The fantastic, community-oriented cafe has more than exceeded its mission statement! I adore it here and always stop by when I’m feeling the need for a calm, welcoming, and delicious experience.
I have yet to try the entire menu, but everything I have sampled so far is scrumptious! Order the soup of the day (vegetarian or non-vegetarian varieties) which is served with the best toasted-yet-super-soft focaccia bread or the red pepper hummus to start. Try their chicken and pesto baguette or their tuna and cheddar toasty bite. You feel like you have re-fueled your body with their natural and fresh ingredients that will invigorate your day!
Oh, and did I mention their vanilla latte is completely addictive and that their fresh veggie and fruit juices and smoothies are like heaven? (Favs: Jazzy Ginger Smoothie and Raggin’ Rabbit Juice.)
Everyone who works here makes you feel like you’re part of the family, cares about what you’re eating (kind of like Mom! (-; ) and creates such an inviting environment and thus, experience.
Thank you, Fresh Bites!!
The Coffee T Bar
This, I’m very sorry to say, is my first so-so review. I’m a positive person and really try to bring happy things to the blog! But sometimes, I just have to warn you against harming your palate!
The Coffee T Bar, in my opinion, has so much potential but is bogged down with average coffee drinks, bad music, and kinda douche-y “Sunset Strip” clientele. Location wise, it’s perfect, located on the same block as the popular restaurants Toi and Cheebo. It is open 24 hours (should be a huge yay!), has a full menu with sandwiches, salads, snacks, juices, smoothies, coffees, teas, blended drinks, etc., WiFi, and one of the few places offering Hookah. It also has a unique outdoor area that is covered and if cold, can be heated, with sofas and flatscreens ready for Hookah, coffee and more. All of that theoretically, on paper, looks fantastic. It’s just that, in practice, it’s not. And I fully admit, it could just be that it’s not for me and other people could absolutely love it. I don’t. As I said before, the coffee I tried was very blah, even had a bit of a metallic taste to it and the pastries are the size of Costco (really, no one needs a croissant that large). In addition, the outside area is large and allows all types of smoking, not just Hookah, while the seating inside it tiny, so unless you want to smell like an ashtray, you’re regulated to inside where it still smells like smoke. Ugh. Also, the music was that awful pounding house music and the guys and girls seated everywhere outside looked like they stepped out of a tacky Ed Hardy/Christian Audigier billboard. Double ugh. So! If that’s your scene, hop to it! Now you’ve found a place where your rhinestone-encrusted t-shirts will not make you look like a total tool. But, if you’re like me, pass this coffee house on by and enjoy the many other places I’ve recommended on JillyBites.
A New Obsession
Susina Bakery and Cafe, located on Beverly Blvd., one block west of La Brea and on this side of heaven is my new favorite place! To think that I had not been here yet, not walked under the European inspired scrolling iron entry into the bright, glittering yet homey interior to taste the scrumptious flavors is astounding to me! I have to thank my dear college theatre friend, Sereyna for introducing me to this absolute gem!
… as I write this I am sitting in the cafe sipping a perfect iced cappuccino and nibbling on a bite of Belgian dark chocolate. Thank you Sam!!
When I walked in to meet her (Sereyna) I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the display cases, the classic music, and the wonderful, helpful, happy staff who worked there (everyone is super friendly and two guys who work there, Jay and Sam, were the ones I met and helped me out. They’re awesome!) Jay, dear man, told me about every sweet treat that was displayed, took the time to go in detail about the specialities of each and recommend his favorite, which happened to be the Berry Blossom Cake. I ordered it right away and oh, boy! Incredible. The cake is made of three layers of vanilla sponge cake that is then brushed with orange liqueur and filled with white chocolate mousse and berries. If that didn’t knock your socks off then the topping will! A mixture of crumbled meringue (that sparkles a bit on your tongue) and white chocolate shavings. Like I said, it’s heaven here. To drink, I ordered their House Hazelnut Coffee. The smell alone was decadent and with the first sip; a smooth, rich, robust yet comforting nutty-ness enveloped my senses. Sereyna chose the Brie and Pear Panini Sandwich, a sweet and smokey affair. We were also able to taste their Monte Blanc Cookies (like a snickers cookie dipped in dark chocolate), the White Chocolate Ladyfinger (akin to an oreo all grown-up for adult taste buds), and Coconut Cake. I think I’ve fallen in love with Susina! (At least my tummy and taste buds have.) I have been back twice in the two weeks since I first came here with Sereyna. And each time, I am blissfully happy I am here! Also try their hot Meatball Sub Sandwich, Chicken Pot Pie, Fresh Fruit Salad, Apple Crumble Pie (if you order it, ask to have nutmeg sprinkled on the whip cream, such a complementary spice and thank Sam for introducing us to it!) and Iced Vanilla Latte and Iced Cappuccino (both with non-fat milk for me!).
Susina Bakery also provides a number of extra services in the community; such as being a wholesale bakery (with a two-story oven) that supplies their yummy pastries and desserts to many restaurants and coffee houses in the Los Angeles area. If you are looking for a unique and beautiful wedding cake and wedding favors, you must look into Susina Bakery. And if you need that perfect gift, they have it!!
In case you couldn’t tell, I adore Susina and cannot wait to skip my way back there! Next time you are looking for a place to go, try here first! You’ll love it.
P.S. And, even better, Susina is neighbor to a Starbucks — I LOVE that Susina is thriving next to corporate chain, and don’t get me wrong, I adore me some Starbucks, but independent cafes make me so happy! Anyway, tangent, the point of mentioning Starbucks at all is that over at Susina you can tap into Starbucks’s free WiFi! Hehe! Yay!
Neighborhood Hollywood Glamour
When I first came across the dear Cafe Audrey, I giggled in delight that there was a coffee destination such as this one in my neighborhood! Delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries, and beverages are served here from extremely friendly staff amidst beautiful black and white decor; all an homage to the exquisite Audrey Hepburn. With Ms. Hepburn as inspiration, how could you go wrong? (Hint**You can’t!!)
First off, the coffee is robust, nutty and smooth. Then, if you’re hungry, pick one of their many options; I love the Roasted Bell Pepper and Goat Cheese Panini (it’s goat cheese! My favorite!), the Curry Tuna Melt, or the Turkey and Swiss Panini (hold the onions and tomatoes for me, please!), and almost everything on their breakfast menu. Many of the breakfast items are made with croissants, what a yummy way to start the day! And according to their website, Cafe Audrey offers a happy hour from 3-6 where for $2 you can buy a cookie and their house coffee with free refills! Recessionista, am I! (=
Cafe Audrey also offers free WiFi (YES!) and incredibly comfy tables and chairs, in the classy black and white style (with accents of red thrown in) that are filled with patrons. In addition to being a divine hot spot, Cafe Audrey supports local musicians by hosting live music events. Cafe Audrey is more than just a scrumptious cafe, it’s part of the community. In a city as large and superficial as Hollywood, it’s a refreshing mini-vacation to relax in a welcoming niche like Cafe Audrey.
**Note from me! I couldn’t help but also be reminded of my dear grandma while here at Cafe Audrey. My grandma’s name was also Audrey and she loved coffee like I love coffee. Must have gotten it from her. She was beautiful, feisty and classy. I’ll hunt down a photo and post it so you can see. (-:
Literati - persons of scholarly or literary attainments; intellectuals.
The Literati Cafe, a delightful, thoughtful, colorful spot, that draws in the type of clientele who read, study, and ponder. Had the Literati Cafe been in existence in their day, I imagine it would have attracted the likes of great writers like Harper Lee or great thinkers like Einstein and his scientific cronies. There are books and laptops and caffeinated beverages crowding the limited space on the tables. But while the tables and chairs are set close together, it’s not in a negative way, it’s in a very neighborly way that encourages conversation and friendly smiles.
From the moment I accidentally stepped into the Literati Bar and Grill (the big sister to the Literati Cafe), instead of the cafe and was redirected by a very nice waitress, it was a lovely, peaceful, inviting experience. The counter staff was so accommodating and helpful to my numerous inquiries as a first timer, even offering me a taste of each soup when I couldn’t decide, and my iced cappuccino and tomato basil soup with mixed green salad and fresh baked multi-grain bread were delivered to my seat overlooking Wilshire Blvd. quite quickly. My iced nonfat cappuccino was sooooo good. Soooo good. I guarantee that I will get cravings. My mixed green salad with their homemade balsamic dressing made my body just feel like it was being rejuvenated from the inside out. And truly, is there anything better than fresh-baked bread? *Sigh* I saved the tomato basil soup for last for a reason. I am a lover of tomato soups. Here is the thing; I hate tomatoes, loathe them and their texture. But I love tomato soup, ketchup, and tomato sauce. Food texture is a tricky thing for me, but I digress. The tomato basil soup was so warm, so rich, so salty, peppery and tangy, with just a kick of basil for good measure. I have to rank it in my top ten of amazing tomato soups! (On a side note, I think I should create a post on just the best tomato soups in the LA area. Who’s with me?! (-: )
I have to thank my friend and reader, Abby Craig Weber, for her recommendation of the Literati Cafe. It was even better than I thought it could be Abby! Thank you so much! (Also, click on her name, it will bring you to her fabulous blog! (-: )
Oh! Two more things: major plus, they have free WiFi and in addition to their oh, so yummy cafe menu, they offer wine by the glass. Amazing!!!!
