FOOD: Pasadena's Cafe Atlantic disappoints on return

On President's Day MadProfessah and his "Plus One" saw a matinee of Eugene Jarecki's "Why We Fight" (a review will follow later this week) at the Laemmle's Colorado One theater in Pasadena and then ate lunch at Xiomara Ardolina's Café Atlantic. MadProfessah had the arroz frito, which had been ordered during a previous visit about six months before and then had arrived with a huge quantity of fried rice, replete with chunks of chicken, pork and plump shrimp. This time the pork and chicken were not as plentiful and the shrimp were these incredibly small, aptly named "rock shrimp." I basically had to spit them out and leave them on the side of my plate. When I had eaten at Café Atlantic before one of the highlights had been the extremely well done maduros, fried over-ripe plantains. This time the plantains were sweet, but they were also chalky and unappetizing, which either means they had been fried and left to sit, or they were not ripe enough when fried.

Mr. MadProfessah ordered the roastbeef sandwich with fries and was very pleased with the results. The fries were excessive in quantity, and perfectly done. A homemade "tomato sauce" (none dare call it ketchup!) was a fabulous accompaniment to the fries but at least two ramikins full would have been needed and only was supplied. The sandwich used the toasted Cuban bread to excellent effect and the horseradish sauce had just the right kick to it. Overall, I was disappointed on this return visit. I know others have had good dining experiences at Café Atlantic, and I think I will give them one more chance, but probably next time order a sandwich or possibly try breakfast, which they serve until 3:30 on weekends.

GRADE: B+