• START HERE!
    • ABOUT CARLY
    • CONTACT
  • FASHION
  • BODY POSITIVITY
  • GIRL POWER
  • SD LIFE
  • DISNEY
  • SHOP MY INSTAGRAM
  • SHOP MY FAVES

Lipgloss and Crayons

LA Life

American Girl Cafe: Our Visit and Review

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website. This post may also contain items gifted for consideration.

American Girl Cafe: A full review…….what to expect, and what ages it's perfect for………Interested in visiting the American Girl Cafe? We're sharing our full review, and what ages the cafe is perfect for!

Thank you to the American Girl Cafe for hosting us.

Have you ever been to the American Girl Cafe? A few weeks ago we visited the Los Angeles American Girl Cafe…..and I wanted to share ALL the details.  While we'd been to the American Girl Store many times (Lydia has a great American Girl Doll collection)……we'd never stopped in for a meal at the cafe.  She's almost five, and definitely at the age where she enjoys eating out more than say, a year ago (and so do we).  So we packed up her favorite Luciana doll, and headed to the American Girl Cafe for lunch and a little shopping.

American Girl Cafe: A Full Review
American Girl Cafe: A full review

I have to say, overall…..I loved the American Girl Cafe WAY more than I expected.  They did a great job of balancing the kid fun while still making it a lovely dining experience for adults.  We visited the cafe for lunch, and the price per person is $24.  This includes a TON of food, a variety of beverage options, and a few special experiences ( you can see the full menu HERE).

A few fun things we noticed when we entered the cafe……..there were plenty of dolls available for borrowing.  So if your child doesn't already OWN a doll, you can borrow one for lunch or dinner.  When we sat down, our waitress set up an adorable booster seat for Lydia's doll along with a mini mug and saucer so that Lydia could feed her American Girl doll (those are yours to keep).

The cafe also had these adorable conversation starters on the table and Lydia LOVED them.  She kept begging us to ask her more questions!

American Girl Cafe: A full review

We ate delicious cinnamon buns (who doesn't dream of starting every meal with cinnamon buns), had a lovely appetizer platter and then dug into lunch.  Lydia had the cheese pizza (she loved it) and I had the salmon (it was REALLY good).  

We had flower pot cupcakes for dessert, and then explored the American Girl doll store.

The overall verdict? WE LOVED THE AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CAFE.  I thought it was a wonderful experience, and the prices were super reasonable.  Lydia had a blast, and the meal was short enough for a preschooler to stay happy and entertained.  The staff was great at engaging her, chatting with her AND her doll, and reminding Lydia to be sure that her doll ate too.  Every detail was well thought out, from the tiny doll cup and saucer to the booster seat for her doll to sit in at the table.  

You can definitely bring a four or five year old with their first American Girl Doll for a special treat (American Girl Wellie Wishers are GREAT first dolls) and it's still a ton of fun for older kids who love their American Girl Doll collections (bonus that there is great food for the parents).

Interested in visiting the American Girl Cafe? We're sharing our full review, and what ages the cafe is perfect for!After our lunch, we did a little shopping……and I picked up a TON of books for my classroom (as well as a set for home).  Did you know that American Girl has amazing series called a Smart Girls' Guide? These adorable books encourage girls to be confident, develop character and are perfect for discussing these skills.

Since we loved the books so much, we are teaming up with the American Girl team to give one of the same set we picked up! One winner will receive: The Care & Keeping of You 20th Anniversary Edition, The Skin & Nails Book, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Sports & Fitness, A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself, and A Smart Girl’s Guide: Knowing What to Say.

Entry-Form
9 Comments

Subscribe to L&C Weekly!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Toni Woodbridge says

    August 6, 2018 at 8:32 am

    I am most interested in the Keeping and Caring of You, but they all sound great! Thank you for the opportunity!

    Reply
  2. Heidi says

    August 6, 2018 at 11:45 am

    We just got our first American doll while on vacation a couple weeks ago! My daughter has been asking for the books and would be excited to get any of them! So fun! Definitely wanting to check out the cafe now!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Stpierre says

    August 9, 2018 at 1:12 am

    I am most intrigued and interested in A Smart Girls Guide – Liking Herself. I believe self esteem and self respect are so important. This would be an excellent book for my daughter. Also thanks for the great article!! Glad you had a blast!

    Reply
  4. Marilyn Nawara says

    August 9, 2018 at 5:42 am

    I am most interested in… A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself. I think this is an essential thing for all girls to learn at an early age. Appreciate American Girl addressing such important issues.

    Reply
    • Sheila says

      August 9, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      My daughter would be most interested in ‘The Care and Keeping of You’ book. She has the edition for younger girls and loves all of the information in it. I love how it is presented. This would be a great follow up as she and her friends are approaching puberty.

      Reply
  5. Beth K. says

    August 10, 2018 at 9:47 am

    I’d love the updated “Care and Keeping of You” – I have the youngest version of the book in this series, and it’s time to review the next level of the book with my daughter

    Reply
  6. Meghan Buchman says

    August 10, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    I’d love to get A Smart Girl’s Guide: Liking Herself.

    Reply
  7. Heather Kelly says

    August 11, 2018 at 7:01 pm

    All of them! I have two daughters!

    Reply
  8. Amber Cheras says

    August 12, 2018 at 9:04 am

    I am most interested in The Care & Keeping of You 20th Anniversary Edition

    Reply
Previous Stitch Fix Review August 2018
Next Evelyn and Bobbie: The MOST Comfortable Bra I’ve Ever Worn

Related Posts

Ice Cream Social: Kicking Off Summer

10 Pictures to Take of Your Kids (each and every year)...

What To Wear in Family Photos: Add a Dash of Red

How We Wear: Toddler Back Carry (and a giveaway)

Primary Sidebar

Search

NEW? START HERE

DISCLAIMER

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Five years ago. This exact place. Robbie had jus Five years ago.  This exact place.  Robbie had just finished two years of grad school.  And it had been a long, tough two years.  That year involved one major teacher strike in my district, many many many jobs and gigs for both of us, minimal time off together, a whole lot of unknowns and a whole lot of stress.The Disney and Aulani team probably had no idea that they were giving us the gift of much needed peaceful time together when they invited us on a trip to this magical place.  A trip that….to be honest, was beyond our means at the time.  We cherished every moment. A lot has happened since then.  A move, buying a house, seeing those years of hard work pay off.  And now….we did it.  We’re back.  Lazy river here we come. TLDR? If you’re in the thick of it, I see you.  We’ve been there. Family, Welcome Home……we did it.  Aulani for the week.
Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled muscle? I should have known better.  When training for my race, I didn’t stretch or warm up enough most days and….here we are.Lesson learned.  I’m 4 weeks post race (do not recommend running a 10k on a pulled muscle) and I’m……almost better.  I’m learning to stretch and walk and to take better care of myself so that I can start running again REALLY soon (we’re almost there I think).For now? I’m doing recovery walks and trying to strengthen my leg.  And trying to make sure I get enough protein.  When I talked about Built Bars on my stories, a LOTTTTT of you raced about their Puffs.  Yup, I get it.  They’re AMAZING.  I’ve been bringing them along on my walks (and gluten free friends….they have some great options for us).Have you ever pulled a muscle? What was recovery like for you?#youGOTTAtrythis #BUILTProtein #BUILT #BUILTbar partner
💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zo 💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zoo (and swipe to the end for a close up)⠀⠀🌴Coming to San Diego for Spring Break or a Summer Vacation?⠀⠀📍Let’s talk San Diego Zoo (and yes, I got off a plane yesterday, picked up Lydia and we spent the afternoon at the zoo…..it was LOVELY).⠀⠀A few things to help you plan visits to San Diego and the Zoo:⠀1️⃣ the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are NOT close together.  The Zoo is close to downtown, the Safari Park is about 25 miles north.  I’d suggest one day at each.  They’re totally unique and both worth a visit.  The Safari Park is smaller, but has REALLY unique exhibits (Walkabout Australia is my favorite).⠀2️⃣ both have some really fun and unique dining experiences that you can reserve in advance: Albert’s at the Zoo is a FANCY and fun sit down option, and The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook at the Safari Park is great for happy hour or a fun lunch ⠀3️⃣ there are great kids play areas at both locations, the Wildlife Explorers Base Camp area at the San Diego Zoo is brand new and absolutely amazing⠀⠀✨ Now, a bonus tip.  Undercover Tourist now has NATIONWIDE savings on over 500 attractions in 50 cities and up to 25% on tickets for theme parks, zoo, museums, aquariums, city tours, water parks, and movie tickets. And the deals they have for San Diego?  AMAZING (I’m sharing details in my stories).⠀⠀@themeparkfrog #UncoverSavingsNationwide #ad
In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the b In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the bridge without permission.⠀⠀I grew up about 20 minutes from San Francisco, on the OTHER side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Yes, you know that opening scene in Full House where they’re driving across the bridge? I was on the other side of that.  And one of MOST parents’ rules where I grew up? No going into the city without permission.  Sorry mom and dad, it’s been long enough…..now I can disclose that we broke that rule constantly.⠀⠀San Francisco is my favorite city.  It’s intimate and moody and filled with history and some of the best food in the world.  It reminds me of childhood trips to the zoo and Golden Gate Park, it reminds me of my first apartment after college and my first serious relationship.  It reminds me of 22 year old carefree nights with friends and milkshakes at Mels in high school and coffee in North Beach and nights in the Marin Headlands (the closest we were supposed to get to the bridge).⠀⠀So when I had the opportunity to spend 20 hours in my city by the Bay? I took it.⠀⠀Photo Diary:⠀1) nothing like a hotel room to yourself ⠀2) basically drove through a monsoon in San Diego yesterday to make it to the airport⠀3) through the fog? You can see the Golden Gate Bridge⠀4) SFO ⠀5) drove right through North Beach where my mom lived until she was 2, and texted her this photo of a church where she remembers going to weddings as a child⠀6) dinner with Dove, talking about the importance of diversity and representation in gaming avatars ⠀7 and 8) anyone else got a roblox fan in their house? Dove is changing the game (pun intended) and we love to see it.⠀⠀Have you been to San Francisco?
Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer? What’s your ideal?⠀Figured this was a good day to ask since….I’m boarding a plane this morning for a VERY quick trip.⠀❤️Over on stories, we are playing this or that. We’re making this a regular little weekly coffee chat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀☕️So, five of you will get a coffee on me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Want to join in?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀1) like this post⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀2) answer the polls in stories⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀3) tag a friend in comments, or tell me what your ideal vacation looks like, and how you’d get there!
  • Collaborate
  • Speaking
  • Contact Carly
  • PRESS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fashion
  • Body Positivity
  • Girl Power
  • SD Life
  • Disney
  • Travel
  • Highlights

© 2019 LIPGLOSS AND CRAYONS  |  SITE DESIGN: MLL DESIGN STUDIO  & FUZE BRANDING