Literati Cafe

This is what I think a coffee shop experience should be. The decor is a history of Los Angeles. I love to look at the old photos, maps, po...

This is a great place to grab food and hangout. The food is excellent especially their soups and sandwiches. Also, if you order tea you ca...

3 THINGS HORRIBLE FOOD, WORST SERVICE, BAD MANAGEMENT.. DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO GO...

Once you walk in Literati it feels like you are anywhere but on wilshire. There is such a cozy atmosphere, and great bookish feel to the whole place that you can't resist staying for a while. Their sandwiches and tea are definitely where it's at. I would definitely recommend it as a place to study, or grab lunch, or both. The staff is always friendly and the food is generally pretty cost effective too. I really can't say anything bad about this place. If you're looking for a quiet place to study/get lunch. This is it.

When I?m not near an Urth, my next choice is Literati. I love how books have been cemented in like bricks on the wall. Their salads and sandwiches are always fresh, and the desserts are so rich and tasty. They also have a good breakfast menu. There?s also a patio outback for those who don?t want to dine inside. Ironically though, can?t say I?ve tried the coffee.

Chris is hands down my favorite chef in Los Angeles. His food is consistently delicious, arranged beautifully, and one is at once aware of the connection between farmer and chef combining for true artistry. If Alice Waters had a son, he may have turned out a bit like Chris. Tonights meal consisted of an asparagus soup, gravlax over pumpernickle with beets, gem lettuce salad, wild caught king salmon, Liberty Farms duck, lamb t-bone, and each dish was absolutely inspired. If this restaurant had a better wine list it would be one of the cities elite. The question I have is, how is this room not packed?!?

I love the food and drinks at Literati, and I live close by so I always order take-out from them. EVERY SINGLE TIME I have ordered it, though, they have messed up my order. The first time they gave me the wrong order. The next time they left out my side salad. Then they were out of shrimp, but didn't tell me when I ordered the shrimp linguine on the phone, and when I came to get it they said, "Umm...is it ok if we put chicken in your linguine instead?" The next time I ordered shrimp linguine, it was smothered with cheese when I got it. I hate cheese. The menu didn't say there was cheese, it had never come with cheese before, but that day someone covered it in cheese. They left out the bread a few times, too. So I probably sound dumb for continuing to go back for more, but the food really is good. Just make sure you check your takeout orders before you take them home, because chances are something will be wrong.

When I read the reviews, I had to check it out. There are two restaurants on the corner. One is the orginal cafe which is a self serve, lower priced, organic restaurant. I went in and was so glad to see the European feeling. Pictures of writers. A fireplace. Casual. Friendly people at the counter and my chicken pesto and mint lemonade were the best! I even tried their green tea frozen yogurt. Outstanding. I was so impresssed, I tried the other side which is a white linen full service place. I took my friend for her birthday. We loved the parsnip chips and the cobb salad was fresh and delicious. We even had some great Hitching Post wine. When it came time to bring the cake, they'd written Happy Birthday in chocolate on the plate. What a terrific place. So there are two sides and each offers something different. I will definitely be back now that I know the difference. Thanks to the creators.

This cafe is one of my Westwood favorite study spots (when its not too crowded). It has a very quaint environment with portraits of literary figures on the wall- a nice little nook for bookworms. I can't say much for their food, because all I ever get there is their coffee and their petite cheesecakes (which are quite delicious). After you get your order, the employees pretty much leave you alone, so it's nice if you want to be in a state of solitude. It's kind of a pain to find parking during the busier hours, so I only come here when I'm feeling more motivated.

Every time I return to Literati II, the place gets better and better. I went for lunch the other day and the garden patio has been redone to feel like a totally different world. I felt like I was in Paris with the picket fence, abundant plants, and water fixture. It's so nice to go to somewhere in Los Angeles that is elegant but you can get out for under $20. Plus you save a ton of money on the airplane ticket to France!

Overpriced, unimaginative, and mediocre. Apparently this place is the budget sibling of the upscale Literati 2, adjacent. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes stale bread, salted butter in tiny packets, no stand-alone entrees or specialties, except sugared turkey meatloaf; the rest sandwiches to conceal the nondescript office building snack bar poor quality of what lies within. From the (valet) parking lot, gate takes one into the(upscale) Literati 2. If you head there by inadvertance, and are, say, meeting friends at Literati Cafe, you are compelled to walk a serpentine and ;unnecessary gauntlet to get to there. If a "fish rots from the head down," a corallary might also be true; if Literati Cafe stands as any foundation to its (even) more expensive sibling, Literati 2, that's a bad bet. I guess that anything can pass for "health food" and tasty convenience in (still provincial) LA. NOT RECOMMENDED.

On our way to the Wadsworth Theater, we stopped at the Literati 2 for dinner without reservations. We only had to wait 15 minutes and was escorted to the best table in the house. The hostess, servers and even the bus boys treated us like we were celebrities. I've read several of the "bad service" reviews below, and don;t understand. Everyone was smiling, laughing and commenting on the great experience they were having. The only complaint i could see would be the noise level.. It gets pretty loud in there, but I find that refreshing and alive. The table next to us was having an anniversary so we bought them a dessert, and when we left, we were told that they asked to pay for a round of our drinks. Complete strangers did this. I believe it's because of the quality mood and tone set within the walls of Literati 2. Thanks.

I agree with "EDYCKERSEN". I have been going to "Monday Night Madness" for the past three Mondays in a row. I know chef Chris Kidder, and the guy knows how to grill a burger. I always have the classic beef and the gruyere cheese with a fried egg on top, and of course...those french fries!! I love the place, I love the staff and I LOVE THE BURGERS!!

A new garden getaway has arrived in Brentwood. Literati 2 has been one of my favorites for a power lunch for the past two years. Recently they added an outstanding new awning and lush tropical foliage to the patio to create an entirely different eating experience for lunch and dinner. Palms, ferns and flowers all brighten your mood and the fountain takes care of covering the sounds of the street outside. Nice Job, folks! I'll continue to be a regular, but I've found a new home on the patio!

i've been to literati 2 many times and always get the salad with chicken for lunch or the cioppino for dinner. i like to eat light and they always have just the right items for my diet requirements. one night last week , i decided to be bad and ordered he hamburger. yes, the wood-grilled burger was thick and juicy and outstanding, but what struck me even more was the french fries. they are perfectly crisp, thin, and a little chewy. the cooks sprinkle a little parsley on them to make them "gourmet", but the flavor works in concert with the potatoes. it's not just for show. dare i say these are the best fries in los angeles, and with the burger may be my new favorite. no ketchup needed!!

I went to Literati for lunch with a client one afternoon and ended up disappointed in the bland tasting food, and lack of attention from the staff to basic requests. We both ordered chicken salads. I requested the dressing on the side, but the salad came out doused in dressing. We also ordered two waters and had to wait over 15 minutes after our food arrived to receive them - this was after we flagged down two different servers to make the request. The bread that came before the salad was chewy and cold and the salads themselves were sparse. There were probably about 4 little slices of chicken on each one. The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy, but when it is crowded, it becomes loud and difficult to hear the person across from you. There are many great places just down the street that are a better value and full of more flavor and creativity - even Cabo Cantina has salads that far eclipse those at Literati.

I've always stayed loyal to literati2 for its menu, service and wonderful. intriguing decor and ambience. now they'v made it even better by adding, "as you like it" hamburger night. when i got the email notice, i immediately ran in the next monday, and what a treat!!. the chef offered around 7 different proteins (beef, turkey, veggie, pork, meatball, sturgeon, venison) and then you choose from around 6 cheeses, and then 15 gourmet toppings. i've been there three mondays in a row and it's alwas different and always outstanding. every pattie is grilled on a woodflame, and brought to the table by a sm,iling, knowledgeable server. i love this place TOO much.

i think i reviewed literati 2 about a year ago and said how great it was, but that their patio seemed a little cold and sparse. well, they heard my calls and built a beautiful awning and filled the patio up with vegetation to make it look like a tropical wonderland. palms, ferns, succulents and flowers everywhere. they installed heaters overhead and a great fountain to drown out some of the urban noise outside. as usual, the food is great and service conitunes as i originally reviewed it. the staff hasn;t changed much at all in a year, and still smiling and happy to see you. it looks like melinda made manager, so i miss her being my server, but she still greets us and comes to the table to say hi and give us some cute little quip or story. this could be the best restaurant in LA.

We went to Literati Cafe for lunch based on the primarily good reviews it obtained here on Citysearch. Although their menu listed approximately 10 different soups, only 3 were available. Then, when they brought out our food, we only received one napkin and one set of silverware despite the fact that there were two of us and we each ordered our own meal. To make matters worse, they only got one of our orders correct. By the time the meal was replaced, the one they had gotten correct was cold. As for the meals themselves, they were bland and unseasoned. There are many other places to eat in this area that are much better for the money. The shocker of it all -- despite the fact that the food was incredibly bland, it still managed to give us indigestion for the rest of the day, bringing into question the quality of their ingredients. Bottom line -- go elsewhere, this place is overpriced, bland and not worth your time.

The noise level is intolerable. We had to shout our order to the waiter. The job title brings a new meaning to "waiting". The polished tile ceiling and glass wall divider separating the patio create a chamber of reverberating horrors that make casual conversation impossible, We were a party of four and could not converse. When we exited, we asked the hostess if they had consulted an acoustic pro to correct the problem. Even though our waiter had cheerfully given us "comment cards" to report our complaints, our plea to the hostess fell on deaf ears. She suggested that when we came next time we should sit in an adjoining room. We repeated our question on when the noise issue would be solved THREE times and she refused to reply. We bid her a sad farewell. We will not return- the chef is great.-the service is iffy and the noise is unforgiveable. What a shame.

I went to this quick-service coffee shop for dinner, coffee, and a chat with some friends and loved it. I had one of the day's specials--turkey chili--and it tasted great and was reasonably priced. I will say that I'm glad I went early (at about 7 p.m.) because by around 8:15 p.m., it was packed and a table would have been hard to find. I thought the service was fine, although the only time I interacted with them was when I ordered my food. Try the mint lemonade!

I've had their soups and salads, and their lemonade's really decent too! I liked their chicken pesto sandwich. There's a supermarket behind Literati where you can park for free.

I've been here about 5 times because my office is nearby. EVERYTIME, the service is really slow and they don't bring the entrees out all at once. It's just not worth it to spend 20+ on an entree and feel like you could've ordered something better down the street, and not wait forever for it. Oh, and when we've waiting, about 1/3 of the tables were full.

ok, so we went here mainly to try their churros. my boyfriend has been looking all around for genuine spanish churros y chocolate, and literati II had some that came a BIT close to them, but not quite. we ended up ordering dinner also. the food was good, but i dont think it was worth as much as it cost.

A clean, well-lighted space, the Literati specializes in light (healthy) meals (soups, salads, sandwiches), coffee, tea, pastries and creating a warm environment for sitting and chatting or studying for hours at a time. For those wielding laptops, be aware that there is a time limit for just sitting around when it is crowded. I much prefer this informal venue to the more upscale sister restaurant next door, Literati II.

I understand they are supposed to be a health oriented restaurant, but...you can still season your food. There are some dishes that are ok, but overall, it is very expensive for the quality of food you are served. There are better places to go for breakfast/cafe experiences....and not far from this place.

I live right down the street from this place, and I think that they like to pick and choose who gets good service here, and who does not. But as the old sayings says...don't judge a book by its cover. The food is decent here, and since it's right by my house sometimes I like to go there and have a mimosa...But I believe these servers only care about getting good tips, even though they don't provide the service to do so. I have worked in the service industry, and understand that it's not an easy job, and such. But if I show up to a restaurant with a smile on my face, and plan on spending at least 50 dollars for one person on lunch, and leaving a 20%plus tip...then make me happy and have a smile on your face while doing so. This place definitely falls into the failed actors and actresses who are miserable, and they let everyone know it. If it's true that the owner really does care about customer service, then they would read these comments and fix the ongoing problem at this could ... Read more

This place is trying to be Urth cafe for some reason, so they make you wait in a line and seat yourself. For a $8 sandwich and a $4 coffee, that is a rip off. Especially when the service is bad and the chairs are uncomfortable, and the patio situation is a joke. Dont waste your time going here, there are a million better breakfast/lunch/cafes around town.

My husband and I have been visiting Literati Cafe for a long time and we finally had our first visit at Literati II. The decor is very similar to its neighbor. There are great images, books and literary items adorning the walls and the ambiance is very chill. We were there VERY early so the noise level was perfect. Well that changed once the family of 8 stopped by and the polished concrete floors did not help. Our food was wonderful, the crab cakes were my favorite (a little salty) and the halibut just seemed perfect! Our service was wonderful as the evening began, but as our dinner heightened in excellence, our service began to dwindle. Too bad, I really wanted another bottle of Chimay ($8 - not a bad price!) We will most likely go back.

Literati Cafe is a great place for good food! I love to get stuff to go, and it's great that they allow free parking for pick up orders with the valet. The staff is always friendly, and I never knew it offered Vegan entrees until I read the description. Definitely a Brentwood favorite!

I was really looking forward to eating here due to the good reviews, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed. I thought the restaurant was quite cute (quaint patio area, but right next to a busy and noisy street) and the service was attentive, but the food was just average and overpriced. I had pumpkin soup (good, but not particularly exciting) and the roast chicken with fries (both a bit too salty). My friend had the apple salad (grapes in balsamic vinegar (i think) tried to be creative but just seemed odd with strange mushy texture) and sand dabs (which she enjoyed a lot). I ended the meal with an espresso that wasn't hot enough and wasn't particularly good. Overall, I'm not sure I would try this place again of my own volition.

so reminiscent of the coral tree cafe in brentwood. one mirrors the other. either or. except the clientele differs greatly. this one is packed full of students and yuppies. it may take a while to find a seat during the lunch time rush or the post dinner . street parking is limited. valet parking is available for a price. park at ralphs and get towed, maybe. remember, this is the literati cafe, not literati II (next door). there are embedded books in sections of the wall. good stuff. and a half-completed ceiling. odd touch. good sandwiches. good coffee.

i agree the place can get a little too "we're a local place and don't you forget it!" but overall i enjoy spending time here away from the starbucks' hustle and bustle. great that they don't bother you to leave when you want to sit and read.

Its hard to find a place in LA where the food is great all the time, not too pricey and excellent service! But I have found that kind of place!!! Literati is soooooo great. the wait staff and the manager ( that is always there and so pleasant) makes you feel like a super star! I love coming here.

Literati II is a great restaurant. It is a perfect combination of upscale dining, and neighborhood friendliness. The atmosphere is so pleasant you forget you're on Wilshire boulevard even on the outdoor patio that faces the street (great soundproofing, nice plants and umbrellas). The food is expertly prepared, and all the menu options are enticing (far more exciting than many more expensive spots nearby). This place is not cheap by any means, but portions are large enough to share in many cases. This places is as good for a weeknight family dinner as it is for a special occasion. The food is very slow in coming out of the kitchen (so leave some time to eat here), but that almost adds to the relaxing nature of the restaurant- we felt as if we were on vacation sitting on the patio! The salads are amazing, the fish (sand dabs) was perfect, and the dessert list is one of the most appealing I have seen in an LA restaurant. Note: even though the valet parking is cheap, it's easier to... Read more

LOVE their salads and soups! The ambience is great for catching up with a friend, grabbing a quick lunch, or lounging for hours with a book. Just perfect. Healthy food with a great crowd.

We keep coming back because we always have a great meal. I actually much prefer it to the cafe: I haven't ever been impressed by the food at the cafe. As one of the other post-ers said, the menu is not risque but it's very well done. I seem to gravitate over and over to the bucatini, this is a simple but effective pasta dish with pancetta that is a complete calorie-fest with parmesan cheese, olive oil and cannot be replicated at home. But I can't help it.... Then there is the hickory sundae which is outrageously... great. I was a little underwhelmed by the fig appetizer. But other appetizers I've had there have been great. I like the waitstaff. They are always courteous and I've never found it to be slow. The maitre'd is always pleasant. On the weekends you can park on the street on Wilshire if you cross bundy (ie not right outside). The other night we went with friends and bought wine with us. Ask what the corkage is, but I think it's reasonable. It's loud inside, so don't bring g... Read more

A bit pricy for what you get, Food is Ok++, Service absolutely not good. I was expecting so much more. I did like the atmosphere. I was able to find a nice corner to hang out. Because of the high prices, mediocre food and coffee and I will not return.

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This is a great place to go for dessert and coffee (not sure about regular meals, though we will go back to try it out). You order at a counter, but they'll take your order to a table, and at 8pm on a Friday there were plenty of tables to be had. The dessert was excellent and they have a great selection of teas and espresso.

Of the 21 reviews posted thus far, 5 users have given a "not recommended" rating mostly because of poor service. It will now be 6 of 22, or about 1 in every 3.5 customers. Those are extremely poor odds even in Los Angeles where one will sacrifice service for food, ambiance and fanfare. Our salad came promptly, but our entrees came 45 minutes later despite being the third table seated that night. All customers that came in after us were served their entree well before us. Because our waitress never came to our table to explain the long wait, we had to summon the host who only indicated that it would be another 5 minutes but didn't have an explanation. He barely apologized, and said that he was "sorry that the meal timeliness did not meet your expectations". Apparently his expectations of a 45-minute wait between courses is satisfactory. He was short, rude and said that any other complaints should be taken up with the manager. To our abject surprise, her attitude about the exp... Read more

...but wanted to. After having read a great review in the LA Times a few month ago, my boyfriend and I set out to try it but were underwhelmed. Seated promptly Nice bread. we had the butter lettuce salad which was excellent, and a great, affordable bottle of wine. But our entrees fell short. My pasta, the bucatini, lacked flavor and seemed extremely oily. The pancetta it had in it was great however. My bf had the steak frites which was a generous, great looking plate, but the piece of meat had a funny taste. He said, "well, it's not supposed to be a great cut for $19". Price was right though.

In world filled with starbucks and peets on every corner its so great to have a place like literati. I have plenty of room to study, coffee is great, the walls are very interesting and lastly, I am supporting organic coffee growing.

Was overpriced and the burger wasn't that great. Hostess/waitresses were snotty. I live around the corner from this place and will not return again. Blah.

We went yesterday 4/5/06 I had the BLTA delicious (to much lettuce not enough bacon), the bf had a omelette which he said was very good, the teenage daughter had a breakfast burrito (lots of egg) - very good and the teenage friend had the Tuna sandwich (not the melt) it was by far the BEST tuna sandwich I have tasted in a while. They make theirs without mayo but with light olive oil instead. Great music the seating is nice they do have a 45 minute table time limit during busy times and ask that you are open to sharing your table I think that is neat and especially appreciate the fact that they have it on the table. Respectfully Reviewed

Absolute WORST experience. Went because of reviews. 1st time, had to wait 20 minutes for coffee! The crab and eggs was horrible, smelled awful, had to be sent back. 2nd time, rude hostess who wouldn't speak to us because we didn't have a reservation and tables were open. She sat us near the kitchen and gave us dirty looks then asked "is this table all right?" And when I said, "well, can we sit near the window?" She looked as if I'd just asked her to strip naked and was very offended. ?? So we left. This place is not all that! Where does the attitude come from? The food sucks, the ambience sucks, the service -- SUCKS. About all you can say for it is it's CHEAP. You get what you pay for. PS - no REAL writers hang out here. (and yes, I know a few.)

The food simply speaks for itself. A friend and I went for brunch this past Sunday and we were AMAZED. The staff was extremely polite and the gentleman server was extremely knowledgable and patient with all our questions. The chef gets all of his ingredients from the local farmers market so the menu changes daily. I loved it and Im going back for lunch on Thursday and dinner sometime next week.

A little pricey for decent food. The place can become crowded because they let customers stay and read. A good place to eat if you have a dog. You have to find metered parking or valet.

We went for Brunch this past weekend the menu had a nice variety between salads & sandwiches for the lunch choices & plenty of egg, omelettes & pancake selection for the Breakfast eaters. There were 3 adults and one teenager we split 2 cheeseburgers & 1 caesar salad, got a basket of bread, 3 Bellini's and our bill was just over $100.00. Keeping in mind that all of the ingredients used in the above items were "the pick of the crop" & brought to you by hand picked purveyors the food was delicious and the presentation was gorgeous. I would recommend trying out the cafe first if you are looking for something more casual the server got slammed with the ENTIRE restaurant after we were seated but he managed to keep us in mind. Respectfully Reviewed

I wanted to treat myself to a latte, so I decided to try Literati's coffee. I used to run a Starbuck's for 3 years, so I've been exposed to "each side of the bar", so to speak. On the first day that I went, the cashier made fun of my Driver's License ('Gee, is that really you?') while laughing; and I was offended, as I've put on some weight over the last few years. The first day's latte was lukewarm, not very sweet, and I could barely taste the espresso. The barista didn't even call out my drink right either. Second day? Different cashier, same barista; when the barista saw me, he rolled his eyes. And the *second* day's caramel latte? (same as the first day's) HALF full of foam...lukewarm. When I kindly asked the barista to fix it, he rolled his eyes again.. I won't be back! Be warned!