8607 Melrose Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90069 (corner of Melrose and Westbourne Dr.)

West Hollywood, Calif.--When wandering along trendy Melrose Avenue where there are some unique decorator stores, booksellers and other such businesses, you can't help but notice a country-style restaurant where people are usually sitting outside during the day, talking, eating and soaking up the sunshine. Le Pain Quotidien, the Belgium named cafe which means "daily bread", is an international chain with locations in the U.S., including about one dozen (12) shops in Los Angeles area. 

Unlike other chains appealing to a mass market, the bakery and restaurant seems to take a selective approach in choosing locations. International countries where you will find the Belgium-bred bread shop include Bahrain, Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Kuwait, Netherlands, Mexico, Qatar, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and UK.

Wandering into the bakery and restaurant, the decor is simple, functional yet elegant, each restaurant offers the communal centerpiece table where you simply sit and as the management suggests, break bread with neighbors you may never have met. During our several visits, the communal table is the table of last resort in time-bankrupt Los Angeles. With so much on your personal plate, customers tend to gravitate to the tables for two or four when they are available.

The company states that no trees are killed to created the furnishings, made from reclaimed wood.

The restaurant serves breakfast, soups & sides, salads, specialties such as three types of quiche or a Mediterranean platter with hummus, babaganoush, & taboulé. Salads include a Grilled Chicken Cobb served with  organic mesclun, avocado, bacon, Fourme d'Ambert, and lapsang souchong vinaigrette.

One of the largest selections on the menu are the tartines with a tasty chicken curry salad, interesting Ricotta with mission figs, black pepper & organic acacia honey, and a Paris Ham & Aged Gruyere with mustard trio.

The food menu is light, health-focused and Continental in its appeal, making use of imported cheeses, as well as local vegetables and fruits.

In addition to being a restaurant, it is also a cafe and bakery where people drop in simply to grab their "daily bread".

Beverages include a variety of hot & cold teas, coffee drinks and fresh juices. 

Locations --be sure to call before going to confirm the location.

Beverly Hills 
9630 S Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 By Rodeo Drive
Phone: 310.859.1100

Brentwood
11702 Barrington Avenue
Brentwood, CA 90049
By Barrington Court
Phone: 310.476.0969

Claremont
175 North Indian Hill Blvd
Claremont, CA 91171
Phone: 909.625.1609

Manhattan Beach
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: 310.546.6411

Pasadena
88 W. Colorado Boulevard, #102
Los Angeles, CA 91105
In Old Town Pasadena
Phone: 626.396.0814

Robertson Blvd.
320 S. Robertson Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 310.858.7270

San Vicente
13050 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: 310.393.8909

Santa Monica
316 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Off 10 Freeway, B/w 3rd and 4th Street
Phone: 310.393.6800

Studio City
13045 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
101 Freeway Exit, Coldwater Canyon Ave.
Phone: 818.986.1929

Westwood
1055 Broxton Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90024
By UCLA Campus
Phone: 310.824.7900

Larchmont
113 N. Larchmont
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Larchmont Village
Phone: 323.461.7701