By Charly SHELTON

On Ocean View Boulevard at the edge of the alley just south of Honolulu Avenue in Montrose is a cute little space with windows on all sides that serves sandwiches, gourmet salads, pastries and cakes. Etc…Gourmet Kitchen opened in late November without much fanfare and locals are slowly discovering this gem hidden in the Montrose Shopping Park.

Etc… occupies the space that once was Baked on Ocean View, a restaurant that many who frequented it will agree left a hole in the local food scene when it closed earlier this year.

“We are trying to build on the great reputation that ‘Baked’ had,” said Robin Seifert, owner of Etc… Gourmet Kitchen. “We aren’t doing the entire variety of bread that she had, but we are really expanding our food selection.”

Seifert grew up in the area and pulls inspiration for her new restaurant from a Crescenta Valley classic.

“What I remember growing up in La Cañada was Westley’s. Over by Ralphs in La Cañada was Westley’s Produce. [The owner] had a case full of the most amazing foods, and if it was Valentine’s Day, you could take a heart shaped dessert and a pastry wrapped filet mignon home to make for Valentine’s Day dinner. We are really trying to do the best that we can to give people not only yummy breakfast pastries, but lunch, dinner and even take-home for parties.”

Lunch is the perfect time to go in for a visit. From the homemade chicken salad on a fresh baked croissant to the lemon potato salad to what could possibly be my new favorite way to eat squash- butternut squash with ginger, garlic and rosemary, it is all fantastic. I have tried just about everything they had in the case on the day I went in for lunch and I have had more as take out since then. I have yet to find anything they make that is not fantastic and completely rave worthy.

Here is the kicker: They specialize in mac ‘n’ cheese. They have a different spin on the classic dish every day, ready to go in the case. Wild mushroom mac ‘n’ cheese. Bacon mac ‘n’ cheese. Lobster mac ‘n’ cheese. One new mac ‘n’ cheese or pasta dish each day, rotating in and out so there is always something new. If you get a craving for a little “mac attack,” this is the place to be. Every day.

For more information, check out their page on Yelp. Etc.. Gourmet Kitchen is located at 3600 Ocean View Blvd., Unit #7 in Montrose.

  Charly Shelton