By Ofelia Saenz, Staff Writer
Since the first time he saw the building, Alex Nabussi, owner of the Mirage Café and Hookah Lounge in Bixby Knolls, knew the place was something special.
“I looked at it and I really liked it,” Nabussi said. “I like the neighborhood.”
The friendly faces of the Bixby Knolls community have tended to be drawn to the high ceilings and bright colors of what is now the Mirage Café even through the building’s various incarnations (Coffee Tavern, Fendi’s, Phoenix Coffeehouse). Nabussi, a math teacher from Long Beach City College, took ownership of the establishment last November and now adds his own touches to the beloved neighborhood social spot.
In addition to its menu of hot and cold coffee drinks, Mirage Café offers authentic Mediterranean fare. Patrons can enjoy the robust flavor of tightly wrapped stuffed grape leaves alongside the lemony freshness of homemade tabbouleh, or for a lighter snack of finger food, they can try the hummus or baba ghanoush. Those looking for slightly more conventional cuisine can opt for other selections such as the Italian grilled chicken sandwich with pesto and sun-dried tomato.
In the spirit of the café’s bohemian atmosphere, Nabussi has introduced a hookah menu of flavored tobaccos. Friends can gather regularly on the outdoor patio to smoke sweetened tobacco in flavors such as mango or peach.
The large open spaces of the café’s three rooms are ample enough to accommodate group meetings, while still maintaining the coziness of a local coffee shop. On any given night, students and their laptops perch in one the many comfy vintage sofas to take advantage of the free wi-fi.
The largest of the rooms has a stage used for live entertainment on the weekends. Fridays is open-mic night and there is karaoke on Sundays. Saturdays, the café usually features local acoustic music.
“People like the style of the place, the antique furniture, the lounge,” Nabussi said. “They come here to socialize.”
The Mirage Café is located at 539 East Bixby Road, just west of Atlantic Avenue in Bixby Knolls.
