Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien Restaurant Review:

This charming bakery (translation: “the daily bread”) captures the essence of European café life in the heart of Beverly Hills. It should come as no surprise to anyone who has trodden upon Le Pain's rough-hewn floors and inhaled the heady smells of fresh, crusty bread that the bakery was actually the first West Coast outpost of one of Europe's most successful bakery chains (founded in Belgium, by the way). They also serve individual pots of coffee and a pain au chocolat that tastes awfully close to those in Paris. In addition to a take-out counter filled with rustic tarts, rich chocolate cakes, breakfast pastries and country breads, the shop offers a full-service café featuring light breakfasts and a full lunch menu. Sandwiches are a specialty, served open face on chewy wheat bread. We like the Scottish salmon sandwich and also recommend the daily changing selection of wholesome soups. Ingredients are sourced whenever possible from organic farmers and even the materials that went into the décor are sustainable. Peanut-butter lovers and kids at heart should not miss the Brunette spread, a praline paste which takes nut butter to a whole new level. Other locations.