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Avanti Cafe
259 East 17th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 528-2224
avantinatural.com

Ordered Dishes:
Cheese Platter
Pizza Bianca
Veggie Burger
Bean Soup
Margarita Maxima

Review:
We’ve been to Avanti twice. The first time, we tried the cheese platter, pizza bianca, veggie burger, and a fruit crumble. The second time, I went without Iamme, and had the cheese platter, a small cup of bean soup, and a margarita.

The food here is edible, some items more so than others.  The dining area (which also doubles as a retail space) is quite small, with dim lighting and sometimes fairly high prices for what you get. My pizza consisted of a very thick, dry piece of bread with lots of olive oil all over the top. The veggie burger Iamme ordered was – according to a couple people who tried it – “kind of dry and bland.”

Little hot things. They certainly were spicy.

Cheese Plate:

Veggie Burger:

Pizza Bianca:

The next time I went, I ordered the bean soup; To me, it tasted a bit like canned beans and canned bean water (with slices of cinnamon raisin bread on top).  Interesting flavor combination…  Not sure if I would return again unless invited for a specific occasion – in which it would be more about enjoying good company than anything else.

In conclusion, Avanti is smart to carve out a niche with Orange County hipsters, but frankly… it leaves me wanting.

The waitstaff is cordial, and the margaritas and desserts are OK. I’d treat this place like a Starbucks (ie to pick up coffee, tea, baked goods).  Of course, the new Whole Foods at the District in Tustin may be carrying their cookies soon anyway.

Rating:
4 out of 10 spoonfuls

Value:
$$