PHOTO EPIC - Café 91 Reopens

September 21, 2021 - 09:16 AM

Following three semesters and 17 months of campus closure, Café 91, the student-run restaurant located in the first floor of Building 78, has reopened with a much more affordable menu. 

Café 91 is run by Culinary students, front of house and back,  for the advanced class: Culinary 91. 

One day, students may be on the grill, while the next they are putting the finishing touches on plates before they go out to the dining room. Note the photo reference of dishes supplied by Chef Shelley Doonan, the professor in charge of Café 91 this semester.

The supervisors of the work experience class are  Lab Techs Marianne Lima and Margaret Speak. 

Chef Doonan Looks on as the Café 91 Signature Burger comes up, ready for its final touches. 

As we mentioned, the menu is much more affordable. This mighty double burger, with a choice of house-made chips or side salad, will set you back $7. 

Not surprisingly, it's a hit with customers. 

Table seating is limited to 4 people per table. Plan for a leisurely lunch, as  service may take about an hour. 

Adding the cheese to the burger. The professional kitchen at Café 91 is the same as you might see at a popular sit down chain restaurant. 

The Bahn Mi sandwich ($7) is another good choice for lunch. 

It's made with pork loin, sambal aioli, cucumber, and pickled vegetables. Your choice of chips or salad.

 

 

 

The menu covers a variety of international dishes.

This is the Schnitzel, served over a bed of spätzle.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. The menu also has three starters to choose from: Cauliflower Tempura, Hummus Platter and Chicken Mulitas (each $5). 

The Mulitas being prepared. 

After a filling lunch, you might need a little wake-me-up.

And Café 91 has a full Espresso Bar, manned by students learning front of house duties. 

Culinary faculty believe that by gaining experience waiting on tables, busing, hosting etc., the future chefs they train will have valuable insight into how to best serve customers. 

New for this semester, and in consideration for COVID-19, Café 91 is offering takeout.

The host phone (909-274-6243) will be staffed Tues./Wed./Thurs. from 11:15am – 1:15pm to place same-day takeout orders. Payment is collected at time of pickup. Takeout orders may be eaten on the patio. 

 

Café 91 is open for lunch Tues, Wed., and Thurs. 11:30am – 1:30pm. Reservations are required.  Visit their webpage to get your table. 

 

Your cash isn't good here: Credit/debit only (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). These students are training to be chefs and the logistics of cash-handling is not usually part of their profession. 

Chef Doonan (middle) looks forward to seeing her students move on to chef at popular restaurants throughout Southern California.

If interested in the Culinary Arts, be sure to check out their website.