Naab Cafe

I meant to have this up shortly before Halloween but both school and life got in the way.

Happy (and delicious) New Year everyone! Feast wisely.

Midnight in Westwood.

You're headed down to Wilshire to catch the 720 bus but want to grab a something on the way to satisfy those pangs within your stomach (maybe it's the end of a prolonged study session maybe you drank a bit too much at a party). 

You traverse the scramble crosswalk at Le Conte and Westwood and survey the deserted modernist landscape.

To your right you may faintly hear sounds coming from the hookah bars on Broxton (whose food is mediocre) or from the In-n-out beyond that (you don't want to eat typical fast food, or wait in a line...). To your right, there is just Ralph's. 

Ahead of you, on both the right and left sides of the street, every door is shuttered.So you whip out yelp and search with the "open now" filter. 

Situated near the top of the list (by ranking), Naab cafe stands out for its high ratings and novelty (it's not a Westwood "institution" by any means). So you begin the .5 mile trek.

Shortly after you've crossed Wilshire Corridor, while treading an upward increment, a red-hued sign beckons. 

As you get closer, you amble your way past the groups of stylishly-dressed men and women waiting for the valet. Upon entering, the bright lighting, which illuminates the wood-paneled floor, reinvigorates you for the feast. The menu, listing sandwiches, entrees and small plates whets the taste buds.

I must confess that I have only been here once (one Friday night back in October to be precise). But the chicken cutlet sandwich I ordered was so amazing, that it inspired me to write this.

To describe:

Two halves of a bauguette bulge with a generous portion of tender, spiced breaded chicken, salad and (slightly-sweet) pickles. The sandwich, filling as it is, comes with either salad or fries on the side. Indulge yourself by choosing the former: the salad's yogurt-based cucumber-tinged dressing is heavenly...

But it's not just the food that makes this place stand out...

Vibrant Farsi pop tunes play over the speakers, accompanied by energetic music videos in the TV screen. From the patio behind the kitchen, loud conversation and the wafts of hookah give .

At this hour, Naab cafe not only satiates your stomach but embellishes your night.