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Fratelli Cafe
Category: Food Coffee & Tea Coffee & Tea [Edit]
7200 Melrose AveLos Angeles, CA 90046
Neighborhoods: Mid-City West, West Hollywood
(323) 938-2233
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6:30 am - 11 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
75 reviews for Fratelli Cafe
Review Highlights
"But I think the red velvet cookie is the best baked goodie..."
(in 3 reviews)
"They had a huge vegan/vegetarian menu, great carnivore..."
(in 16 reviews)
"On top of that, they had to have free wi-fi access."
(in 3 reviews)
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75 reviews in English
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Review from Alexis S.
Studio City, CA
1/13/2012
One of my favorite spots to grab a bite in LA. I am vegan but a lot of people in my life aren't. The menu has so many options for me and the meat eaters in my life. Lots of yummy teas & coffees too. I've come here for breakfast, lunch & dinner!
Sitting outside & people watching on Melrose over a meal with friends is especially nice when the people that own & work here are so friendly too! -
Review from Maya T.
Sherman Oaks, CA
12/29/2011
Cute little cafe with a beautiful feel, great food and friendly service.
Overpriced and the deserts were surprisingly bad (because they look so good!). I tried the cannoli, chocolate chip cookies, pecan pie cookie, 2 cupcakes - which were very good actually, but not made in-store.
I made a new friend with the waitress, Regina. She was sweet.
The place and people are better than the food which is better than the price. So, there you go! If you don't care about price, then go! (But don't eat the baked goods. Bleh. They even screwed up the chocolate chip cookies!!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!??!?!) -
Review from Peter G.
Venice, CA
10/26/2011
Quite honestly, I was going back and forth between 2 or 3 stars. I settled on 2 and here's why:
To put it bluntly... this place is just too expensive for what you're getting. The sandwiches and paninis are good, but (as another review stated) aren't worth 12 frickin' dollars. The drip coffee isn't bad, but unfortunately the espresso drinks are simply not made properly. )I won't give a huge dissertation on the proper way to make a shot of espresso, because 2 people already have.)
The staff are super friendly and generally like to socialize with customers... but that's part of the problem. If you're not just there to hang out and sip coffee, the service is actually pretty miserable.
I haven't tried the pastries and desserts they have. They look good but, once again, they're pretty pricey. -
Review from Ken L.
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
My chocolate crepe (read Nutella & banana) was pretty good, though I let it get too cold. I opted for the choice of potatoes with it; decent though somewhat odd pairing choice for a crepe. My double espresso with brown sugar was good.
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Review from Anna L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome menu and great service! Finally a place that me (carnivore) and my husband (vegan) can equally enjoy! They have great smoothies and fresh-squeezed juices. Everything is super healthy and really tasty!
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Review from Donna G.
Los Angeles, CA
9/29/2011
We tried to go to a restaurant down the street on a Saturday night, but they were closed for a private party. So we walked over to Fratelli Cafe instead.
They just started serving wine, and they had a wine menu with selections. The waitress was very helpful in helping us select white wine from the menu. I ordered the Eric Chevalier Muscadet Cotes de Grand Lieu. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the wine they had to offer.
I ordered a Mediterranean Quesadilla with chicken, feta cheese, olives and tomato. It was served with a side salad. The food was really good and freshly prepared. I loved the quesadilla made with feta cheese - yummy!
My friends either ordered wine or coffee drinks.
We sat at a table outside on Melrose, and it was fun to watch all the traffic go by. People driving their cars passed and where getting crazy, and it was all very entertaining,
Then as I was paying at the cashier, the waitress was very busy with a few people who had stopped in to buy bakery items. The cookies looked delicious but I was too full from the wonderful quesadilla. -
Review from Noah N.
West Hollywood, CA
12/18/2011
I was walking down Melrose when I came across a funky named PLACE called Fratell's Cafe on Melrose and I said to my self jeez let me try their coffee,"BOY WAS IT AMAZING!!!! Couldnt ask for more from the exotic coffee to the great service by a beautiful lady named Lital!!!!!
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Review from Cece K.
Simi Valley, CA
12/5/2011
Been coming here for breakfast for over a year now. Sometimes the service is slow sometimes it's not. Food is always good, drinks are pretty good also. Venus is always there wagging her cute tail happy to welcome all customers.
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Review from Lexie V.
Los Angeles, CA
7/21/2011
As I write this review I'm sitting outside of Fratelli Cafe on their patio with the awesome resident dog sitting next to me.
I've been here a few times and each time I have no complaints. The food is great and the menu has enough variety to accommodate the carnivorous, vegan, and everyone in between.
I keep coming back mainly for their soy lattes. I don't know what it is, but they are AMAZING. I'm pretty picky when it comes to coffee drinks and tea and this place definitely meets my fairly high standards.
It's a great location and I love coming here and sitting outside when I've got some time to kill (like now).
I love the dog who hangs around. Bonus points for the dog. -
Review from Paul L.
Los Angeles, CA
8/16/2011
Whenever I'm in the Melrose area, I always drop by for some of their vegan food. The quality of their food is amazing and so is their costomer service.
I love their red velvet cookie and a desert. It may be a bit pricey but defininatly worth coming back. -
Review from D G.
Los Angeles, CA
10/30/2011
Guys, you can't serve food that isn't ripe.
- Avocados were days away from being ready to eat.
- Melon was impossibly hard, like apples.
The service is friendly. The setting is nice.
Serve food that's ripe, or don't serve the food at all. -
Review from Isabella W.
Los Angeles, CA
10/15/2011
Not a happy camper! I stopped here on a 15 min break from class for a snack and coffee. For an iced coffee and med sized rice crispy bar, it added up to $8! The coffee wasn't bad but I had checked with the guy at the counter that the rice crispy bar (which I had been craving) was homemade that was 4-5 $ was CRAP!!! It was horrible. It had no flavor, was dry and the texture was off. I would prefer the packaged one at the grocery store. I ate a few bites and then threw it away. Why waste the calories on crap even though I spent quite a bit of money on it. This was my first experience here so not sure I will go back as there are many choices in the area.
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Review from Amy S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/20/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I am always greeted by the super cool and friendly owner and his cute dog who wanders in and around the cafe. There's an outside patio and a few tables inside.
The menu can feel a bit overwhelming - they have a LOT of stuff, but it's mostly just slightly changed versions of the same sandwich or wrap.
They make everything fresh so give yourself time while they cook your food. But when I want something to-go or have time to linger, I like to pop in and get a latte or breakfast wrap. There's one with egg, cheese and bacon that is so yummy!
Oh, and you can get your Hookah on here too! -
Review from M S.
Los Angeles, CA
12/5/2011
Ive been going to this place or about 2 months, and i absolutely loe the food...My only issue is price...Like, really? I never ever complain about price, but in this case i will...a cookie, for 5 bucks? Really? And then i get a panini thats 10 bucks? Arent we in a recession? Other than that the girl who works there is a sweet heart, nice as can be, the owner is pretty cool and the dog walking around is great too...Just the price, WAY overpriced...other than that, no complaints!
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Review from Kristin B.
Costa Mesa, CA
6/30/2011
Stopped by Fraletti's when I was looking for a decent coffee shop that had good food. I lucked out because Fratelli is amazing. Its ambiance is low key and relax. The gentleman working (I am assuming the owner) suggested a The Bee Gees omlet with egg white and avocado. So delightful. Very welcoming place!! I sat on the patio where the owners dog casually sat with me the whole email. Free WIFI.
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Review from Lindsey D.
Austin, TX
9/20/2010
Ditto with Cat W. on the service. The service I received rocked. From several different employees.
As I knew I wouldn't be back, I blasted through a few menu items - to give the best review possible.
Some sort of vanilla bianco coffee (a white choc vanilla thing) that was excellent. Celery juice - fresh and perfect. Lemon meringue tart - flawless. Could only be better if it was bite sized. And the BBQ Ranch vegan wrap. Came with a nice house salad and was nice alternative to the typical vegetarian fare.
If I lived nearby, I would be in there constantly. Go for the baked goods, coffee and a very nice lunch. -
Review from William G.
Los Angeles, CA
3/28/2011
I had a good experience here. The food was good and their portions were generous. I sat on the sidewalk and loved the view. Many people were friendly and you can't beat the location, on the corner of Formosa and Melrose. The owner is super cool, seems like he knows everyone, so if you are a regular, you definetely receive that warm welcome.
If you are on Melrose, you should stop by and sit and relax, you'll enjoy your experience. -
Review from Derek J.
Burbank, CA
8/17/2011
Delightful. Good food, good service, good prices, and a super cool dog named Venus. Will certainly return.
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Review from Noname K.
Los Angeles, CA
7/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best sandwiches on Melrose Ave. Great service and very friendly staff. :)
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Review from Katie B.
4/27/2010 3 Check-ins Here
My omelet styling made its mark at Fratelli this week. For some reason, none of the signature pairings really suit my taste buds in the morning, so I enjoy that I am able to craft my own concoction. Spinach, egg whites and mozzarella cheese can do me no wrong, especially when at the hands of Fratelli Cafe's friendly staff. I sat outside in the lovely sunshine trying to angle my laptop to where the light's reflection wouldn't make me squint and lean in really closely, all while keeping my bfast plate in fork's distant (not an easy feat, I might add).
Once I had soaked up enough rays, I popped inside to use their electricity (one outlet it seemed). It got bustling around lunchtime and everyone seemed to be coming from the same acting class, or so the endless amounts of scripts made it seem. Once my appetite started getting restless again, I went for a frozen mocha latte. I have been craving one lately and I must say this one fell a little flat, and I should have instead opted for one of their frozen yogurt treats.
I had to move my car three times (as there are time limitations on parking around Melrose), but it was nice to get up and stretch my legs. Fratelli definitely let me overstay my welcome, and for that I am very appreciative! -
Review from Cat W.
Los Angeles, CA
8/2/2010
It sounds like they're taking everyone's reviews about cruddy service to heart, because every time I've gone it's been fantastic. I started coming about two weeks ago and each trip the staff has been super warm and friendly and they check in on my boyfriend and I several times throughout the meal.
The food is relatively good (nothing bad but occasionally slightly bland), the cafe au lait is wonderfully not burnt (apparently hard to do in this city(?)), the service is a dream, and the atmosphere is divinely chill. I'd come for the chillness alone. (There's also an adorable store dog, if that's your thing). -
Review from Casey M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/27/2011
WoW! I luv this place.. They have great atmosphere, cool, relaxing vibe, beautiful, shady outdoor seating, and sweet tunes playing overhead. The menu is incredible. I can always come back and order something new and exciting and, being a Vegan, it's really hard to find great food and exciting desserts! I recommend lunch and dinner. But then again, I've never been big on breakfast. Recently, I tried these Rice Krispy squares--Im addicted! Lucky for me I live near enough...:)
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Review from Jim M.
5/8/2010
We went to Fratelli Cafe for brunch after a hike at Runyon . My main squeeze thought she was ordering a chicken salad sandwich, as she had had it here before and LOVED it. Today, she ordered the same sandwich, though they assumed she wanted that vegan, wannabe-chicken stuff... AND they didn't add cheese like she had ordered... so she was not happy. I had their Allman's breakfast burrito, which was pretty good.
I'm a fast-paced guy, so maybe I was in the wrong by going to a chill cafe, but the service was BAD. After our food came, no one even once came by to check our drinks or to see how the food was... and they were only at about 15% capacity. I wanted a Diet Coke after finishing my coffee. I gave the waitress ten minutes then finally went inside to order it myself.
So... if you're looking to chill outside with some pretty good food, (esp for vegetarians & vegans), and you don't mind horrendous service, then you might like this place. -
Review from Ben G.
CANAL STREET, NY
3/28/2009
Me: Hi, I'd like a fat free cappuccino, and a soy latte
Teller: Ok.... one non fat cappuccino, and one soy latte.
Me: Do you have fat free milk?
Teller: Yes
"Max W." nailed this place when he said "really like how they redid the place, but they need a lot of work on the coffee and food side."
I have a basic espresso machine at home; I wouldn't call myself a master of espresso drinks however I know what I'm doing. Someone showed me the right way to make a shot long ago, and if you don't know how Youtube is your friend.
Clearly no one ever showed Fratelli Cafe how to make a shot of espresso. Here is what they did wrong.
First you need to freshly grind the beans for each shot. They had the beans pre-grinded, in the basket-portafilter.
Second you make sure your espresso grind is level in the basket, by sweeping the top of the basket with your finger, or tapping it gently on a counter. They didn't do this the basket wasn't even half full.......
Third you need to apply about 25-30 pounds of pressure via a tamper directly onto the grinds. You do this by placing the basket on the counter, and then putting some of your body weight into it. "nope this got skipped too."
Fourth you need to prime the machine so that you get a nice stream of hot water into your grinds and no excess air. "skipped"
They skipped every step, and put the pre-ground basket directly on to the machine!!! And pushed the button.....
It got worse.
An espresso shot takes about 30 seconds from the time you push the button, to the time you have your 2 ounces. He pushed the button for about 5-10 seconds and then turned the machine off........
Then he reaches into his fridge and fills a frothing pitcher with 2 percent milk... I stopped him there and reminded him I asked for fat free milk. He said this is non fat milk, I said "no it's not that's 2 percent, non fat milk doesn't have fat in it...... can you just make me an Americano if that's all you have?" So......he doesn't make a new shot, instead he pushes the "ON" button again!! He then lets it run for a good minute and a half. Charring the espresso grind to the point of no return, and filling my cup with burnt espresso water!!! WTF....
They also didn't offer to refund the 1.25 difference between an Americano and a Cappuccino. This was the worst espresso drink I've ever tasted in my life. It went in the trash and I left, I wasn't in the mood to get into it with them.
If you walk by you'd think Fratelli Café has good coffee, but just keep on walking.
I list these many steps not just for those who may think about trying this Café, but to educate the owners of Fratelli on the proper way to pull a shot.
Here is a demonstration on the right way to pull a shot.
http://www.youtube.com...Listed in: Worst of the worst in LA!, Crazy for Caffeine
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Review from Lolo M.
Los Angeles, CA
6/23/2009
I mosied on in here the day of my best friend's wedding, meaning, the morning after my best friend's rehearsal dinner, meaning, the day I had a HUGE hangover that needed to be cured immediately.
I had WORST MAID OF HONOR EVER tattooed on my forehead when I walked in and the sweet, gentle soul behind the counter looked right at me, said "It's ok, I used to drink a lot, too" and got to work on making me a cure. He made me an amazing fresh juice, whipped up a fresh scramble for me, and brought me coffee right away. He treated me less like the giant mess I looked like, and more like were cousins. Which I appreciate because, frankly, I would've been embarrassed to be related to me if I were him.
I promised him a review in return for his kindness and then I immediately forgot the name of the cafe. I drove by recently cause any man that got me back into shape the day I was meant to make a big speech deserves a little recognition.
P.S. I think they have vegan desserts now which I GREATLY appreciate
P.P.S. My coffee was great. I don't care what anyone says.
P.P.P.S. Thanks for not judging. -
Review from Joseph S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2009 4 photos
My girlfriend, like many dudes' girlfriends in this area, is an aspiring actress. Well, one of the places she practices her craft happens to be very near this cafe. Because of this, I found myself meeting her for tea (I don't drink coffee, I'm way too stuck up) and snacks at this dope corner cafe. A man's got to see his woman from time to time...Don't I live with her???
When I arrived, I had just gotten done with a three hour interview and was desperately in need of something to chill me out. I was tied up in knots so tight I almost yelled at an old lady's for smiling at me...not really, but you get the point. Luckily, I was on my way to the right spot.
What I was expecting was a regular old cafe that was the same as all the others. What I got was a cafe with top shelf products and damn cool people. Their teas are all from Taiwan, their salads are freshy fresh and they even plated my cookie with a fork Seinfeld style.
Now what you must understand about Moonshine is that I am a snob (amongst other things) when it comes to my tea. I've got an entire corner of my kitchen devoted to the storage of tea and perpetual boiling of water to precise temperatures. All my 'ish is high mountain!
Anyway, their tea is top notch. I was pumped. And when they poured it, they do so into glass and politely followed my request to take leaves out and refill partially to get the exact infusion I was looking for.
Not to mention, when I wanted to know the music, they quickly ushered me to the back and showed me the site where they were getting the music. I felt hella important. Like, "Oh yeah. Fratelli. Yeah, I'm friends with the owner," important.
Every time I had a question or odd request, they hooked it up. They were very laid back yet active in their service. Perfect combination. Repeat business is assumed. My girl is down there right now...I'm gonna tell her to bring me tea home!!! -
Review from oiyan p.
Boston, MA
8/14/2009
Very cute and friendly local cafe. I got an iced mocha which was the perfect balance of chocolate, espresso, and foam in the morning. I also got a chocolate cannoli... yea, I know, not really a breakfast thing, but it looked really good. The cannoli was nice and creamy and not too sweet. I also really liked the mocha.
After my lunch excursion to Pink's Hot Dogs, I came back to take advantage of the free wi-fi and ordered a smoothie - apple, banana & strawberry. Soooo good. Nice and creamy with non-fat frozen yogurt and lots of fresh fruit! Service was great, and I plopped myself on the couch facing the sidewalk for some good work time and people watching :)
One star off for the flies... unfortunately the A/C is being repaired, so they had to keep the door open for a while, which let in a bunch of flies. -
Review from Jennifer A.
Los Angeles, CA
3/30/2010
I absolutely love this place. The staff is incredibly friendly. The place has a very low-key vibe and the food/coffee/pastries are great. When I worked in the area we came here at least once a week for lunch. They have both vegetarian and meat options. The smoked turkey sandwich and chicken feta wrap are delicious. I'm not a vegetarian, but I also love the veggie meals.
They also have great coffee and pastries. I can't remember what the pastry was called but they had a red velvet option and a peanut butter chocolate option. Amazing!!! I now live pretty far from there, but I think I might make a trip here pretty soon. -
Review from Taylor W.
San Francisco, CA
3/15/2009
Being that I'm from the Bay area San Francisco we are VERY spoiled!
Spoiled! what can I say.
The drive as you exit off the freeway and don't ask which freeway it was but the drive was beautiful. Take your time if planning to check out Melrose Blvd.
Let's get to FRATELLI CAFE.
I have to admitt, I liked it. The owner we met, he was VERY nice, made us feel like he knew us for a long time. Seemed family orientated.
I liked the place, food, desserts and came back the next day for more.
If ANY of you go there ...... try the RED VELVET cream cookies!
They are fantastic, not hardly sweet and with a Latte - Made my day after all the shopping we did.
They have great Italian coffee and it made me feel like I was in
San Francisco. I've been to so many places up L. A. area and can't seem to find great tasting espresso. I'm sure they do have good coffee out there but maybe I didn't hit the right spot. Almost any where in the City you don't have a hit and miss, you see, we're SPOILED brats.
You really are a five star only I held one star back 'coz that star is you and I can't have you 'coz years way back I would of tried, I said try.
Keep up your smile and stay as polite as you were and
the SERVICE was excellent and fast!
I kant wait to go back there. I'll be back around summertime.
'Cest la vie -
Review from Barbie C.
Los Angeles, CA
4/7/2010
I wanted to like this cafe sooo much, I really did. The vegetarian options are extensive and look delicious.
I had lunch here on a Wednesday afternoon at about 3:15pm with a friend of mine after getting pedicures at the Pampered Hands salon across the street.
The food was pretty good, but the service was absolutely dismal! I realize this isn't a 5-star restaurant and I'm expecting service worthy of a casual outdoor cafe, but this was just ridiculous!
One of the servers/food runners/owners, I don't really know what his exact title is, was smoking hookah at a table right near us. I was fine with it when I thought he was a customer, but then he was running food, and then I just found it awkward.
It took a good 10 minutes for us to get our waters after we ordered them and 25 minutes for our sandwich and omelette. My omelette came out wrong, but I didn't want to wait another 25 minutes for another so I didn't bother saying anything.
The worst thing is that there were two people at a table near us who had already ordered when we sat down and we got our food before them! If I were them, I would have been absolutely enraged! We thought we were waiting a long time, they waited for their sandwiches for almost an hour.
I might give this place another try in the future because the food really was good, but the terrible service will keep me away from here for a while. -
Review from Courtney G.
Nashville, TN
10/29/2009
So I've recently lost my job, and decided to just move in to Fratelli. Seriously. Like, I'm an inch away from rolling in one morning in a bathrobe.
And the owners and staff are so damn rad, they'd probably be cool with it.
I discovered Fratelli a few months ago when I moved in to the 'hood. Tempted by the veg options (mixed in with the meat/dairy so everyone's happy), I figured I'd give it a shot. First of all, I'm a stickler for my coffee, and while it seems simple enough, their iced coffee (with soy. Sue me) never disappoints. My usual staples are the vegan Chinese chicken salad and the Jackson, and let me tell you, any restaurant that can put up with my nut-tastic ordering deserves a metal. Never have I gotten a scoff when I've ordered the Jackson omelette scrambled, with egg whites, vegan chicken instead of regular, and vegan cheese instead of regular. Oooh yeah, I'm so one of those.
And not to be discounted are the desserts. Everyone oohs and aahs over the red velvet cookies (two soft red velvet cookies with cream cheese icing in the middle), and don't get me wrong, they're pretty awesome, but the pecan pie cookies are where it's at. Two soft vanilla cookies with pecan pie filling. You will see a girl. Lick. A. Plate.
So come by, say hello. I say that like I have a right to. I don't, just live there on the WiFi, powered by the coffee.
I'll be the one in the bathrobe. -
Review from Max W.
Los Angeles, CA
1/25/2009
I really like how they redid the place, but they need a lot of work on the coffee and food side.
They have really nice looking brand new espresso machine and grinder that the barista had no clue how to use. Here is everything he did wrong:
1. Espresso was ground before hand and left sitting in the doser, which means it's STALE.
2. He used the tamper built in to the grinder, which is a big no no, and didn't apply any pressure to the puck, just gingerly flattened the top off.
3. The shot was done in less than 10 seconds. Obviously a result of the lack of tamp, and I think I'm safe in assuming they've never adjusted the grinder properly.
4. The milk wasn't foamed properly either.
I don't even know how it tasted, my "cappuccino" was was an espresso shot and 14oz of milk in a 16oz cup. I'm better off not knowing. I couldn't imagine drinking it straight.
I spent yesterday observing at the Western Regional Barista Competition in downtown LA. My visit here today was the exact opposite of that. What is the sense in investing all this money to open a high end coffee shop, and then not learning how to use the machines and actually make good coffee? They need to sign their staff up for a training program.
They also need to consider who they are sourcing their beans from. I didn't ask, but there is no way they came from a reputable local roaster. The drip coffee was really bad. It tasted like the pot in the waiting area of a car dealership, and not the good pot they give prospective buyers, more like the bad pot in the service area.
The sandwiches are typical, but cost 2x what they're worth. There are a few places in LA that actually make a $10 sandwich that's worth $10, but this isn't one of them. There is nothing special about it, it's a sandwich you can make at home.
I did like the pastry counter. They are expensive too, but at least they're tasty and have that special treat quality to them. I really liked the red velvet cookie sandwich I got.
I don't want to be overly negative to a new place that's just starting out, but they do have serious issues right now. If they fix up the espresso and coffee I think they could do quite well though. They look like they're trying. I'll be sure to give them another shot in the future.Listed in: I love espresso
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Review from Lindsay P.
Los Angeles, CA
12/6/2009
Excellent. I love the coffee and pastries here. I think I just had something simple -- probably a latte; regardless, it left a notable, warm, and happy memory in my little coffee life.
I don't know what it is -- the place isn't that cool looking, but I still really want to spend a Sunday morning out at the tables in front of this coffee shop.
I didn't even know they had a hookah lounge...Listed in: Melrose Dining Guide
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Review from Chelsea L.
Los Angeles, CA
8/9/2010
Since moving to West Hollywood, I've been to Fratelli Cafe twice for breakfast/brunch. The first time I ordered the mozzarella and tomato panini. It wasn't the greatest, a little bland, and when it comes to paninis I have pretty high standards after living in Paris.
The second visit, I ordered a Crossanwich (which is what I had originally wanted to order the last time, but they were out of croissants). I had the basic which was filled with egg, avocado, lettuce and tomato. It was very delicious and I highly recommend you get one if you go.
Other pluses include: sitting outside (even though it can get a bit noisy right on Melrose), the coffee, and they offer Hookah. -
Review from Chris C.
Austin, TX
1/17/2009
This is a pretty much brand new cafe on the corner of Melrose and Formosa that I happened to discover. I've been on an ongoing search for a cafe that really suits my needs, and this one gets it all just about right. They've got free wifi that, unlike most LA cafe wifi's, seems to be reliable and easy to get on. They've got a wide array of sandwiches, salads, pastries and cakes. Smoothies too. Seems almost like they're trying to cover as many different tastes as they can, but this is definitely a cafe and not a restaurant, and you can feel totally comfortable just coming here by yourself with your laptop to work.
Most importantly, they give you your drink in a ceramic mug with a SAUCER and they put your food on a plate. So many places impose to go cups on you, even when you say for here.
As far as ambiance goes, this is a pleasant, quiet environment with both outdoor and indoor seating. A good place to study, not be bothered, and it's in a nice location. My main problem with it now is that, since it's this very small cafe with just very quiet music playing, when the people here start talking, it's all you hear. I would recommend that they get a better sound system and play ambient electronic music at a moderate volume, just enough to keep those conversations from flooding the place.
But I always have some problems with just about any place I go to. This is an excellent new cafe overall. -
Review from Xuan T.
Los Angeles, CA
6/20/2009
I wish I could give this lil cafe a big bear hug. Or a pat on the back. Maybe a friendly punch in the arm?
I had one of their paninis which was served with a nice mixed green salad (not just a pseudo-salad consisting of ice berg lettuce). The portions were huge, and I only reason why I kept eating was because it tasted so good.
I ordered the sandwich with a pot of lychee tea. The tea is a personal favorite that I can't find anywhere else. It has just the right amount of sweetness so it's like your having a sweet treat without all the naughty sugar. What's even better is they provide free refills. Unf.
Now any meal at Fratelli's would not be complete without dessert. There were plenty to choose from. I saw Tiramisu, tarts, cakes, eclairs, and just thinking about it makes my mouth water now. But I think the red velvet cookie is the best baked goodie there. Two red velvet cookies sandwiching a cream cheese filling. Awwwz yeah. As I had mentioned before, I was already stuffed from the sandwich and salad combo. And yet, as I looked up at that bell jar on the counter... those cookies were calling out to me... like soft chewy red sirens. I had to have one!
The food is great. The service was friendly and super helpful when it came to making suggestions. Really relaxed environment with large window walls to allow light and easy access to people watching. On top of that, they had to have free wi-fi access. Seriously, I want to give this place that bear hug. -
Review from abigal a.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2011
I came here yesterday for a quick bite. The food was pretty good actually, I did enjoy my panini thoroughly but wasnt impressed by the rest of the menu.
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Review from Gillian F.
Brooklyn, NY
2/3/2010
I love this place. The manager is super friendly and always makes me smile. The barista is super cute and she's always friendly and kind.
Their capps are yummy, although not as consistently perfect as Original Peet's. That's why they lose one star.
However, today I had an awesome greek salad with chicken and my capp was indeed super yummy. Also, they've got a great menu (like Cafe Primo great).
The regulars are all real interesting characters and their pastries look super yummy (although haven't tried them yet).
Also, free wi-fi!! This is a great place to visit or work. -
Review from lauren p.
Orange, CA
2/1/2010
We stopped by for breakfast after reading the yelp reviews (including the funny but incredibly inaccurate one about espresso. Seriously guy, lighten up and get a life!). Everything was tasty but in all ways something was just lacking from the restaurant.
I got an iced latte and thought it was quite tasty, no complaints about the coffee here from a former barista. The menu was dripping with that sort of hoity-toity West LA snobby you expect, I was surprised that I didn't see more organic food or free trade options, but I guess the fact that half the menu was vegan made up for this. I would have liked to see a wider breakfast selection as well.
I got the Jacksons omelet (asked for scramble, but got an omelet) my boyfriend built his own overpriced but delicious scramble. I thought my omelet was good but it definitely didn't blow me away. It tasted a little dry. So did the toast. The solo jam option was also a little pathetic.
The service was definitely lacking, shocking for such a small place. We waited a long time to order then had an incredibly long wait for our check after breakfast. The waitress actually came by and asked if we were "still doing OK" about ten minutes after someone else had cleared our table. Yes hun, we're doing fine, still working on our invisible food.
So, if you want to spend $35 on an a-ok breakfast for two this is a good place to go. -
Review from Aviv R.
Los Angeles, CA
9/25/2011
One of the best restaurants I've been to in the world! The food is always delicious, the prices are great and the service always friendly. A little slow sometimes, but always friendly. They can do all the meats and cheeses in vegan style, soy or something. And no pork or shellfish.
