Angel’s Place Offers Healthy Choices

Alexia, co-owner and manager of Angel's Place in downtown La Verne.

Now, when your doctor advises you to switch to a Mediterranean diet for your health, you have a real option, Angel’s Place in downtown La Verne.

Open a little more than two years in downtown La Verne, it serves both Greek and American traditional cuisine in a warm and inviting dining area, with a private patio in back, perfect for patrons who prefer eating their kebabs and grilled chicken salad in the great outdoors. Heat lamps are switched upon request during cool days.

Angel’s is named after co-owner Anastasio’s mother, Angel, whose angelic cooking and recipes have been passed down to her son and now his daughter Alexia.

“Greek food is so amazing,” said Alexia. “It’s very organic and healthy, with lots of vegetables.”

Recognizing that old eating habits die hard, Angel’s Place still serves American comfort food, to be sure, like burgers, steaks, and buffalo wings, but invites customers to broaden their culinary palettes by trying such popular Greek dishes as Spanakopita (delicate filo pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese), dolmathes (grape leaves stuffed with herb-seasoned rice), and gyros (shaved lamb, beef or chicken in warm pita bread with tomatoes, onions and tzaziki, which is a cucumber-yogurt sauce). All entrees come with a Greek salad, made with Romaine lettuce, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, onions, tomatoes and the family’s famous house dressing.

Alexia hails from the “try-it-you-like” school, but if you don’t like it, you can gladly substitute something else. La Verne is a college town, so students should be the first to explore and experiment beyond the standard, more highly saturated fare they’re used to.

“We want people to be happy and leave happy,” Alexia said. “We want people to feel comfortable … like they’re at home, where they know they can get good food and good portions.”

The back patio has become a magnet on weekends, especially with bikers and walkers, with and without their dogs. “There’s an area for people to leash their pets and lock up their bikes,” Alexia said. “It’s my favorite area of the restaurant. A true Greek will always choose to sit outside and breathe the fresh air. It’s just feels more free and open.”

If you’re on the run, between classes or business appointments, Angel’s Place also has an active take-out business.

Angel’s Place, located at 2325 “D” Street in Downtown La Verne, is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch. Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.burgerismylife.com. For great dining values, click on LaVerneOnline’s “Click for Coupons” Button.