The Rose Cafe & Market, Venice
I found The Rose Cafe through their yummy Lemon Hazelnut Meringue. But this trek, started years ago – over 15 years ago, when I first had the dessert in Pasadena. The Old Town Bakery, had a terrific dessert offering, which featured the Meringue. Then a couple years later, they unfortunately closed. So, for a few years, I was without my favorite dessert. Later, I found out that the dessert had moved to Santa Monica, somewhere on Montana Avenue, though the restaurant’s name escapes me. Luckily, I was able to savory it once more. But then I found out later, that they, too, had closed down soon after. I was beginning to feel that I was cursed or the dessert was cursed. Then, a few years ago, I found the delicious cake (but not sure what to call it) at Maria’s Italian Kitchen. I saw the picture and everything, but when I tried to order it, they told me that they no longer had it. Just when I was about to give up hope a couple of years ago, I was dreaming about food and desserts, I decided to google the name once more. Viola! Venice! The Lemon Hazelnut Meringue had found a new home – The Rose Cafe, on Main Street.
This dessert is so good that, it once beat out pumpkin pie at a Thanksgiving dinner. The poor pumpkin was virtually untouched when people had this semi-sweet dessert. The lemon meringue offers a sweet and sort of lemon sour taste – which is not too sweet – but just right. The hazelnut crust gives a great sweet texture when you bite into it. Prior to visitng The Rose Cafe, it was only served in slices from a large cake. But the Rose has small servings for one or two people. I was told that you have to order ahead of time to get the larger “pies”. Next time, i visit the Rose, I need to get the contact of the dessert chef/baker and find out who this elusive person is!
I had the seared tuna sandwich and my friend had the poached salmon. As a big fan Tuna steak sandwiches, I knew I had to order it. The tuna itself was good, though the bread was not the best choice. This panini roll was a bit tough. I would have preferred either a white or wheat style bread, rather than a roll. But, I would order it again. The poached salmon was good, just the right size for lunch. But I didn’t come here for the sandwiches or fish… .I came here for the dessert!
The Rose Cafe is a great little neighborhood lunch/brunch place. On the northern section of Main Street, in Venice, The cafe offer either a walk up counter or a waitress service dining area. There is outdoor seating for both. There is even a little gift shop next door that features some handicrafts and wares of local artisans. The airy building sits in on a lot with ample parking in the back.
