Cayenne Cafe

06/11/09

Hidden Gem

by Kappy at Citysearch

This Mediterranean-themed restaurant recently received a Manhattanesque-makeover (think East Village charm) that will win over couples and small parties alike. The menu boasts an assortment of yummy apps,hearty salads, specialty pizzas and amazing main courses at super-reasonable prices.

• Pros: Attentive service, wide range of delicious dishes, ambience
• Cons: None

08/28/08

Amazing, authentic Middle Eastern food

by zatanna at Citysearch

This restaurant is definitely the best Middle Eastern food I've had in LA. I went here recently with some friends, and halfway through the meal, we ended up ordering more plates because the food was so delicious! My boyfriend even commented that he has not had such amazing Middle Eastern food since his grandmother used to cook it for him. The ambience is great (nice, yet comfortable) and the service was outstanding. Everything is well-priced and street parking is easy to find. And if you go, be sure to order the Zaatar Bread...it's a must!!!

• Pros: tasty and authentic food, great ambience, nice service

07/09/08

Best Mediterranean

by foodmistress at Citysearch

Wow is it addictive!!!!! I am a regular customer at Cayenne for many reasons. The waitstaff is quick and friendly and the owners, Sam and Noura, are always there to make sure that the food that comes out of the kitchen is of the best quality everyday, all the time.

Apart from that I can go on and on about the food. Breakfasts have huge portions and are reasonably priced (as is everything on the menu). The lunch and dinner menus offer so many options of healthy and flavorful fare that you can never get bored of the restaurant. Many of the dishes are the inventions of the coook/owner Noura (BTW formerly of Noura's Cafe on Melrose for those of you who remember how good that restaurant was) like Pomegranite Chicken. The way she makes it was featured in the L.A. Times food section not too long ago. The sauce is so yummy I ask for extra even though they give you plenty! There is another chicken dish called Zaatar Chicken, which is chicken breast coated in Mediterrean herbs. It's fabulous.!

Another great thing about Cayenne is that if you have friends who aren't in the mood to try something exotic they've got great gourmet hamburges, pizza with a twist, wraps, pastas, steaks to satisfy everyone.

• Pros: You can sit inside or outside on the patio
• Cons: No parking lot

06/18/08

great food; great service!

by Mandy80 at Citysearch

I love this place since it is right on Beverly Blvd next to a couple of boutiques. The service has been great every time I've been there. The food is delicious! I've been there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner--all superb! You wont be disappointed. Great salads, soup, and a variety of signature items, all made with fresh ingredients. Be sure to try the baklava for dessert!

06/10/08

Dlightful lunch place!!

by MickMil at Citysearch

Went today for lunch and had a totally satisfying experience. I had been there for several great breakfasts and one fun, exotic dinner. I had just read the earlier review about the $5 tip on an $80 check, so I was watching closely.

The owner gave a warm greeting and the waitress was kind, efficient and anticipated our every need. The few special requests we made on ordering were greeted with understanding that anything we wanted could be accommodated.

The food was perfect. (try the King Tut Wrap), the ambiance comfortable and welcoming, prices were in an average range and overall quality was high. The menu is a step up from the usual . It's a good place to try items that aren't normally available at the Beverly Blvd. lunch places.

We stayed for a long time talking and enjoying ourselves and were never rushed or made to feel this was our space for as long as we wanted. Several other tables obviously felt the same. There were a few business lunch meetings going on, where they also lingered comfortably for a while.

The owner checked up on us a few times to see that everything was alright, like the host at a party.

I couldn't help but thinking of the unfortunate, vindictive review I read earlier. I wondered what really happened and how this group had behaved. I also wonder who tips $5 on a $80 bill because the service is "nothing special." 6.25% is pretty low for 'nothing special." What special service would the waitress have had to do to get it up to 10% or 15%.

If service is bad, one should leave no tip and tell the owner the reason. As a business owner, he should know. If your GF doesn't like tipping, take her for take-out or for fast food.

To me this group sounds like a bunch of boors who should not be eating out in public and taking up table space. If I had a GF who started arguments with a restaurant owner (or who tipped 6.25%) , I'd being looking for a new GF. This was a sign of bad behavior ahead.

But that's just me.

• Pros: Charming ambience and attentive service

06/08/08

great ambiance, amazing food, wonderful service

by Frances85 at Citysearch

The food at Cayenne is some of the best I've had in the area...I've eaten there on numerous occasions and am always very pleased. The ambiance makes it even nicer, you can sit outside on the patio or inside in a cozy, very nicely decorated dinning room. It's nice for a romantic date or just with friends or family. The food is very unique and has something that everyone can enjoy, and the prices are great (especially for LA). The first time I went there I was very impressed with the service and the quality of food so now I go there often. If you're looking for something in LA that has great food, reasonable prices, and a nice atmosphere, you should definitely try Cayenne. And make sure to try to Chicken Pomegranate or, if it's a special for the night, the Lamb Tagine, definitely their best two dishes...but everything on the menu (salads, pastas, steak, etc.) is great!

• Pros: food, service, price, ambiance
• Cons: sometimes hard to find parking, but there's usually some on formoas and sometimes there's valet on busy nights

05/24/08

THE OWNER LEASHED OUT AT MY GF!!

by famouschiko at Citysearch

So I was at this restaurant with my girlfriend and friends for a quiet dinner. Everything was fine and we got ready to pay the bill. My gf decided to pay the bill and she decided to place a 5 dollar tip. The service was nothing special, nor did we feel like royalty. The bill was 80 bucks btw. Then the owner comes back to my gf and ask "is that 15 or a 5?" my gf said "5" then he said " who tips 5 dollars on a 80 dollar bill?" he said that mumbling as he was walking back to the front counter. My gf did not realize what he had said until our friend clear it up. She gf stood up and started to talk towards the front desk. I of course. stood up right behind her and was there when she contronted the owner about what he said. He then began to say, and i quote "THE WAITRESS LIVES OFF TIPS, NOT EVEN A DOG CAN LIVE OFF 5 DOLLARS!!" Then my gf told him that she does NOT have to give a tip unless she feels like so. He then said "THIS IS AMERICAN, YOU HAVE TO TIP!!" Then I came into this little fiasco and told him that my gf or anyone for that matter does not have to tip and that yes, this is America, and its HER RIGHT not to tip if she does not want to. Then I told the douch bag owner that if he REALLY cared what the waitress makes, then he should pay her more. He did not reply. My gf was furious and we simply asked for the tip back and took off. I dine out at least 3-4 times a week, all over so. cal. From san diego, to irvine, to LA and back. Never have I felt so disrespected in my life. I will NEVER go to this hole in the wall place that is WAY over priced. I hope this place shuts down. I was reading other reviews on this restaurant before I posted my review, and it seems like this douch has struck before. There is a review on here where the owner lashed out at a customer, who in the times we are in, still decided to spend him money at that establishment, and does not appreciate that. PEOPLE DONT GO HERE!! dont waste your money on this **** bag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Cons: THE OWNER IS AN A$$

10/09/07

Some of the best food in Los Angeles!

by rayrayt at Citysearch

With a delicate, yet not-so-overwhelming hint of Morrocan flavor, Cayenne Cafe is one of the most delightful places to eat in Los Angeles! A wide array of food keeps you coming back as to try everything on the menu at least once. However, once you find a favorite, you'll find it very difficult to choose something else instead. Cayenne has super friendly service and a clean romantic, cozy feeling that hooks you the second you walk in. Delightful teas and coffee brews are also a specialty. Don't miss out on the flamenco dancing the first Thursday of every month-when I happened to stumble onto this-it was truly a fun, coloful experience to my extreme liking.

• Pros: Ambience, service

08/31/07

Amazing breakfast on Beverly!!

by lflnoel at Citysearch

We stopped into Cayenne last week on a trip from Vegas and were blown away by the food. There were lots of unique ingredients to choose from, my goat cheese, red pepper, purple onion, smoked turkey scramble made my day. The breakfast potatoes were awesome, prepared with really flavorful spices and a great Cayenne House Hot Sauce on the side. Nice big selection of hot teas to choose from and really fast, friendly service. Genuine hospitality, can't wait to dine here again on our next trip to LA.

08/08/07

Great lunch place

by tysontysonxv at Citysearch

I have been here twice, and both times I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. The wait staff is attentive and the food has been delicious both times. I haven't tried their dinners, but I will make it a point to return one evening if it promises to be as good as lunch.

• Pros: Delicious food, great staff
• Cons: parking