More than a dining experience, Café 91 combines the casual atmosphere of a café with the quality and service typically found when visiting a restaurant.
While some students are in the middle of getting from one class to another, others are enjoying the cozy café located at the bottom floor of the business building 78 room 1190.
Upon arrival, customers are politely greeted with a smile by a staff member who then asks if it’s their first time visiting or if they’re a returning customer.
Once seated, the first thing I noticed was the full espresso bar worked by students who were learning to master their barista techniques.
As a coffee lover, I couldn’t resist ordering a hot hazelnut/vanilla latte with almond milk which was surprisingly delightful.
When visiting for the first time as I did, the staff makes sure to share a little bit of what café 91 is about and point out that the only payment methods available are through debit/credit card.
The café’s interior is thoughtfully designed, mimicking the ambiance of a real-life restaurant, all while featuring a comfortable dining area, free wifi, and charging stations, making it a fitting place for students to both study and socialize while enjoying music in the background, good drinks and food.
Café 91 is a student-run restaurant lab in the Culinary Arts program at Mt. SAC. The goal is for students who are in the program to learn about running a restaurant by working in the front house and the kitchen.
“This is a good place to learn and make mistakes. We always encourage students to come here and make mistakes before going into the industry,” Chef Professor Alex Carrillo said.
Chef Carrillo emphasized that the purpose of the program is for students to learn and practice.
By taking little steps at a time, students work their way up, focusing on techniques and mastering the foundations of culinary art.
The Culinary Associates program doesn’t require students to complete English or Math as other programs do, but they are required to have completed certain courses within the Culinary associate’s program.
Café 91 prides itself on its fresh produce and food quality. The food is prepped the day of, said Margaret Speak, who manages the front house of the Café. She shared how students arrive early and start prepping the food from 8:30 am until 10:30 am.
The café is open Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11:30-1:30 p.m. dine-in/take-out.
From cake decorating courses to international foods classes, and specialty diet classes, there are multiple courses that students go through because not all students are going through the same path.
My colleague and I were eager to try the food, so we ordered fried mushrooms as a starter alongside the coffee-rubbed steak salad. We also tried the patty melt and ended our meal with Chef Alex’s dessert special, a sweet, rich and savory pudding topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel drizzle.
Everything was delicious and worth trying. I have to say my favorite was the coffee-rubbed steak salad and the specialty dessert.
The professional kitchen at Café 91 is indeed where the magic happens, transforming fresh ingredients into delicious meals.
Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee break or seeking a delicious budget friendly three-course meal in a relaxed setting on campus, Café 91 is the place to go for students, faculty and visitors.
