Review of Le Pain Quotidien

I gave Le Pain Quotidien an overall score of 3.5, or 3 stars, based on the following 7 categories: number of visits 2 of 5, Every once in a while. price range 3 of 5, Let's splurge tonight; less than $35. family friendly? 3 of 5, No kids menu. % menu vegan 4 of 5, Hmm, what to have. quality of service 3 of 5, Didn't notice. quality of food 4 of 5, Happy tongue. local mainstay? 2 of 5, Fresh paint, but it's a good color. Comments: I really enjoy communal tables and Le Pain Quotidien has a beautiful one down the middle of their slender, cozy, and boulangerie décor restaurant. They also have a small, but nice sidewalk café if you are a watcher rather than a talker, and this is a good location for watching because it’s around the corner from The Promenade. I’m not sure how to comment on the bipolar service; …or that may have captured it perfectly. On our first visit, shortly after they opened, the service was attentive and friendly, though she forgot my toast. On our return however, the service jumped to the other side of the spectrum. A wactor, or possibly worse, an industry keener, was not attentive and seemingly had no patience once we paused while ordering. Given that this place is new, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now. But, I’ll be on the lookout for another too-cool-to-be-cool though. The food was very tasty, but, somewhat as expected for an international chain, a little sterile and conservative. They use top, mostly organic ingredients and have a lot of vegan options, though they seem to love cheese; be careful. The breads are good, but not inspired like you would find at a local artesian bakery that’s baking because they enjoy it. The coffee was really good, but they served it in a metal teapot. If you like hot coffee, you can quickly pour it from the metal teapot to a thin walled bowl, but this is only incrementally better. Continuing my conjunctional phrases, overall, the food was delectable, but overpriced. Le Pain Quotidien has a great location and good ambience, and I look forward to giving the wait staff one more shot on a lazy morning where we wake up late and head for the ocean. This is the type of place that, if they survive, it will no doubt be on the backs of the unsuspecting tourists. Though the communal table and cozy atmosphere should bring about community, the overpriced food will no doubt keep most away.

Additional Info Address: 316 Santa Monica Blvd, 90401 Area: Mid City Reviewed Meal: Breakfast Ethnicity: French Click for more info.