We watched the location's build-out, followed the Angelenic updates and various bits of praise for the chef -- so expectations were high the first time we stepped in... not disappointed.

I'll admit: the deserts comprise the lionshare of my visits, but everyone I've taken here has raved about them so that's fine, eh? Face it, most of the time when you buy a cafe desert you get the sense that it involved a trip to CostCo, definitely not the case here. It's why I've bought two or three occasion cakes from them -- hard pressed to find better in LA.

A deep, varied and superb desert case, only Sousina matches its offerings.

Red Velvet Cake garners the most praise -- the icing being stellar, though Lauren said of their apple pie that it's the best she's ever had in a restaurant.

The coffee is delicious, served in individual French presses so it's a generous pour.

Burgers are juicy, sweet tater fries crisp, breakfast served all day ... c'mon, what more enticement need you?

Oh, the staff: excellent, attentive, friendly, and fun. I've a pet peeve with folks doing table table service who begrudge the odd request for an extra fork or plate, or some more water (gasp). Here they'll be at your elbow in an instant or disappear into the background if you just want to sit and enjoy a good Belgian beer, wine, coffee or tall glass of milk for a spell.

Lastly, it's a beautiful space. Here I'll get extra weird and say it: in an old building it's a shocker to see a sparkling, interior design magazine quality bathroom, but they do sparkle. It reflects the owners' pride that they want every inch of the space to be intimate, cozy, homey. And a clean bathroom in downtown LA is an oddity. Just say'n.

Stop in, they are open late, accommodate just about any request and you'll find yourself enjoying chatting here for hours, just below street level, as if in a Parisian bistro.