Right after college, I had the pleasure of residing in the not-yet-trendy but just quaint area of Los Angeles called Echo Park. Just past Los Feliz and Silverlake if driving down Sunset from the West. I had a part-time non-profit job that allowed me to audition and work in production, and spent much time working on my choreography and going to the beach. But one of my favorite places to gab with gal-pals or catch a quick hot breakfast (while dodging annoying screenwriters camped out for the free Wi-Fi) was Cafe Tropical. The coffee is ridiculously strong and delicious; the turkey, egg and cheese on a croissant is perfect with Tapatio hot sauce, and the pastries are… well, you’ll see here that one of my dearest gal pals took it upon herself to bring me a guava con queso pie straight from the redeye. Guava paste and cream cheese layered with perfectly flaky crusts… The dear girl brought a tear to my eye.
Interior, Guava Con Queso Pie from Cafe Tropical
If anyone knows where I can find one of these in New York City, I’ll be eternally indebted. Meanwhile, I’ll just have to keep finding reasons to head out west and make a drive-by visit.
Eating better than you. 