October 2007 | Tastebuds
Simply Good
Caffe Etc. — A healthy haven in the heart of Hollywood
By Carly Milne
Say the word “Hollywood,” and certain images come to mind: the iconic sign in the hills, the walk of fame, velvet-roped hot spots and high-priced eateries where the famous and wanna-be-famous go to see and be seen. But nestled among the hype and hullabaloo is a cozy little café with a simple but stellar menu and the best teas and coffees, all fair trade and certified-organically grown.
Caffe Etc. has made its home on the corner of Selma and Cahuenga for three years, offering a comfortable, family-like atmosphere amid Hollywood’s hustle and bustle. Customers sit either inside or out in bistro-like chairs, or flop down on the couch at one end of the restaurant after they’ve ordered. For those that forgot to bring reading material, one wall features a well-stocked newsstand, perfect for a pop culture catch-up while you chow down.
Owners Viviana and Brian Pollack are involved in every aspect of the restaurant — from the design to the menu to all things in between. Oftentimes, Viviana herself is the one handing over your decaf latte.
“Quality and freshness has been my main goal from the start,” says the former makeup artist and world traveler. “We have very little space for storage, so we receive new produce every single day of the week. We use free-range chicken that’s delivered daily, all our soups except the chicken vegetable are vegan, and we try to add as many vegetables to our menu as possible.”
And it shows. Caffe Etc.’s menu is a simple but delicious mix of breakfast goodies, salads, sandwiches, panninis and wraps, featuring an eclectic mix of tastes including Italian and Greek. Chicken Curry sandwiches and Fetteterainean Salads dot the menu (the dressings always made from scratch), but it’s the daily specials, often inspired by Farmers’ Market finds, that make for an instant favorite. Take the Organic fig, walnut and chevre salad with mixed greens, orange blossom honey and balsamic vinaigrette for example, as imagined by chef Carrie Umlauf. The café is also willing to modify dishes for vegans and veggies, subbing tofu for chicken, or skipping the cheese.
Says Viviana, “We’re about eating good, feeling good and feeling light. Eating in this way and enjoying all the flavors… it goes right into your spirit, and it lifts you up. That’s what this is all about for me — making people happy.”
Caffe Etc., 6371 Selma Ave., Hollywood CA, 90028. 323.464.8824. caffeetc.com
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