Granville Cafe

Healthy portions and quality ingredients make it worth multiple visits. Recommended: innovative takes on old standbys like rib-eye stroganoff, gr... more

Myself and a co-worker stopped by Granville for lunch. He had been there many times and told me it was a must for me to try. He was right.\r They have quick-service lunch, which I wasn't sure about how I'd like that. I don't like to stand in lines for movies, concert tickets so why lunch? Now I know why they use this process for ordering. It is so much quicker than the usual dining experience. By the time it was our turn to order and when we got the food, it was at least 10 minutes quicker than the normal restaurant process of getting seated, waiting for a waiter and getting your food. Kudos for this innovative idea in a nice restaurant.\r I ordered the Bacon Blue burger per my co-worker's suggestion. He was right about how good it was. The burger was a high quality of meat, the blue cheese was amazing, and it also had tasty grilled onions, mushrooms and crisp freshly cooked bacon. The sauce was some kind of port reduction (that's what the menu said and I have no diea what it is, but what I do know is that it was amazing.) I got the house chips with it which were also really good. (No pringle likeness at all.)\r My co-worker got the chicken marsala which he has raved about at work. The portion was huge! two chicken breasts on top of pasta and lots of sauce. He didn't let me try any of it, but I could tell he enjoyed it because he focused on it and didn't say a word until he was done.\r For drinks I got this water with cucumbers and lemons in it which was very refreshing. Had a clean crisp taste. He had an Arnold Palmer which was made with somekind of berry lemonade and he seemed to enjoy it.\r I really enjoyed this place and definately will be back. Thanks to you, Granville for bringing in a place that isn't a big corporate chain like many other places in Burbank. more

I live pretty close to Granville so I come in there a lot. I also bring people when they visit me from out of town and they always love it. Of the 30 - 40 times I've been there I've only had a few bad experiences. The waiters and waitresses have all been great and the food has always been top notch, but the managers are all cocky, rude, and just plain mean. I have witnessed several arguments between the managers and the waiters. There have been times that our own waiter has been yelled at just steps away from out table when he has been nothing but great. It really brings down a nice evening when there are managers with nothing better to do then go around nit picking the staff. Granted, maybe I'm nit picking the whole manager thing because everything else is perfect, but I notice it about half the time I've been there and it's usually the same couple of guys. I don't know if this kind of unprofessionalism is part of the training of the managers or if the managers are treated badly by upper management and as the they ""S___ rolls down hill."" That being said I still love and recommend the restaurant, but if this problem gets worse I'm going to have to find another favorite restaurant. Pros: Excellent food, resonable prices Cons: Hard to park on the weekend more

I walked by this place and it called to me to come in. It look very cool and hip, but not over trendy like some places try to be.\r Me and my girlfriend sat on the patio near the fireplace and it was awesome. It was cozy but yet airy and comfortable. We went for happy hour which was such a great deal. They have $6 specialty drinks which is a deal. I had a Martini with Belvedere vodka and blue cheese hand stuffed olives and she had a Berry Mojito that actually had four fdifferent tupes of fresh berries mashed in it and garnished with a real sugar cane. (And for 6 bucks! I like things on the cheap especially when they are quality and these drinks fell into this category.)\r We then ordered some apps that were on special, too. We had the Mac and Cheese which was so tasty. It had peas, asparagus, and chicken all mixed in with a few different cheeses. (Definately a must try item!) We also had a taco trio which had a chicken, ribeye and lobster taco. What I enjoyed was each had different toppings and garnishes, which added to our dining pleasure. We ordered two more drinks, I had an organic stout which had a great flavor and she had a pineapple picante margarita which was sweet but had a kick to it, which made it a different yet very satisfying cocktail.\r Finally as an entree we had the trout which was so flavorful. it is hard to find trout at restaurants but order it if you visit Granville. It had a pepita crust and honestly even the skin was good. (It was crunchy and tasty.) Oh, fyi, the grilled vegetables that accompanied it, were to be honest the best grilled veggies I've ever had. (Don't get mad, mom!) Anyway, it was definately a great experience, and me and my gf will be back there soon and are going to bring friends. more

The decor of this restaurant is beautiful. Rustic, warm & inviting. I have heard about this place from my friends who love it- ""Try the Mac & Cheese"" is what they tell me all the time. So, I finally had a chance to go. I took my fiancee and her parents. We had, of course, the Mac & Cheese, Rib Eye steak, Halibut and Turkey Club Sandwich. It was one of the more memorable meals I've had in a very long time. The steak was cooked to perfection (med rare), Haibut was moist and flavorful, and YES the Mac & Cheese was excellent. The sandwich was good. We had the Hummus & Bruschetta to start with. Hummus-OK, Bruschetta-Good. The dessert sampler we had at the end was wonderful. 3 samplings of thier most popular dessert- Brownie, chocolate cake and something shortbread. I know it sounds plain, but it isn't. Mabye i'm just not good at describing it. The drinks were really good too. I had the Patron Margarita & my fiancee had the Tipsy Lemonade- 2 of them. The service was excellent. Not pretencious at all and no attitude. From where we were sitting we could see that the manager was having a great time with the staff and I think that does translates to happy employees when they are working. Don't get me wrong- they weren't talking for a long time. It's just nice to see that the crew gets along. I've been to many restaurants that the crew is somewhat in a robotic mode. Overall- a great experience. I will be back. Pros: Almost everything about it Cons: Parking, tables are too close together more

This gourmet restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat. I love food, and have tried something new just about every time I've eaten here - not because I didn't like the previous, but I was excited about what the next plate will taste like. Mac&cheese was very good, as were the sandwiches and burgers. I always get a bowl of lobster bisque too. Waiters aren't the fastest in the world, but they are very courteous and keep your drinks full. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for an enjoyable culinary experience. Pros: Great Food, Good Prices, Upscale Atmosphere Cons: Parking, Long Wait at Dinnertime more

The two times we went to this trendy joint for breakfast, both vists the order took over 45 minutes to arrive. The pancakes came under cooked to my pregnant wife, the breakfast burrito was cold inside - the other time the chicken breast was dry and flavorless. Service slow and forgetful. more

I liked this place at first, but after visiting a few times (usually for lunch) I quickly tired of the unimaginative menu and lack of options. Most of the sandwiches are similar to each other, and over half of them feature ""applewood bacon and avocado,"" while just substituting turkey for chicken and a different kind of bread for variety. Speaking of which, all the breads are white bread. I asked for my sandwich on wheat, but they don't have wheat bread, or anything resembling wheat, e.g. multi-grain, etc. It's either big pieces of white bread or ciabatta or a white roll.\r \r Also, everything is unbelievably salty. The mac and cheese is tasty but it left me in a high-blood-pressure food coma for three hours. Same goes for the chicken and blue pizza, which, in addition to being incredibly salty, featured an unpleasant mixture of some kind of sweet-tasting mango chunks plus cured pork, chicken and pine nuts. Not a good mix. And the iced tea is weak.\r \r Service is decent, but you order at the counter and take a number, so it's not as if the bar is set very high to begin with.\r \r I wouldn't recommend this place for anything other than a quick sandwich (and even then only if you're okay with white bread, bacon and avocado). Pros: Atmosphere, Decor Cons: Food more

Finally got a chance to try it last night and it was great! Service was attentive, but not intrusive; food was tasty (esp the mac & cheese) and was quick; and the ambiance is chill. Definitely a great place for food and drinks after a long day (or week!)... Pros: Good food, service, and ambiance... Cons: None this time around... more

Was heading to Burbank for dinner and discovered this place on CitySearch. Liked the picture and info posted here. Found it to be all that it appeared to and more. The menu has plenty of options (inlcuding sweet potato fries). I chose the Southwest Burger. Honestly, the best burger I've had in years!!! Service was great. Place looked great. Staff was friendly and courteous. Absolutely worth the drive from West Hollywood. more

Had the Santa Barbara chicken and loved it. My wife enjoyed the pastrami very much too.\r The waitress offered chips fries or vegies. But she didnt tell me veggies was an extra $3.00!\r My sandwich ended up being almost $13.00.\r \r Service was so-so but not terrible.\r \r Would like to go try it in the evening since this was just lunch. Pros: location, ambiance and food Cons: service a bit slow more

I've been here too many times to count! I love the atmosphere and the food is delicious! I enjoy the happy hour the best, it's fast & afforable. Try the organic Barra Red wine, its sooo good with any dish. more

We celebrated my dad's birthday at the Granville cafe and oh man did I make the right choice. The place has a feeling of both upscale and casual. The service was EXCELLENT - Stephen the manager took real good care of us! The appetizers he presented to us were enhanced, gourmet versions of food you love to eat daily. Like the sweet potato fries that came with bleu cheese dressing - TO DIE FOR, gourmet grilled cheese dipper made with 3 cheeses with caramelized onion and garlic aioli - THE BEST, and their housemade hummus with a tangy, lemony and smokey kick that came with flatbread with thinly sliced red onions baked into the bread - OUTSTANDING!!!\r \r I then ordered the rib eye steak topped with chili butter and fried onions in which I highly recommend if you're in the mood for something hearty.\r \r Our server Danielle was great and sweet - taking care of all 20 of us when other places have 2 servers to accomodate that many. I made sure she was tipped well, it was well deserved.\r \r The only con I can give is the lack of parking, but you can find lots of parking on orange grove. Pros: Food, price and service Cons: Parking more

I have been to this restaurant quite a few times since it opened. I really like their food but they have a huge issue with service. Their staff has a horrible attitude problem. The first time I was served up a side of attitude I was given gift certificates to come back for free by the manager. Even he knew how poorly I was treated. Figuring it was just that waitress I went back again and after a few trips I again was appalled by the behavior of the staff. I recommend take out! Pros: Great food at a good price Cons: attitude of staff more

This place has great sandwiches, burgers and a great vibe. I recommend it highly! Finally, we have top-notch casual dining in Burbank.\r \r A ++++ more

Granville might just be the best thing to happen to Downtown Burbank. They've been open for a few months now and I've been there countless times. I work in the area and visit at least 3-4 times a week. I was there last night for their happy hour ($3 gourmet menu) and I had such a great time I felt compelled to share my experiences.\r \r Where should I start....\r \r The food is second to none. The Uptown mac n cheese is so good that despite my dieting efforts, I can't resist. It's made with gourmet cheese (I believe gruyere and cheddar) and also has asparagus, peas and organic chicken. I also love the chicken and blue cheese pizza. Their menu says ""trust us on this one"" and I'm glad I did. It might be the best pizza I've ever had. It has a fig sauce, instead of tomato sauce, organic chicken and blue cheese. Sounds odd but it just works. My respects to the chef. The pastrami sandwich is also incredible, made with roasted poblanos on a rustic ciabbatta roll. Last but not least, the burgers. Their bacon and blue burger is great. Made with all-natural angus beef on a soft brioche bun with apple wood bacon and mild blue cheese that compliments and doesn't dominate the flavor. I think they goofed up my order once, but they are new and even the most established restaurants goof up every once in a while.\r \r The restaurant design is awesome too. Very warm and eclectic. Upscale but not stuffy. They used old bricks and natural woods, warm paint colors and great lighting fixtures. It's the highest end casual restaurant design I've seen.\r \r The service is casual. Mostly young kids who look like they enjoy working in a cool place. The service is not Ritz Carlton, but for the price I don't expect that. The service is great for a casual place. At lunch, they do quick service (order at the counter and seat yourself) but they don't scream numbers over a loud speaker, they hand you a number for your table and bring everything to you, even the drinks - instead of handing you an empty cup. Pros: Great food. Great ambience. Great staff. Cons: Parking gets a little tight more

My husband and I have been to Granville a number of times since they opened. Most of the times we've been there were plenty of places to sit, but we waited a long time for our food to arrive. I thought this was due to it being a fairly new restaurant, and they'd work out the wait times as they were around a little longer. \r \r One of our favorite drinks to order was the Citrus C20, which is water with cucumber, lemons, oranges, and berries. It has been really yummy in the past. When we went last Saturday, though, my husband ordered the shareable pitcher of it, and the waiter brought him a dirty glass that still had dried spinach on it. The water had only a few thin slices of lemon in it and a few slices of cucumber. No more berries or oranges and very little lemons and cucumber at all, and all of this for $5.00! They give lemon in their water for free, and so we were paying five bucks for a few slices of cucumber. \r \r Our egg whites were very oily, and although I'd ordered extremely light cheese, my omelet was covered in cheese. My husband's berries tasted old, and the berries on my plate, which used to be a generous portion with their breakfast was now reduced to a half of a strawberry and one dry orange slice. It seems like they're trying to save money by offering the customer less at the same price as before. \r \r This last experience with Granville sealed the deal that we won't be going back. At best the food and service have been mediocre. They usually get at least one thing wrong with our order, and we've waited as long as an hour to receive our food. There are plenty of other really good places in the Burbank/Glendale area, and we'll be going to one of them instead. more

The ambience of the restuarant was cool. It was dark but nice. There was a nice bar on the left as you walk in and the decorations were nice. I thought the food was pretty average at best. Maybe it is because I got seafood there and they are not known for that. I would try it again but I would ask the chef what he recommends. Pros: Ambience, Cons: Seafood wasn't that great more

This place has become my favorite spot to hang out. A casual dining experience with gourmet-quality food at a affordable price. Upscale , satisfying and healthy, and even generous. I have tried several Items on the menu and have not been disapointed. I recomend this place to all my friends and family.\r \r Pros: Food Quality, Ambience, Service Cons: could be bigger more

I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. My husband and I went there on a Saturday night and were promptly seated. The decor is is very nice and there's two-sided fireplace (one side facing inside, one outside) that you can sit by. The outdoor patio is covered and has heaters, but the flooring is like the indoor area so you feel like you're inside. It's pretty cool. The service was very good. Our waitress was nice, helpful, prompt, and checked with us regularly to make sure we were okay. The food was tasty too. The food is fresh and healthy. For example, they use free-range chicken in all their chicken dishes. The menu has quite a few healthy choices and it seems they focus on this. I had a Thai noodle salad and my husband had the roast chicken with mashed potatoes and sweet potato fries. Those fries are REALLY good! Don't leave without trying them. I also recommend the Tipsy Lemonade. They make fresh squeezed lemonade and then add some alcoholic elements to it. It's very good. The mojito is also good. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely go back there. Pros: Healthy food, good service, family friendly but good for dates too Cons: Pricey more