When a restaurant operates successfully for twenty five years it is obvious that it has captured a unique status in the community. In this instance the restaurant is Misto Caffe and Bakery located in Torrance and the Chef Owner is Luis Alvarez.
We needed to know more about both and so made our first ever visit to Misto. And was delighted with every thing we found there.
Misto is located in the Hillside Village, a quiet, most unique group of businesses, almost provincial in decor, and situated just off Hawthorne Blvd. as it reaches the Palos Verdes foothills.
Luis Alvarez was there to greet us and we soon were seated in a large restaurant made up of several intimate rooms as well as a large all season patio. Chef Alvarez told us about his background which included many years in the kitchen and management before purchasing Misto 25 years ago. He explained that the restaurant has always attracted a loyal local clientele and this remains so today.
Next it was time to look at the menu. We were there for lunch, with a dining partner, so we could explore as much of the menu as possible. Besides the regular menu there are daily lunch specials with its own menu insert. We noted there is a hint of Latin influence in the cuisine in this restaurant. The lunch menu, the day of our visit, included a Cream of Artichoke soup, filet mignon quesadilla, Newton Fettucini with crab meat and shrimp, Misto's mix grill ,and ''fish" of the day which was grilled white sea bass Monterey. It also lists a daily wine special.
We both had to taste the cream of artichoke soup which was tasty and with a hint of spice. I chose Misto's mix grill which was large Prawns, Crab Cakes and Sea Bass served with fresh mashed potatoes and Caesar Salad. My dining partner chose the Cajun Steamed mussels, from the regular menu, served New Orleans style with a tomato based sauce and several slices of garlic toast. These arrived on a huge plate swimming in the sauce which my partner, could not get enough of, dipping his garlic toast in it constantly. In fairness I should admit that I cleaned up my seafood with equal gusto.
And of course both my partner and I had to see what Misto's bakery had to offer in the way of a dessert. My partner selected key lime pie and I went for my favorite, Tiramuso. The Bakery is located in a separate room with seating for those with a sweet tooth.
The regular menu shows starters like ahi tuna tartar, crisp calamari and chicken pot stickers, sandwiches like cuban, cajun chicken, prime blue crab, sloppy joe and classic cheese burger. The list of pasta and pizza is long and interesting.
The entrees show variety with a steak Dianne, China coast orange chicken bowl, chicken Savannah, seared salmon filet, a stir fry called Misto's Asian Big Bowl and well as traditional like fish & chips and old fashioned meatloaf. There are eight salads listed and five Quesadillas.
In his wine list Luis Alvarez has selected wines from many countries besides California including Australia, France and Italy. His house wines are from Salmon Creek and all his wines are available by glass or bottle. The list is long of both imported and American beers.
On Saturdays and Sundays Misto shows a special Brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
We enjoyed Misto not only for the foods we tasted but for its bistro style atmosphere which is decidedly Old World. Al fresco dining is offered on the roomy patio which will seat 60 people. Inside the intimate smaller rooms will seat 75 people.
Like the restaurant many of the service staff have many years of service. Manager Opie Lepe has been with Misto 23 years and Waiter Luis Paradise ten years.
April is the month that Misto and Chef Owner Luis Alvarez will celebrate the 25th anniversary and a 25 day special fete is planned to mark the occasion.
Misto is open seven days a week, Monday, lunch only from 11:30 a.m . to 3 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday on going lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday till 10 p.m.; Saturday brunch and dinner from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Misto is located at 24558 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance with ample off street free parking. For more information call 310 375-3608, on the web at www.mistocaffe.com.
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