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- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7:30 am - 2 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
87 reviews for Le Pain Du Jour
Review Highlights
"Definitely will go back to try the almond croissant."
(in 21 reviews)
"BAGUETTE - the perfect bread."
(in 19 reviews)
"Easily the best pastries we've found in town."
(in 30 reviews)
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86 reviews in English
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Review from Carey W.
San Diego, CA
6/21/2011 2 photos
I walked here by myself one morning for a lunch date with my book. I got a seat on their cute patio outside snuggled into the corner by the door. My waitress offered some good advice for what to eat and was very attentive with anything I needed.
I got the white bean and prosciutto salad with basil croutons ($12). The spring greens were fresh and tasty and had a nice tangy dressing. The white beans were mixed with green onions, tomatoes, and chunks of their homemade bread, drizzled with basil pesto (looove pesto!) It was a little heavy with the olive oil for me, but besides that it was amazing!! I savored every bite.
After some time with my book, I got the mixed berry tart that was staring at me from the menu next to my table. It was a bit more expensive than I was expecting, $7, but it had a really delicious custard covered in blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. However, the crust was a bit hard and I needed to stab it with a knife to get it to break apart into manageable bites.
This is a fantastic place for lunch on a sunny day, just look out for bums scrounging for money if you're sitting by the street! -
Review from Alia R.
Los Angeles, CA
11/16/2011
When I first moved to Los Angeles from Hawai'i...I lived two blocks away from here.
There are so many amazing treats here, where to start?!
Anytime I need to bring pastries somewhere I go here if I am lucky!
Breakdown of 4 star review:
1- The BEST pastries, so yum.
2- Different types of croissants
3- The owner Sam and his crew are SO nice.
4- I love the simple decor of the place, and the creativity they used on the walls.
-1 star for being cash only (last I checked) and closing at 2pm. I know you open super early, so this is more about the cash only thing. It may have changed though... -
Review from Michelle K.
Los Angeles, CA
10/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Do you like butter?
Well, I do and it's one of the main ingredients in croissants so naturally, I'm a fan.
Word to the wise: THEY SELL OUT! So get your butt out of bed and get here early otherwise you'll miss out.
Best in show:
Ham and cheese croissant: their best seller and my boyfriend's favorite.
Plain croissant: perfect, simple goodness. Buy a few to take home for sandwiches later. -
Review from L R.
Burbank, CA
9/20/2011
So I read the yelp reviews when I was craving an almond croissant and this place had the best almond croissant yelpers say. So I promised myself I would try it when I was in the area.
What the hell, Yelpers? If you don't have a serious pallete then don't review.
First of all we walked in and it looks like hell in there. Like "bakery" is a cover up for whatever illegal business they are really running in the back. there's no bread on display. just a sheet tray with a mix of burnt looking pastries on top of the counter and a basket with like two baguettes in it.
the guy at the counter was not at all helpful just stood there until we were like hello can I get a croissant please. and he was just making up prices as he went from customer to customer.
the man before us was told they were 2.50 my friend bought 3 things and he was trying to add things in his head and just told her 9.50
i ordered just the croissant thinking it's 2.50 I just heard him tell they guy that left it was $2.50 so I have $3.00 in my hand and he says it's $3.50
Whatever I just want to get out of here by now but I have to see how this thing taste.
What a dissappointment! croissants are supposed to have layers and be fluffy. this was hard thick bread maybe one layer and then this slimy mush in the inside. seems someone was to lazy to fold the dough a few more times. I was so embarrased I was there with my pastry chef friend and that was the crap I had taken her to eat.
These are not good pastries. keep looking serious yelpers this is not the place for you. -
Review from Aavigalle H.
Venice, CA
12/22/2011
Two Words: Almond Croissant.
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Review from Donna F.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 9/13/2011
So disappointed...
Stopped by the other day and they no longer have macarons... The pastry chef left so that means they have less of a selection to choose from.
Also the croissants are not as good as I remembered them to be. Still decent but just not amazing...Listed in: Baked Yummies!!! Pastries and…, Macaron Heaven
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/25/2010
This place makes awesome croissants! Even though I intially came here to try their macarons (my… Read more »
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Review from Karen C.
Millbrae, CA
7/18/2011
It's hard to find a little taste of France, even in a big metropolis like LA. Given the great reviews on Yelp, and a suggestion from a fellow foodie friend, I had high expectations. Perhaps too high. I got the almond croissant, chocolate almond croissant, and a baguette. Not only did it cost a pretty penny ($3.50 for each croissant and $2.25 for a baguette), they just were not an adequate substitute for real French pastries. There certainly was enough butter in the croissants, as evidenced by the buttery goodness staining their paper bag home, but they just weren't flaky enough for my taste. As for the baguette, it was awesomely and perfectly crusty, but it was maybe a little old because the inside was surprisingly dry. Maybe that's what they were going for though.
Customer service was not the warm and friendly kind, but certainly not unfriendly. She answered all my questions, and even told me she'd tell the owner about my suggestion.
I was surprised by the location too. It didn't have the usual charm of a patisserie - perhaps because it didn't really have any place for you to sit and people watch like you'd normally be able to in a French cafe. It just had a very small display case with a few pastries each on the inside and no outside seating that I could see.
They do offer a few parking spaces in the back behind the bakery front on Pico (which is always a plus in LA), but I had to make a large circle because I wasn't prepared to make the left turn into traffic coming off of Lincoln Blvd and there aren't very many places for a driver to turn around that busy intersection.
All in all, Le Pain du Jour was still by far one of the better bakeries I've been to, but not particularly authentically French nor mindblowingly orgasmic.
I haven't tried the food - I didn't even know they offered a lunch menu, but I might drop by to try it and update my review when I get the chance. -
Review from Pongkhi B.
Santa Monica, CA
12/17/2011
My first time here and was highly disappointed. I ordered a cake yesterday for a small party at our place this evening and I was told I could pick it up anytime after 8am this morning. They took my number just in case they had any questions about the order. So, I promptly walked down to the bakery this morning and they tell me they did not make it, they were not sure what went wrong and were sorry but there was really nothing they could do about it since all their cakes are pre-ordered and they have none to sell at the bakery!They were not sure why no one even bothered to call me to inform me....well, anyways, so I just picked up some bread and croissants and left unhappy....they gave me a discount on my order and apologized again...so in short, the staff is friendly & warm but that cannot make up for the fact that I have no cake for my party....I hope other customers have better luck than me here!
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Review from Kristopher V.
Venice, CA
Came here mid-morning and they were out of both items I wanted to try. Despite having racks of freshly baked goods behind the counter the display case had a limited offering. I decided on a chocolate croissant ($3.50). When I grabbed napkins I noticed the place was kind of dusty. It did not have the usual charm of a patisserie.
Chocolate Croissant (3/5) - Butter. That's all I tasted. I love buttery pastries, but it was so rich that my tongue was coated after a couple bites, and I could hardly taste the chocolate filling. I wish I had been able to eat this warm. I think that if the fats were melted they would not have stuck so much too my mouth. -
Review from Andrew Y.
Los Angeles, CA
It was strange that just after 11am, on a weekday, there were this many limited options available. Maybe it is just that good or maybe stock just tends to run low. The shop is in an odd location, industrial type feel, and something felt 'off.' I looked at what remained from, hopefully that morning rush, and was underwhelmed with the offerings. Another side note: It is a cash only shop.
Chose a chocolate almond croissant which was "ok": chocolate was smooth, sugar dust wasn't too strong, almond wasn't overpowering. The unfortunate issue appeared that although the item wasn't heated before eating, the taste of butter was quite present...too present...making your teeth and entire mouth slick.
I wasn't too impressed with the taste or quality despite the positive reviews. If I'm around the area I may consider other options, but it won't be a priority venture. -
Review from C T.
Los Angeles, CA
7/21/2011
Small bakery. When I say small...it's pick-up only without any chairs or tables to munch away with your pastry. They close at 2pm. The almond chocolate croissant was expensive. At $3.50 a piece I think they converted the price from euros. The croissant had just too much butter and it wasn't light. No comparison to the ones in Paris. Cash only.
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Review from Tanya R.
Lakewood, CA
1/12/2011 1 photo
Lets get one this settled, you come to Le Pain Du Jour for Croissants and Bread, NOT macaroons! My mistake :(
This review rating is ONLY for the macaroons. Had an almond chocolate croissant and bannana bread pudding, both delish. Tried one of each macaroon favor they had, definately NOT worth the $2 a piece. Appearance alone, you can tell the macaroons were on the dry side with artificially colored filling. Bite and taste confirmed both. Fillings are not fresh, made from a favored power. out of the 5 i tried, some were more dry than others. To top it off, my $10 rip off came in brown lunch sack. WOW. If you want bread and Croissant come here. If you want a macaroon, go the extra 3 miles to Paulette! -
Review from Gwendolyn K.
Marina del Rey, CA
4/8/2011
OK after reading all of these reviews I had to write one. I am French and I tried their croissants, almond croissants, and the chocolate croissant and without offending anybody it is better than what you can usually find here but it only fools people who never been to France. I have been living for quite a while here and I understand very well that I am not in France, so finding real French products would be a miracle, but I am still willing to try.
Seriously their pastries are overpriced, well overpriced!!! I would understand the price if they were importing the ingredients, but they are not. So one croissant cost them maybe 25 cents and they sell it for $3.25. I call that stealing.
Finally what is the point the have a French bakery without the whole package... I mean without having French people working there, and the French atmosphere. They should have more table, newspaper and definitely not closing at 2pm.. It should be a place where people hang out. And that is the magic of a French bakery. -
Review from J S.
South Pasadena, CA
9/8/2010
Had two types of pastries. About $7. Not bad at all (said from a foreigner), but the best I ever had either. I would like to try the bread since it looked decent.
Street parking for free. A few tables inside to sit at, maybe two outside. This is more of a pick up and leave place. -
Review from Nick K.
Los Angeles, CA
11/17/2010
i love bread. Je t'aime pain
Years back, i was reading the LA Times and they had an article on this amazing French baguette baked fresh every morning in the traditional old-world style and i just had to hop on the 10 to track this place down. The store is somewhat hard to locate if you don't see the sign, but once you go inside its doors, you are greeted with that lovely aroma of fresh baked bread
Their baguettes are long, but i'll down a good three to five of them easily. The crust is crispy but the insides, oh so soft. Each time i go there, i'll buy 15~20 loaves and share with my co-workers. Already before i get back to my office, i will have eaten one loaf whilst driving
i haven't tried their other offerings yet, but i am sure they are equally exquisite as their baguette -
Review from Nairupee M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/31/2011
Small baked items are pretty good, but the baguettes seem like they are made some time around the French revolution - very dry and turn to crumbs in your hand. I gave to two tries, two months apart, so I don't think these were one offs.
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Review from James H.
Las Vegas, NV
2/2/2011
So living in las vegas dont have very many cafes such as one like this.
Its very California like I guess you can put it. We went there and when we walked in it smelled like fresh pastries and coffee! the service was great, like service at Starbucks... Well actually it was like a french Starbucks on steroids!! Except this place had the aroma of freshly baked bread and grounded coffee...
Beware it is a bit pricey, well that just because breakfast is cheaper in Vegas, but it is cali and I dont mind spending money on something that is delicious. So we got a pie looking thing, the writing was in french and my 3 years in high school gave me no help, but it was good! it was a bunch of fruit and such on top of a freshly baked crust.. very delicious.
Also I had a nutella cappuccino which was served warm in a large cup.. but not in a paper cup it was a regular cup! it was so nice, it adds some type of feeling to the morning, sitting outside in the LA morning drinking nutella coffee and eating a fruit pie i guess..
BUT.. Overall this place was very nice, and the environment was stellar! -
Review from Heather S.
Santa Monica, CA
1/7/2011
Their almond croissants are heavenly.
My only complaint is that they never seem to be open! Although, better for da booty. -
Review from Felicia T.
Santa Monica, CA
11/8/2010
I've driven by this place several times and can't believe i haven't gotten in sooner! I'm gonna have to make up on lost time.
I got a chance to try these awesome macaroons (chocolate, pistachio, orange, and cookies and cream (not sure)) and found out they were from Le pain Du Jour. BEST Macaroons Ever. I usually am not a big fan of them, but these are so yummy, i think i'm a convert.
So I immediately looked it up on Yelp, found out they'd close in an hour and sped there. They only had a few flavors left, so I ended up getting the pistachio, Hazelnut and Coconut. At $1.85 a piece it's not the cheapest. But they are the best 2 bites you'll ever get for $1.85.
I'll be going back earlier in the day, so i can try other flavors. they open from 7:30- 2 pm only. Bummer. -
Review from Jolene M.
Los Angeles, CA
2/19/2010 1 photo
Le Pain Du Jour in Santa Monica is one of my favorite bakeries. I've tried the pan au chocolat, the ham and cheese croissant and the spinach croissant, and they're all drool worthy, but the one that takes the crown is the almond croissant. Dusted with powdered sugar and sprinkled with toasted almonds, this croissant with its fluffy yet crunchy pastry shell is the juiciest (read: buttery-est) pastry I have ever eaten. Well butter never tasted so good, and for this I'll gladly take the extra calories.
After my first croissant, I was dreaming about having another one, so I asked for it for Valentine's Day. Yes, just a croissant please. My guy happily obliged (and got one for himself too along with a ham and cheese croissant).
One last thing, it is cash only and selection runs out as the day goes on. Go early for best selection. -
Review from bernadette e.
Santa Monica, CA
Updated - 5/23/2009 2 photos
OK, I'm over the whole, "Selling out by 10:30... thing". If you're open till 2PM or whatever their hours are these days, then have baked goods to sell till 2PM!
The past few times I've been there, it looks like they've been robbed! Cases are empty and they want you to buy the leftover stuff, that nobody else did and help clear their inventory for the day. No thanks. If they don't have, what I'm craving that morning, i.e. an almond croissant... I just leave. If I lose out on what I wanted that morning, then they'll lose out what they want from me-- my money.
Speaking of said Almond Croissant. They been looking less flakey and delicious and more dense and tumorous of late.
Pass on the Chocolate Almond Croissant. It looks like a fat round scone, and it's overfilled with almond paste making it wayyyyyyy too sweet.
I asked them why they are out of just about everything four hours before they close and the woman's response:
"We don't make that much, so we don't get stuck with unsold product". (I'm paraphrasing)2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/4/2009
If I want a croissant or pastry... I'm going to the BEST and that's Le Pain Du Jour!
Now that LPDJ… Read more »
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Review from liezl e.
7/28/2009
I ran across this place in my search to find a comparable croissant to Paris. They're close, but when not fresh, tend to be a bit chewy. I suppose popping them in the toaster oven would remedy that. Taste-wise, it was pretty delicious. Buttery but not oily.
I also bought a chocolate brioche. I did not care for this at all... it pretty much tasted like bread with chocolate in it.
Luckily I had cash on me as I did not know it was cash only. 7 croissants and a chocolate brioche for exactly $20. oof. Kinda pricey.
Not sure I would return. It was hard to find as the signage isn't that clear, but maybe if I'm up early enough, I'll come back for a chocolate croissant.
Parking: Street Metered parking only. Got there at 10am and didn't find it a problem finding a space or two. -
Review from Megan S.
2/6/2010
OMSMOG (oh my sweet mother of God) the chocolate almond croissant.
After finding this on yelp and realizing it's two blocks from my place, I stopped in for a croissant on my way out of Santa Monica. The nondescript store is simple - there's no coffee, tea, or cafe cuteness to this place - but one bite into that croissant made me realize that they don't need any of that to distract from the food.
I bit into crispy and soft pastry, lightly sprinkled powdered sugar and topped with thinly sliced almonds. The next bite I got a taste of the chocolate. Not too hard and perfectly married to the rest of the pastry. I can't wait to go back and try some of their other varieties.
You know that scene in Ratatouille when the food critic bites into the title dish and was transported back to childhood in the French countryside? My experience was something like that, I was so distracted I almost ran into another car. Note, do not take your first bite while driving.
It was just before 11AM on Saturday, and they still had all of their options available - I wanted the chocolate coconut croissant, or maybe the spinach and feta (what!?!) pastry but I can't justify eating more than one in a sitting.
I did, however, get their signature bread to go (which they sliced for me), and I have already sampled a small piece. It's absolutely heavenly - I can't wait to make french toast with it tomorrow.
Cash only - but there is an ATM right across the street.
The owner was there when I walked in, very kind and helpful, along with the server. Legit bakery here. I would recommend that you get pastries/bread for dinner parties, etc.
I'm definitely coming back to try each and every one. Sorry Donut King, no more chocolate croissants will I purchase from you. Of course, donuts are a different story. But they don't have donuts here - so I don't have to "Sophie's Choice" it.
Thanks to the owner for a great morning! I only wish I could have eaten it there - it's more of a 'to go' place.Listed in: Santa Monica. The Zion of…
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Review from Denise A.
San Francisco, CA
6/16/2010
I got the chocolate almond croissant, which was amazing! The best croissant I've ever tasted! It was fresh and warm. The center was soft while the outside was still flaky! Typically I am not a fan of croissants as I feel they are usually dry and lacking in flavor, but certainly not here! Amazing! Make sure you get enough, because just 1 won't satisfy you!
It was more expensive than expected. I got 2 for $7.60. However, when I paid with a $20 (yes it is indeed cash only), she only gave me only $10.40 change. Right after she gave me the change she went to the back, so I didn't say anything since I figured it was only $2, but it's the principle. That still doesn't change my opinion on how good that croissant was.
Street parking only and limited seating. -
Review from L. A.
Los Angeles, CA
1/11/2010
I just got back from France and came here searching for a legit croissant.
This is the most authentic croissant I've found in Los Angeles.
So five stars for ending my quest, Le Pain Du Jour.
The baguettes are supermarket quality as of Jan. '10 but perhaps they'll tinker with the recipe.
Also, bring cash 'cause they're not taking cards anymore, fees too high. Damn the man! -
Review from Rafa C.
Mar Vista, CA
10/22/2006
This little store front bakery has the most amazing croissants on the Westside! The fougasse (literally means "A small mine, in the form of a well sunk from the surface of the ground, charged with explosive and projectiles. It is made in a position likely to be occupied by the enemy." - go figure) has bread baked around an assortment of figs, walnuts and Gorgonzola (weekends only). They also have great sandwich bread onion bread and the typical baguettes and ciabattas, etc.
The little store has French charm and is the kind of small food business that provides a respite from the mass market food options that we available to us. ENJOY! -
Review from J W.
West Covina, CA
6/12/2009
I didn't even like croissants till I ate them in Paris, then the love affair began. This is not to say all croissants in Paris taste divine, but you definitely have higher chance of finding a good one in their neighborhood bakery. When I was there, the highlight of the day was going with my friend to the bakery around the corner of their apartment and getting a super flaky, aromatic, tasty croissant almonde... and I always took my time to 'savor every moment' with my croissant almonde :) how i miss PAREE!
Ever since then, I've been on the hunt for a good almond croissant, and all the good reviews of LPDJ on yelp has caught my attention. I brought grandpa with me there for breakfast yesterday, we got a plain croissant and a chocolate almond croissant (the almond croissant was sold out at 9:30ish on a Thursday morning :( ). The plain croissant was not bad but I wouldn't recommend the chocolate almond croissant, filling was too pasty, sugar overcame the almond aroma... and yes.. like bernadette e. noted below, you can easily mistaken it for a scone
the french lady was really friendly, and the shop had a rustic cleanness to it, looked new/remodeled? and you will find a 'towering' Eiffel tower if you look around ;)
Not wanting the free-parking to go wasted, I also grabbed a pissaladière to go. O my, Y U M!!!!! regret for not getting more, I crave for it even as I am typing this up! It's a small pizza with bread dough thicker than that of the classic Italian pizza and LPDJ's version had sauteed/caramelized onion and a single olive as toppings.... it's one of those things you can have for breakfast or lunch or snack... simple and lovable!
Definitely will go back to try the almond croissant!!!!! and the pear tart looked pretty interesting too! -
Review from Sirinda S.
Los Angeles, CA
12/29/2009
I can't remember having eaten something so delicious in quite a while. For my first visit, I tried the following...
Pain au chocolat
On first glance, I was underwhelmed by it as it was small and otherwise plain looking. But from the very first bite I couldn't stop marvelling over the perfect balance between the crispy outer crust and tender inner pastry. It was both dense but also light and airy. There was rich, sweet chocolate in every bite.
Almond croissant
I've never had an almond croissant before but the rave reviews from other yelpers convinced me that this was a could-not-miss item. It exceeded my expectations by lightyears. The croissant emitted a light perfume of almond from it's flaky, crispy, buttery crust. It was rich but not heavy and perfectly sweet.
Baguette
So far my favorite baguette is the one sold at Epicure Import's warehouse sales which unfortunately happen 6 times a year. But the baguette at Le Pain du Jour comes a close second and is available almost any day of the year.
The bottom line: I expected that pastries could taste this good. Thanks yelpers for leading me to this little gem.
Note: There's limited metered parking in front of the store. -
Review from Angela A.
Pasadena, CA
12/5/2009 11 photos
ALMOND CROISSANT - the best you can find in LA, hands down. it's so PERFECT! flaky outside, moist, buttery inside (photo). it's hard to find these made so deliciously and tender! i have found only two other noteworthy almond croissants, one is out of state, the other is in NoCali... thus making this LA's top dog!
COCONUT & CHOCOLATE CROISSANT - i was a bit skeptical that from the looks, there wasn't enough chocolate in this, but with the coconut flakes, it's actually very well balanced. again, INCREDIBLE! so moist inside... how do they do this????!!!!
TOASTED COCONUT MACARON - delicous buttery filling, crisp on the outside and chewy inside... wow, i was convinced, these guys know their french pastries. that's FERRR SURE!!
BREAD PUDDING - the owner, or was he the manager? came out as i was perusing, photographing the baked goods... caught me yelping of course haha! very warm and friendly. offered me a bread pudding on the house which he retrieved from the back... it was so moist, with semi-sweet chocolate!! YUMM!! thank you so much!
BAGUETTE - the perfect bread. delicious. crisp outside, moist inside. had this at home with some butter - you don't really need anything else! but the possibilities are endless - make a sandwich, banh mi, or with cheese... anything goes, whatever! just pure simple goodness.
COFFEE - they serve LA Mill coffee here. i didn't try it until i drove away, then found that it was cold :( oh well. it was towards the end of their day, near closing (which is 2 pm).
i wish Le Pain were around the corner from my home. it's the perfect neighborhood french bakery. i absolutely love their croissants and would love to try their other loaves. my favorite item? both croissants.
EXCELLENT - what a GEM you are Le Pain! keep up the beautiful work. -
Review from alan p.
Los Angeles, CA
2/12/2011
I am not sure what has happened to this place. Either the original owner sold the business, or they just changed all the recipes.
The bread USED to be one of the best products in LA. Very moist dense, lots of character. European, not Pepperidge Farms. Baguettes were absolutely the real deal...crisp yet moist on the inside. But a few weeks ago, my suspicions were confirmed. This was the 3rd time in a row that my baguettes were light but VERY dry. i thought they changed the flour.
This morning I bought a loaf of hazelnut raisin which I have enjoyed many times before.
It also suffered from the same problem...as did the croissant and choc. croissant. The bread was lifeless, dry, and easily burnt in the toaster in a matter of 30 seconds or so...a sign that there is no moisture in the loaf. When I tasted it, it tasted like nothing.
So, I am very sorry to say that I will not be returning. So many times in LA., the owners of fine restaurants or suppliers who make fine products, realize they could make a little more $$ by cheapening out.
What they have failed to realize by doing this, is that they just lost a very loyal customer.
AVOID...this is no longer a true French boulangerie/pastisserie. It is just another below average attempt at fooling the already unsophisticated American palette. ( I am American, btw ) -
Review from Sophia C.
7/28/2010
I'm not a cheap person but $1.99 for a bite size macaroon is kind of outrageous. By bite size I really mean bite size. I came in here and took and look and wasn't going to buy anything but then I felt bad so I decided to buy that little round colorful thing. I was expecting it to be .75 cents maybe $1 AT most and then the guy that worked there was like your total is $1.99. I was like WTF?
Anyways I gave it 3 stars because it was the first time I've ever had a macaroon and it was good. Im pretty sure you can find this somewhere else that is just as good for 1/4 the price.
Who do they think they are though? Charging 2 bucks for an oreo sized dessert. -
Review from Lissa -.
Los Angeles, CA
3/22/2009
Cute little boulangerie on a remote part of Pico. Chocolate croissant was extraordinarily good - light, flaky, moist, and full of chocolatey goodness.
Baguette was ok and extra big.
The pastries seem to be their strong suit. -
Review from Diego B.
Cheviot Hills, CA
8/7/2010
Good bread, but not french style.
Great croissants, but the baguette does not have the correct texture, crumb and taste. I dont know if it is because of the flour they use, but it is very plain. I was used to european bread that tastes like bread, and I hoped that Le Pain Du Jour would be something special amongst the flavorless white american bread, but it doesnt stand out.
So as long as you are not expecting french bread, you will get very good stuff. A step above the usual, but not quite french. -
Review from Bryan S.
Culver City, CA
7/21/2007
Fabulous croissants! Go now! Boy were we happy to find this place!!
YAY! -
Review from check p.
Oakland, CA
10/1/2008
We come down from the bay area, which has wonderful bakeries (Arizmendi, Acme, for example) to visit family, and Le Pain is always one of the stops. They are finishing a significant remodeling, but they were definitely open this past weekend.
Great croissants, fully buttery and crispy flaky (not like the buttery, but soft croissants you get at most coffee shops). I think they are around 2 bucks, or so. Our absolute favorite is the raisin snail, which incorporates the flaky pastry with a little sweetness. They never make it all the way home. The seven grain bread is just the best sandwich bread around. A little expensive, but the value is all there. -
Review from Bob S.
Santa Monica, CA
3/10/2010
Talk about local and hard to see?
This place is both. Don't be fooled by the modest exterior, the taste adventure you are about to enjoy lies within. Go ahead, pick anything and it will be good, really good.
Why not 5 stars? Prices are not clearly marked for a reason, these treats are a bit on the expensive side. But worth it from time to time. -
Review from yuri c.
1/13/2009
ATTENTION!!!!
YOU CAN BUY A REAL CROISSANT HERE.
and PAIN AU CHOCOLAT too!! oh, and thanks to the owners of le pain du jour for NOT CALLING IT CHOCOLATE CROISSANT. it was just how they should be & it takes mad skills to make these things. obviously, these guys are for real & know what is UP!!!!
the crossaints, pain au chocolat, & the chausson a la pomme were amazingly light, crispy but moist inside, and they melted in my mouth. it was so good & i am so happy to have found you!!Listed in: My Hood (Venice/MDR/MarVista), Grocery Shopping in LA
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Review from KP P.
Santa Monica, CA
2/22/2009
I've been driving past Le Pain Du Jour almost daily for several months without even noticing it so thanks to Yelp once again for helping me find a jem of a local business right under my own nose.
As an update to their hours, the sign in the window now says that they open at 7:30 am daily. We arrived around 8:30 am on a Sunday and the front door was locked but an employee soon came out front and let us in. A fantastic smell is the first thing that hits you when you walk in to Le Pain Du Jour and it immediately confirms that all the positive reviews are probably accurate. We were there for the chausson aux pommes (a flaky pastry filled with some apple sauce) which we haven't seen since a trip to Paris. Theirs was incredibly buttery and flaky but a little light on the apple for my taste so I wished I would have gotten a croissant instead.
We also took a baguette to go and tasted it on the way home and it was one of the best we've had in America. I would recommend Le Pain Du Jour to anyone who appreciates an authentic French bakery. -
Review from Jenny C.
4/14/2009
Ran across this place on Yelp and made a point to try it since croissants are one of my favorite things. I was amazed by how early they sell out. I went at 1ish pm on Friday and all the plain croissants had sold--good thing I called ahead of time and the lady was able to reserve me a choco, almond and choco almond croissant. She was super nice! Esp. for a french lady! (I had a previous bad encounter with a snotty lady at Paris Pastries on Westwood.)
I won't say they are my favorite croissant, but they are NOT oily and light. It tastes best after you pop them in the oven for a little bit so it gets its crisp back along with the melted choco or almond. The croissants are generously stuffed with filling, and the almond is especially good.
Be careful though, they are rather pricey at $3+/pastry. I'd want to visit them on the weekend when it sounds like they have more variety such as french macaroons and hopefully a filled case of pastries. Also, they're not really a place you'd sit in and enjoy. It's more of a grab and go.. kinda french-like now that I think of it. -
Review from Amy H.
Bakersfield, CA
3/23/2010
I'm going to go ahead and lavish some praise on this little French patisserie. A friend and I decided to meet for a mid-Monday morning meal somewhere in the Santa Monica or Westwood area, and I volunteered to scour Yelp to find the perfect spot. Thanks to all who reviewed Le Pain Du Jour for the great hookup.
This place has excellent croissants, pastries, macaroons, and breads. They also have coffee. That's it. No frills of any kind (other than the fantastic baked goods, of course). If you want milk, juice, or water to go with your delicious edibles, bring it from somewhere else. There is a little convenience store right across the street.
My friend and I both had two croissants. Two croissants is, of course, completely out of hand and so fattening that one should not do it regularly, but the first one was so good that I just had to get another. I had the chocolate almond croissant first. It was, as other reviewers have said, amazing. Light, fluffy, sticky, sweet, almonds and chocolate. So. Freaking. Good. Just to make sure things were as good as I thought, I had a chocolate croissant next. Yup, it was just as good.
My friend also had a few macaroons (the French variety, not the American version, although they do serve both types here). Her blueberry macaroon actually dripped a little bit of blueberry juice when she bit into it.
Definitely a five-star joint. Cash only.
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