Los Angeles may be consistently looking to tomorrow and being one step ahead of the times; but its history also shines through especially when talking architecture. If you merely take the time to look; you will find remnants of the Spanish Mission/adobo style, buildings still touting the golden age of art deco, space age modern real estate transporting back to the late 50s/60s and even retro neon accents. What does this have to do this have to do with Village Café, a diner, you ask? Allow me to explain...
Head on over to the Vanowen/Winnetka intersection in the Winnetka/Canoga Park section of the West Valley and you feel like you are being transported back into the late 50s hay day of the San Fernando Valley. This is where Winnketa Bowl resides - formally Canoga Park Bowl - and has been greeting bowlers since 1958 with his huge retro-font sign. This is THE place to go for those who love all things LA retro. Connected to the bowling alley is Village Café which, even though looks like a truck stop coffee shop per its exterior; manages to carry on the throwback feel. The entire compound is sleepy, quiet and peaceful even during prime evening hours on a Saturday. Don't be worried about parking - Village Café and Winnetka Bowl has more than enough to spare. In fact, they should share with the rest of LA. The lot is HUGE!
I was set to meet a friend for coffee and he chose the Village Café because it was the only place open for coffee in the area aside from Starbucks. But let me tell you: getting INSIDE Village Café feels like an escape room or scavenger hunt because I could NOT figure it out for the life of me as a first-timer. The diner is connected to Winnetka Bowl and there are connected and separate doors but I was confused by this and thought they were soley the entrances to the bowling alley. I did find a side door that says "Coffee Shop is open" but it looked like the door to an alley way/kitchen so I was hesitant to open it. Why are you trying to keep patrons out, Village Café?! Take it from me: it causes anxiety. Don't be afraid of the side door, though, as it is indeed an entrance.
Once I did manage to Indiana Jones myself inside; I feasted my eyes a rather large, airy diner with high ceilings and lots of natural light. The space is stuck in a time warp and is also the perfect place for a film scene where cops discuss a case or an indie movie with a couple on an emotional trainwreck date; but don't confuse this for dirty/greasy: the diner is actually quite clean. We had the place to ourselves and were the ONLY patrons so our experience was entirely peaceful and quiet.
Now, I can't vouch for the food at Village Café because we only came for a chat and beverages and thus you will have to read other reviews for that insight. However, I was even impressed with the drinks. I ordered a hot tea and was served a lovely little tea kettle, cup, Bigelow-brand assortment of tea bags and a lemon slice (the table has sugar and Splenda packets). The main reason for my high satisfaction with tea was that first of all, the water was perfect temperature. Hot but not, "I'll burn your tongue for all of eternity!" - hot. Second: the tea bag assortment. Generally, diners/cafes offer the same old bland offerings but Village Café had unique flavors I've never seen elsewhere like Raspberry Hibiscus (SOOOO good!). Way to stand out, Village Café! My friend had an ice tea which was refilled consistently 100x and tasted freshly-brewed. If these small details apply to the food at Village Café; then I suspect it isn't the typical awful diner food.
The biggest A+ at Village Café was the service. Although we were the only ones there during the duration of our visit; the fact of the matter was that we were there an hour and a half merely sipping tea and not purchasing plates. This didn't anger the waiter who showed no annoyance, wasn't pushy about our presence and still managed to make sure we had anything we needed. I genuinely felt care about and as though they wanted us there. Excellent business skills!
A small note: the restrooms are inside the bowling alley and therefore you have to walk out of Village Café, into Winnetka Bowl and they will be immediately on your left versus inside the restaurant.
If you are seeking a charming, peaceful, step back into SFV time then the Winnetka Bowl/Village Café compound is the place to be. You'll be served with amazing customer service while basking in all things retro. Village Café is definitely a solid diner in the West Valley and surrounding areas. read more