DINING/EVENTS: CAFE DEL REY'S TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

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CAFE DEL REY’S TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

 

About two and a half years ago, when I was the restaurant critic for the Culver City News and the Blue Pacific News, I reviewed brunch at the lovely Cafe Del Rey in the Marina.  I’ve always wanted to return, but since my dream is to eat at every restaurant in Los Angeles, if not the world, I haven’t had time to go back.

But on Saturday night, I couldn’t let them celebrate their twentieth anniversary without my being there.

It was an incredibly generous arty, and here’s the it resting part…it was open to the public! They were collecting small donations for the Surfrider Foundation, but I’m sure everyone got his or her money’s worth, especially since they were serving unlimited Perrier-Jouet champagne.  In gorgeous flowered flutes I might add.

My friend, Vanessa, is a vegetarian, and I’m just a super picky eater, so most of the ritzy appetizers were wasted us, but the crowd was loving them.  There were bite-sized crab cakes, mini falafel, delicate spoons filled with ceviche, lamb “cigars,” truffle pizzas, pea agnolotti, and a few others we didn’t try.

Then, towards the end of the three-hour-long festivities, right after a champagne toast by manager Shaun Freeman and chef Daniel Roberts, two of the new-ish personnel, the tidbits switched over to baklava and pistachio macaroons, to end with a sweet treat.

To add to the festivities, there was also a sangria station, wonderful light jazz provided by a trio that fetaured guitarist JuanCarlos Quintero, and, of course, the beautiful view of the marina at sunset. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate an anniversary. The restaurant’s or anybody’s.

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3 Comments

  1. Vanessa Marsot on

    What a great review! It almost made me feel as if I were there. Oh wait, I was there. And had an awesome time with the lovely Karen. :)

    • I can’t thank u enough for this comment! I’ve heard it before. By coincidence, I spoke with the new editor last week, so we’ll see what happens. I don’t even know if I have time to resume my column there, but perhaps a helpful nudge from some residents to the powers-that-be at the paper would help at least move the idea along.

      Karen

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