Novel Cafe
1101 Gayley Ave., Westwood
$8-$12
(Out Of 5)
Everyone knows you can judge a book by its cover, but they never said anything about the outside of a restaurant.
Whatever assumption a book jacket ““ or restaurant exterior ““ leads you to make is usually fair. But Novel Cafe’s contents are far livelier and more delicious than the restaurant’s dull, office-like exterior hints.
Sitting at the mosaic-tiled tables outside is pleasant, but the lower and upper seating levels inside the cafe are more in tune with the spirit of Novel. Books line the upper wall in an overflowing bookcase, and the cozy feel of a bookstore/coffeehouse creates a warm vibe that sets Novel Cafe apart from its Westwood competitors.
The hungry pedestrian coming from campus has no shortage of options. On Gayley Avenue alone, the cuisine ranges from Thai to vegan, with a handful of less exotic options in between. At 1101 Gayley Ave., Novel Cafe sits across the street from Headlines, a popular diner, and Native Foods, every vegan’s dream come true.
Novel’s positioning seems strategic; it is a perfect compromise between the seemingly opposite restaurants across the street. With breakfast all day, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, pastas, salads, soups and desserts, most of the usual diner fare is on the menu at Novel, but with a gourmet twist.
Novel Cafe’s menu is a page-turner. Designed to look and feel like a hardcover book, its pages contain a mouth-watering plot. First, the omelettes: Nine varieties furrow the egg-lover’s brow. The Novel Omelette is an easy and healthy pick, with egg whites, tomatoes, avocado, mushrooms, broccoli, fresh basil and jack cheese, but others (such as the Greek Scramble, with feta cheese, of course) are worth branching out for.
Other breakfast faithfuls have swooned over Novel’s banana walnut pancakes, said to be flavorful but “not too banana-y.” Delectably gooey and light, the stack of three is enough to fill you up without making you feel like Mrs. Butterworth.
Though the air is sweet with maple syrup, making it a challenge to order anything without, the Organic Spinach Salad is so satisfying that your senses will block out every other craving. Fresh spinach, grilled chicken, raisins, pine nuts, warm goat cheese, grilled apples and balsamic vinaigrette mingle for a tangy and savory flavor, giving this salad an addictive property.
The servers are happily willing to feed your fix. Despite a few complaints from customers at peak hours, service is very prompt. With three seating areas and a staircase between the two main ones, servers carefully balance the attention they give each section along with the plates they serve.
Organic coffee is another reason to forgo The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and continue the few blocks farther to Novel. It is feel-good, organic coffee whether you request it or not, and with free refills and free wireless Internet, you could stay a while ““ until midnight on weekdays, even.
Overall, the Novel Cafe experience is like reading a book you don’t want to end ““ and it won’t, unless they really, really need your table.
E-mail Maund at gmaund@media.ucla.edu.