Kafe Neo – Online Menu
2800 E. 4th St. (4th & Temple)
(562) 987-1210
Open 7 days a week 7am to Late
Hey, all you foodies! With apologies for the extended holiday break, LB Food Review is back and ready to eat! I would like to start off 2010 by telling you about another fabulous Fourth Street spot that really blew my mind last Monday. I have been driving past Kafe Neo for awhile now, wondering what to make of it. Now that my little brother has returned to So Cal from his five year stint in Berkeley, we have made a habit of trying new places around the city together. After some glowing reviews from friends, I gathered up my dad, brother, and girlfriend to experience Kafe Neo with me.
Owned and operated by brothers Gus and Pete Sverkos, Kafe Neo is located on Fourth and Temple in a very modern looking building complete with patio dining. While the building may look brand new, it was originally The Carriage Shop, a foreign car garage run by Gus and Pete’s father Dennis. The food is “American Kitchen with a Greek soul” according to their description, and let me tell you, the food has lots and lots of soul. The décor is inviting and comfortable, the music is right up my alley, and the aroma from the kitchen is more than welcoming.
As soon as we sat down we were greeted by a nice young server, and from there we started to get a feel for the place. My dad, true to form, immediately struck up a conversation with the man next to us about what he was having and what he recommended. The hungry diner was eating the pasta dish with Effe’s Meat Sauce and a side of Spicy Feta Fries, and looked to be enjoying both quite thoroughly. We started with the Spicy Feta Fries, and they were to die for. The rich feta flavor with a nice spice over crispy fresh French fries made a wonderful combination. Not being one to pass on an enthusiastic recommendation, Dad got the pasta and was very pleased with his choice. The fat, hollow Greek noodles, like the kind used in Mussaka, were covered in Effe’s (Mama’s) meat sauce, a family recipe dating back over 40 years.
As for my meal, I decided on the Falafel. I am a big fan of falafel, but it can come in a dizzying array of varieties. Sometimes it is super crispy on the outside but also kind of dry and needs sauce, but this falafel was just right. The outside was light and crispy and the inside was so moist and flavorful that I did not even need the sauce, which was tasty but could not keep me from devouring the leftover feta sauce from the fries. Brett had the Grilled Lemon Chicken, a solid Greek standby but nothing out of the ordinary. Dianne tried the Beef Pita, with perfectly cooked hunks of beef and plenty of tzatziki, a cucumber sauce that cools the palate and encourages you to go back for more.
Our experience at Kafe Neo was very delightful. I love the vibe of a local family-owned restaurant, and you certainly feel welcomed by the entire family as you dine where they have made a living for over 35 years. The service was wonderful, the food was exciting, and the ambiance was perfect for a little dinner gathering. I look forward to sampling more of the menu in the future.
Until Next Time, Keep Eating Long Beach,
Cliv