Kimberly L.
Yelp
[Review #638]
2021 Yelp 100 Challenge (59/100)
OTM Club 06/06/21 - 06/12/21
Cuisine: American cafe/smoothie & juice bar.
Price: Expensive, but on par for the area.
Restrooms: Yes, not sure where.
Parking: Metered parking; 6-hour parking spots east of cafe near PCH (not sure if a permit is required).
Atmosphere/Service: Beachy yuppy/hipster & very dog-friendly; efficient but not the most friendly in-person, excellent phone service.
COVID-19 Protocol: Masks, hand sanitizer by register, socially distanced patio dining.
Some of OTM Club's partnerships are truly a hidden gem... like The Source Cafe with the curated AVOCADO TOAST (avocado, cashew cream, radish, parsley, flax oil, sumac, whole grain bread).
I'm happy that OTM Club is finally heading south & there's a restaurant in the South Bay! Though parking in Hermosa Beach generally sucks, I figured if I'm heading out there around linner (3-ish PM), it shouldn't be an issue, right? I managed to scored a metered space just 1/2 block away; I did see some unmetered spaces closer to PCH that have a 6-hour limit, but I'm not sure if there are other restrictions. Since indoor dining is unavailable, the cafe cordoned off several metered spaces by the entrance & converted them into an outdoor dining patio even though they do have some outdoor seating alongside their window adjacent to the entrance.
I called in the order & said it's for OTM Club, & also wanted their Walnut Pesto Toast (walnuts, pesto, burrata, citrus honey, baguette) because I love burrata & the citrus honey sounded interesting, but sadly, it's a no-go (& there's nothing comparable), & the server suggested the Yam Toast (nope, not even close). :-*(
I got there fairly quickly but there was a small group of 3 taking their time with questions while ordering. :-| I flagged another server heading back to the kitchen, & she was initially friendly to assist me until I informed her that I was picking up my OTM Club curated freebie. She admonished me \(`0´)/ for not informing them that it's for OTM Club because it has the be rung up differently. I'm sorry for causing any issues (actually I'm not), & I did inform the male server on the phone that it's an OTM Club order. In any event, she was quite huffy about it so I just quickly dove around the groupies still trying to order, dumped a tip & left.
$12.50 for 3 slices of toast is over-the-top expensive (free as part of OTM Club's membership, more than 1/2 its cost), but since they're located in Hermosa Beach, it's on par with other restaurants. I'm not exactly a fan of avocado, though I do like the occasional guacamole. However, The Source Cafe's avo toast is exceptionally well-done & it is one scrumptious toast! The ingredients all played well together in complementing symmetry for one really delish & perfectly toasted bread. =D
The Source Cafe also offers baked goodness with gluten-free baked treats that's also allergy-friendly & guilt-free. And those with glucose issues, they have a Reset Series, consisting of a variety of low glycemic, alkaline, & energizing juices, elixirs, & tonics to help detox & restore your body. The cafe's MO is more meaningful thought for a menu of simple, organic, & non-GMO ingredients, churning out healthy yet tasty foods & drinks.
Normally I would dock a star each for price:value & service, but since this was technically free from the OTM Club offer, I'm only docking 1 star for the post-subpar service, the phone order experience was excellent (it's the same guy handling the group ahead of me). I should have waited for him to finish with the them, but I didn't put much in the meter (thinking it was a quick & easy pick-up) so I couldn't spare more than 15-mins. Their food, at least the toast, is most excellent & the menu definitely promotes healthy & creative "eats." Would I return? Hmmm... questionable; it's not a particularly enjoyable experience to be reprimanded even for mere moments. :-|
Highly Recommended: Avocado Toast!