Lemon Grove Cafe - Piatti

The Living Room Coffeehouse

➤ 5900 El Cajon Blvd, 92115, San Diego, US, United States

Piatti • Vegan • Coffee • Cheese • Coffee & Tea

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"Went here for breakfast recently and after many days decided to write a review. We arrived at around 10A. The line was relatively short with only a handful of patrons in front of us. The line to order took about 8 minutes, give or take. After looking over the menu I ordered the Pesto Avocado Toast and an iced chai tea latte. I also tried to order a dessert for later but they didn't have several of the ones I wanted so I settled on a cheese danish. We found a table right away and sat down. After a couple tens of minutes we started feeling like it was taking a long time. I looked at our receipt and noticed we placed our order 26 minutes prior (the receipt was time stamped). I decided to give them 4 more minutes before heading up to the counter to inquire about our order. They said that they were busy. And, just for reference, the patio was fairly empty and there were several tables available inside, so they weren't, in my opinion, 30 minute wait for food busy. Interestingly, right after i asked, our food came out. So either it was good timing or it was already ready and just sitting back there in the kitchen. Either way, 30 minutes is a terribly long wait for food. I'll only review my food. The pesto avocado toast was blah. The lettuce on top was shredded iceberg and, it was sad and starting to wilt and brown around the edges. It added no flavor or texture to the toast whatsoever. And it actually made the toast look quite sad and unattractive. The pesto was actually mixed into the avocado...weird. I don't know, but I expected the avocado to be smashed, the pesto to be drizzled over the top, the lettuce to be something else all together...the best part was the crumbled cheese. My chai was tasty, thankfully. Later in the day when i ate my danish i wasn't blown away, at all. The cheese portion wasn't very flavorful. Again, just kinda blah. Overall, if you're looking for a gathering spot, i guess this is a cool-ish place, centrally located. But the wait for food isn't great and i wasn't blown away by any means by the food. Edit: addition after response from business owner...I'm glad to hear you're switching up the lettuce because it was just not working. Hopefully the mixed greens will be better. To address the long wait, however, perhaps having more staff in the kitchen to accommodate for your unusually large amounts of door dash orders would be a good idea. Leaving people waiting for 30+ minutes is still, in my opinion, inexcusable. Especially at breakfast...eggs and smashed avocado shouldn't take that long. I've absolutely been to places that have been packed full and haven't waited that long. So I'm not sure what's going on in your kitchen."

Giardino Neighborhood Cucina

➤ 8131 BroadwayCA 91945, Lemon Grove, United States

Piatti • Full • Pizza • Italian • Bar-lounge

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"we had a reservation inside for 16, the day of i got a notice it was changed to 20 people, no one had access so they did it and moved us outside, The road noise was horrible but we discovered inside had no ac it was warm and too loud music. They food was good Alex the server was first class and outside was not so bad after all, its a neighborhood Italian with a bit more on the menu. The pizza was very good with a great crust"

Alforon

➤ 5965 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California, USA, 92115, United States

Piatti • Meat • Vegan • Lebanese • Vegetarian

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"An old friend of mine brought me here the other day. I was seriously impressed. I know the place was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and has won local awards, but I was still blown away. To begin with, the babaganoush and naan were delectable. Very creamy, yet light, babaganoush. Not overly oily. The naan was crispy but not burnt, fluffy and lightly seasoned. The LahmBajeen was also really wonderful. No overpowering flavors, very well balanced. Our main course—Ouzi Lamb—was insane! The lamb was so tender and rich, and mixed perfectly with its bed of rice, pine nuts, and almonds. The yogurt that came with it was so good. It was incredibly creamy and not too strong, making a perfect add on for the dish. One of the best parts of the meal was the price point. We left stuffed and with leftovers with a total bill of $40. Can’t recommend Alforon enough! Update: I came back a few years later with a couple of friends. We had Fattoush salad, spicy hummus, chicken fries, chicken Tawook, and the “love dessert.” Everything was very tasty. The hummus was delicious, and the chicken Tawook was hearty and great with the added peppers. The “love dessert” is a great touch—it’s light but has a fairly complex flavor profile. It’s a very refreshing dessert, with pistachio, cream, and rosehip. Another good experience at Alforon!"

Antica Trattoria

➤ 5654 Lake Murray BlvdCA 91942, La Mesa, United States

Piatti • Wine • Drinks • Italian • Sicilian

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"Located in a strip mall with ample free parking, Antica Trattoria 's decor has a cozy, authentic Italian feel with different textures and al fresco style paintings on the walls. There is some limited outdoor seating looks like seating left over from Covid days in the parking lot). The music was a little loud and non fitting, but the atmosphere was vibrant. The food was good and portions were generous. I always judge a restaurant by its bread and this restaurant had excellent bread! Very fresh and doughy I could have eaten the whole basket! The freshly made generous portion of tiramisu for dessert was also excellent. $13, May 2023) Service was swift and committed a few 'faux pas ' in my book. First, they removed my plate before my dining partner was finished and then the waiter verbally announced the list of desserts as said dining partner was still finishing eating their entree. We could only remember half of the desserts a paper dessert menu would have been appreciated). About 2 seconds after dessert was delivered, the bill was placed on the table without asking if we wanted coffee or anything else. I understand we had a 90 minute window in which to dine as is common nowadays in the USA), but we were well within that window. We would have appreciated not feeling rushed, particularly since it was Mother 's Day, a special occasion. That and slightly high prices were why I took off a star."

El Pollo Grill

➤ 7836 Broadway, Lemon Grove, 91945, United States Of America

Piatti • Meat • Grill • Mexican • Chicken

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"This is my favorite place... This is the third time O have been there in a 3 week period and they lately don't have the Green Sauce. I have been there 2 separate times and lately they just have the Red Sauce... And we don't find tgat out until we have ordered our food. The service and everything is still good, but something has changed and I hope they get back on track because thus really use to be the best place because you could count on getting what you ordered and the sauces were ready. I ordered 12 Rolled Tacos and was only given 2 Hot Sauces, who does that... because it eas a TO Go Order I didn't realize it until I got home. Do I have to check every TO Go order now before I leave. I have been coming here for over 15 years...something has really changed. We use to be able to count on getting the sauces and everything we ordered. Please get back to the great service you use to provide...we still love you all"