07/16/09

Dont GO

by FosterG

3 THINGS HORRIBLE FOOD, WORST SERVICE, BAD MANAGEMENT..

DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO GO...

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: all of it

07/22/08

Great place to hole up

by kiercemartin

Once you walk in Literati it feels like you are anywhere but on wilshire. There is such a cozy atmosphere, and great bookish feel to the whole place that you can't resist staying for a while. Their sandwiches and tea are definitely where it's at. I would definitely recommend it as a place to study, or grab lunch, or both. The staff is always friendly and the food is generally pretty cost effective too. I really can't say anything bad about this place. If you're looking for a quiet place to study/get lunch. This is it.

06/05/08

Next best thing to Urth

by jenheidir

When I?m not near an Urth, my next choice is Literati. I love how books have been cemented in like bricks on the wall. Their salads and sandwiches are always fresh, and the desserts are so rich and tasty. They also have a good breakfast menu. There?s also a patio outback for those who don?t want to dine inside. Ironically though, can?t say I?ve tried the coffee.

03/23/08

Inspired

by abstractdjc

Chris is hands down my favorite chef in Los Angeles. His food is consistently delicious, arranged beautifully, and one is at once aware of the connection between farmer and chef combining for true artistry. If Alice Waters had a son, he may have turned out a bit like Chris. Tonights meal consisted of an asparagus soup, gravlax over pumpernickle with beets, gem lettuce salad, wild caught king salmon, Liberty Farms duck, lamb t-bone, and each dish was absolutely inspired. If this restaurant had a better wine list it would be one of the cities elite. The question I have is, how is this room not packed?!?

• Pros: FOOD FOOD FOOD FOOD
• Cons: Wine list

07/27/07

great food, WORST take-out service that has ever existed

by equstrigrl

I love the food and drinks at Literati, and I live close by so I always order take-out from them. EVERY SINGLE TIME I have ordered it, though, they have messed up my order.

The first time they gave me the wrong order.

The next time they left out my side salad.

Then they were out of shrimp, but didn't tell me when I ordered the shrimp linguine on the phone, and when I came to get it they said, "Umm...is it ok if we put chicken in your linguine instead?"

The next time I ordered shrimp linguine, it was smothered with cheese when I got it. I hate cheese. The menu didn't say there was cheese, it had never come with cheese before, but that day someone covered it in cheese.

They left out the bread a few times, too.

So I probably sound dumb for continuing to go back for more, but the food really is good. Just make sure you check your takeout orders before you take them home, because chances are something will be wrong.

• Pros: good menu, lots of choices, nice cafe ambience
• Cons: horrible service, sometimes run out of things

06/13/07

There's Two Sides to Every Story

by morgan5

When I read the reviews, I had to check it out. There are two restaurants on the corner. One is the orginal cafe which is a self serve, lower priced, organic restaurant. I went in and was so glad to see the European feeling. Pictures of writers. A fireplace. Casual. Friendly people at the counter and my chicken pesto and mint lemonade were the best! I even tried their green tea frozen yogurt. Outstanding. I was so impresssed, I tried the other side which is a white linen full service place. I took my friend for her birthday. We loved the parsnip chips and the cobb salad was fresh and delicious. We even had some great Hitching Post wine. When it came time to bring the cake, they'd written Happy Birthday in chocolate on the plate. What a terrific place. So there are two sides and each offers something different. I will definitely be back now that I know the difference. Thanks to the creators.

• Pros: Original, hip, green, independent, 2 choices
• Cons: Crowded parking lot, need to street park

04/23/07

cozy study spot

by juju13es

This cafe is one of my Westwood favorite study spots (when its not too crowded). It has a very quaint environment with portraits of literary figures on the wall- a nice little nook for bookworms. I can't say much for their food, because all I ever get there is their coffee and their petite cheesecakes (which are quite delicious). After you get your order, the employees pretty much leave you alone, so it's nice if you want to be in a state of solitude. It's kind of a pain to find parking during the busier hours, so I only come here when I'm feeling more motivated.

• Pros: quiet, ambience, desserts
• Cons: parking, crowded at times

04/17/07

Most beautiful patio in LA

by whatchadoin

Every time I return to Literati II, the place gets better and better. I went for lunch the other day and the garden patio has been redone to feel like a totally different world. I felt like I was in Paris with the picket fence, abundant plants, and water fixture. It's so nice to go to somewhere in Los Angeles that is elegant but you can get out for under $20. Plus you save a ton of money on the airplane ticket to France!

04/13/07

Indifferant quality,high prices, cafeteria service.

by nesor

Overpriced, unimaginative, and mediocre. Apparently this place is the budget sibling of the upscale Literati 2, adjacent. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes stale bread, salted butter in tiny packets, no stand-alone entrees or specialties, except sugared turkey meatloaf; the rest sandwiches to conceal the nondescript office building snack bar poor quality of what lies within. From the (valet) parking lot, gate takes one into the(upscale) Literati 2. If you head there by inadvertance, and are, say, meeting friends at Literati Cafe, you are compelled to walk a serpentine and ;unnecessary gauntlet to get to there. If a "fish rots from the head down," a corallary might also be true; if Literati Cafe stands as any foundation to its (even) more expensive sibling, Literati 2, that's a bad bet. I guess that anything can pass for "health food" and tasty convenience in (still provincial) LA. NOT RECOMMENDED.

03/12/07

Best salmon i've ever had

by tmartini1

On our way to the Wadsworth Theater, we stopped at the Literati 2 for dinner without reservations. We only had to wait 15 minutes and was escorted to the best table in the house. The hostess, servers and even the bus boys treated us like we were celebrities. I've read several of the "bad service" reviews below, and don;t understand. Everyone was smiling, laughing and commenting on the great experience they were having. The only complaint i could see would be the noise level.. It gets pretty loud in there, but I find that refreshing and alive. The table next to us was having an anniversary so we bought them a dessert, and when we left, we were told that they asked to pay for a round of our drinks. Complete strangers did this. I believe it's because of the quality mood and tone set within the walls of Literati 2. Thanks.

• Pros: food...service...value
• Cons: none