Vlad V.
Yelp
Greece is at the top of my list to visit. And Santorini is one of the coolest places there. So when I heard we'd be having a family dinner at Cafe Santorini prior to my sister's wedding, it was an easy sell for me. We had a reservation at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday evening. Located in downtown Glendale, they don't have a parking lot so your best bet is street parking or a parking garage. Keep in mind, if you're going to park on the street like I did, there's a two-hour limit.
Ambiance (4/5): Nice restaurant. We sat on the rooftop patio which is awesome when the weather's nice (it was a bit toasty for us). They have lights on the railings so it's especially picturesque after the sun sets.
Service (4.5/5): Taking care of a group of 21 people is no easy task. Our main waiter did a fantastic job. He checked in regularly, was attentive, and didn't make any mistakes. Which is easy to do when you're taking care of such a large group. A job well done.
Drinks (4/5): I started with a Oaxacan old fashioned before transitioning to a bottle of cabernet sauvignon. The old fashioned had mezcal as its base. I love that I'm seeing more and more spots do different versions of an old fashioned. Cafe Santorini has a nice cocktail list, wine list, and beer list. Full bar with quite a few interesting cocktails which I always appreciate.
Food (4.5/5): Coming in, I was expecting Greek food. While there are Greek influences, the owner is Lebanese so you see a lot more of a Middle Eastern influence. And it's more than that. A fusion of sorts. With Indian and Moroccan dishes mixed in, too. A little deceiving but an interesting menu nonetheless. I had the beef brochette which consisted of tender large cubes of beef tenderloin (cooked medium rare to my liking), rice, a grilled tomato and pepper, and a side of pita bread and hummus. The portion size was generous and everything was delicious. The meat was succulent, the rice flavorful, and the hummus delivered. I also tried some fries and they were well seasoned and delicious, too. A great meal all-around. The dessert, on the other hand, left something to be desired. I had the warm apple tart which is served a la mode with a side of vanilla gelato. Usually a big winner in my book, the thin tart sprinkled with cinnamon was a bit lifeless.
Don't come to Cafe Santorini expecting a Greek meal. Come expecting a great fusion meal.