this place does a booming business. They have a brunch seating, three lunch seatings, an afternoon tea sitting, and two dinner sittings. The place was packed during our lunch seating, and I imagine that is typical.
My girls had a good time, so I guess it was worth it. -
Review from James B.
La Jolla, CA
7/25/2010
Despite my complete indifference in spending time at the American Girl Cafe, I went there along with my mother, sister, and future mother-in-law recently during our shopping trip at The Grove. My family was desperately seeking for a relaxing coffee and tea place in escape from the LA summer heat, and as I yelped that American Girl got decent reviews, we headed over there.
It was around 2:30 to 3 pm in the afternoon, I asked to be seated with a table of 4, the hostess looked dubious, informed me that she "needed to check with the people in the back" and left.
She then brought back a person "from the back", pointed at us, mumbling something about us wanted to drink coffee there. My family and I were left standing there feeling utterly ridiculous, as if we needed to go through a judging panel before stepping into the cafe.
So the hostess and the person went back, after a while, she came back with another person from the back. Finally, she proceeded to tell us that they started seating at 2:30 and ended at 3 o'clock. I was confused; she could have told us that a while ago, why did she need to bring people back and forth and then let us know that we couldn't dine there?
She then asked the most humiliating, judgmental, shallow, and definitely unprofessional rhetorical question,
"You know that it's $20 per person for tea and cake here, right?"
Okay, we might not looked like billionaires with several 10 carat diamond rings on our fingers and toes, nor did our hair look like it was liberally blown by the street wind while driving in a Bentley convertible, but the hostess was in no position to question our financial abilities based on our appearance.
This experience was the most horrifying customer service I have ever received from any establishment. If I could rate American Girl Cafe zero star on Yelp, I would have undoubtedly done that.
Even my cleaning lady presents a much friendlier and welcoming character. -
Review from Dena G.
Orange County, CA
1/5/2012
Aesthetics is the number one plate for this little Cafe ! Clearly, the focus is on the dining "experience" rather than palate. The lunch menu offers just a few choices and they are the same for both adults and children. There are nice choices such as fresh garden variety salads, and your pasta/ fresh veggie dishes, ~ Chicken Tenders of Course . . . but NOT anything to get "GIDDY" about. But let's be honest, who goes for the food? It's all about sharing that wonderful time with the little girl you adore! THIS is where the Cafe earns it's stars! . . . Sweet servers, that address your daughters by their names, and ADORABLE table settings! Every little detail is Flowered and Pink on the table. As your daughter uses the custom mini-seat for her doll to dine with her, you begin to care less and less about any of the food and appreciate the smiles from your daughter for the experience. It will absolutely not be a disappointment to spend the $ on this Adorable dining experience! Worth every cent!
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Review from Melissa K.
Fountain Valley, CA
8/3/2011
We went during the week for tea. The crowd was fairly light on Tuesday and the food at tea, while not gourmet, was not as bad as other reviewers have stated. All in all, $20 each is a bit expensive and the reason for one lost star but given the location we just about got what we paid for in the food/drink department.
To be totally honest, if you're counting your pennies go to Build-a-Bear because...this place...it's Not For You.
We planned ahead and realistically budgeted before we made our reservations so I didn't need resuscitation when I added up my receipts. But I would have because a day at the Grove (including lunch) plus tea for 2 little girls, mommy, grandma, and auntie plus doll clothes, accessories, and hairdos for the dolls we brought with us cost about $450.
That being said my nieces (8 & 9) were over the moon and spent the whole day we were there, part of the day before and all of the week after in a pink haze of happiness and joy. And I am now officially the Coolest Auntie in the World.
If you know what you're getting into and you want to make a REALLY special day for a little girl who loves dollys this is definitely the place. -
Review from Jen G.
Castaic, CA
1/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
My 5-year-old loved the afternoon tea. While service was slow and food was just okay, the overall experience was pleasing for young children.
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Review from David R.
Costa Mesa, CA
8/23/2010
OK so we took my daughter and a few friends here and this place is really cool and every little girl should get the chance and have a day here. WOW! That's what the look on my little girls face said to me.
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Review from Suzanne O.
Montrose, CA
10/9/2006
Who'd have thunk that a cafe inside a store dedicated to girls and their dolls could be so good.
I went for a 2:30 lunch sitting. Sitting with me, were 4 dolls, another mom and our two girls. The girls order Bitty Burgers which are mini hambugers and were excellent. I ordered the salmon salad and the other adult order the turkey wrap. Both were excellent and superior in some respects to some expensive westside restaurants.
The intial cinnamon buns were marvelous. The artichoke dip was lovely.
The fast happy service around hundreds of giggling girls was an amazing sight to see.
It's a not a place for a quiet romantic lunch, but if you're invited are a mom, dadd or have a young niece, cousin or grandaughter, don't avoid it either. It's amazingly good food. -
Review from Lola B.
CA
3/29/2008
I came here with my daughter and a friend of ours and her daughter.
They are 4 years old. We were going to just sit around and watch them having a good time eating a few tiny cookies for the outraged price of $20.00 for each girl.
The waitresses bring the staff to our table without asking us if we all wanted to eat (the doll portions of the dry sandwiches) once we said we just wanted the girl to have tea they were going to charge us, the parents, $10.00 each to just sit there!!!
When you read the menu on the American girl site dose not say anything about that.
There is no program.
VERY disappointing. -
Review from Jeanah E.
Long Beach, CA
2/15/2010
My daughter had her birthday party there today. All and all, it was a great experience and the three girls, three dolls and their parents had a lovely time. The service was excellent! And the birthday girl received lots of attention from the staff. We all loved the appetizers and champagne drinks. The cake was delicious. The only reason I didn't give five stars was the food.
I had the spinach and cheese quiche and my husband had the cornflake encrusted fish. Both were pretty average. My quiche needed salt, or seasoning, or something. It was more like an omelet in a flavorless crust. My husband's fish was really just a fried fillet with not allot of flavor as well. Not terrible, just not worth the money, and this is not a cheap place.
All in all, I would say that we'll probably return again. Even if the food is not spectacular, the overall experience is. -
Review from Sol T.
Los Angeles, CA
4/27/2010
The staff was very nice, helpful and professional. The place was clean. The food was good. Parking was easy eventhough the Grove was crowded. The waitress brought extra drinks for us eventhough she had to set up for the next party.
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Review from ah m.
Los Angeles, CA
12/14/2011
Only time I have given something a one star. The star is only because of the excellent staff. We held a girls birthday party there. To say it was generally a major ripoff is an understatement. You really do not get anything of any value for the per-kid price & even less for the adult price. It was getting boring for the little girls in the party too and it is only for 90 minutes. The food was a major 'blah' for both the kids and for adults. There are NO drinks included in the package and they are costly and bring more when it runs out which they charge for yet again. There are no coordinated games or activities similar to other venues. Mainly sit around and talk and play a bit with dolls and make sleeping bags for them. The only positive is being at the Grove. This was the most expensive and most boring birthday party we have ever had for our daughter. The ripoff factor here puts Madoff to shame. For parents who are thinking of holding a girls birthday party here: Don't....
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Review from A B.
San Diego, CA
2/26/2010
Me and my 8-year old daughter had lunch at the American doll café 2 weeks ago. It was very cute. We didn't have reservations, but they were able to somehow accomodate us.
They do have specific times for the lunch seatings. Lunch was $22 per person. They also have afternoon tea and dinner seatings.
It was like a tea party. They asked my daughter if she wanted chocolate milk or pink lemonade. They brought out welcome rolls: cinnamon. The appetizer dish included bruschetta with toasted baguettes, fruit kebabs, celery and carrot sticks w/ranch.
Then you can pick out your main entrée off the menu: tilapia fish with rice and veggies, vegetable salad, spinach quiche with a salad, and I can't remember the other entrees they offered.
For desert, they brought little plant pots with chocolate mousse and a daisy planted inside, shortbread cookie and a mini heart shaped cake with frosting.
They had little conversation starters in a box on our table. The service and food was good. It was really sweet treat for us. The place was decorated so girlie! in black and white stripes and polka dots, pink tablecloths, etc. I loved it! -
Review from Stacy S.
Colorado Springs, CO
9/21/2011
Let's be honest here. You do not come here for the food, you come for the experience. I had been to AGP in New York City many years ago and I remember the craziness. But, My only daughter was having her 8th birthday and all she wanted was a new American Girl Doll. She has read over 20 of the books and couldnt wait to see all the "girls" in person. I decided to surprise her with lunch at the cafe as well. She was beyond excited. I called the afternoon before (we lunched on a Sunday) and got reservations for 4 people for the first lunch sitting. We checked in 15 min ahead and waited for about 5 minutes before they opened the doors and led us to our table. They pre-assign tables so when you check in, the hand you a paper with a table number on it to hand to the hostess. We had a nice table off to the side. Our waiter, Bradley, was excellent. Fawned over my daughter and made her feel very special for her birthday. He struck up a conversation with her several times. Nice that she could be the center of attention for lunch. At the table was a birthday crown for my daughter and her American Girl. The sitting was a sell out with several large tables (one table of about 25 people-Girl Scout get together). Our service was excellent considering the crowd. For adults, iced tea is included in meal price as well as coffee with dessert. I paid $35 for my daughter (Birthday package) and the rest of us were $25 @ (adults). They brought out a beautiful cake at the end and a goody bag for my daughter (book, doll shirt, etc). Was the lunch expensive? Yes. Would I have rather been at Maggiano's? Yes. But this lunch was not about me, it was about my daughter. She has thanked me a gazillion times and told me this was absolutely the best birthday ever! We drove 2 hours to this location and all was worth it when I saw her face. Food was so-so. Service was excellent. We never felt rushed. If you have a die hard American Girl fan, then the price is worth it for a special occasion. Lots of younger kids and I think they probably get as much out of the activity as 6+ yr olds. Just my humble opinion.
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Review from coco m.
Cupertino, CA
7/12/2010
great food. i got the bitty bites which is a mini hot dog and cheese burger. they have a lot of fruit and vegetables with it so your parents will let you eat there. it is somewhat expensive to eat there. also have included drinks and free refills. there is also an appetizer and a dish with fruit kabobs, carrots and celery. they also have sparkling drinks for the moms. good food
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Review from Waterlily W.
Greenwich, CT
8/11/2010
We celebrated my daughter's fifth birthday at the cafe for the afternoon tea. Last minute request that it was her birthday was fulfilled without any problem. They even let my toddler borrow a Kit doll to sit with her. The food was OK, not great but the $17 per person was sort of justified (you get freebies for the doll). The lady waiting our table did a good job with a smile. We're going back for my toddler's birthday. My daughters were delighted so that's all that mattered.
