Britta Kvinge Pulliam began her life's work as a 15 year old salad maker at Newport Beach's Spaghetti Bender. Besides marking the beginning of a loving relationship with the Spaghetti Bender family, her start there afforded Britta an inside look at her childhood dream.
At 21, Britta was hired as an assistant manager at Alexander's, a 250 seat supper club. She quickly became general manager and during that time she began to seriously plan the opening of her own restaurant. Over a period of four years, she managed to save over $80,000 - much to her own surprise - and she realized that it was time to make her dream a reality.
She found an old ice cream parlor on the Balboa Peninsula and quickly began a "Britta overhaul." A testament to her tenacious family roots, the support of friends, and her passionate character, Britta's Cafe opened on October 12, 1987. In the years following, Britta managed to develop the neighborhood Cafe into a point of destination. By maintaining a loyal and welcoming service staff and by demanding nothing short of excellence in her kitchen, Britta has enjoyed much acclaim and much loving support from a bevy of regulars who have become a part of her family.
In 1993, an opportunity arose when a local "Balboa landmark" location became available for rent. Jumping at the chance to develop a whole new concept that would include a full bar, entertainment, and lively Latin-infused cuisine, Gringa's Grill opened in April of 1993. For nearly four years, Gringa's Grill provided the Balboa community with excellent, innovative cuisine, a lively bar, infamous New Year's Eve celebrations, and legendary Sundays which featured the 11 piece big band "Swingtown. " Much to the Gringa loyalists' chagrin, Britta decided to devote more of her time to her daughter and family and she chose to close Gringa's in the Spring of 1997.

Never one to rest for too long, Britta began a period of devotion and creation that benefited both the Britta's Cafe and the Balboa community. Long a member of the Balboa Merchants' Association, she spearheaded an initiative to re-vitalize the Balboa Village community. By working with the Merchants' Association on countless fund-raisers and community events such as Art Walks, Concerts in the Park, and the Balboa Fun Run, much attention was brought to a failing community. With the hopes of renovating the Balboa Theater, Britta became a principal supporter of the project by helping to establish the DIVAS of The Balboa Theater and by becoming an active member of the Board of Directors for the Balboa Theater Project. Largely due to her community cheerleading and her inspiration to others, $7 million dollars has been allocated by the city of Newport Beach for the re-vitalization of the Balboa Peninsula.
Married since 1989 to Tracy Pulliam, any time spent away from the restaurant finds her entertaining with her husband at their home in Corona del Mar. Both she and Tracy would agree that their crowning achievement and their constant joy is their daughter Raquel. "Raquel, born in 1991, is our inspiration. She has had creative influence in all aspects of Tracy's and my life. She taught us how to dream," Britta says. As well as the culinary arts, Britta has a passion for performance and is an accomplished singer. Her love of the arts keeps her actively attending local productions and theater with her daughter.
Fortified by the support of her family, the devotion of her staff, and her own vibrant creative spirit, Britta has embarked on yet another adventure. In the Spring of 2001, she sold the original location of Britta's Cafe in Newport Beach and found a new home for her Cafe in Irvine, California. Britta's Cafe is set to open in the Summer of 2001. The Cafe will continue with Britta's original mission when she began her life's work : Providing seasonally inspired, uncomplicated cuisine in a welcoming and beautiful atmosphere with impeccable and friendly service, while encouraging personal creativity and community responsibility.