All too often you go out to a restaurant only to have an average experience. You may have a decent meal, but nothing stands out about it, leaving you with no lasting impression. Granville Café is definitely not that place.  After experiencing what this eatery had to offer, I left excited that I found a great new restaurant that stands out from the sea of offerings in downtown Burbank.

The Concept

Granville bills itself as a "casual gourmet café" that serves sandwiches, salads, soups, pastas, premium coffees and desserts.  Catering to a wide range of clientele, they provide counter service for quick lunches during the day and offer full service dining in the evenings.

Whether choosing to dine in the open-air patio or the dimly lit spacious dining room, Granville offers their patrons a very comfortable, relaxed and intimate setting. Providing an upscale, yet casual feel, guests are welcomed whether wearing a suit and tie or jeans and t-shirt.

Offering a great Happy Hour, Granville presents drink specials including $3 off Signature Mojitos, $3 off Mouthwatering Martinis, $3 off Specialty Cocktails, $2 off beers and $2 off wine and discounted shareables, Monday - Friday from 4pm to 7pm on the patio and in the bar. 

Distinctive Items “Not Found Anywhere Else”

Understanding that people want a great meal while also remaining healthy, they use hormone free meats and cheeses, 100% organic produce and even raw milk in their blue cheese. Using these premium and natural ingredients, Granville offers everything from specialty burgers and pizzas to all natural steaks and inventive pastas.

My Experience

After my server generously detailed the highlights of the entire menu, I took him up on his suggestion and started with the Gourmet Grilled Cheese Dipper. A grilled cheese sandwich consisting of Petit Basque, Gruyere and Parmesan Cheeses, it included caramelized onions, deli mustard and garlic aioli and was served with Garlic Tomato Bisque for dipping.  Although a little greasy, it was quite tasty, especially when dipped in the Bisque and the more it cooled off, the better it was.

For my entrée I tried the Pork Chop dinner.  Rubbed in Cajun spices and topped with a cranberry-mango sauce it was quite possibly the best pork chop I had ever had.  It was incredibly juicy and tender and the sauce was a perfect touch.  My dinner also included sweet potato fries. While I am not usually a fan of the sweet potato, with the addition of the salt seasoning, these fries were the perfect combination of sweet and salty.

To wrap things up, I ordered the Devil’s Advocate Chocolate Cake.  Topped with a delicious white cream cheese frosting and port-poached cherries, the cake was filled with chocolate chunks and as it wasn’t a heavy dessert, it was the perfect ending to my fabulous dinner.  I definitely recommend saving room for it!

Looking to the Future

Hoping to expand their brand name, Granville Café will be opening their second location in Glendale’s Americana at Brand development project next year.  Their long-term goal is to build upwards of 20 new restaurants within the next five years.

Going Back for Seconds

It has been a long time since I truly enjoyed and savored my dining out experience. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, the atmosphere was cool and comfortable and the food was top quality.  I will definitely be back and recommend that if you haven’t already, stop in for a bite to eat at Granville Café the next time you’re in Burbank.

Granville Café
121 North San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, California 91502
(818) 848-GRAN (4726)

www.granvillecafe.com