Please don't be fooled (like I was) that Patinette Cafe at MOCA is anything other than a glorified snack bar.
Various online sources led me to believe that Patinette Cafe would be something special. Their website claims Patinette Cafe "...turns simple dining into an art form", and refers to their menu as "gourmet". It's supposidly a smaller, less expensive version of it's upscale sister restaurant Patina.
The reality is that Patinette Cafe is a tiny space located under the stairs that lead to the main entrance of MOCA. There's a small glass display case with a few selections of pasta dishes and some pre-made sandwiches. A clutter of baskets containing potato chips, cookies, and candy bars line the top of the display case. A large, glass front refrigerator stands behind the cash register, displaying mostly Snapples and soft drinks -- which the website describes as "vintage sodas" (whatever that means). Patinette Cafe is similar to the grab-a-lunch counters one can find in office buildings just about anywhere.
I was running late, so despite the fact I felt duped into coming to Patinette Cafe, I went ahead and ordered a sandwich and a Snapple for about $13. The sandwich was a pre-made Reuben taken directly out of the display case, served on a plastic disposable plate. There was very little content between the two slices of bread, and it tasted pretty bland. The side salad was a pinch of greens with an unripe (very green) cherry tomato on top.
As I left MOCA, I noticed a Koo Koo Roo across the street. I could only wish I had noticed it before going to Patinette Cafe.
Pros: Quick -- maybe because I was the only customer there at the time?
Cons: It's less of a "cafe" than a snack bar.
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