California Cafe
Bloomington, MN 55425
Phone: (952) 854-2233
- Price:
- $$
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 11am-10:30pm, Sun 11am-8:30pm
Editorial Review for California Cafe – by Donna Tabbert Long
In Short
Located on the Mall of America's third level, California Cafe seems to draw its main crowd from shop-till-you-drop types and folks in the Cities on business. Inside, the space is airy and stylish, outfitted with comfy booths, crisp linens and artsy accents. The lengthy wine list, contemporary decor and creative menu mean no screaming kids with stressed-out parents at the next table. Reliable choices include lobster-shrimp quesadilla or a jerk chicken goat cheese pizza.
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Insider Tips
Where to SitAsk for a table on the "terrace," a section outside the restaurant overlooking treetops and Ferris wheel lights. It offers the fun and romance of outdoor dining sans citronella.
What to DrinkChoose among more than 20 wines by the glass, or pick from more than 100 bottles. Tired shoppers should mellow out with a melon margarita or Key lime martini--skip the poorly made lemon drop.
User Reviews for California Cafe
02/22/2007 Posted by jesusofnazareth
I've eaten here a number of times over the years and always been very pleased. Yesterday I dropped by for lunch and had what might be called the comeback traditional dish of the decade, macaroni and cheese. One finds it on many restaurants' menus these days, and it's a good thing. Of course, there are now many variations on the basic theme; certainly on the Kraft boxed version with which some of us grew up. I have an entire cookbook devoted to macaroni and cheese recipes, and I've prepared many of them, some quite good. What I'm saying here is that, while I've eaten, enjoyed, and made umpteen other pasta preparations in my journey through life, I've always thought M & C can be - emphasis on can be - one of the most pleasurable. With that preface, I will assert that the version I had here just might be the best I've ever consumed. The cheeses were gruyere, white cheddar, and parmesan, with the addition of Nueske's bacon and a bread crumb topping. Anyone who reads this, and who likes M & C, must try it. It comes with oven-roasted brussels sprouts, a vegetable which I've always thought goes well with Mac. I appreciated the fact that it wasn't cooked all to hell, but just a bit more in or on the heat would've made it better - plus some salt, which, annoyingly, wasn't to be found on any table. At about $12 for a large and filling (can M & C not be filling?) serving, this is a decadent bargain. A nice Viognier only enhanced the pleasure. Oh yes, and for those who don't know, the ambience inside is very pleasant, contrary to the tables "outside" where one's view is of the theme park and one's auditory stimuli consist of squealing children, at least on busy days.
Pros: Food is always very good, but the Macaroni and cheese is outstanding.
Cons: It isn't closer to where I live (but that would mean the Mall is closer).
07/22/2006 Posted by heydeej
I went at a quarter after 9 on a thursday night and they were begining to clean up, and we asked if we could sit on the patio(which the server had just finished preparing all the tables for the next day) and the host proptly sat us out there, our server was excellent, he was attentive and informative with out being annoying, we ordered two appetizers, drinks, and two steak dinners, all of the food was beyond words good. We ended up taking much of the food home and our total bill was about $99 between the two of us, spendy, but well worth the money!!!
Pros: Food, staff, space
Cons: none
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