vickib Feb 14, 2009 06:32 PM

Review: At Last Cafe, Long Beach - Valentine's Day

Posting this right after returning from our meal, so it's fresh on my palate. We've been to this restaurant a few times, but tonight was a Prix Fixe for $21.95. Yes, $21.95.

Not having a liquor license, they also don't charge corkage, which is nice. We brought a bottle of Champagne: Guy de Chassey 1999 Grand Cru Brut.

First course: I had shrimp bisque, which had a nice, subtle bite of chile. The shrimp was succulent.
My wife had a beautiful mixed green salad.

Main course: There were 4 options, steak, salmon, chicken, or artichoke with cous cous (vegetarian). I had the chicken, which was done with an orange basil butter sauce. It came on mashed potatoes with beautifully done vegetables - green beans, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, squash, cooked in a butter sauce. My wife had the salmon wrapped in bacon with a cabernet sauce, which also came with the mashed potatoes and vegetables. Everything was wonderful and delicious. The flavors were interesting and unexpected without being weird or overbearing.

Dessert: There were 2 options, so we each chose one. I got the triple cream strawberry shortcake, and she got a homemade cheesecake topped with a chocolate ganache. While they were both really good, they were very different. The cheesecake was rich and the shortcake was ethereal. I preferred the shortcake. It was moist, creamy, and had a delicate strawberry essence about it.

Fortunately, this place seems to be doing very good business. The quality of the food is so good, especially for the money.

At Last Cafe
204 Orange Ave.
Long Beach, Ca 90802

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At Last Cafe
204 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802