Alcove Cafe & Bakery
Almond Croissant
Polenta Raspberry Scone
Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
Brioche French Toast – Vanilla, Rum, Crème Fraiche, Berry Reduction, Vermont Maple Syrup
Almond Pear Tart
Red Velvet Cupcake
Carrot Cake Cupcake
Located in Los Feliz and one of those spots that had been on my radar for years, imagine my surprise when the first steps of my early morning run led me right past the patio of Alcove Bakery and Café, my early breakfast plans for Langer’s again derailed by the promise of warm pastries. Open at 6am, with my arrival timed to 7:00 given the duration of my path, it was just minutes before the kitchen opened for full service that I arrived and speaking to a pair of youngsters behind the counter who helped guide me through myriad options a sizeable order was crafted – a some for now, some for later approach the only way to manage a restaurant where no less than three dozen pastries beckoned behind glass. Taking a seat while the kitchen worked on my entrée it was mere moments before the first round arrived and with an almond croissant still hot kicking things off with a crisp break giving way to subtly sweet filling I was immediately impressed, the juxtaposition of polenta and fruit an equally pleasant experience amidst the warm scone. Moving next to chocolate chip bread pudding that was rendered hot by a quick trip to the oven suffice it to say that the 8+oz mini-loaf packed a whole lot of butter, chocolate, and brioche into a small package and with that same brioche utilized to make the plated French Toast I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite, the later already custardy beneath the griddled crisp but all the better with crème fraiche, reduced berries, and pure maple syrup. Taking parts of the pastries to go, along with another trio of treats, there are undoubtedly better places to obtain cupcakes in SoCal than Alcove as the Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot option was a touch too chewy while the Red Velvet’s cloying frosting completely undermined light coca, but finishing on a absolute high note I’d be hard pressed to name a better use of frangipane in recent memory than the butter-crusted tart – nearly a half-Anjou per slice melting into a puffy, almond cloud.
RECOMMENDED: Bread Pudding, French Toast, Pear-Almond Tart.
AVOID: Cupcakes…and going alone as it’d be nice to take a small army in order to sample more of the menu.
TIP: Located in a neighborhood where parking is limited and many signs indicate they will tow you specifically for parking there and walking to Alcove (there is apparently a market for these signs as no less than 3 neighboring properties had them,) those willing to walk a block are advise to check out Rodney. Additionally, with a small kitchen and everything made to order wait times can be excessive even if you are the first to arrive – all the more excuse to grab a pastry, sit back, and enjoy.
http://alcovecafe.com/cafe
