Le Pain Quotidien has been around since 1990 when it first opened its doors in Brussels. Now with multiple worldwide locations including the UK, France, Middle East, New York, & of course Los Angeles, this enchanting bakery/eatery has become a renound franchise (without losing its original philosophy). The basic idea of Le Pain is to make high-quality daily bread with all-natural products, and then build upon that. The concept is that bread nourishes the body & spirit, and should be shared among friends…hence, the communal tables found at every location. Each store includes a beautiful, long wooden table (resembling the Last Supper painting) for all customers (strangers or loved-ones) to share their meal as a small community. It makes the atmosphere very warm & welcoming. There are also plenty of separate dining tables for the anti-socials of the world.

Now if it’s not gorgeous fresh bread you’re after, I suggest taking part in the rest of the menu, which includes a plethora of healthy & organic soups, salads, & signature open-faced sandwiches. It’s the sandwiches that I always go for. My personal favorites are the Curry-Chicken & Tuna-Hummus Tartine, which means ‘open sandwich’. I always enjoy that with their Organic Mint Lemonade & if I’m feeling extra indulgent, I will finish off with a homemade Sweet Almond Tart or Chocolate Bomb, and of course one very European Cappuccino (done just right). They also have very yummy & inventive seasonal daily specials (I was particularly fond of the Heirloom Tomato & Goat Cheese Salad). And though I tend to visit more for lunch, they have a full breakfast menu that goes till noon.

I must say when I go to Le Pain, I do feel somewhat transported to a little corner café in Paris…it doesn’t feel corporate in any way. I continually go back because the food is incredibly tasty & so nutritious. I never feel too full when I leave and I don’t feel the need for a visit to the gym either. The vibe is rustic & mellow, and the service is extremely go-with-the-flow, but its efficient (just one or two servers). It’s even nice to just go in and pick-up a coffee, dessert, or loaf of bread for take-away (the bread will probably still be warm). Le Pain also makes several products themselves, so you can purchase any one of their Organic teas, coffees, chocolates & flavored honeys at each store. They even just created their very own house wine, humorously named the ‘picnic wine’ (which yet again is also certified Organic).

There is something for everyone here & Le Pain continues to be my favorite breakfast & lunch spot in town…. and I do mean any part of town. There is a Le Pain Quotidien in numerous locations in and around LA, including Santa Monica, Studio City, Manhattan Beach, Brentwood, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, etc., with new stores opening worldwide each year. It will be here for many years to come…I only pray as it continues to grow in popularity & locations that it doesn’t fall prey to becoming a Starbucks-like chain. May it always hold onto its simplicity & charm!

Author: Erin Landsberg

For Store Locator: Go to www.lepainquotidien.com