AT LAST CAFE

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Portobello Mushroom with Polenta Appetizer, Beet Salad, Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, Center Cut Pork Chop, Brick Chicken, Lamb Three Ways, Bananas Foster Cheesecake.

At Last Cafe

204 Orange Avenue

Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 437-4837

www.jmchefcatering.com

We read in OC Weekly magazine that "Every city should have a chef like John Mclaughlin, who at his At Last Cafe cooks gourmet food but charges diner prices". We love a good bargain almost as much as we love good food. So we decided to check it out for ourselves, at last.

We made a reservation for Friday lunch and got there early, just as they were opening the place up. We were promptly seated at a nice table, and the service was excellent. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable; and the menu is "as advertised"- delicious gourmet dishes, good portion sizes and everything value priced. In addition to the regular menu, there are great daily specials posted on the specials board.

Sweetie Pie and I decided to split the Portobello Mushroom with Polenta Appetizer (from the specials board). Delicious and worth repeating; and in a great sauce. Her mother had the Beet Salad (also from the specials board). It had a great vinaigrette dressing and is among the best she's had ( she is the "Beet Salad Queen"). We also decided to share a half order of the Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, which we had heard was not to be missed. Again, we were not disappointed. It is also available with ham or chicken added.

On to the Main Dishes. Sweetie Pie ordered the Brick Chicken, which is half a chicken, flattened and grilled under a brick. It's one of their signature dishes and it's really good. Her mother had the Center Cut Pork Chop with Apple Herb Stuffing (and a heavenly glaze). A large pork chop which was tender and succulent. (Next time, she would like to order extra Apple Herb Stuffing on the side). I ordered the Lamb Three Ways, which is Lamb Chops, a Lamb Patty and Lamb Sauce (also from the specials board. Ya gotta love that specials board!). I love lamb anyway, and this chef really knows how to cook. His sauces are truly divine.

Well, we didn't leave anything behind! We were all full, but decided to split one dessert. At our server's suggestion, we decided to try the Bananas Foster Cheesecake (from the specials board). OMG! What a treat. We were told the Chef's wife makes all the Cheesecakes, and we're betting they are all good.

We could come back here again and again! Today's At Last Cafe lunch gets three thumbs way up from the 3 Tubby Tummys.