Liz L.
Yelp
If you didn't know about this place by living in the immediate vicinity, you would never see it. We stumbled on it by accident after parking next to it to go to a different place. I made a note to read the reviews and try it, and this is what we did.
It is hard to rate any place using such a simple 5-choice system, so, while I am constrained by Yelp to use it, I can start giving a more granular rating, on a scale of 0 to 10, to each aspect of whatever entity I am analyzing.
Parking: a 6-7: There appears to be parking behind this cluster of restaurants, but I haven't tried it yet. There is parallel parking on nearby side streets as well as on Alvarado itself. Give yourself 15 minutes to find the right space. Personally, I don't like lots because they are hard to move around in and can lead to nicks and dents.
Neighborhood: a 5: This is a mix of craftsman beauty and seedy, run down 60s cheap concrete construction. The homes nearby can be beautiful or neglected. I believe Echo Park is gentrifying, for all the good and bad that brings. Dress simply, wear shoes with support, and wait for a pleasant surprise.
Larchmont Bungalow Cafe, setting: 9: It's leafy, treed canopy shades a lovely patio festooned with cafe tables and chairs, clean, cool, and cheerful. The outdoor space is shared by three eateries. It can be a bit confusing but a sign points to LBC, where you need to head to sit inside, or order for either in or out. Make sure you find a menu as you pick your table. You will want to sit and review the extensive list of choices, many vegan and vegetarian, and then place your order, which will be brought to you.
Menu: 10 - vast, varied, enlightened. You can get everything, for the entire time they are open. I didn't see desserts listed, but there are pastries in a counter near the cashier.
Food: 9 - delicious, fresh in appearance, amazingly flavorful and cooked perfectly. I had the best roasted potatoes I can remember. The portions are generous and there are sophisticated touches, like mache sprinkled over the plates when they could have used a more pedestrian lettuce or parsley.
Service: 5: The service is adequate. Nothing more or less than needed to order and receive your food. Still, everyone was pleasant and responsive when queried. No warm and fuzzies here, but then, you can just leave a modest tip in the jar at the counter, to offset it. This is largely a lunch spot, casual and quick. No need to linger, except! ...
Interior ambiance: 10! So charming. I will let my pictures do the talking but notice how well lit from natural skylights each area is and the quality of the brick, wood, wainscoting, smooth leather benches, a wall of spotless mirror, wooden tables, and a stone floor. They decorated with whimsical pieces for Halloween. It was simply delightful to be there. The patrons are upscale locals, largely, because the prices are not cheap.
Clean, quality, cheer, charm, extras -- I can't complain about anything here. It is worth a try. You won't be disappointed.