la.foodblogging

There are few industries more “free market” than the restaurant business. If they don’t offer the customer something (good food at a good price or good food at a price plus a unique experience in some fashion) they will eventually go belly up.

A drive down Valley Blvd in Alhambra and some places you will see overflowing with people standing around waiting for a table spilled out into the street. And there are some places where the lights are on and not so many people are inside and you wonder, how long can they last?

My parents, as I have mentioned before, like what they know and know what they like. And so here is another blog post about a place they have introduced me to.

Baccali Cafe and Rotisserie isn’t a gold mine because it is a fancy place with highly attentive service. It is overflowing with people because it has a ridiculous variety of good food at a good price. I suppose perhaps the atmosphere (noisy and crowded) may bring back memories for some of the 24/7 buzz of Hong Kong.

What kind of food is it you ask? Is it Chinese since it is in Alhambra?

Well, yes and no. It is Chinese in that the cooks and wait staff are Chinese. It is Chinese in that most of its patrons are Chinese. It is Chinese in that the menu of 200+ items contain some very typical Chinese dishes. But it is also, well, a little bit of everything else. For instance, you can also order seafood chowder, caesar salad, a New York cut steak, club sandwich or pizza.

So if you find yourself in that part of town and are looking for a light but warm (with cooler season approaching) evening meal, go there and order #166, Rice Porridge with Preserved Egg with Shredded Pork (or any other item in the Rice Porridge section). This would be a very “Chinesey” choice!

Or if you want to eat a bit more just look through the long menu and you are bound to find something you know that you would like. No worries about an order gaffe by picking “fake Chinese food.” It is just about good food and pleasing you with that and a good price so you will come back and bring friends. Be sure to go for the Red Bean drink and you’ll seem like a real pro! 8-)

Baccali Cafe and Rotisserie
245 West Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-293-3300 (phone)
626-293-8090 (fax)

By Rene (see more of his posts). You can find more of Rene's writing at his own website Rene's Ramblings