Dexter Filming Locations: Travis & Gellar in a Cafe
The
location: Travis & Gellar's Café
Q.
What is it supposed to be on the show?
A. The Glass House Café.
Q.
Where is it supposed to be on the show?
A. Somewhere
in Miami.
Q.
When did we see it on the show?
A. We
actually see it twice, in Episode 4, of Season 6, "A Horse of a
Different Color". But posing as two different locations.
In this short scene, Travis Marshall is sharing a meal with Professor Gellar at a café. Gellar remarks that: "It's happening. Look around us. People are afraid."
But Gellar notices Travis is being distracted by a pretty young waitress (named Erin Baer).
Travis asks Gellar if he should ask her out.
It's
clear that Gellar disapproves, and says they've got to stay
focused. He asks Travis if that is what he wants. Travis
says he doesn't know... maybe.
Q.
What is it actually in real life?
A. The covered patio of a restaurant.
Q.
Where can I find it in real life?
A. This is the Bistro Alessio, an Italian restaurant located at 9725 Reseda Blvd, in Northridge, CA.
It's at the north end of an outdoor shopping center (called Boulevard Shops), on the west side of Reseda Blvd, just a couple of blocks northwest of the Cal-State University Northridge campus.
It's a bit hidden
away, but can be easily spotted by the long, magenta canopy in front,
that covers the outdoor patio dining area.
In yet another example of their love of cluster-shooting, they actually shot two scenes at this same restaurant, both with Travis.
This café scene, with Travis & Gellar, was filmed out on the covered patio.
The later (more
formal) restaurant scene, where Travis is dining with Erin (just before
they go to bed together) was shot inside Bistro Alessio.
And they chose this restaurant to
begin with because of its close proximity to Cal-State Northridge,
where they shot another key scene.
( So, if you're a tourist enjoying a tour of Dexter locations, you can have lunch here after visiting CSUN. )
A. In previous seasons, I've
usually had to hunt down the locations after viewing the episodes,
using clues from the various scenes. By the 6th season, though,
I'd developed a small group of fans, spies & tipsters who kept an
eye out for Dexter filming in their neighborhoods, and would let me know
in advance when something was about to film there.
Between those reports, my own personal reconnaissance around town, and a
few new resources I discovered, by the time the first episode aired, I
already knew most (but not all) of the filming locations, and only
needed to watch the episodes and match up the scenes with the correct
locations.
This group of helpful fans includes Kerry, Rick, Ellen, Susan, Jason, Elaine, Joel, Julie, Geoff, Jeff, and others. My thanks to all of them.
This time, it was Rick,
all the way. He not only tipped me to the location, but also shot
the photos you see above - as well as photos of nearby Cal-State
Northridge, for the "Dying Angel" location. (Thanks, Rick!)