We needed to get something at the mall for our favorite teen so we decided to eat at the Marketplace café before shopping. What a brilliant lunch we had! Our table had a French dip, a cilantro lime chicken salad, tortellini with spinach/alfredo sauce and a kids salmon plate. Everything was delicious (although some more than others), presentation was great and service was pretty good. Here's what would make this a 5 star experience: ***Food: The big winner on the food was the tortellini. The baby has had the kids cheese tortellini before and I can attest, that is special. The French Dip was good but not great and the chicken in the salad had a couple bad pieces which is a little bit of a turn-off. ***Service tweaks: It was a busy Sunday so I understand that the food takes time to come out. The service was fine but it was really hard to get a refill on my decaf and staffing up just a touch would earn 5 stars. The food is expensive so that's why I feel like it takes a little more to earn 5 stars. For 3 and 1/2 people it was over $60 bucks, but it was definitely a lovely time and we'll be back! read more

One of my top favorites place to eat! Food is awesome and the service by everyone is great too! But Arley my all time favorite sever is the biggest reason why my family and I keep coming back every week! She's very professional knows her job your drinks will always be full, bread will plentiful and she always comes back to make sure that you are happy with your meal! We love her and the tomato soup and crostini and Santa Fe panini! So go in and try the food and ask to sit in Arley's station she's honestly a real great server and takes pride in her job! read more

Nordstrom has a café besides the coffee cart in the front of almost every store? Third floor - you have to look for it - but it's there! It's the classist order at the counter, then table service from that point forward restaurant I've ever been at. The service is pretty first class all the way. You do order before you sit down, but from that point on, it's 100% table service. The food was most excellent! We both had the French Dip. The meat was medium to medium rare, top grade beef. The roll had the perfect blend of parmesan cheese to roll (sorry, can't remember the name of the bread it was one, but it was good!). They served chips instead of fries, which was actually perfect for lunch. We then had the lemon cookie for desert. Oh wow! Just enough light lemon taste with a light cake type cookie. Perfection. Had to take 2/3's of it home because we were so full from the French Dips. So since it's Nordstrom's, it's not cheap. Plan on $20 per person if you're getting a drink. And even though you order at the counter, you should still tip. The service we got warranted it. read more

Marketplace Cafe - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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Yelp 2014 Challenge #71/100 Let us forget about the price for a moment. The quality that comes with it will take care of it no problem.. With the family we had the tomato basil soup, the spicy shrimp with angel hair and the chicken club. The chicken club was alright for me- it had the necessary ingredients in it and they didn't skimp on the avocado. The tomato basil tasted delish. It wasn't viscous but it wasn't hard either. I actually think my roommates have come really close to matching making this tomato soup! But this one outmatches other tomato soups out there! Everyone else's is watery and whatnot (add more water to make it cheap) but the cafe doesn't hold back! Get it! The shrimp though. Oh man. Was that the best part of my meal. Their shrimp was perfect, cooked just right and even had the crunch (so you know it wasn't frozen) that others have lacked. The angel hair wasn't wet, more of a dry which was good because everything wasn't all mashed together. Must try the grilled shrimp salad next time. What are you waiting for? Go Go Go! read more

Marketplace Cafe - Roma tomato basil soup! - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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Best option at the mall for quality food and nice environment. You really can't go wrong here. Kind of pricey but I think the meals are high quality and the environment & service are great. Our server was Abdul & he was very tentative. Their spicy shrimp pasta is excellent as well! read more

Marketplace Cafe - Asian salad - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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Needed a place to study but didn't want to go to Starbucks so I thought maybe I'll give this place a try. I've been here a few times but never sat down to eat and study. The place was CROWDED. I was quite lost at first but figured I have to order first and then sit..but I sat and looked around confused and then went up to order...lol lol (noob) I ordered the Salmon Nicoise Salad with an order of Iced coffee. The Salad was DELICIOUS! It's FULL of flavor. I don't know how to take all that in at once. Although the dressing was balsamic it had a bit of sweet and salty taste with the herbs on the roasted potatoes. The salmon, did not look too appealing with all the herbs covering the salmon but once your fork takes a piece and puts it in your mouth mm mm mm... haha I've noticed a lot of the salmon dishes come out with capers...I'm not a big fan but they do complement the salmon very well. The salad had spring mix, capers, string beans, eggs, tomatoes and potatoes! It's a good portion too not too big and not too small. The iced coffee was good, it doesn't come with everything in it so they give it to you on the side and you get to do your own thang! Although, the ice did melt real fast. "The server" was very nice. I felt like there were so many servers there but kept seeing one person haha! He came around with water, coffee all the time and refilled and asked if the customers needed anything else. Very kind and friendly. I did feel bad because I was taking up a whole booth by myself with my Women's History book and errthang out for like two hours but the servers were so kind! Maybe they were annoyed inside but they did not show it so I'm happy!! I did leave a bit earlier than I planned because the crowd wouldn't shrink! There was a 5 minute break but the people kept coming! haha I do see why people love this place. The salmon salad was around $12 and the iced coffee was about $2 i mean it's not a CHEAP meal per say for a bowl of salad but I think it was well worth it! I felt out of place though, I was wearing a sweater and jeans with slippers... but everyone else looked very dressed up or professional...maybe it was just today....haha If you're at Nordstrom one day and want to grab a small but flavorful meal I'd recommend this place. They have out door seating and they have many many booths! I wouldn't recommend for big groups because it's hard to sit. They do give you a little mint chocolate at the end! I'm not a chocolate fan but it was delicious! I'd definitely come back! :) read more

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I went here with Debra R and Jose R and Jose R for dinner. I got the skirt steak. Debra R got the french dip and Jose R got the chicken club. We also got the carrot cake. The food was really good and the customer service was good too. read more

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This is my to-go place for lunch if I am shopping in the brea mall. I love their scampi shrimp and arugula salad with sweet corns. Their corns are fresh corns (not from the can) and it is VERY good. I always ask to add extra corns. That's my favorite dish here. They also have kids menu too and there are a few good choices. So you don't need to worry about what to order if you got little ones with you. You can ask for breads from the servers if you like. It is only an option if you ask. I didn't get breads during the most recently visit since we didn't ask for it. They have decent pizza and pasta as well. That can also be an option for eaters who crave for meats and bigger meals. read more

This is my go to spot! As an avid shopper, I thoroughly enjoy coming here for lunch after shopping. It's also conveniently placed next to the home & baby section & since I spent a lot of time here while pregnant they got alot of my money. But anyway, I don't think you can find anything bad on the menu. My go-to is the cilantro salad with skirt steak. DIVINE! Can't go wrong with a soup of the day starter, haven't had a bad one yet. Also, there sandwiches & pastas are great too. Try a cheddar chive biscuit if you can! Customer service is superb. I'd recommend to anyway. People are always confused when I say let's go eat at Nordstrom's but you've gotta just trust me on it! read more

just had one of the best dinners I've had in a long time with my wife at Marketplace Café. This restaurant is an absolute gem and the experience was made even better with exceptional service. From the manager Karina who set up a beautiful table for us with extras on it to set a romantic mood, to our waitress Christina who was filled with delightful recommendations of her favorite dishes for us to consider, every bit of this experience was enjoyable. The appetizers, entrees and desserts were all memorable. Hats off to the chef ‍. Looking forward to frequenting this place the next time we are at Brea Mall, which knowing my wife will be sometime soon. Thanks Marketplace Cafe! read more

We've never had a bad experience here. I used to always come here as a kid so writing a review brings back so many good memories with my family. Anyways, the service is great and they always manage to seat us promptly when we arrive and they are kind in helping us choose what we want and listing their specials and personal favorites every time we visit. I usually get one of the sandwiches or pizzas which are made fresh and taste healthy and delicious! This is overall a great place to stop by for lunch while you're hanging out at the mall! read more

Been here several times as I get cravings for the tomato basil soup. I also usually get the mushroom ravioli. Sooo good. A lot of times I veer away from ordering ravioli because they never give a hearty enough portion...this one leaves me satisfied. Usually they bring the soup out before my entree, but I was a little annoyed that today they brought it at the same time as my ravioli. Fail Nordstrom Cafe! I can only eat one or the other as the other sits there getting cold. I like my food hot! They give a mint with the check. I like free chocolate. Go here...you won't regret it...I don't think. read more

Great service, great food, great location. Overall, a great experience. Just dropped by at night for a quick meal. The cashiers were super friendly, smiling, and letting us know that they could answer any questions that we had about the menu. Decided on getting the Thai chicken salad, a side of tomato basil soup, a chocolate cake, and a snicker doodle cookie. The Thai chicken salad was delicious! The presentation was super cute because they placed two stick crackers that resembled chopsticks. But the snicker doodle cookie was delicious!! Just the right amount of sweetness, but the slight hint of cinnamon brought it over the top. It was a huge cookie, larger than the size of my hand. I couldn't finish it so I shared it with the table. The chocolate cake was taken home too. I've always liked the tomato basil soup, especially with the bread that comes on the side. Our waitress, Jessica, was super nice. She kept coming back to see if the food was good and if we wanted more water. She asked if we wanted to wait a little while the little bread biscuits were cooking before she brought out the tomato basil soup. And when she brought it out, she even gave us a whole plate of extra biscuits!! Those are my favorite. read more

Marketplace Cafe - Prosciutto and arugula salad pizza - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Decent variety of salads and sandwiches. Our favorites are the turkey Cranberry sandwich and the salmon with carrots and potatoes. The chocolate chip cookies are sinfully rich. The iced tea is very good. Service is hit or miss. We have had excellent service on some occasions and other occasions when we had to go up to the counter after needing a refill for a while. We used to love to sit on the patio but it was closed for renovation on our most recent visit. Overall very convenient if you're shopping and hungry. read more

The hostess, (not the cashier- she was great) but the older lady with dark hair definitely had that "I know better" with a cold face whenever I ask for plates or get seated when my friends are done ordering. Not sure what she was rushing for but this was definitely a mood killer. Good thing that the yummy food made up for it plus the server was friendly & attentive but that hostess/busser lady definitely brought some negative energy to the awesome team. read more

It's a week before Christmas and this cafe was BUSY. The whole staff was friendly and quick. I ordered only desserts to go, one of which was a crème brûlée. I asked if it was even possible to get this to-go and was told yes (to my surprise). Then, an employee came back and told me they weren't able to get the top to melt and would refund me. Just as the refund process was going to be started .... another employee said "wait! We got it!" this proved to me that they tried their hardest multiple times to make my dessert. I just ate my crème brûlée at home, which was one of the best ones I've had to date. Thank you to the entire staff who worked tonight!!! You are all truly appreciated. read more

I love to come here for a light lunch. They always have amazing service and their food is great too! My go-to is their Spicy Shrimp Pomodoro and their pizzas. It's a nice place to enjoy a leisurely lunch and then you can browse the mall after, or before, or before & after. Their desserts are good too. Simple choices, but always a good way to end your meal with some coffee--can't go wrong with their cookies and creme brûlée! read more

The Nordstrom service that goes past clothing and accessories and into their food service arena. This place is much healthier and cleaner than the food court options. Price is comparable to most sit down restaurants. Our service host (Britt? bearded gentleman) kept our glasses filled and checked on us occasionally without being too much of a nuisance interrupting a nice, quiet family dinner. The English smashed pea spread with toast points was a chef's specialty item for a limited time I presume, was a fantastic appetizer. It was a light and refreshing precursor to dinner. Shrimp w/ arugula roasted corn dressed in creamy garlic vinaigrette and polenta croutons was amazing! The pepperoni mushroom pizza resembles that of CPK per my son aka pizza lover. Whenever we shop at Nordstroms (any with cafes) we will try to squeeze in a meal at their cafes which has not let us down yet and we are talking years. read more

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You are at the mall and your tummy is telling you it needs coffee/dessert or food. However, you hate eating at the food court where it's loud, overly crowded and all the fast food they offer doesn't sound too appetizing. That's me. I hate the food court. So when I'm shopping at the mall, I like to rest my feet and park my big butt on a nice leather couch where I can sip my coffee and eat my food in peace. Nordstrom Cafe is usually located on the third or first floor at most Nordstroms (none at the Grove) and it's a little cafe sit down place where you order the food in the front and seat yourself anywhere in the dining area. The wait staff takes your receipt and brings back your food in a timely manner. Their sandwiches and pastas are really good and fresh minus any processed and fast food taste. I love how they use fresh basil and cheese and fruits. For the price, it makes a big difference. Everything on their menu can range from $9-$12 and drinks are around $$3. You are looking at $30 with tax and tip for 2 people. So if you want something quick and fast and cheap, stick to the food court. But if you have the extra cash and time, eat at Nordstroms Cafe! read more

"Shop and Eat!" I am sorry. I didn't like it. Skirt steak was dry. Salmon was pretty but dry. Vegetables were too greasy/buttery/oily. Service was lackluster. They did not have any lemon tarts or cookies. I ordered the wrong thing. Next time I am here, I will seek the advice of my yelper buddy Christy L who knows what to order. They have free wifi. 2.5 and rounding up. read more

I don't always remember that Nordstroms has a cafe to eat at but in many cases it might very well be one of the better options to grab a bite compared to other choices inside the Brea Mall. There may also be a vacuum effect now that Le Diplomate Cafe is closed just outside the second floor of the Nordstrom wing... I've only been to one other Nordstrom Cafe in SF and compared to that one, this is much more scaled down and laid back. The menu is heavy on the soup, salad, sandwich side and the format is order, pay, find a table before they bring your food out to you. There are two curiously semi-enclosed booths and a couple of tables on the patio if you want to call it that highlighting a few of the seating options... They use salmon in their take of a Nicoise Salad which was a generous portion, I remember the haricot vert were crispy and the potatoes were nicely roasted. The salad was well balanced and they did a good job of tossing and dressing... The Santa Fe Chicken Panini hit the spot and satisfied my craving for something salty, crispy, and cheesy. I took the option of a side salad which came with a pluthora of choices of dressing, but the sesame ginger was sweet and tangy and provided a nice contrast to the panini... A small gratuity seems appropriate for your server although the feeling is not the same as being waited on; I can't help but feel that a lot of these guys are starving students just trying to get by. I wasn't expecting a whole lot when I first arrived, but it turns out that there is no basis for feeling apprehensive or snobby about eating at one of these places and I'll remember that particularly whenever I'm at a Nordstrom from now on... read more

Marketplace Cafe - 031514: Nicoise Salmon Salad... - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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I really wanted to love this place because it had great reviews and I had heard great things about it. And in my book it was alright, but didn't meet the expectations that I had. I ordered the parmesan crusted chicken salad, and I am not big into fried chicken so I asked just for it grilled, which they said they could do no problem. After getting my salad, I was not very impressed. For the price of the salad, it wasn't all too great. The chicken was pretty sad, it was flavorless, and the rest of the salad lacked any great flavor. The egg, avocado, and bacon were good, corn, and tomato were just alright. I really just felt not satisfied or full after eating the salad, and did not feel that I got my moneys worth. Service was pretty good. They brought us bread after we had eaten our salads, which I thought was slightly odd, but it tasted pretty good nonetheless. Maybe I missed the mark and ordered the wrong thing, but I was still pretty bummed out and wouldn't order it again. Not because it was gross or anything, but because it was not with the price to just eat bland food. read more

Marketplace Cafe - Chicken Parmesan salad with grilled chicken! - New American Near Me - Brea, California

They forgot my order and I know this because I could hear their entire conversation from where I was sitting, waiting for my to-go order right by. Didn't receive an apology or anything, the server acted like nothing happened. I waited over 20 minutes (nearly my entire lunch break) even though I called way ahead of time as this is what I usually do when I order from here. The service has gone down and i'm really disappointed because I always thought the service was great. read more

Nordstrom Cafe has always been a staple during family trips (yes, I mean the whole clan) to the mall. Though it wasn't until just a few years ago that I truly appreciated the food and hospitality. Also, this review is way, way overdue. We have ordered practically the entire menu and not once has the food nor the service failed us. The pricing is reasonable, leaving you with some change in your pocket to spend in the shoe department. Overall, rather than walking over to the food court, or one of the surrounding restaurants, if you haven't been to Nordstrom Cafe, you should definitely give it a go. read more

This was my first time dining here for lunch today and it was awesome! Their menu has soup, salads, pastas, sandwiches/paninis, pizza and "cafe specialties." Cafe specialties at this location include salmon, for example, served with mashed potatoes and veggies. The menu varies depending on location, I think. This place is a healthy and gourmet alternative to eating at the food court. I ordered the wild mushroom ravioli with wild mushrooms on top, roasted tomatoes, basil and a really yummy cream sauce. It also came with a generous amount of parmesan cheese on top. I was skeptical on ordering this at first, but I'm really glad I did because 1) it was extremely good, 2) it was very filling, and 3) definitely worth the $10.50 it cost. I was able to try some of the pesto chicken panini they have here. I believe this was also $10.50. The pesto sauce was generous in the panini and so was the cheese. It is served with chips. The bread itself was really crunchy when it was served and it was good. Our waitress, Cindy, was great and never let our waters get empty. She was really nice and gave us great service. When we were done with our meal, she brought us chocolate mint candies (comparable to Andes mint chocolates) that were so good! Perfect ending to our meal. I can't wait to come back. Next time, I'm going to try some dessert. read more

Marketplace Cafe - wild mushroom ravioli - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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A nice alternative to the usual crowded food court! The ambiance of this place is really upscale and almost reminiscent of The Cheesecake Factory. They have a nice patio area that overlooks Brea if you want to sit outdoors, or the indoor booths are really nice because they're high for extra privacy. The menu is pretty simple and limited. They have a decent selection of coffee, tea, and different pastries if you're looking for typical cafe fare. I like their entrees because there's really no such thing as "snack" in my book...if I'm going to eat, I usually go all out. All of the food is really good, particularly their sandwiches and soups, but the portions are really small, compared to what most American restaurants are serving up these days. In other words, the portion sizes are actually reasonable! Not good for the average eater, but good if you're trying to be more health conscious. The service is extremely good, as the guy continuously refilled my drink and attentively asked me if I needed anything else multiple times. The overall experience is definitely more like a restaurant with the intimate feel of a cafe, which is extra cozy. This is definitely a good place to chill with your girlfriends after hours of shopping! read more

Process here is pretty simple. You basically order your food, drinks, and/or dessert at the cash register, and are lead to your table. The reason I keep coming back is for the food. The service is, 9/10 times, a miss rather than a hit. Waiters constantly forget to get what you asked for, seem annoyed when you ask them for something, and they usually take forever. On one instance, I asked a waiter for an item, waiter ended up never coming back to the table, got a new waiter, asked him for the same thing, and he forgot. Just a bit too messy for my liking. But the food is delicious! Especially the creme brûlée. I can never get enough of it. I've tried various salads, sandwiches, pizzas, their steak, and they're all good. For vegetarians, the options are limited, but there are adjustments that one can make to some of the entrees, namely salads, to make them vegetarian. read more

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Came here when we literally couldn't find another place to eat at. You order and pay in the front and you choose your own seat. They bring you your food when it's done. I ordered the penne bolognese which was actually pretty good, but I don't think it was worth $11. The sauce itself was tasty, but it only came with two meatballs which were tough, meaty, and, quite frankly, kind of gross. My sister ordered the chicken tomato alfredo which literally was just tomato sauce, pasta, and chicken. Totally not worth $12. The service here is great, and the food is good too, but it's just so expensive here and I feel like it's not worth the drive and money. read more

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NOTE: located on the third floor at nordstroms. here is how it works: you order and pay first then you get to sit wherever you want! There are tons of booth available. I love coming here because it is quiet and the service is friendly. i love everything on the menu!! I would definitely come back again! read more

Been here about 3 times and every time, I have thoroughly enjoyed the food. We got the pepperoni and mushroom pizza, pasta and the cranberry turkey sandwich. They were all SO good! Definitely get the sandwich if you guys go for lunch, it is definitely filling, good and feels healthy. Now what really makes it a 5 star experience for me is the customer service! The most recent time we went, they burned our pizza so we were waiting such a long time for our food. Our server offered us soup or salad, any kind we wanted. He also brought us a cookie on the house because he wanted to apologize. He did all this without us even having to complain or get upset. Just wow. This makes me feel appreciated as a customer! It makes me feel happy to eat here and definitely will want to go back. read more

Today's visit was the first time back in years- Located on the 3rd floor of Nordstrom... You order & pay upon arrival, then seat yourself. But a waiter/waitress will come & bring you your drinks/food. Salad, a cup of soup, & an Arnold Palmer will cost you $20+. A bit pricey, but you can taste the quality & freshness of the ingredients! The tomato bisque & crostini haven't changed- delicious!!! Nice ambiance, phenomenal service, and great food... Just like I remembered! read more

I either have great people, or horrible service. Today was horrible all around. A lot of eye rolls for just asking what I asked for when I ordered - like lemon with my water... Or any napkins with my pizza...? Come on. read more

Marketplace Cafe - Pizza was good though - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Nordstrom Cafe has always been my favorite! I used to go to Montclair weekly for lunch but since it closed down I hadn't been. Came to Brea for a special trip to eat here. The food was amazing as always and service was great too! I highly recommend the Tomato Basil Soup and Crostini's! read more

Marketplace Cafe - Kids grilled cheese with tomato basil soup (bowl) - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Geat service Great food! Always get the grilled skirt steak and tomato basil soup. Amazing!! the cookies for desert are really good too. Nice spot to have dinner or lunch! read more

Marketplace Cafe - Grilled skirt steak and Tomato basil soup - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Stopped by here during a shopping trip at the Brea Mall since I didn't wanna eat at the food court & I'm so glad I came here! This isn't like a typical restaurant, it's like Panera. Where you order your food at the register, pay & then go to your table. I ordered the wild mushroom ravioli since everyone is raving about how great it is on here & OHMAGAWD, it is AMAZING! I never ever order ravioli when I go out to eat & that was my first time & boy was it delish! I definitely recommend getting the wild mushroom ravioli, SOO GOOD!! read more

Marketplace Cafe - Wild Mushroom Ravioli - New American Near Me - Brea, California

Why five stars for a department store restaurant? The Tuscan style Salmon with farro and vegetables, that's why! I had some time to kill and needed to fuel up before a music gig in Brea. Hadn't been to this Nordstrom for way too long so I went up to the top floor to see what they had at the Marketplace Cafe. I got lucky because the Salmon had just been added to the menu about two weeks ago. It's a home run. Some might argue that it's pricey but the preparation and quality, flavor, satisfaction was on par with a chic seafood restaurant. Service was excellent as always and I did ask for rolls and butter which filled out my meal nicely. read more

This is the only place that I eat at when visiting the Brea Mall. It's great for a quick lunch that's affordable and tasty at the same time. Their sandwiches are excellent along with their tomato bisque and salad dressings (favorite: Blackberry Walnut and Cilantro Lime). Service is good and there usually isn't a line except for the weekends. 4 stars. read more

It is so convenient to have a cafe in Nordstrom. I love shopping at Nordstrom. The cafe is a nice, quick bite option. This is not an elegant restaurant but an elegant cafe, so don't expect 5 star service here. You order your food, sit down and they bring your food to you. It's perfect for a salad, soup, sandwhich or small entree. It is reallty comfortable and casual. We have been lucky since the waiters have always been efficient and pleasant. My bf loves the turkey and cranberry sandwhich. I usually stick to the chinese chicken salad. I would definitely recommend this as a wonderful alternative to the icky food court. read more

Skirt Steak Chimichurri ($14). Cilantro lime vinagerette is godly delicious on the steak. The grilled vegetables are rusticy and really healthy tasting in a yummy way. One gripe with the steak. So it was medium throughout except that I found a section of an artery or vein and bright red blood oozed out when I cut into it, and the blood solidified shortly after it pooled (and oxidized too). Ate around it instead of complaining cuz our server was so absent we didnt feel like making our stay longer. I did mention it to some other server who passed by that helped us out and he got the manager out who was surprised to see the blood vessel and asked if I'd like it redone. Well...if I hadnt eaten around it and we were pretty much done by that time, sure...but we just want to get on with our day so, no thanks. Except for that really bizarre hiccup, pretty delish for $14. read more

((This review was meant for Nordstrom cafe in Glendale's Americana called "Bar Verde" I posted it here by mistake!!. )) read more

Marketplace Cafe - Burger on a brioche bun - New American Near Me - Brea, California

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