Amandine Patisserie
Categories: French, Bakeries, Desserts, Sandwiches [Edit]
12225 Wilshire BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 979-3211
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Parking: Street
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Breakfast
- Alcohol: None
87 Reviews for Amandine Patisserie
I can only comment on the strawberry tart that I ate, but boy was it tasty. I came here on a weekday afternoon after 1pm and it was still surprisingly busy, but there were plenty of tables to sit at.
Parking can be a pain, but we were lucky enough to find a space in the tiny little back lot.
Can't wait to come back and try more pastries - everything looked delicious!
I have a feeling I'm going to be spending a lot of time on the Westside and that's all good with me...cuz if there's places like this around...I might as well move out there. I can't get enough of this stuff.
The chocolate croissant is light, delicious, and flakier than some of my friends...that's pretty hard to accomplish.
The cheesecake is smooth, creamy, and has nuts in the crust! Wait, am I describing cheesecake? Whatever, just eat it.
The coffee is good coffee but I hate the damn cups. They're bowl sized and the handle only allows you to fit 1 finger through the damn thing. How the hell do you hold it and drink from it without burning the rest of your hand? Can I get an amen? Or am I just retarded...
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Great for Sunday Brunch or Saturday Morning Coffee. My friend brought me here and we had pastries and coffee. Now I come here almost on a weekly basis. The outside of the building is covered in vines. Make sure to get there a little early because it gets really busy around 10. The almond croissants are great and the omlettes are as well.
I don't know about the "food"-- i just know about the cakes. Dude. My aunt showed up at Mother's Day with a crazy parade of cake slices from this place. I couldn't pry my face off these things. Here's the whole parade (that I can remember):
Berry Tart: Not strictly a tart-- it had fresh glazed berries on top, followed by cake soaked in some kind of syrup trifle-style, followed by a slender layer of cheesecake or cheesecake-like filling. Delicious. (Maybe slightly too much glaze on the berries but i tend to like things less sweet than many)
Strawberry Mouse Tart: Fresh, light, creamy, wanted to bury my face in it.
Chocolate Delice: A flourless chocolate cake-- really smooth, dense and high-quality chocolatey, with some candy-ishness at the bottom, one of the best cakes I've had.
Lemon Tart/Lemon Cream: Never my favorite, but i liked their version, especially the dense whip cream layer (better than meringue)
Chocolate Mouse Tart: Another incredible mouse, over a layer of some chocolate chip concoction and a lovely crust with a hint of salt.
One less star because I've never set foot in the place; all I know is the cake pageant which i was pleased to witness yesterday.
This place is a gem... it's cool to be right on Wilshire and feel like you're in a French country style restaurant.
It's quaint... the busy... it has awesome pastries... and rather decent food.
We like to go on the weekends for breakfast... but be warned, go early (unless you like crowds). It gets packed. And it's well worth the wait.... but I still prefer the smaller crowds when I just wake up.
The coffee is always good... the pastries are awesome... they're the only place in town that serves perfect orange creme buns and cheese rolls. They have great breakfasts and lunches... never had a bad meal there.
The seating rolls into the sidewalk as well as onto a nicely configured patio in the back parking area. The inside seating is cramped and slight uncomfortable when busy... and the wait staff seem very flustered when busy, which I find odd since it's always expected.
There's definitely something for everyone there...
Awesome place. We go here all the time because of the great breakfast, lunch, coffee, bread, pastries, and best of all... the dog friendly patio in the back! It's always a nice visit because the meal is quick, easy, inexpensive (unless I order too much) and friendly. We sometimes think ahead and order a pain de mie (white bread) from here a day in advance because it's seriously some of the best bread I've ever had. I could live off making sandwiches with it! It's also never too crowded which is almost an impossibility to find with any popular LA location so the experience isn't lost in the effort. Comparison, it's better than Coral Tree and on par with Novel Cafe on Ocean Park (That's hard for me to write because I think Amandine is awesome, but Novel Cafe has more variety and a bigger patio).
Price: Less than $9 per entree, less than $4 coffee/dessert
Food: Good (I almost always order the Croque Madame sandwich here and it's fabulous, For breakfast I like the Amandine omelet which is OK, Pain de Mie is fabulous bread and cost about $6, tarts and cakes are always very good)
Service: Very Good (Order at the counter and they bring it to you. They are always friendly and while there's not a lot to it, I always get friendly service from them)
Ambiance: Great (Nice and bright with a great patio in the back and sidewalk seating in the front - Plenty of choices for you and your dog)
Location: Good (There is a small lot in the back that fills up quick so you'll more than likely have to look for street parking which isn't a problem to find usually.)
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Amandine is the perfect spot for a Sunday morning brunch. It can get a bit crowded at certain hours, but the wait usually isn't too long. Love the look of the place with the vines crawling all over the entrance and sign...can make it a bit difficult to find though. I had the quiche du jour (I think it was asparagus and tomato?), which was absolutely delicious and left me feeling perfectly satisfied. And their lemon tart is so good! I can't wait to go back to try the rest of their pastries. :o)
- charming entrance with vines crawling around the front door area.
- quite the tasty omelette (the fresco, with gruyere, basil, & tomato)!
- good french toast texture with nice presentation
- tart fraise had a nice pie-crusty crust, decent fruit, and a pretty good custard.
- happy servers** :)
**to clarify the "waiter service" yelp vote that's half-ish yes and half-ish no, you order food at the counter & you get a placard, then they bring it to you.
Oh wow. I'm beyond sad that I have not been here until now!! That's 8 long years of Amandine-blindess!
I've never had a chocolate croissant this soft, flakey, and buttery; it was so delectable that I couldn't control myself and just HAD to steal half of my friend's almond croissant, which was equally incredible!
We came for lunch but could have easily skipped it and eaten just pastries. I adored my egg salad sandwich (very chilled and fresh -- perfect for a HOT west Los Angeles day), but I liked the pear tart and blueberry tart even more! It took every mouth muscle I have to zip my lips and not order one of each cookie displayed near the counter as I walked out those cute little french doors.
You must must must try Amandine.
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Is lukewarm latte lukewarm?
Yep
Is overcooked omelet overcooked?
Yep
Is dense pie crust too dense?
Yep
Is mediocre salad mediocre?
Yep
Is watery lemonade watery?
Yep
Is the place pretentious?
Yep
Would I ever go back?
Nope
Did yelp lose credibility in my book because of this place?
Somewhat
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Wanted to love you - but my croissant had a tiny speck of chocolate in it....I mean....what do you expect 5 stars for that?
Uhm....nope. Do better!
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I love their pastries! Great for brunch/lunch, various menus, inexpensive, friendly staff..... I don't get to go to this place as often as I want to b/c I live in SF, so I will add one more star if they open one in SF.....please! ;D
[N.B. Still ... etc.]
A Person of Some Authority told me nearly two weeks ago that I needed to let myself feel whatever I was feeling, but that I should suspend any major decision-making or risk-taking as I waited my self out. She said that my head would be in a different place by today, and I would be seeing things very differently.
So. Let's give this a shot. Today, I had my best breakfast in Los Angeles yet. My caffe latte was nothing short of perfect, with a frothy fern frond afloat in airy dairy that very simply made me happy. I generously tipped the cashier for selecting three pastries and letting me think as little as possible. I ate: a pain au chocolat; a strawberry and blueberry tarte (?) ; and a banana chocolate croissant. I enjoyed them while I had them (I shared bits of them, too), and I was not absolutely wrecked by grief afterward.
Lovely.
While we were in line, my neighbor ran into her friend who had asked her to ask me where I had gotten my Shiba Inu, Tabitha Tickletooth, nee Foxy. [SF Craigslist, from a Mexican-American family; things often don't work out according to plan. It *isn't* just me.]
Amandine is that kind of place: happily serendipitous; deliciously, impossibly cute; occasionally boisterous; and mostly contentedly, un-self-consciously confused for having seen a bit of the world. Only Amandine is dog-friendly and doesn't need a citronella spray collar.
Next time: the croque-madame. The person at the neighboring table said that she gets it every time. She was writing in her journal about anger. I wasn't feeling it; no doubt the sisterly, sympathetic conversation had helped.
Five stars, Amandine, for capping off two weeks that cap off even more than that. Enough truly is enough.
---
To whet the appetite, try (in this order):
1. A highly efficient, sweat-breaking, head-clearing 3.56 miles. I walked home through an ambient haze of the past few months' essays, one of which must have been especially gripping because a former supervisor found me at an absent-minded standstill on the sidewalk before I realized someone I knew was in my vacant field of vision. (He said I hadn't stopped for too long.)
2. A quick shower.
3. A walk through the botanical gardens with your neighbor and her cocker spaniel to look at the koi, turtles, and waterbugs and talk about crossing cultures, gathering strength, and making time for yourself.
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What happened to one of my favorite brunch spots in LA? After a year or so haitus, I made it back last weekend, but not just one thing was off... everything was off.
The croque madam was cold. barely warm fried egg over a cold sandwich, including the yummy cheese that used to ooze out. I went on a not so busy morning, with plenty of tables open, so no 'busy' excuses there. The bread was not tasty nor toasty hot. I sadly ate this lunch. Looked like everyone's meal was a little off.
Well, luckily, they have one of my favorite coffees, so something to look forward to! Except, they gave me an iced latte when they just throw ice in warm latte, effectively watering down the latte and making it tepid, barely cold instead of strong but icey cold, the way I like it.
So, feeling like Goldielocks in the wrong house, I shlumped out and went home.
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I do like Amandine. Every croissant I've ever gotten there has been delicious and fresh...but, that's about it. Their veggie sandwich is pretty mundane and their cakes, although always fresh, are nothing really special. Plus, they seem to feel the need to put nuts in almost every cake and I prefer nutless cakes.
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Just got back from Amandine. The bread and pan au chocolate were OUTSTANDING. (Closest to what I've eaten in France) Coffee was great too. The sandwiches and omlettes were just alright. I would say go for the breads or for a nice treat- baked goods looked amazing but skip having a whole meal there.
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I was sooooo happy when I saw a bakery with a near 5 star rating that's close by. AND I was just in Japan a few weeks ago... Japanese French bakeries over there are so freaking good! And I heard this place is Japanese owned, so SCORE! right?
Uhhh, sadly not. So I made my way over there today and I'm now disappointed. Everything looked great, but the taste was mediocre. That almond croissant everyone seems to be raving about was just ok (too dense, kinda dry). Their coffees... I had a cafe au lait and my friend had a cafe latte, both were lukewarm. I had a bite of my friend's Napa omelette, that was just ok too. We also had some of their tarts, they were good. It didn't wow me or anything though. And the lemonade I had was really watered down. Hrmf.
So yeah... this isn't a joint I'd be dying to return to. Don't get me wrong, it isn't horrible. But I wouldn't say great either. Yelp, you have failed me with this one.
I also wish that there were more places like this in SF Bay Area. I went there on a Saturday morning for brunch with some friends. We ordered a medley of food--from the croque madame to ratatouille. Of course, we also ordered a medley of desserts! The atmosphere is very casual, it was VERY crowded, but the food was phenomenal food to start off a weekend. I will definitely go back when I'm down in SoCal again!
I just added one more star to Amandine... Yuhuu...So, it's the perfect 5 stars.
I went there on Sunday (Easter). It was pretty busy as many places were closed and they were one of the few that was opened. As usual, very crowded, but service was still fast. I ordered chicken panini and it was soooo GOOD. I ate only half of it and took home the leftover. Put it in the fridge and ate it the next morning, it was still good. OMG. But, I never liked the salad dressing, maybe it wasn't sweet :P
Then, I also ordered the hot chocolate. The weather was pretty hot that day so I just added a few drops of ice cubes. Voila, it's better.
Anyway, it was a great visit. Would want to visit Amandine again when I visit Santa Monica and recommend friends and others of this place.
Ps,
I was told this place is owned by Japanese with a very strong influence of french food. Well done!!!
First visit:
I tried this place once. The place is so tiny and so compact remind me of a similar place in NYC. (forgot the name hihihi) Anyway, it was so crowded. The line was moving so fat so I couldn't determine what I wanted so I just asked for some recomendation. It was good. The price is reasonable.
Tips: if there are two of you, one should go in line and the other is to find table. The place is so cramp. People will pass by you and bump in to you all the time. Get use to it! :)
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LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE.
Very Parisian, with gorgeous, delicious pastries and tarts and cakes, and shabby chic decor.
Strong, flavorful coffee.
Go and gawk at the array of fresh baked goods like I did!
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What a cute place! Outdoor seating in front and out back..and there's a sign that doggies are welcome! Yippee!!!
The baked goods, including cakes, croissants, tarts, etc. looked fabulous! I stopped by for lunch and ordered the veggie quiche. The crust was nice and buttery but the quiche itself was too runny and mushy. Bummer...
I will definitely come back and try the desserts and breakfast items.
Service was prompt and friendly.
I'm sad right now. I remembered Amandine opens at 7am but then remembered that it's a Monday. Another reason I hate Mondays! What I wouldn't give for a croissant right now! Maybe even my left toe.
I tried going to Amandine to pick up a cake for a friend's birthday but that was a darned Monday as well. So I returned a month later and tried an egg salad sandwich and strawberry tart. Pretty good egg salad with great bread. The strawberry tart was great as well, huge strawberries a plenty on top of the custard tart.
I definitely want to try their french toast. I passed by a table that was brunching on a nice afternoon and it looked good enough to steal off of her plate. I wouldn't do actually do that... unless she wasn't looking.
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I came here for a Saturday breakfast around 9 AM. They were busy, but not crowded. After browsing all the delicious-looking desserts and pastries, I started off with a soy hot chocolate and a croissant. Both were extremely delicious! The hot chocolate was not overly sweet or chocolate-y; in fact, it was sort of marshmallow-y, but I think that might be from the brand of soy milk they use. The croissant was light and flaky on the outside, buttery and doughy on the inside. In fact, they were bringing out a big tray of freshly baked croissants when I arrived. Best croissant I've had in LA!
I also got the vegetable omelet, which was a solidly good omelet, but nothing to write home about. It was a good size and all the veggies were distributed nicely throughout the omelet, but it was slightly undercooked and runny (not my favorite egg preparation style). It came with toast, and the bread they used was not your ordinary white bread...I don't know what it was, but it was tasty! It also came with some pretty mediocre potatoes, which were not browned or crispy at all, but just cooked with some cheese...I suppose they were a good starchy compliment to the omelet anyway. There was a nicely sized pile of sliced melon and some orange, but I hate mixed fruit so I didn't have any (don't ask).
My friend got the strawberries and cream French toast, and I had a little nibble. The whipped creme it came with was delicious and light, the strawberries were nice and fresh. The bread portion was just the slightest bit crispy and soft in the middle. Altogether, it wasn't overly sweet or rich, but it was really good...the kind of French toast I wouldn't mind having every weekend because it doesn't make me feel like I'm dying.
I give this place 5 stars for a small weekday breakfast of pastry and coffee/espresso-based-beverage/hot chocolate, but for the traditional "main course"-type breakfast fare, it's good but not great.
Things I'm definitely interested in coming back for: scones, sandwiches, some of their desserts, a baguette with butter and jam with coffee, and the chocolate croissant.
Amandine is what it is (not a negative comment in my book - a compliment, in fact): a neighborhood coffee shop/bakery. ok - patisserie -- a good one! to be sure. Half the people stop for take-out on the way to work; the other half sit and enjoy the great grub and energy of the place. (in a more spartan environment than Literati down the street) First you have to park. It's west side ticket territory most any time of day so by all means park legally. (Mind the meter and watch it on the side streets, too.) Ordering up front, you wait in a line that usually stretches across the counter but goes fast. The lone barista (and often lone cashier) is speedy and (usually) efficient but can be a bottleneck.
Fresh is the first word that comes to mind. Everything is - primary ingredients and garnish. But you can't get lunch (sandwiches, some soups & salads, etc) before 11:30. That's not so bad because the baked treats and breakfast fare are worthy unto themselves. Perfect omelettes with ingredients from the normal to delightful (authentic, light Gruyere - mmmm) Croissant - plain mini's, chocolate (mmm!), nuts, fruits, etc etc etc. (Read not boring at all, more like impossible to describe the range of what you might see on any given morn - just accept it all as a gift.) For lunch the menu expands with sandwiches, such as tender & tasty chicken, egg, adorned with crisp lettuce, and juicy tomato, soups, Nicoise and other salads. Many more items, tending towards a French flair (natch). The few tables out front are a bit noisy due to the Wilshire traffic parade. Morning sun can get toasty (one nice table in the corner has shade from a trellis.)
Why not 4-5 stars? Yes, it's great. But it's a coffee-shop, yelpers! What are you thinking?? While the menu and ingredients are great, it is what it's supposed to be - that's not outstanding in my book. And like most coffee-shops, service can be variable. While everything is USUALLY ok, with the staff hyperactivity, orders passed to the barista can get missed, orders can come out cold, drinks can get separated from other food, etc (All that has happened to me there - sometimes all in the same visit). The bus staff gets big points for usually immediately clearing the flotsam and jetsam left by guests that have left.
Worth going? Absolutely. Let's just keep it real...smile
mangiare!
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Really should have tried the croissants that everyone's raving about. Instead I had the french toast, which was thick and fluffy...delicious. The omelettes were well-made for the most part with the exception of the Ratatouille omelette which came 10 minutes later than the other dishes and was made with such large chunks of vegetables that it was almost inedible...stay away from this one! Orange juice was fresh but small and expensive...
Didn't have to wait long for a great little table with a view of the outside seating and Wilshire blvd...nice ambiance for a weekend brunch...definitely going back!
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i revisited amandine's yesterday for the first time since i graduated college. it was just as great as i remembered, and here's why: the coffee and pastries. my friend and i had lunch there (which was good btw) but the coffee and pastries set this place apart.
we shared a pear and raspberry custard and a sponge cake with fruit. it. was. so. good. we each got coffee--i got a latte, complete with steamed milk leaf design and all. now given the choice to spend $2.50 or so for a latte, it's a no brainer to come here over some overrated chain store like starbucks (i'm a starbucks hater...sorry).
the whole setting of sitting outside of an ivy covered patisserie on a 60 some degree day was perfect for catching up with a friend. seriously, if you live in w. la and you haven't come here yet, you are missing out.
Talk about hidden gem!
All you see when you drive by is a wall of moss.. not too enticing, I know. But when I went (around 12 pm) the place was packed. Parking is terrible!!.. but the birthday cake I ordered was deeelish. Don't remember the exact name, but it was a chocolate raspberry ganache something.. with chocolate shavings on top. And the pile of pastries smelled soo good. I think I've found a go-to place for cakes though. Whoo!
Now I just need to try the food..
I made it onto the NICE list this year and Santa gave me an early Christmas gift. Little did I know, I would be unwrapping several delicious goodies this weekend.
Santa directed me to Amandine Patisserie on Saturday morning and I gleefully arrived with my roomie. Amandine is on Wilshire, a little ways down from Sushi Sasabune, across the street from Quizno's. Like other reviewers have stated, it is a bit hard to find, but look for the greenery and vine and you have found your place.
There was a long line of people, which is a sure sign of de-lish! We decided on:
-Berries and Cream French Toast
-Florentine Omelette (mushroom, swiss, spinach)
-Omelette Amandine (ham, sauce bechamel, gruyere)
-Tomato and roasted pepper soup (soup du jour)
-Tarte Fruits
-Almond Croissant
-Chocolate Croissant
*Yep, eat with me and I order the whole store! :)
I have to say that every bite of all our pickings was divine and mouthwatering. The croissants were flaky and buttery. Perfect in taste and texture. My Amandine omelette was fluffy and soft. The soup was creamy and simple. The fruit tart was light and sweet. The french toast was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Everything was simply delicious!
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Saturday. Amazing treats, great company, a girl couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! Thank you Amandine for a great Saturday and thank you Santa for all my wonderful goodies! :)
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After living in Paris for a year, I've tried to find a patisserie/bakery that can measure up to my favorite neighborhood bakery in Paris. The baguettes are fresh. Croissants are great! Right amount of butter and always fresh when you go in the morning. May favorites are the pain au chocolat, pain au lait and the macarons. I've also tried their French Toast which takes forever to make so be prepared to wait. The coffee is ok...it's good enough to eat with your croissant. The prices are very reasonable.
Such a great place, it's hard to put it into words, but I will try. This is a small, easy to deal with cafe on Wilshire. Order at the counter, they bring you the food, you eat. Simple.
They have excellent French style pastries -- try the Pan Chocolate for a bit of heaven. I crave their quiches like a cow craves grass. And the espresso/teas are excellent. Great place for lunch or breakfast any day of the week.
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Everything I've ordered at this place rocks! From their chocolate croissants to their lunch sandwiches, de-lish! Very good lattes as well...sometimes the staff can be snooty but not often. Did I mention very good food?!
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This is where I get whole birthday cakes for all of my family members.
(average prices : small $22, large $36 )
Order in the morning, tell them what you want inscribed on it, and it'll be ready in a couple of hours for pick up.
There are a few things that the Japanese modify from other countries and make their own. Just to name a few , Korean BBQ called yakiniku in Japanese (example: gyukaku) , curry from India (example: curry house), tempura came from the Portuguese long time ago, american mayo (example: Kewpie mayonnaise in the tube * my unhealthy addiction *....you are Japanese if you know what I'm talking about! Or awfully close).
So that's what Amandine does best; French cakes and pastries that are refined and not overly sweet. I have not tried their brunch yet. I'm actually writing this while I'm eating their pear custard raspberry pie ($3.75); a dessert after their tuna salad that comes with two slices of sourdough bread ($7.25). Both pretty amazing.
Half point off for the crowd and lines during lunch time and the brutal parking. Also I've been devastated to find them closed on Mondays when I had a chocolate croissant craving attack. I thought only hair salons were closed on Mondays. Oh yeah, Bay cities deli's closed on Mondays too...
One day, I parked out front in their loading zone and sent in my mom to pick up a cake and she got ignored. She's a cute grandma in her mid 60's, about 5 feet zero. She claimed they acted like they didn't see her and came back out to the car frustrated. I told her to wait in the car and stomped in (5'11".... alright, wearing unhemmed pants so I was wearing my highest 4 inch heels) and got immediate attention. So another half point off for height discrimination. 4 stars!
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Seems like my li'l casual hangout during the weekend for coffee and a good book has been discovered. Be prepared for a wait and prowling for a empty table. Egg salad sandwich is tasty including the Amandine omlette/ Croque Madame and any of their pastries - its all good.
A friend and I were on our way to Snug Harbor for breakfast when his observant eye saw Amandine. Always up for trying new places in the neighborhood, I made a U-turn and we strolled on in, ordered up an omelet, french toast and a large cafe mocha. You get a number and pick out a table in front or back. The food is relatively fast, tables are small and good for parties of 4 or smaller - it would probably be harder to find a spot to sit with a larger party. Sitting in the front is good for people watching and you can check out what everyone else orders. Plus the display of desserts and pastries makes for a nice view. We found this place a couple of years ago and I've been back a number of times for a mocha to go, chocolate croissants, or to sit down for a soup/salad/sandwich. Only downfall is that they close at 7. Makes it hard to get to if you have to get to the Westside in traffic and are craving a nice post-dinner munchie. You can park in back or on the street. Usually, it's not too bad, even in peak meal hours.
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I blame Amandine for the extra lbs I've gained.
I've been coming here for years, and even after reading about a closure due to vermin (unverified, I think I saw it on Citysearch but I can't find it anymore), it hasn't stopped me from making it a destination for my runs. (Then I walk back home with cake in hand, eating chocolate chip cookies. Not exactly the best workout plan, I know.) Amandine reminds me of the cute pastisseries in Japan, except the goods don't cost an arm and a leg.
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I really wish there were patisseries like Amandine in the SF Bay area for casual brunch.
I absolutely loved their croissants and brioche, with crust so crunchy yet the inside is moist and not too buttery.
I don't know why but I also tasted a bit of Japanese flavors in their sandwiches and quiches.
Turns out Amandine is Japanese-owned.
I heard there is Amadine in Ebisu in Tokyo and this place offers dinner menu.
I definitely like to try their dinner when I go back to Japan next time.
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My girl took me here on Sat. morning and it was fantastic! Definitely not for the health conscious, cause the food here is full of butter, grease, cheese, fat and sugar. We shared a chocolate croissant which was excellent, light and flaky and oozing with chocolate. Then we each had a Croque Madame: a Ham and cheese sandwich grilled in butter with a sunny side egg on top. Doesn't get much greasier then that, but damn if it wasn't amazing. It comes with a side of salad. (yeah like that's going to balance it out) I hear the quiche here is good too. I may have to try that next time I dine here but, real men don't eat quiche. So maybe my girl can order it and I can have some of hers.
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This place is awesome. They have some of the best pastries & desserts in LA. French techniques combined with Japanese attention to detail & high quality ingredients = perfection.
I agree with the other reviewers that they use a lot of butter, which is typical of french pastries & desserts.
But, I respectfully disagree that it is full of sugar. On the contrary, one of the reasons I love this place is that their desserts are not overly sweet, unlike so many other places in LA. That quality more than any other will keep me coming back.
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Great sandwich and exceptional croissants. Love the chicken sandwich I ordered and the side dish of ratatouille. The price is fairly cheap of good quality. However, the service is kinda un-organized...
I bought couple croissant patries home and all of them are good... I recommended the strawberry croissant and almond croissant. All the croissants are well baked... you can taste the layers but not dry. Good baking...
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I stopped by here with some friends for a lunch and some dessert. It was about 1:30 pm on a Saturday and still almost completely packed. We managed to find one table eventually. Unfortunately, the table was outside, and this was during the recent Labor Day heat wave. Oh well, I guess you can't blame them for being popular!
I had a veggie sandwich with a small side salad, and a slice of French-style cheesecake with a thick, buttery, crumb crust. (I forgot the name, but it was something including the word fromage.) My friends got one of their banana chocolate pastries and a macarroon. The salad was decent, the sandwich plain but passable. The cheesecake was fair, although I personally would have preferred less crust. I felt the thick, buttery crust weighed down the fluffy filling too much. The banana chocolate pastry was lovely, as my foodie friend had promised. Macarroon was ok, not as succulent as I usually like them.
Overall, a decent dining experience. I hear lots of positive things about their pastries from my friends, so I'd be interested in giving that another try.
Parking was a pain--tiny lot in the back, crowded West LA side streets filled with parking restriction signs. Read carefully!
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