My second favorite brunch location, it's a close second though... I've been here before so this was a repeat performance. The atmosphere is casual, with a large and very long table in the center of the restaurant that invites sitting family style. Tables appear to be unpainted wood. A country French look to me... I had a large omelette; goat cheese and oyster mushrooms with lime butter and herbs. This was without doubt, one of the best omelette I have had on my visit to this planet. The coffee was great. Served in cups that look like small bowls with no handles. They served bread cooked on the premises ahead of our meal. Also excellent.
(4)
Lillian H.
Where do I even begin? Food... over priced, horrible taste (my salmon was raw yet warm. wtf?) ice green tea was just lukewarm green tea. service: horrible. I asked for ice for my "ice" green tea and the guy just looked at me like I was asking for the moon. 1 waiter running a entire room of people while the manager just sits behind the register playing with this phone. wtf.
(1)
Erica L.
Three of us went for brunch. I got the summer special, Watermelon Cooler. I've had the lemonade here before and it was way too tart, but I couldn't resist the combination of watermelon, lemon, and cucumber. Super refreshing! As for food, the three of us shared the avocado toast, French toast, and Prosciutto, Ricotta & Fig Tartine. All three dishes were enjoyable. I've gotten the Tartine before and it never disappoints. I like to add the jam to it for a bit more flavor though! We were drawn into the French toast because the menu said that it is soaked in coconut and lime. Couldn't really taste the coconut or the lime but it was still tasty. The avocado toast was really good and way more flavorful than expected. It was pretty busy today and service was a little slow. Our waiter was friendly, but the lady who we asked for jam forgot and we eventually had to grab it ourselves off another table. Overall, the meal was fresh and delicious!
(4)
Abel H.
The waffle and the fact that you need to click one star is the only reason they get a star. Got the Belgian waffle. It was good. Got the pot of coffee. Coffee was ok. The top of the coffee pot fell into my glass as I was getting to the end of the pot. Did my server care? Nope. Probably thought i dumped it in there and made the mess on purpose. My hard boiled egg wasn't fully cooked but it took my server til the end of the meal to notice.
(1)
Albert V.
Food was tasty I enjoyed the white bean and prosciutto salad along with a cappuccino and gazpacho soup. Very much enjoyed food and service. The cappuccino was a little bland for my taste, and my coffee is worth 20% of the stars. Would definitely return though. Very reasonable pricing.
(4)
Nijole T.
Lovely brunch here with my family. Service is excellent, the space cute but a bit cramped, the tables could be a bit further apart so you are always bumping into the person next to or behind you. My husband had the ham and cheese kids plate and enjoyed it, my husband the hot ham and cheese, also very good. I went with the turkey sandwich and phone, while tasty, I was not a fan of the greens served with it and would have preferred the phone hot, not lukewarm. The absolutely best thing here is the bread, I got a baguette and some rhubarb jam to go and it was fantastic! Perfectly crunchy bread, tart rhubarb jam which was such a nice change from your average strawberry rhubarb mix you usually find in stores. I'll be back for more!
(4)
Lisa Y.
This is a great pastry and coffee shop. Came here for a girls day. We had the lemonade, coffee, raspberry tart, chocolate croissant, and cheesecake. The Lemonades weren't that sweet, which is great. The raspberry tart was good, but the raspberry jam ontop was a little too much for me, I had to scrape some off. Parking: There's free 90 min parking on de Lacey street.
(4)
Melissa L.
I've been a fan of Le Pain for years. I like the Manhattan Beach location in the Metlox the best. Although this location is convenient in Old Town, it does not have a patio that compares to MB. I've only been here for brunch/lunch. Parking: DeLacey 90 minutes free, metered street Ambiance: There's a few tables out front, but I think there's too much traffic on Colorado to enjoy. Inside, they are going for a rustic french/farm look with weathered/community tables. They also have individual tables. Service: I've been to this location about 4 times and have had good service on all occasions. My most recent visit, my daughter and I stopped by for lunch. Warning, my daughter is not a fan of this place. Any place that doesn't serve soft drinks is a no-no to her. Teenagers. BUT, she actually found something she really liked on the menu on my last visit. My favorite item is the Grilled Chicken Cobb. Yes, I crave this. It tastes fresh and I love that they use a good quality Fourme d'Ambert. Excellent. Main reason I visit. My daughter loved the Avocado Toast. She gave me a taste and it was very good. (I will need to bring my husband and son, because they will love it, too.) Other items I like: Roasted Turkey & Avocado Tartine Paris Ham & Aged Gruyere Tartine Finally, I like trying their seasonal stuff, but its always a hit or miss. Tried the Thai Chai last week; it was okay. Mine was sweeter than my daughters. Final note: they have Gluten-Free items, so I've been able to meet a friend of mine here.
(4)
Amanda P.
Le pain is a great go to place for a casual breakfast or lunch at the Americana! They have a big variety of pastries, breads, and other bakery items at the counter in the front and you can also sit down to enjoy a meal. My manager and I went after a morning workshop and we both got the yogurt and granola parfaits. She had one that was filled with banana creme, mine was more traditional made up of Greek yogurt, berries, and granola! The granola had the perfect crunch and I love that they offer a low fat yogurt option as well. My cafe au lait was a little bitter and adding two packs of Splenda didn't really help. The coffee was my only complaint but overall my experience here was great and I enjoyed my meal and the service!
(4)
Lindsey S.
While the food was as good as at any other location, the venue was cramped, loud and busy, full of screaming kids and messy uncleared tables. The wait staff was AWFUL to say the least. After standing around for 5 minutes by the front waiting to be seated, I finally had to seat myself so that someone would pay me some attention (which they still didn't). Then, after flagging down my waiter, I had to honestly wait at least 20 minutes between each time she would come to check on me or even make eye contact with me, even when I raised my hand or when she was literally at the table 1 foot away. I had to ask for a glass of water 3 times (from 2 separate servers) for it to appear (they should've just brought one anyways) and 2 separate servers for a pot of honey as well. What a nightmare. Next time I'll stick to my local LPQ.
(1)
Christine C.
This was my first time at a Le Pain and I really enjoyed it! It seems like a very welcoming place, where sitting with a glass of wine and some nibbles would be a fabulous afternoon activity on a spring or fall day. It happen to be 90 degrees the day I visited so sitting inside is what sounded the best. My food choice (frittata) was super tasty and I enjoyed every bite. My friend liked her Cobb salad too, though she wasn't fond of the fact that the bacon was on the chewy side. I would like to come back to try more items from their menu and bakery case. My problem with this place it is a bit uppity. Like, you're inconveniencing your waiter by ordering your beverage, and even though there are plenty of tables available they are quick to get you your check and scoot you out. Not many smiles are on the staff's faces, which is worrisome. Maybe if this place was less spendy I wouldn't care so much... we paid nearly $20/ea for an entree and non-alc drink.
(4)
Jean K.
Thought the food was bit overpriced. So so coffee. Goat cheese mushroom omelette was good and prosciutto tartine was OK. Casual dining w friends, not sure I would go back.
(2)
Jeana H.
Best Homemade Mint Lemonade. It's waaay better than Lemonade (the restaurant), which is going to come into Americana soon. I love LPQ's cheesecake. It's just superb. I like their salmon tartine and their soups are pretty good. Delicious toast and jam. Not a fan of their coffee but did I mention how much I love their cheesecake? Seriously, best cheesecake ever.
(4)
Winnie L.
I love Le Pain & it's versatility in it's food. I'm getting sick of brunch places that only serve omelettes, french toast & pancakes. This Le Pain is in right next to Kabuki & across from 21 choices. Food: 1. I got the Roasted Turkey Avocado Tartine (540 kcal). I'm a healthy eater so I love how simple yet flavorful this was. It's an open faced sandwich with organic sourdough whole wheat bread. It has slices of turkey (that taste amazingly fresh) with arugula, cucumber, avocado & diced tomatos & tomato salsa on top. So FRESH AH I'm craving. It came with a small little cantaloupe hehe, I love my fruit. I also got a side of organic lentils because I've never tried lentils before. It came with a slice of bread & a small lemon. It was alright. I just wanted to try what it tasted like at least once. I would order it again but it was just pricey for the amount I got! 2. My dad got the Grilled Chicken & Local Mozzarella Tartine (490 kcal). They were very generous on the portions of Mozzarella. I'm lactose so I tried the tartine without the cheese ): But still good! The chicken wasn't dry either! It also was topped with diced tomatoes, arugula, herb dressing and tomato salsa. Also came with a small cantaloupe as well. 3. My brother got the Charcuterie (560 kcal). He got it because the names sounded interesting & he didn't know what anything was except olives... haha nice to know he can be spontaneous like that because I can't! It was served on a wooden platter which I thought was totally hipster! It was prosciutto, sopressata and Paris ham served with olives and cornichons. It came with bread, so he just put the sliced meats on the bread and ate it. He said it was a bit dry so he took some of the cheese off my dad's tartine to eat with his bread and sliced meats LOL but he said the meat was interesting and good! Overall, great ambiance. I recommend sitting outside when it's not super hot. The servers were super nice :) Great environment because it's near many shopping stores so it's great to just stop by to have a quick meal.
(5)
Katrina W.
I loved this place. It is mostly organic and the food and coffee is delicious. I ordered the Vegetable Quiche and it was really good. The quiche did not have your ordinary buttery flakey crust but it was still really good. The seasonal salad was simple but delicious especially with their house dressing. I also ordered an Almond Milk Cappuccino and I loved it, I am one to like a lot of foam and it definitely did. Also the cup for the coffee is cool because it doesn't have a handle because they originated in Belgian and when it was cold the people would come to the restaurant for comfort and wrap their hands around the cup to keep them warm. I really like how they stick to their roots. Definitely would come back again.
(5)
Cesar Q.
The two stars is for the service, but the food is always on point, 4.5 stars. There has been a steady decline in the service here for the last 6 months, I'm here about once a week for breakfast. Majority of the servers here seem to be in unpleasant moods with the exception of a couple of them, it sad because the food is exceptional and it was my go to spot for Sunday breakfast.
(2)
Richard B.
I love this place for both breakfast and lunch. I had the chicken cobb salad for lunch the other day and it was one of the best salads I have had anywhere. The service is always good and the food is fresh and tasty.
(5)
Eunice K.
Came here for brunch! Having been to the same restaurant in London, I was happy with the lower prices. Located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena with a beautiful outside patio where you can people watch! I ordered the Belgium Waffle ($5.75) and was extremely disappointed with the size of the waffle - like 2 inches in diameter. And the waffle was extremely sugary, almost like eating a soft cookie. Fiance ordered the Ham Gruyere Omelette ($12.45) - delicious, but again small portions. His dish came with a variety of bread which was scrumptious with all the different types of jam provided on each table. Pot of Coffee ($3.50) - do not expect big portions! Small regular size coffee brought do you in a nice individual pot! All in all, small portions, sparse service, but a great location - smack dab in the heart of old town!
(3)
Amy S.
Very nice staff and relaxing outdoor patio dining area (perfect for the summer). Food was very fresh and good.
(4)
Kara S.
I like the open table seating and the outdoor options. The ambiance is nice and could be great for groups. I was confused what to do when I entered for breakfast. It looked like a cafe counter so I ordered. But apparently you only order at the counter for to-go orders. If you're staying, you seat yourself and wait for a waitress. I had a bit of confusion there and the dude at the front acted like I was a dummy. But while enjoying my perfectly prepared Cafe Au Lait (aka Cafe Ole, as I like to spell it), I noticed many other patrons made the same mistake and were a bit confused. I had a simple croissant and it was big, crisp in all the right places and flakey. Perfect for dipping into my coffee. I wasn't rushed at all, neither was any other customer it seemed. I regret not order brunch style actual food. The avocado on toast look delightful as did the omlettes I saw coming out of the kitchen. I will hit this place up again and try the food. But pastries? Hit the spot.
(4)
Olivia M.
Loved the Tomato and Avocado Omelette, which came with a side of salad and bread for $11.50. The food was yummy and I really liked the ambience. The service was great too and the servers were very kind and accommodating.
(5)
Ally R.
I have nothing but good to say about this place. The environment itself is really cute and trendy and they have a huge menu to cater to all tastes. They especially focus on healthy foods. There are a solid amount of vegan options available. I ordered the avocado toast and would HIGHLY recommend it. It was perfectly satisfying and tasted amazing!
(4)
Carol D.
Went here today for something sweet with the ladies. They had a lovely selection of desserts and cakes on offer. I loved the feel of the place, very homely. I ordered the strawberry cheesecake and a glass of white wine. The girls had coffee, raspberry and regular lemonades, and the raspberry tart and a pain au chocolat. Really delicious treats in a lovely environments. The staff were friendly and attentive too. The major downside that I had was the condition of their female restroom. It was absolutely disgusting. Toilet roll was strewn all overture flow and the bin in the cubicle was overflowing. While I understand it's the patrons who are largely responsible for the condition of the restroom, it's up to the establishment to keep things in cheek in there. This is why I am deducting stars in the rating.
(3)
Candace L.
Excellent service even when the place is busy busy! I'm a fan of Le Pain weather I'm dining in or picking up a latte to go. Their quinoa spelt scone with crème fraîche is phenomenal! I wish they'd bring back the vegan cherry scone but I'll keep dreaming. The tomato and avocado omelet is tasty and I enjoy the turkey avocado tartine. Really, there are very few, if any menu items you can go wrong with here. It's simple, fresh enough and delish.
(4)
Valentina L.
It is a quick stop in, if you are window or physically shopping! Being Euro, I prefer to sit on the sidewalk, or at least near it, and it was QUITE the Sunday to watch Ferraris and Lambo's ROAR by, so you know I was in heaven! ;) But hot wheels aside, I just had Jasmine tea- nothing fancy, but I kept eyeing my girlfriend's HOT CHOCOLATE which was delicious and very much like the kind I would have back home in Northern European, unsweetened and more chocolatey than sugar! My WAFFLE did come in an eye catching display, but it was only ONE, and Little V was a little hungrier than just one this past Sunday! My gf had to leave before I could order another, so I left hungry...waah! Nonetheless, it's a nice little set up for a quick bite and catch up on gossip or argue with your boyfriend depending on the type you are! LOL
One of my favorite places to each breakfast or brunch. Or if I want a waffle for dinner and just want to feel sophisticated and French. Le Pain Quotidien is a quaint little shop that appeals to all the hipsters and bohemians in town. Which is why it is directly across from Urban Outfitters and why I fell in love with it. They have the most amazing spreads: ranging down the brunette, hazelnut spread; the blondie, white chocolate spread; and at least a couple more! They have a cookbook for sale and several housemade organic jams. All their spreads and jams are for sale. They have a small bakery with a myriad of pastries and breads for sale that one can pick up after their main course. The hot chocolate is delectable and the Belgian waffle is amazing. The service was also great and got our food out to us as quickly as possible. In addition, the menu is fully stocked with offerings such as kale noodles and salads if one doesn't not desire oatmeal, toast, yogurts, or waffles at the moment.
(5)
Amihan M.
Nice brunch place in Pasadena. They welcome dogs in their patio and have delicious food (get the bread basket!) Sometimes Yelpers just get it right. Yeah, the service was off. They were friendly enough but from the beginning to end, errors in orders, forgotten utensils, disappearances. You know, just like in a Parisian cafe when you're a non-French speaking American. So a little too authentic maybe? Aside from that and if you are expecting it, it was actually a pretty enjoyable brunch.
(3)
Joanna V.
I really enjoy this restaurant! Their coffee is amazing. And their avocado and tomato omelette is delicious! They open at 7am on Sundays and I love that. Their tables are rustic and homely. Love it!
(5)
Michelle K.
Food is always good. Consistent, fresh and good service. Absolutely no complaints.
(4)
Ada F.
I love coming here and the last few times have been great. This time not so much. Food here is delicious. I love their omelets and their oatmeal. Their hazelnut spread pairs wells with their bread. They also have delicious jams. Give me a bread basket and I am all set!! This time I tried their organic quinoa taboule. Super yummy!!! If you like quinoa you will love this. It has chickpeas and arugula and avocado. It has a light dressing and a hint of mint. Highly recommend this salad. Light and refreshing; made my palette dance. Every time I have been here I felt they deserve five stars but today was a huge disappointment. Their service sucked. We were seated right away and the waitress came to take our order. After that we waited and waited and no water came to the table. After what felt like eternity she shows up with two plastic cups of water and apologized saying they are washing cups. It's warm outside so I was dying for water. The food finally arrived. That was the highlight of lunch. After we finished we waited and waited and my husband tried to get the waitress' attention but she was too busy. Today was not busy at the restaurant but all the waitresses and waiters appeared so busy. Finally she dropped by to give us our check. I hope they improve on their service. I love their food but if their service does not improve, I might have to say goodbye and head to the one at the Americana.
(3)
Gor G.
One of my favorite places to have breakfast and lunch. Their watermelon juice is amazing and refreshing, too bad it's small cup. The omelet with avocado and tomato is delicious. Service is very good.
(5)
Samira H.
There are only a few things I ever order here: the soup, the mint lemonade, the hot spiced cider (fall/winter only), and the pastries. Everything else is too dang expensive. If you're eating here and Corn Chowder is the soup of the day- DO NOT HESITATE TO ORDER IT! Le Pain's corn chowder is some of the best I've ever had. I live for what I've come to call CORN CHOWDER DAY, and will sometimes even eat it for breakfast before my shift next door at Madewell starts so I don't have to risk missing out on my beloved corn chowder. (This has happened before- I went on my lunch break and by 12:30, the chowder was gone. I cried.)
(4)
Kathy M.
I want LPQ all to myself. I want a cafe au lait, bread, and sidewalk dining table with my name on it. I want to sip my coffee with a book and an apple tart on a balmy Pasadena afternoon while shoppers come and go on Colorado Blvd and I will look up on occasion to watch a tourist squint at something. A friend walks by and we are both hungry, so we each order one of the flavorful, organic creations from the daily menu or the regular menu and smile at the server, because he/she is so courteous (and sometimes cute :-) LPQ is clean and relaxing. Portions may be a little small for general American standards, however they are tasty. Note an LPQ quirk: they do not toast their bread.
(5)
Ernest A.
This place is BAD ASS. Great food ...I love the French again,.. Eating is part of their lives... I just wish they weren't so anal... Any who...Been here several times always the best...would like to know if its what the French eat...if not ,,,still great...
(4)
Michael H.
Over Priced. Low Quality. Cold coffee for $3.75... wow! Ordered one coffee and charged for two ($7.50). Really! Croissant for $3.95. Anywhere else for $1. Why go back... Never! Why should you go? Crazy!!!
(1)
Lindy C.
Great lunch spot with outdoor patio! Enjoyed our meal...a little bit pricey, but delicious. Service was excellent!
(4)
Jen G.
First saw this in London but never got to try it. Glad they have it in Pasadena. Not to bad. Pretty good. Everything is organic. The spreads they offer were good as well.
(4)
courtney a.
I love this restaurant on larchmont and at the Americana. But the Pasadena location always disappoints me. And the reasons always have to do with the service. Last time I went I had to grab my own high chair for baby (which ended up being broken), get us our silverware from the server stand- and good thing I brought my own water because that never came. Then when the wrong order came out the server seemed to hope I would just keep it. But that is only an assumption... I used to wait tables and because of that I have a high patience for service. But the repeated bad service at this location is starting to wear on me. The other locations are so friendly and accommodating.
(2)
Hamid M.
I had avocado tomatoes omelette. It was good. I also had the Belgian waffle which i really liked. Overall good food and ambiance, but pricy.
(5)
Nancy X.
It's a healthy choice, the food is pretty yummy, but there's nothing too special here. I've come here a bunch because one of my friends LOVES this place, but whenever she suggests Le Pain, I groan on the inside. The ambiance is charming: wooden tables and chairs, and a rustic yet modern feel. But...it's pretty overpriced for what you get. However, if you're eating here, there are some yummy options: -the cookie butter!!!!!! and the chocolate spreads! Okay, these are the free "condiments" on the tables during brunch/lunch, and they're different on every table, but you can ask your server for the ones you want. I will always ask for the delicious cookie butter and the chocolate spread, then I scoop out around a 1/2 cup of each onto my plate and just eat it with a spoon as I'm waiting for my food to come. -quinoa tabbouleh: this is a pretty yummy thing. it's really healthy, so it's not insanely tasty, but it's pretty good -chicken pot a feu (spelling?) is like a fancy-ish chicken soup that comes with literally like 1/4 cup of quinoa 0_0 It's like $12 if I remember but I'm never full from this... I think all the open faced sandwiches (tartines) are overrated! They are tiny and all okay tasting...I've had the prosciutto and pear, the curry chicken salad, and the egg and salmon and I've never felt full after eating them...also they're not like that yummy either....Just go down to Euro Pane and have yourself a yummier brunch/lunch even though it won't be as healthy :p ALSO!!! the bread that comes with the food is always stale!!!!! Why?
(3)
S C.
I've been to this chain many times. First time at this location. The restaurants are always clean with great menu options...love it here! Coffee is always fresh and the food is very enjoyable. My only qualm is the service has a tendency to be on the slower side. However, I would recommend enjoyable a meal or beverage here anytime. Stacy was extremely personable and does very well with her team. I will be back here most definitely. :)
(4)
Thea V.
Delicious and healthy food! Everything is yummy and amazing! LOVE breakfast here you can never go wrong! One of my favorite healthy places in Pasadena!
(5)
Benjamin T.
I am not at all religious but one does not have to be religious to "believe in the holidays." They exist as a social happening regardless of anyone's religious beliefs... you don't have to celebrate them but their existence is not centered around "faith" or "belief." This would normally be irrelevant on Yelp if not for the annoying prick that this bakery had placed on the register earlier today. I don't care what moronic lack of belief in a non-faith related entity this "gentleman" may have... the polite thing to do when someone wishes you happy holidays, especially a customer, is to wish them Happy Holidays back. Instead, the clerk dryly replied with the oh-so-ignorant statement "I don't believe in the holidays." I've worked retail during these "nonexistent holidays" for 10 years and put up with enough prick customers that I have no patience for people being rude to me while I'm POLITELY paying their paycheck (and as a social scientist he made me want to puke) Lost a customer... that ignoramus wouldn't work for me for a day with that completely horrible idea of "customer service."
(1)
Natalie M.
Love the food here. Everything is high quality and organic, which is important to me and that is why I continue to come back. It might be a little on the pricier side but that's to be expected of an organic serving restaurant. I frequent this establishment often and every time, without a doubt, the service is terrible. Be prepared to wait approx 10 min to be greeted and another 10 min to get your coffee or specialty drink after that. Once your order is taken your food will arrive in a timely manner. The waitress I had today saw me sitting at a dirty table, but didn't come over. Her coworker noticed me and had to let her know I had waited for a while and was ready to order. She then proceeded to mess up my drink order, which I understand can happen sometimes, especially when it's busy and several orders are taken at once, but it was not busy when I was there... I really do like this place since the food is great, I highly recommend the avocado toast and smoked salmon breakfast but the service needs to improve.
(3)
Danni Shinya L.
The portion is healthy, perfect if you want to avoid over eating. Food is fresh, salads use organic ingredients. Service is not too fast, servers are polite. The flavors are clean and delicious
(4)
Ameera D.
Came here for brunch with my bestie and her boyfriend. We ordered three things, the French toast (with strawberries), Smoked Salmon breakfast and the hot chocolate. Food was good, felt a little over priced, portions were a little small, but service was good. Felt like I was eating at a farm. Waiter knew the menu well, and overall we had a good time.
(4)
Jeanette Y.
It was ok... Not bad, but nothing really that special neither. Pretty crowded on weekends and it's really loud inside.
(3)
Eve H.
My 5 yr old loved the hot choc. It was a hot cup of steamed milk with froth on top and chocolate syrup on the side so she can make her own hot chocolate nice touch. My tomatoe avacado omelet was descent but small. We were surprised by the big bill. $70 for 2 adults one child for breakfast. A bit too pricey especially for such small portions. We were still hungry after we ate. Don't think we're coming back especially when hungry. Coffee is pretty good I may only stop in for coffee but only if I happend to be in the area. Oh their hazelnut spread found on the tables is amazing. Must try that. If they dropped their prices or served larger portions I would give it a five star. But big bill for small portions I give it a 3
(3)
Albert G.
Very expensive for unimpressive food. You could get the same food at whole food for 1/10th price. Most of the menu is uncooked, just "presented" on a plate. Service was excellent and place is cute.
(1)
Simon K.
Good vive, coffee and breakfast in easy and hip location of Oldtown Pasadena.
(4)
Alisa S.
A rustic little cafe that is delicious for breakfast or a light lunch. I love the omelettes and tartines. Get the blueberry scone! Great coffee and tasty refreshments! I'm a huge fan of the mint lemonade. Service was a bit slow--it seemed like there was a lack of communication between the host and the servers since three different people tried to take our drink order. OH! The desserts are pretty frikkin' amazing too.
(4)
Justin J.
The expensive food here is extremely mediocre, if not bad. You're better off buying baked goods from a Ralphs or Albertson's bakery. My family tried many things. Our thoughts: Chocolate chip cookie was burnt--tasted like ashes mixed with chocolate chunks. The chocolate-filled croissant was stale, not to mention that the chocolate filling was only on one side, and there wasn't much of it. The macroons tasted just like the store-bought ones--why am I paying so much for the same thing? The "hazelnut stick" (breadstick) was super hard/chewy and tasted like cardboard with nuts. Just terrible, probably the worst thing we ordered. Finally, the guy who helped us was extremely rude. Seemed more inclined to work on his laptop than serve us. No hello, thank you, or goodbye--barley any acknowledgment that we were even there. Verdict: avoid this place. Overpriced, substandard food with terrible customer service to match. Go down the street and find a better bakery!
(1)
Diana I.
3.5 stars. Stopped in for a quick lunch in the middle of shopping. The place was packed and lots of people were waiting for seating. I waited about 5 minutes for a small table outside. I ordered the mint lemonade ($3.35) which came in a cute glass pitcher with mint leaves inside. It tasted clean and refreshing, exactly what I'd want a mint lemonade to taste like. Their unique specialty here are tartines which are pretty much like open-face sandwiches cut into 5-6 small slices of bread with various toppings on top. I decided to go with the prosciutto and mozarella di bufala with sundried tomatoes and basil pesto tartine ($13.45). The basil pesto was delicious and the sundried tomatoes were PERFECT. I wish there were more on each slice. It was so good that for each slice, I saved the bite with the sundried tomato on it until the end. I think without it, I could easily have gotten sick of the tartine. But overall, it was light and the portions were just right. But next time, I want to try a different kind. Service was also really friendly and attentive!
Came to Le Pain Quptidien for a meeting with a potential wedding planner, so all I had was the coffee, but I have to say the coffee was really delicious. Will definitely be coming back for another shot of caffeine here.
(4)
Allie P.
Seat yourself & the waiter or waitress will hand you a menu. My friend and I did not know if we were supposed to wait to be seated (even though there was a sign inside, lol... but after we sat ourselves we were waiting for a menu for maybe 3 minutes outside... so we then thought we were supposed to order inside then sit anywhere). It was difficult to pick out one item from their menu (wasn't sure if I wanted breakfast or lunch). NOTE: Breakfast ends at 3pm I ordered the Prosciutto Mozzarella Tartine which came in 5 tiny slices on a plate with a cantaloupe wedge, cucumbers, radishes, a few olives, and some leafy greens. The mini tartines had prosciutto and mozzarella topped off with sun-dried tomatoes and a dab of pesto paired w/ a lovely mimosa on a Sunday afternoon. Our waitress was very helpful in terms of helping me decide what to order (what else is new). I would want to come back to try the other items off their menu - Turkey, Salmon, quinoa soup special, omelets, waffles, some type of pastry so I could try the spreads they have placed out on the tables... I love eating outside! My friend and I came here on a day that was a tad bit chilly... we wanted to sit outside - they had heat lamps above :D The atmosphere was nice minus the screaming child that was sitting at the table behind us. Random loud screaming, NOT okay. Parents, please learn to control your children while they're at a restaurant - just because you're seated outside doesn't mean its okay for kids to scream and cry super duper loud that it becomes harmful to the ears.
(4)
Irene L.
They weren't too busy so I don't think my complaint is unreasonable; we came in and the hostess told us to sit and a menu would be brought to us but we sat for a good ten minutes and no one came to even acknowledge us. I went to get the menu uh myself and we sat there for another ten minutes and finally just was like forget it and left.
(1)
Saroya W.
I've been here for breakfast a few times with friends. It's definitely a fun place to grab a bite to eat either for breakfast, brunch or lunch, and wonderful to sit outside on their patio when the weather is warm and permits it. All the food is healthy and organic, so you feel as though you're eating something good for your body as well as delicious. I really enjoy getting the oatmeal with bananas, pecans and maple syrup. It's always warm and the right consistency, not too liquid and not too solid. It's a bit on the expensive side, so I can't go all the time, but definitely a great place to go once in a while.
(4)
julie l.
The egg salad sandwich was ok, a little bland, but it's probably because they ran out of anchovies to top it. Also it is strong with the parsley, so don't get it of you hate parsley. The ham and cheese with three mustards was good. Lots of cheese and lots of ham. I would get this again if I wanted a snack or small breakfast. The kids waffle was so good when it was hot and fresh. It's slightly sweet, dense, chewy, crisp on the outside. Once it cools it gets hard and crumbly. Still good, but I suggest eating it fresh. Nice environment, can't wait to come back to try the other dishes.
(4)
Chris C.
Great food and atmosphere, priced fair and service above average. Would go back when I am in Pasadena.
(5)
Lanie B.
I've only been there for lunch, so I can't comment on their breakfast or bakery (although I have tried their vegan-scramble, which was fantastic). Ingredients are fresh and tasty. My favorite is their gazpacho (and add avocado)- it's outstanding. I work nearby and regularly order their soup for lunch. They also have other vegan soups that are featured weekly that I've tried, but nothing beats their gazpacho. I've also enjoyed their sides- hummus and bab ganoush. Yes, the place is pricy, and you won't go home with leftovers, but it is quality food. Service can be slow at times. I usually order take away and call ahead. If you are dining in, the outdoor seating looks nice and inviting. It would probably be nice for weekend breakfast.
(4)
I T.
My husband and I like coming here for brunch on Saturdays. Le Pain Quotidien serves a variety of fresh, organic dishes. Their meals always comes with slices of their bread that you can spread their praline and hazelnut spread on. The food is lightly and no greasy at all! A bit pricy, but good!
(4)
Darlene Y.
This place is adorable, its perfect for brunch with friends to catch up. I came with a few friends for brunch.. well really I was late so it was more lunch. We ordered their omelette and salmon plate. DELICIOUS and fresh! Their coffee is strong just like I like it. Their set up is really cute, I can't wait to come back again and dig into their pastries! ENJOY!
(5)
Asif H.
Food was good, the Apple cider was amazing, the service dwindled. We were seated and served very quickly, but waited forever to pay. I asked for water and the check and didn't get it for twenty minutes. It's a busy Saturday morning but customers, especially ones ready to pay and leave shouldn't be forgotten!
(3)
Lilya A.
Great quality food! It's very European and you don't feel like a dying cow after you eat! Good quantity! I still can't pronounce the name!
(5)
rose S.
The bread here is fantastic. I will always come back to buy their bread to take home. I did try the cranberry scone this time and was greatly disappointed. It was dry flavorless and a waste for me. Quite sad to say the least. The macron had too much sugar. It was your typical macron. I was expecting something more from this bakery. From now on I will stick to their breads. Their salads are OK but too pricey for me. It is nice to eat organic but it is at a price. $13.95 for a small to medium size salad is too much for me. It did come with 2 small pieces of bread, very small. I was still hungry and ate a snack when I got home The service was only fair at best. It was hard to locate our waitress and I had to get up to tell the maître de to get our waitress. The waitress never came to or table to see how we were doing. I had to get another server to get our check.
(2)
Omega C.
This place is okay. I was a bit confused as to how I was supposed to eat my sandwich because they serve you the sandwiched in a flat bread style. I had the roasted turkey mozzarella with avocado, and tomato salsa. The tomatoes salsas and avocado was exceptional... You can taste the attention to detail in the food and you can see that they are conscientiousness and intently about how there ingredients are prepared. The indoor seating has large wood dining room style table which is unconventional but nice this place is definitely worth trying.
(3)
Jess R.
Le Pain Quotidien! The biggest mistake the BF ever made was teaching me the correct way to say this. Ever since, every morning that we wake up, it's "Le Pain Quotidien! Le Pain Quotidien! Le Pain Quotidien!" It is so lovely to come here for breakfast/brunch/lunch/whenever!! There is outdoor and indoor seating. The inside has lots of window light, and both private and communal tables. The food is amazing. There is a lot to choose from, and I've only had one thing that I wasn't crazy about in all of my times there. (It was the vegan quiche, if you're wondering. i'm usually a fan of all things vegan, but this was funky.) The parmesan and basil pesto omelette is a favorite of mine, as is their baguette. I love the spreads that they bring out too. Two jams, and one praline spread. (puts nutella to shame!) They consistently change the "specials" board to make the most of seasonal foods. I always clean my entire plate - that amount of food at any other restaurant usually has me feeling sluggish and heavy, but here I feel fine. I'm sure that it is the quality of ingredients that they use. There is a parking lot right around the corner on DeLacey that has free 90 minute parking. What are you waiting for? Go.
(5)
Kimberly L.
Le Pain Quotidien serves fresh, organic dishes. I would recommend the smoked salmon tartine, a Belgian open-faced sandwich, for $14.25. It is served with avocado, scallions and dill on organic wheat levain bread. Although this dish is pricier than the other items I have reviewed in the past, it is packed with the essential nutrients our bodies need.
(4)
Marina R.
I am a sucker for artisan bread so four stars for their rustic loaves. minus 1 star for your lemon tart. I expected better. The tartines are OK, the bread is what makes them good. But for the price, it's just a regular sandwich and I'd prefer to go elsewhere (minus another star). I really want to like this place but I just can't when I know there are places like Boudin and Le Boulengerie out there...
(2)
Lily T.
I understand the concept of this place, and I like the idea of it, but of course, it's a bit pricey for me to come here more than a few times a year. I got the chicken mozzarella sandwich, and though I don't like arugula, it worked really well with this sandwich, because it was subtle. I didn't like that the crust of the bread was so hard, but my coworker said that's how it's supposed to be. I also really liked that they had a piece of cantaloupe on the plate, it was a nice touch. My favorite part was the dessert lol. I'm a bakery person, I love almost all things baked. My coworker raved about the mixed berry tart, and while it was super delicious, I would rather get two fruit tarts from Porto's instead. Because the two merely delicious fruit tarts from Porto's at the same price is more worth my money than one super delicious berry tart from here. That said, I would like to come back and try the mini tarts. I have a thing for all things mini. The service was okay, but our server wasn't very nice until the end. He wasn't rude, but he definitely didn't smile or seem welcoming or any of that. He didn't seem very customer servicey. But after we let him know that he forgot to put the berry tart on the bill, he got all smiley and friendly. Maybe he was having a bad day, but still. We shouldn't have to pay for decent service; we could've just walked out without paying for the tart and let him pay out of his own pocket. I wanted to try a quiche, but when the server told me how big a quiche was (which was slightly bigger than the berry tart -_____-) I couldn't justify the price. But now I wish I would've gotten a quiche. Since there was really nothing else on the menu I wanted, I might probably come back one more time for the quiche and the mini tarts.
(3)
Amanda L.
Came in on a Sunday around noon. I got a mocha, and the bf got a hazelnut latte - both were over $4. Both coffees were good, but not hot enough in my opinion and not strong enough. I got the turkey and avocado tartine and my bf got the prosciutto tartine. Both were very tasty, but overpriced. If the prices were better, I would come back.
(3)
Sandy H.
I wanted a quick, light lunch to go. I stopped by here around 11:30, but it was already pretty busy. I ordered the Smoked Salmon Tartine. They bake their breads here, so it's really rustic and has really good flavor. THe smoked salmon was a bit too salty for my taste. It was pretty plain, just smoked salmon slices on top of their bread with a lil bit of fresh dill. I was disappointed that they didn't serve it with dill cream cheese on the side. The have a fresh array of baked goods which you can see when you walk in. I definitely want to try their pain au chocolate. I noticed they carried jars of chocolate spread.
(2)
Dorothy L.
After the last time I was here, I can't believe how overly nice I was with my first review. I was in the company of good friends and puppies, so maybe I was more willing to look past the negatives of this place. The food is not wonderful. The salmon omelet I had was so fishy, I couldn't finish it. The salad was lackluster, and the breads are hard and cold. (They could at least pretend they're warm in the microwave!) The reason I give this place two stars is for the Brunette praline spread. BUT I can just buy a bottle of that inside next time to save myself a sad food experience and paying for an overpriced meal that it TOTALLY not worth it.
(2)
Kimi P.
Yay! What a great dinner date with my best gal pal. My friend and I split all our food in half! That way we could try out multiple dishes. Love a place with vegan options! Service: Our server was awesome. Quick to bring us our food and gave really great recommendations. Side spreads: YUM. Praline spread? Apricot jam? I love these so much with my bread that I bought some from their bakery section. Organic too! Drink: Hot chocolate ~ Heated soy milk with belgian chocolate. Yay. A place that can substitute milk for soy milk! *happy camper* Food: ~ Atlantic smoked salmon tartine ~ yum. Salmon, scallions, avocado in an open faced sandwich-style. Loved it. ~ Organic red quinoa ~ I love arugula and artichoke and am always happy to find a salad that isn't covered in cheese (is lactose intolerant). Desserts: ~ Belgian-style cheesecake ~ the best part about this was the raspberry sauce. The cheesecake wasn't the most amazing I've tasted, but it was delicious. And the raspberry sauce complimented it so well that all of the cheesecake disappeared into our stomaches. ~ Belgian waffle ~ YUM. the sugar in it... so delicious. Felt like another meal though ^^ I could see myself eating this for breakfast and being happy.
(5)
Victor R.
What a disappointment today, as bad on this second visit as it was good on the first last month. Food is good here, though somewhat pricy and portion size-challenged. Service today, however, was surprisingly dismal--even after the lunch hour when we were there: Our waitress was very nice and we liked her at first, but she was not well-trained, well-supervised or well-versed in the ingredients and components of the dishes we considered. Furthermore, (and this is the nub of our complaint), (1) we had to ask for bread, which when it arrived was rather dried out, (2) had to ask a passing waiter about availability of the complimentary confitures/jams/jellies which constitute the "signature" of this Belgian bistro and even then get up and serve ourselves, (3) there was no offer of additional bread, refills on the iced tea, or dessert --again, we finally flagged down a passing waiter to bring us the dessert menu because our waitress had earlier gone MIA, and (4) worst of all, during the entire time we were in the restaurant--about 40 minutes--we watched an employee stand chatting and laughing with some friends at a nearby table while we searched the horizon for our server--we learned before leaving that she was the manager! Managers should manage; perhaps the staff would then be better trained and more diligent in performance of their duties. We will avoid this restaurant until staff and management are under better control.
(3)
Derrick C.
Decided to check this place out with a friend as we came across it walking through oldtown pasadena. The environment was pretty relaxed with a semi rustic feel to it. You could sit outside and people watch as your eat. As for the food, i ordered the prosciutto and mozzarella di bufala which was amazingly good and delicious. Everything complimented each other perfectly in flavorful harmony...not even sure if thats a word...lmao...but thats how i felt. They also have an array of spreads which is mouthwatering good. I will def be back again
(4)
Alice K.
Short & sweet: Service: 2 Food: 3.5 Wait time: 5 Price: 2 Cleanliness of bathroom: n/a I often think in terms of "net worth" : What is the total value of ABC? Sometimes I pay more for what other people view to be of little significance because it's simply worth more to me. In the yelp world, I sometimes go out of my way to go to a certain restaurant/ cafe, incurring extra costs of gas and spending more time because of reasona 1-2-3. Le Pain Quotidien was a-ok: not horrible, not great. Would I come back? Most likely not. My salmon + avocado + dill tartine was good, but not $13.95 good. And after having eaten it, I felt a-ok, along with feeling a little disappointed and a little ripped off. It was almost as if I was robbed of a truly fantastic dining experience. I equate Le Pain Quotidien to Panera. Overpriced for very average food. Surely there is more to life than this. .
(2)
Jacqueline M.
The tartines we had were poorly conceived, bland and very disappointing. The chai latte I ordered was essentially spiced water. The food and beverages were obscenely overpriced.
(1)
S K.
"A~OK" I've been itchin to get out of Downtown recently. I love living here, I do. I have my favorite restaurants, my bartenders are my friends, my favorite beauty supply store, and my lil bodega where they know my name. I have the man that I love a half a block away from me but, sometimes I wonder what's out there. Like dipping your toes in a cool pool. You're not sure if it's worth getting soaking wet. Saturday afternoon.... The Man sensed my need to dip my toes. He suggested we go out to Pasadena to do a lil shopping and have a light lunch. I remember going to Le Pain over on Melrose numerous of times and really enjoying their simple open faced sandwiches with yummy cornichons. It took me back to the light fares one would have on a Parisian street. The breads were always crusty on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. Emmm... Le Pain in Pasadena is similar to the one I remember. The Butternut Squash Soup was warm and creamy. The Quiche Lorraine was a bit dry but was still flavorful and nicely portioned. Tho, I must say, all of the dishes were a bit under seasoned. A long communal table in the center and small tables surrounding it makes the space a bit cramped but not uncomfortably so. The service was a bit ditsy but polite. After a satisfying lunch, we were off to do some shopping. I failed. Well, actually... the shops failed. What happened to this street? I remember there being many more boutiques. Now, it's like walking into an open mall filled with cheap tchatchkes and even cheaper mass produced clothes. Yuck. Well, there was Tiffany's but The Man had horse blinders on walking passed this one and only shop I was interested in. Maybe one day....
(3)
L And J L.
Overpriced and they refuse to heat up any pastries. Our party of four ordered two pain au chocolat, a blueberry muffin, and some bread. We asked that these be warmed up/toasted, and the waitress refused. It's apparently against the owner's policy to heat up any baked goods. If they had just come out of the oven, this would have been fine. But instead, they were all cold. The chocolate in the pain au chocolate was a solid block instead of the warm, gooey potential that it had. What a stupid business model to not allow customers to have something as basic as toast in a place that serves breakfast. Really? The coffee was good, but we paid over $30 for four coffees and four cold pastries/bread. We like to support local, non-major-chain restaurants, but this was a big disappointment.
(1)
Mae A.
The Fig & Proscuitto tartine, salmon tartine were wonderfully fresh and tasty. The organic decaf coffee was the best I've had. I'll keep going back to this place.
(5)
Alex L.
A nice place for lunch in Old Town. For the health nuts in the area or those who love organic foods, this is the place for you. Everything is prepared fresh and in an expedient manner. The setting is nice too and it definitely is a place you can take people out to. As for the food, I ordered the Chicken roasted mozzarella and my friend ordered the Smoked salmon avocado. The chicken roasted mozzarella was quite fresh and while I would have liked the chicken to be a little more tender it was still quite good. The smoke salmon avocado I could not like as much. It wasn't that the smoke salmon was not good. Just that the avocado didn't match with the item in my opinion. That's probably just a taste issue but food pairing is important especially when you're paying not a cheap price. Of course, it's Pasadena Old Town for organic food so keeping that in mind I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Could I give it a little higher, maybe. But it didn't wow me as much as I would have liked.
(3)
Cindy L.
Loooooove the communal table! I've never tried eating alone at an actual sit down restaurant before, but if more restaurants had a communal table, I would definitely consider solo dining. Always wanted to try this place, with its fancy "I still can't pronounce it" name. Food was kinda meh though. I was definitely not impressed with their tartines (open faced sandwich I can make at home? I had the rustic tuna with white bean). I understand the pricey-ness because of the fresh/organic ingredients they use but man, the portion size was uber small. My friend also picked up some additional pastries to take home. We tried a little bit of the scone (I think it was Parmesan something...) and it was meh also. Service was friendly, kinda slow, and I think one of the server was confused and almost gave us someone else's drinks order (we did sit at the communal table). I'll probably be back, to try something else on menu (their omelettes looked delicious! totally should've gotten that instead!) and maybe the copious amounts of desserts on display.
(3)
Melissa R.
Cute lunch place! Nice outdoor seating, spacious indoor seating, and free wifi! Although it's a bit on the pricier side for salads, the food is delicious. I had the tuscan white bean & prosciutto salad with arugula, parmesan and basil. While I realize this is a bean salad, it was a bit heavy for me so I asked for more arugula, less beans, and the proportions were just right! The employees seemed friendlier at the Westwood location.
(4)
Antho L.
I think the prices here are a bit high for what you get at Le Pain Quotidien. I ate here for dinner and ordered from the list on the special menu on the chalkboard on the wall. I felt like a salad so they had a Moroccan Chicken Salad but the price was $15.75. I wasn't sure whether I could finish a huge salad but it sounded good and nothing else really seemed all that appealing to me so I went ahead and ordered it. Boy was I disappointed when my server brought my order out. The salad portion was in my opinion rather small. It was the size of a half salad at CPK. It also came with a two pieces of bread. I was somewhat in disbelief and said to the waitress, "wow , this is really small. This is going to go on Yelp" She kind of agreed with me and nodded. The salad was composed of chicken strips mixed with a tomato-based sauce with a few chickpeas mixed in. It was pretty tasty but I thought it didn't have enough arugula to be a salad. I think my waitress mentioned something to the manager because he stopped by and set some olive oil on my table. He asked if everything was okay and I mentioned that I thought the salad would be a lot bigger for $15.75. He said that it used to be but they felt it was a hearty and rich salad that was really filling so they made the portion smaller to keep the calories lower for everyone. I was going to quip something like "but it looks like you didn't lower the price" or something to that effect but I bit my tongue and just smiled. He said he could give me some more arugula if I wanted and I said yes, please. One of he runners delivered a small coffee cup of extra arugula and another piece of bread which was much appreciated. The chicken mixture had a nice taste to it but even with the extra arugula given to me, I still think it needed slightly more. I admit, I did like eating the bread and trying the three spreads that was on my table. One was a strawberry jam, another was I think an apricot jam or something and then there was a Nutella-like spread. Out of the three, I liked the strawberry jam which had big chunks of strawberries and looked home made. I also enjoyed the Nutella spread. I think they have good offerings here but I also think there's not really a value here for what you get because the prices are so high. If you don't mind paying "euro" prices, then come here because the food is tasty and everything seems fresh here.
(2)
Clement H.
Our. Waitress Tara was not wearing a name tag. I have to ask for her name. She managed to serve clients who came after us first. She felt sarcastically bad about it but her facial expression showed I don t care. This place news to have basic retraining their staff.
(1)
Mike E.
The omelettes, bread and pastry are great. Three stars because service has deteriorated over the last year: long waits even where there are open tables, slow service, incorrect food orders, waiters spill stuff, the coffee tastes weird. We'll keep coming but there has got to be a better breakfast/brunch place around.
(3)
Lanie J.
I cancelled my order and walked out. It was 3:30 - definitely not busy The patio was FILTHY. There were no clean tables, so I chose the least dirty one. The manager came out and 'cleaned' a table next to me by wiping all the crumbs and straw wrappers onto the chair and ground. Across from me was a table with soggy coffee soaked napkins under it as well as a to go soup container. Next to me were more dirty napkins, pieces of dirty cardboard and a gum wrapper. When I was presented with silver wear with crud stuck on it, I left. I manage a restaurant. If this were how mine looked, I'd fire myself.
(1)
jonie b.
Eating here is an experience, communal seating, dining hall atmosphere. There are also tables for those seeking your traditional sit down privacy, or if you are a telecommuter working on the road. That being said, If your looking to get a fairly quick bite to eat and attentive service this is not your place. The average dine in time is once you are seated, is aprox 45 minutes. often times you will have to ask for your check. It sometimes feels as if the wait staff isn't really interested in being there (which we all have those days) but they wear it on their sleeves, and it comes through with their service, or lack there of. Don't get me wrong, they are always nice, but they lack hustle and a sense of work pride. However, if you're looking for a place to people watch and don't have any place to be, this might be a good fit for you. Food is always good and fresh.
(3)
Cindy L.
I've found my new favorite drink -- ask them to blend the mint lemonade and the sparkling hibiscus tea. Its such a yummy and tart blend of those flavors minus the soda. It literally kicked ass and did a kapow in my mouth. I may have actually jolted as I tasted it. LPQ is basically my office headquarters. I love coming here in the morning and having a cup of coffee or tea and getting ready for the day. All the food is organic and so good, and they play classical music here!!! They always give a cup of water for dogs, so my pup comes with me. Dogs allowed in patio area only. Some items I like: Chorizo and cheddar omelette Paris ham and gruyere croissant. Strawberry mimosas! Chia seed pudding (made with coconut milk and topped with fruit puree) Quinoa currant scone w fresh cream and jam
(5)
Carla R.
Restaurant has a nice ambiance. Food is pricier than your usual breakfast place. One tea bag in a small fancy ceramic teapot costs $3.40! Serving is good for one person only but the food is tasty. The jams are oh so heavenly especially the apricot one. You can buy the jams too. Didn't fancy the belgian waffle though, too sweet!
(4)
Celeste W.
My favorite meal here is the turkey and avocado tartines. It is the perfect balance of flavors. Huge fan!
(5)
Kevin J.
Le Pain Quotidien is quite the charming, French cafe chain. The place was pretty packed for Sunday brunch, but our whimsical visit didn't result in too lengthy of a wait. Our waitress was really nice, and on time with food and water. The food is a bit over-priced, but I guess it's the French ambiance/dining experience. Their menu isn't too long, with bunch of variations of different main dishes (ie. tens of types of tartines, etc...) I ordered the ham and cheese tartine. As mundane as it sounds, it was served open faced, with sliced cucumbers and radish, a few olives and little pickles, and a small well of three types of mustard. Very French. I love how they have signs up, telling you the proper way to eat a tartine...but I guess my instincts kicked in, and I picked that sucker up and chowed down on a simple, yet yummy, brunch! I would say this: if you haven't been, try it. Lots of people here with their loves for a cute, little Sunday brunch date. Also a good number of foodies/Yelpers around taking pics and sharing every bit of their food. If you've been...you might agree with me when I say that I wouldn't be back. Not because the food is bad...but there's plenty of other places better suited for weekend brunch.
(3)
Karen K.
Pricey and not that great. They didn't warm up my brioche. It was pricey, and not as large or tasty as 85 Degree's Brioche. The tartine was dry, and the flavors were not that great considering the price. They charged over $12 for a slab of bread with egg and smoked salmon, and it doesn't taste that great. The chairs are also uncomfortable, and mine was a bit rickety.
(2)
Marissa B.
Went here for brunch with my friends who are all positive people :-) I ordered the sardines with jalapeño and herbs and it came in a can and wasn't the best choice! I was tempted to ask for a switch to a quiche, but just ate it and vowed never to order it again. I was bummed that the waiter didn't allow me to switch and just passively asked if I wanted something else. Oh well. Watermelon cooler was excellent and it was watermelon and cucumber. I tried my friend's lentil soup and quiche and it was delicious! This place was crowded so we sat inside.
(5)
Sandra C.
I was walking around pasadena hungry and this spot looked nice so i decided to check it out. Customer service was great, the enviroment of the restaurant was very cozy. I wouldnt recomend if youre not into organic food. There is also a bakery up front which was great!
(3)
cigar l.
I don't like it. Everything I ordered is not so fresh. Salmon avocado tartine 4small pieces for $15 is I can't even bite through the crust. Waffles is ok but unacceptable garnish mint leaf. It's dying. If u don't have a fresh mint leaf I think u don't need to put it on top of the cream. It makes the waffle looks soooo sad and not inviting.Overpriced watermelon juice. Service is very inattentive.staffs seemed not happy. Take a long time to hand us a menu. Have to ask for it. I like the one on Robertson better.
(2)
Dee K.
My first time trying this place out and I am a fan! This place is a short walking distance from where I work and I always pass by it during my midday walks with my coworker. I finally had the chance to try this place out with a friend over the weekend and I am pleasantly surprised that such a healthy restaurant exists in Pasadena! As usual, let's break it down: Service: 4/5 We got seated right away for a Saturday brunch. Hostess was nice and our server was wonderful. Food: 4/5 Surprisingly good for healthy dishes! I ordered the Turkey and avocado tartine and it was delicious. The dish was basic and probably something I could make but something about the tomato based spread made me so partial to it. The only thing I would change is the plate the tartines were placed on. It's basically a cheese plate and was so small. Things kept falling off. Parking: 3/5 What did you expect? It's Pasadena. Parking in a nearby parking structure or on street... I on the other hand work on Raymond and I have a monthly pass for parking so I just walked over here. Might seem far to others but I enjoy walking :) Overall: Good one. I'm a fan!
(4)
Elsa P.
Loved the food but the service sucked!! We waited soooooo long for our food it was ridiculous. We arrived at 9:00 and left at 11:30.....we sat for about a half hour before anyone approached us. The food was great but not worth the wait.
(3)
Jennifer D.
Had brunch here for the first time the other day and had a really nice experience. The prices are somewhat more expensive compared to other brunch places but everything we had was pretty tasty and healthy, which is probably their selling point. Everything is really simple, so I think if the prices were a bit more affordable for what it was, then I'd be happier.
(3)
Jessica N.
Rustic-style organic cafe with vegan friendly options. There were so many options for brunch I couldn't decide! I asked my friend if we could get a sweet and salty dish and share and he told me to stop mooching and eat my own food. :( I got their mushroom & goat cheese omelette that came with onions & bell peppers. I don't like goat cheese or bell peppers and they were happy to take out the peppers and substitute with chedder. The omlette that came out was super yummy. It included a small salad, some of their signature bread, and pesto sauce. Their pesto sauce was to die for, seriously. Pesto usually comes out to be a distinct but mild flavor, but I think it was the amount of basil & garlic they put in that really made it pop. It was so addicting, I started dipping everything I could into that sauce. My friend ordered their seasonal special plate of smoked salmon. When it came out, it was a plate of just that: a plate of smoked salmon with salad & bread. In the end my friend put cream cheese, salmon, & their capers with lemon on top of the bread. I think this dish would've been much better if they replaced their normal bread with a bagel. It's not that good to eat by itself, as savory as smoke salmon is. The jam we had that day were cherry, rhubarb, & chocolate hazelnut. The last time I was here, I tried their belgium waffle, soooo yummy. My regular will by the waffle, but some of their items are seasonal, so it's always different when you come in here. And you'll know they'll use the best ingredients for it.
(4)
Sam F.
Stopped by to grab some brunch to go with my bf on Sunday morning (^-^) We walked in and the place was already packed at around 10 AM. We parked in the nearby structure right behind the fondue restaurant which has FREE parking for 90 minutes. Hell yes Old Town Pasadena you rock. The inside of the restaurant was really busy but we just went straight up to the counter to order to go. If I was going to eat here I would have liked to sit outside because it was quite loud inside and the weather was just so nice it would have been lovely to relax and sit outside while pretending you were in a nice Parisian cafe. Anyway the girl who took our order was obviously new because she didn't know how to operate the register. Even so, we gave her the benefit of the doubt and she made it through our order with a bit of help from her manager. Not really a big deal. Everyone was really nice and friendly, yay staff! I had the pain au chocolate (NOM!) one of my favorite treats that apparently is considered a dessert (whoops ate it for breakfast haha). The pastry was great and it had just enough chocolate to satisfy me. I also ordered the steel cut oatmeal which came in a BIG container. I think they made it with milk because it was really creamy and yummy; I didn't need any brown sugar or anything on top it was so good! My bf ordered the turkey and avocado sandwich which we thought was kind of pricey but there were 3 large pieces inside the box! YAY! He really enjoyed the sandwich and they added some cucumber slices and a melon as well. Definitely want to come back and try their quiche and other items. Oh and they of course have legit bread you can buy, we saw one guy order half a loaf and they cut it fresh and put it through an awesome slicing machine for him. So cool.
(4)
Cecilia R.
Amazing coffee, low acidity and taste great. The coconut macaroon, is a fluffy yummy goodness . It has a crispy outside and you can taste all the fresh coconut mixed in with the bread. FYI: Food is so good, it's a little wait sometimes. I've also tried other baked goodies that are sooo good and fresh. The attention to detail is outstanding. Great customer service from the tall dark handsome guy.
(4)
Lauren C.
We stopped into this place as we were dropping a friend off for work. Yelp pointed it out as a great lil brunch spot nearby. We were NOT disappointed! We sat down outside and were promptly greeted by our server. We ordered the mushroom and goat cheese omelette, whole wheat french toast with strawberries, a paistry, and oatmeal to split between the 3 of us. Each and every bite of food was more delicious than the bite before. It really was a great brunch voyage. We also got coffee which was brewed in small little pots which kept the cup tasting fresh, and avoided that 'bottom of the pot' taste. They were able to accomdoate soy milk, rice milk etc. Impressive. The only downside is that i was seated underneath of a heat lamp, yet it was pretty toasty out. I thought i was having hot flashes before I realized what was going on. We asked the waitress to turn it off, and she obliged, but it took a while to figure out why I was so toasty. I thought it was the coffee!!! All in all, this was a quick brunch on a whim, but a delcious one that I would recommend to all.
(4)
Claire J.
Love this place for breakfast and lunch. A little on the pricier side for basic bread type stuff, but what can you expect for Old Town nowadays. The bread products are pretty par for the course. Good stuff but nothing thrilling. What is thrilling is the speculoos! I could eat this stuff all day long! You can put it on anything and make it taste other-worldly. Seriously. Smear it all over your stale bread, and you will polish it off. Personally, I don't like overripe (read: spotted) bananas, but put some Le Pain Quotidien speculoos on it and I'm in business!
(4)
N G.
I have been coming here since it opened. I was very excited to see them in Pasadena because I had been in the Europe locations and loved it. It's been fine until maybe the last year. Every time I go in now, I ask myself, "why do I come back"?? It's like taking abuse from relatives. The service is really bad. Food doesn't come out for at least half an hour on a Monday morning where there's only about 10 people there and a few waiters. I had to go inside to get what my husband asked for, and my favorite dish that comes with avocados, had black avocados on it. Really?? When I showed it to the waitress, she was like ok. Then I had to go fetch her for the bill. My family calls this place "moms favorite place" NOT anymore. They actually don't like the foo foo food being served and it costs an arm and a leg. That weekend, my daughter took me to Central Park on fair oaks and service was great and food not bad. I had seen that place for years but finally went in.
(2)
wendy m.
Great little brunch/lunch spot with a large selection of breakfast staples as well as a great offering of specialties. My husband has Celiac and can't eat gluten and on a friends recommendation he ordered the seared quinoa cake. It was beyond delicious! I am a huge meat eater, the type who doesn't think a meal is complete without it, but I was sold on the first crispy savory bite. I ordered a ham and gruyere croissant which was lovely but was definitely more interested in his dish. It's on the pricey side but I appreciate food well done and will pay accordingly. This dish was well worth it, we will be back!
(4)
Steve X.
I owe it to yelp to update my review. First, my "usual" in the prompt service is still true. I've been coming here less and less because as I try more items, the less I'm impressed with the menu. I guess I got lucky with my first few visits. Same with service. For some reason its been going downhill and others who've been coming here have noticed also. Today for example, the manager was non-nonchalantly "training" someone on their first day. I thought to myself "luckily I ordered an Americano" but hey - not only was the manager pointing out simple mistakes she was making, and laughing, but just not really paying attention in general either as he started fumbling with his phone or something. I walked away with what tasted like half an espresso and a bunch of hot water and quite the disappointment. The prices are certainly above average and you don't expect this type of inconsistency and lack of professionalism. My first impression was wrong and I really dont even come here anymore. Aux Delicies next to Cheesecake Factory is a lot smaller, more cozy, more reasonably priced, and they never screw up my coffee drinks.
(1)
Natalie M.
Communal tables. Freshly baked artisan breads. Fresh organic ingredients. Specialty spreads and jams. What's not to like? It's a little slice of Europe. I've tried items from their breakfast and lunch menu and while the food is light, healthy, the portions are just right, nothing is spectacular. Maybe I have yet to try their "crowd pleaser" dish but I haven't been wowed thus far. The service is pretty good, very friendly staff, the outdoor seating area is nice overlooking Colorado blvd., prices are reasonable so I'll probably be back to try some more menu items. I really want to like this place. Stay tuned...
(3)
Eden R.
Ok so I have been working in old town Pasadena for almost a year and today was the first time I stepped foot into this place and let me tell you I wish I had a lot sooner ! My latte is delicious I also ordered an apple turnover ! O M G can you day d e l i c i o u s! I mean I'm sucker for pastries so ... You've won my heart LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN
(5)
A S.
This is a review for their delicious chia muffins. I ordered a dozen on short notice and without any hesitation they were able to accommodate me. Thank you Ingrid for taking good care of me. See you in the very near future.
(5)
Sophia B.
Pretty solid joint! Loved the avocado toast with the watermelon cooler. Great place to take a break from shopping and escape the heat in an air conditioned space. I wouldn't have guessed that this place is a chain; it doesn't have that dreaded "chain" feel. Much better than hitting up a Starbucks.
(4)
O H.
Saturday evening the restaurant was empty except for a couple finishing up a meal, outside patio had several tables with dishes from previous customers and two couples consumed in conversation watching all this and waiting for a busboy or server to clean a table I became frustrated. Went inside and looked for any employee and finally a young lady appeared and was told to have someone clean a table in the patio. I waited a full 7 minutes before a male server appeared bringing dishes for waiting customers. He finally cleaned my table and I immediately asked for clarification on the dishes. He was the only server/waiter working! I ordered a small salad and a sandwich - ham and cheese - the salad was tasty, but the portion was small - the sandwich was an assortment of slices of ham, cheese on bread wedges. On top of these wedges were olives, tiny pickles and a dried tomato! The wedges were dry and I asked for mayonnaise - "sorry we are an organic restaurant and we don't use mayonnaise." I asked for any spread to make the sandwich more palatable and the server running around managed to bring me some mustard that made the sandwich bearable. I noticed several people entering the patio area looking for a place to sit, some went into the empty restaurant and no one attended to them. Very troubling the lack of employees to attend to customers. The food was palatable, nothing exciting or worth writing more about, while I must give kudos to the server for his valiant effort at attending to the customers and cleaning tables. Lesson: if the restaurant is empty stay away - if you want pastries there are many other fine places in Pasadena. Hungry go elsewhere....Le Pain is a Pain!
(2)
Keila N.
My daughter's been wanting to go here for some time, and she finally put in on our agenda today after school. The chicken cobb salad is the best cobb salad hands down. No one even comes close. The salmon tartine didn't taste fresh. The service was inattentive and sloppy.
(4)
Ghassan R.
It is a shame to see the deterioration that had taken place in the quality of the bread and overall food here. That was the only close place for us for a good baguette. They said they are getting similar complaints from other customers. Hope they will fix it.
(2)
Trina L.
It was my first time here. I've always passed by the place but never ventured inside. But, I was watching TV and this place was featured on it showing fresh ingredients with a rustic setting so I thought it would be a nice place to try for a later lunch, early dinner. The communal tables seem very welcoming and homey. I tried the quiche Lorain, which had ham, Gruyere & leeks with a mesclun salad and a basil pesto dressing with a side of cantaloupe! The portion was just right. The service was very friendly as well. I was gonna get a tea drink but something came up and I didn't have time to get it, but definitely will return to try it.
(4)
Jessie W.
It's an ok place. A bit overpriced but they have a good variety of food. Coffee is just ok.
(3)
Mary Anne D.
Meh, this place is just ok. We came for lunch and grabbed a seat on the patio. The waiter was friendly, but overworked so we sat for about 15 minutes before ever seeing a menu. My hubby ordered the tuna tartine and I had the paris ham and gruyere. The sandwiches were well prepared and tasty. The problem...they were $13(including tax). For a grand total of $40 my hubby and I had two lattes and two sandwiches. Mind you these sandwiches were good, but felt a little flimsy and there were no sides that came with our meals. I'm more than happy to pay $13 for a hit you over the head with flavor, packed, hearty sandwich (and a side of fries/fruit/chips!). But, at the end of the meal I felt I could have run down to Ralphs and bought all the ingredients used (probably for under $13) and made the same small sandwich sans sides. I would mmmaayybbbee try Le Pain Quotidien again, perhaps for breakfast. But in case you couldn't tell from my exaggerated maybe, I say this with great hesitation. When you walk away from a restaurant you should be left with the memory of a delicious meal, not thinking "what the hell did I just spend $40 on?"
(3)
Seta A.
Nice side-walk cafe in Old Town. Be careful, it adds up... cappucino, omelette, a croissant, the delicious breads with those amazing nutella like spreads, and you're coughing up close to $30/person for a quick breakfast! The food is organic, and taste is refreshing. I prefer the American coffee to the cappucino, whiich sometimes is watery. Love their omelettes, and light salads. If you're lucky to be seated outside on a nice sunny day, wonderful. Inside, not so much- it gets waaay too noisey with the communal tables.... But I do go back often, just 'cause I love to think I am in Europe!
(3)
Jeff K.
Under-staffed, but worth the wait in terms of the food. In all honesty, the food is really the most pertinent aspect of any dining experience; however, time is valuable.
(4)
Kalia C.
Coming here is probably the closest I'll ever come to feeling like I'm a fancy Parisian, without having to leave the 15 mile radius of my house. Not going to sugar coat it - it IS expensive. But, it is a LOVELY place to come for a light breakfast. I overheard a couple walk out saying, "I thought this was supposed to be a bakery." -- Yes, I suppose it is. But it's masquerading as a coffee shop/ gourmet restaurant too. When you pass by, you can't help but smell the bread, or notice the rustic interior design, golden lighting, and the cute little pastries in the window. I've passed by this place for years. YEARS. Without stepping foot inside to actually look at the prices or the menu. It just seemed so... fancy. Too fancy, perhaps, for my budget. And in some ways, it still is. But now I know exactly where I want to go to treat myself...and I do. I love to get tea or coffee - because they serve it with a really cute set of pots and cups...all stamped with their signature logo, of course. And bread... the bread basket is fun. It's too much bread for two people - but just right for four or five. Comes with an assortment of jams, jellies, and my favorite - the hazelnut spread (which is like heaven in a jar). Take your mom here - or your aunt -- or maybe your girlfriend. She'll love you for it.
(4)
Anthony N.
***Le Pain Quotidien's tartines make for a satisfying light lunch in the $10-$13 range; I have had a few of their tartines and their prosciutto and mozzarella is my favorite*** I have been to three Le Pain Quotidien locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Brentwood) and I am little mixed on them. The decor (kind of a rustic French countryside style) is nice enough and the food is pretty decent. I have not had great things here though and for this style of cafe and the prices charged, I prefer the sandwiches more at La Brea Bakery, Joan's On Third and Huckleberry. That being said, my recent experience at the Pasadena location was my best so far. Le Pain Quotidien does not feature sandwiches but tartines (open faced sandwiches). They have a wide variety of flavors/ingredients, but the prosciutto and mozzarella I had here would easily be the best one I've had to date. The prosciutto was good. It had a delicate flavor and it was not too salty. The mozzarella was nice and creamy and I really enjoyed the garnishes. The sun dried tomatoes were great as were the fresh basil, radishes, basil pesto, cucumber, and salty olives. The tartine was fresh and flavorful; it was light too. I also got one of their mini desserts to go (a mini brownie) and it was good. The brownie definitely had a chocolatey brownie flavor and it had a light texture. While the brownie was not incredibly moist, it was not dry either. Service was pleasant and polite. There were times when the service felt a little inattentive, but it was good overall. The food also came out quickly. A lot of their tartines are right around $10-$13. Though the portions are not huge, the prices are not too unreasonable especially given the quality ingredients being used. All of the tartines I have had at Le Pain Quotidien have (at the very least) been decent and this last one (prosciutto and mozzarella) was good and would be something I would order again. While the tartines at Le Pain Quotidien are not incredibly filling, they make for a satisfying light lunch. Street parking can be difficult to find around here, but you will be able to find an open space if you do not mind walking a little.
(4)
Tiffany L.
Came here for a late breakfast with my friend. We decided to sit inside since it was a little cold outside. Service was a little slow. Our waitress seemed overwhelmed and wasn't very helpful. My friend was the one who got up to get us menus because no one came to help us. She also went to another table to get the jams because our waitress never brought it when we asked for some. She also got our drink order wrong. The food was average. We shared a French toast and chicken chorizo and cheese omelette. The French toast was a little lacking and definitely smaller than I thought it was going to be. The omelette was average, I thought it needed more spice. The bread and jams were good though. The bill came out to be about $23 total before tip. Will I come back? Maybe, but not to eat in. They have some delicious looking pastries on display by the front counter.
(3)
Christy L.
Perhaps I ordered the wrong combination of food when I ate here last Sunday around 11am. After hearing such good things about their Belgium waffle, this was a definite dish that was on the list to order. Since it's a la carte, I wanted to add sides of ham which came with pickles and fruits. Their huge selection of breads caught my curiosity so went ahead and ordered the bread basket which came with juice and coffee. After waiting for 15 minutes, we noticed that other tables that sat after us were already being served. The server quickly responded to our concern and our dishes came out soon after. The bread basket had 4-5 different types of breads which I thought were just OK. The belgium waffle looked like a kids size serving but after taking a bite of it, I was fooled by the size. It was quite heavy and had a thick cake consistency. I liked the different texture and flavors this waffle carried and would order it again. The ham dish was nothing special and felt it was way overpriced. What makes me give this place only 2 stars is due to their lack of attentiveness and service. I asked three different servers for a cup of ice and every single request was either forgotten or ignored. After waiting patiently for 10 minutes, I just left. Despite the busy rush and having 2 servers work on 10 tables, it was quite annoying to constantly flag down someone to request something only to be ignored.
(2)
Annie L.
The food taste very fresh (not so much on the side salad that comes with the dish. Salad dressing is on the tart side as well). The bread is very dry and cold but their hazelnut praline spread makes it up for it. MUST TRY THIS SPREAD! You can skip the coffee because it's very regular. I probably won't go back any time soon because it's a little pricy for the amount of food. But if you are in the mood for light meal, this is the right place to go.
(3)
Sharr K.
3.5 STARS Cute breakfast spot....never had lunch here. - Could use more variety for breakfast items (especially egg dishes). - Love the Organic Baker's Basket and the assorted jam & spreads. - Belgium Waffle is small portioned. - Bowl of Organic Granola is fantastic. - Love their pot of coffee served in a little bowl (very strong, btw) *I got suckered into trying their new Flax-seed Banana Muffin my last visit. Pls do not get it unless if you're into bland and dry muffins (even my dog refused to eat it). If you come early enough, you can get a spot in the front. You can also park in the structure on Delancey for 90 mins free.
(3)
Erin G.
What I ate: Mushroom lasagna, lemonades, Brussels sprouts Visit date: January 14, 2012 First time? No. Yums! Layers of mushrooms topped with a layer of what I like to describe as fluffed-egg-like cheese topping. Trust, it's good. Served on top of pesto and diced tomatoes, the mushroom lasagna was delightful and filling (it could be enough for two). The pesto didn't add much, but it was pretty to look at. The lemonade iced tea was ok; the mint lemonade was tastier. If either is too tart for you, ask for their agave syrup. It's sweet like honey but pours like...well, syrup. The lemonade varietals come in a carafe. It is definitely enough to share; each carafe is about 3-4 glasses. I also tried a Brussels sprouts dish with tofu. It wasn't anything special. I actually wanted the roasted Brussels sprouts appetizer, but they gave us a tofu and Brussels sprouts entree instead. Fail. I think the roasted dish would have been better.
(3)
Dominic G.
Tasty vegan and gluten options. Yummy pastries both simple and gourmet. Super friendly staff.
(5)
AL G.
Great Food ! Service is absolutely horrible here ...No smiling faces no warm feeling when you walk in ! Very cold employees ! 5th time being here only for the great food but always long waits here....for a table ...Coffee cups here are a little weird hold and very unreasonable to drink coffee with I feel like I'm going to spill it all over me ! The employees always feel overwhelmed and never come to check to see if we need anything else or how the food is ! I don't think we will come often anymore.... They definitely need more employees up front and serving ! Besides all that the food is amazing here ... Their avocado tomato omelette is the best we always get it with mushrooms ! Definitely coming back their food is amazing oh well for the service somehow that will get fixed !
(4)
Michael S.
An island of quiet in Old Town Pasadena. Well, it is quiet until the strollers come thundering down the aisles and pray you won't have the kids seated nearby. This being said, The food is good, if a little pricey, but you get food made with the best ingredients and pretty decent service. Coffee was fine and their breakfast selection included a terrific frittata.
(4)
Lawrence L.
After discovering LPQ on my recent trip back east in Manhattan and Bethesda, I have found myself coming to this location in Old Town Pasadena a couple of times even though it's been here for a while now... I come in for a croissant or a loaf of bread to go. I haven't sampled their menu and/or actually eaten anything that is served here yet, although I would like to sometime... Their croissants are pretty good, but not mind blowing. Hard for me to decide if they're better than Europane's, and if I'm not in the area, I like Some Crust in Claremont for their croissants and breads... This location does look charming though, they have some outdoor seating if you like to people watch in Old Town, there is a parking structure around the corner towards Green St. where the first 90 minutes are free...
(4)
Sausan A.
Stay away from this place! I moved to LA two years ago, this is by far the worst brunch experience I've had. It was actually a nightmare. My friend and I came in at around 2:00 PM. The floors were so dirty. The tables were sticky and had food remaining .The firtata we ordered was preheated, it taste so blunt and dry. We also ordered a waffle that was so hard and tasted like dough. We asked for the manager to hopefully solve the problem. He was so rude and didn't offer any compensation and was giving us excuses that it was our fault. Are we coming back again? Hell no!!
(1)
Chloe C.
Good organic food, harried staff and bad service. And bad service in the most annoying way - they nickel and dime you to death, and they're not cheap to begin with so it's doubly annoying. Case in point: the fresh juice drinks are TINY and cost 4.50. The coffee: expensive, no refills. Today I ordered the smoked salmon special and got two large pieces of bread (which, when I asked for them toasted the waitress replied that they "don't do that"); an overcooked boiled egg; and literally like an ounce of smoked salmon. And then!!! I asked for butter and the waitress brought, literally, ONE PAT OF BUTTER. I was like, "I'm fairly certain we're going to require more butter." She kind of rolled her eyes a little but I don't blame her, it's probably store policy. So yeah, NOT returning. Not that they care since they're a European chain with plenty of locations. I just needed to get that off my chest. Oh yeah the spreads are DELICIOUS. Too bad they're just not worth the trouble.
(2)
Jim H.
Overpriced bread / breakfast. ...A Manifesto on Breakfast in Pasadena: Since the loss of both Elements restaurants yelp.com/biz/elements-ca… *sobs uncontrollably* Pasadena is a bit of a wasteland when it comes to breakfast/brunch options. Marston's has questionable service, bizarre hours; Russel's has mediocre food; the only remaining options are spending $20-$30/plate for breakfast at the Langham Hotel or Green Street Tavern. The latter is the best in the land, but I can't afford it regularly, so I whine instead.
(2)
Andy W.
So let me clarify this review, if you think $3 is too much for a good cup of coffee and too much for pastries then you might not enjoy what Le Pain has to offer. Otherwise, the pastries here remind me of those I ate while traveling around Europe and so I'll skip over Coffee Bean and Starbucks to eat and drink here. Brunch is good too with fresh and light omelets and a crispy french toast with syrup infused ahead of time. I always enjoy my experiences here. And if you like fresh loaves of bread try the 5 grain toast early in the morning before they sell out.
(5)
Cynthia Y.
I love this place! It's such a super duper cute little bakery/restaurant. I've never noticed this place before & I'm glad my friend picked this place for our brunch date. It's located right by the Melting Pot :) Everyone who works here is so friendly. I believe everything on the menu is organic. I ordered the salmon omelet & it was delicious! Portion seems small but I was pretty full half way through. I also tried the baked potato bacon soup which was okay. I was really in love with the bread & the salmon omelet =) I will definitely come back and try other stuff on the menu.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
I've only ever had their cheese-almond danish so I'm no expert, but their help is always friendly, even first thing in the morning, which I really appreciate.
(4)
Kevin G.
Honestly, I wanted to like it more! It was a nice environment, but a simple salad was overpriced and the service wasn't very good. I enjoyed my vegetable quiche and that tasted amazing. However my girlfriend asked for her Apple Turnover to be heated and we were told that "everything is fresh baked, reheating would compromise the pastry". Frankly, if a customer wants a warmed pastry - just warm the damn thing. It came off as pretentious. That's how she likes he apple turnover, don't tell us that we're eating it wrong. I wouldn't want to return, to be completely honest.
(2)
Derek W.
Woke up after only sleeping 4 hours (on my 4 graveyard shifts) and walked to old town for breakfast. We originally planned to head to the food truck even at Santa Anita, but decided not to as some other friends backed out. Walked in and was quickly seated inside. Would have been a nice to have been seated outside as the weather was perfect. However, all the tables were taken and we were hungry. Never had dined here but there have always been tons of people dining here. First thing we noticed was the jam tray which consisted of a red berry jam, an apricot jam, and prailine spread (brunette). Wasn't sure what to expect of the jams and of the spread but once we were served bread....I was in heaven. The jams were good...but the brunette was awesome. I think I finished half the bottle myself. It was so good that we ended up buying two jars to take home. Now onto the food that we ordered: Grilled chicken and smoked mozzarella tartine ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Frb8… ). This was very tasty and the portion was perfect for me. I did end up saving the crusts for dessert to go along with the brunette spread! Wild mushroom omelette ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Frb8… ). Finally have found another restaurant that actually makes omelettes the way I like them. This omelette was not only cooked perfectly but also very flavorful. Of course the two pieces of bread were reserved for more of the brunette spread! The only complaint I had was that the seating inside was a bit stuffy. Will be back again soon to try other tartines and also other omelettes. May have to order their bread basket to start so that I can enjoy more of the praline spread.
(4)
Lisa Y.
I decided to check this place out after my morning run at the Rose Bowl. I didn't want anything heavy or greasy, so I went with the tofu scramble and a cup of coffee. I'm not a fan of tomatoes and asked the waitress to omit them. She offered to substitute the tomatoes for spinach. Works for me! The service and food were great. I definitely want to come back for lunch and try some of the Belgium hot chocolate my friend ordered!
(4)
Kellen F.
I had a good time with the server and a good meal. We had a sampler of prosciutto and gruyere with pickled veggies, then we all tried three omelettes and waffles. The clear winner was the ham and gruyere but the mushroom and goat cheese was delicious. The chorizo omelette was a little heavy on the spice - just tasted like chili. Coffee was alright, nothing to write home about.
(4)
Lily S.
I ordered the small salad with chicken, it had a good taste. My favorite part was the lemonade, it was not too sweet and fresh.
(4)
Mickey M.
The soft boiled eggs were undercooked so it was like gooey raw egg whites. We wanted bread for our eggs and the server let us order a basket of bread and didn't bother to tell us our meals came with bread. And when they saw we barely touched our food they didn't even bother to ask if everything was ok, just dropped a $50 bill and walked away. Such a disappointment compared to the one in studio city. I will not be back.
(1)
Kathy V.
The crazy manager wasn't there, so I felt safe enough to sit and relax on the terrace with out of town friends and my family. They enjoyed the overpriced organic tartines and I had a brioche. Nice afternoon snack in the warm breeze of Pasadena. Still the altercation I had in the past with the manager leaves a mark. I don't think I'll ever go back alone for instance. Also the outside tables are still sticky and dirty.
(3)
Gabriela G.
First time I bumped into this place was actually in Tokyo and I really liked it. I was pleased to find this restaurant here in the states. If you look at their website they have stores in several countries. It's a bit pricey but I really enjoyed the breakfast options. They have a lot of organic and tasty items to choose from. Their organic jams are so delicious and you can purchase them to take home. I ordered the Belgian waffle with cream and berries and a cafe latte. The waffle was sweet and crispy which was complemented with a semisweet tart cherry jam and topped off with cream that wasn't sweet so as to not overwhelm the waffle with too much sweetness. The coffee was also very delicious. The staff is friendly enough. I will definitely come back for breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Sandy I.
Not my cup of tea or coffee!
(1)
Liz T.
Such a cute little bakery. They have a common table, which is a giant table where people can get seated if you go alone or with a few people so that you don't have to wait long if it is busy. The ingredients are fresh and all from local farms. I had breakfast there one saturday morning, they were busy but I got a seat quickly since I opted for the common table. Ordered the sparkling pear and ginger drink, it wasn't that great, there was no sparkle. Ordered the french toast, they used whole wheat bread and agave syrup on the french toast, but really it just tasted like whole wheat bread toasted and agave put on top. Although it was good, not really the french toast order I was expecting since they are a bread shop too. But they did have condiments that were tasty, like the jams and praline spread, like nutella but made with pralines and no chocolate. It was very tasty. I saw some other great items on the menu, I think I'll try next time and definitely will try the breads and desserts such as the chocolate croissant.
(3)
juno c.
My friend and I popped in for dessert and coffee. We had lemonades and salad leftovers from an earlier lunch with us sitting in a bag and that seemed to really upset our waitress. We sat down, no menus for about 10 minutes. Then the waitress stopped by and asked if we would be ordering and we said yes we just needed a sec.. she did not like that. We literally had just been handed a menu at this point. The eye rolling and stares from her and the manager were ridiculous. Finally the manager came to us and asked that we leave because they needed the table for paying clients. Had we been given the opportunity to acutally order and pay for a meal this wouldnt have been an issue. Confused and with sweet tooth we decided to walk down 2 shops to another bakery. I'm still very confused as to what the heck happened. Maybe they are rude to add to their wannabe French style? Perhaps, we were rude to expect a menu at a restaurant? Whatever the deal.. don't bother. There as so many other cool restaurants you can try in south pas without having to deal with these pretentious nitwits.
(1)
sara h.
What a bummer! I used to work here about 6 years ago and have always loved the food. But I guess they've gone downhill. It's been about 6 months since I've been here, but wow. Salmon tartine ($14? $15?) was a single piece of bread with a single paper thin piece of salmon. No dressing, no sauce, nothing. It also came with a small salad with no dressing. Isn't it just me, or did it used to come with cornichons too? All it had were a couple radish and cucumber slices. Bland! Not even their signature pesto that garnishes everything! Even the salmon wasn't like it used to be. Today it was fishy and oily. Yuck. The gazpacho was as wonderful as always-almost. It didn't seem to have the variety of garnish as it used to. It used to even have mango! It was a very special gazpacho. But I guess they lost that. Asked if I wanted avocado, sure why not! But $2 for literally a couple cubes? Gimme a break! The bread seemed stale, which is odd because normally it was baked every morning. The famous sourdough wheat wasn't as chewy and yeasty-flavored as it used to be. And the baguette was a small squat slice, not the huge angular wedges they used to serve. Ok, my rant is over. And so is my fandom of PQ. I don't need to go back ever. :(
(1)
Vicki L.
I've walked past this place about a zillion times from shopping around Old Town Pasadena but never bothered to stop by to grab some lunch. Came here today and ordered off their lunch menu even though they were still serving breakfast (It was around 12:30 when I went in) and they don't serve dinner until 5 pm. Anyways, I ended up ordering the "Paris Ham and Aged Gruyere" Tartine (which is like a one sided sandwich with a piece of bread, cheese on top, then two slices of ham). It was about $10.95 for 5 one sided sandwiches that came with a mustard spread, some dill pickles, tomatoes, and some salad leaves. All in all, pretty delicious! The service was pretty good, the portions were pretty big, and the food was delicious! Would come here again to try the rest of their menu but this place is pretty pricey all in all. Cute restaurant to stop by for a French feeling type of brunch!
(4)
Mikey L.
Decent food but very overpriced, unless you're willing to pay for that location right on Colorado in heart of Old Town.
(3)
Mia M.
God, I love this place. The greens are always so crunchily fresh and the servers are always so sweet and attentive. I love the chickpea soup, delicious breads, and the amazing tartines. (Black bean hummus tartine is a must!) I always stop by here any time I'm in the Pasadena area.
(5)
Hedaya A.
One of the most horrible brunch experiences!! I came here with my friend for brunch on a Monday. When we first walked in the floor and tiles were extremely dirty. The table was sticky and dirty looking as well. We sat down and orderred frittata, pear and fig tartine, and a waffle with berries. When the frittata came we first noticed how it looked like plastic!! The taste was even more disappointing, it was extremely blunt and tasteless. I can't think of anything worse to have than overcooked eggs. The Belgium waffle was soooo dry and cutting through it took all my effort. Let alone how old and tasteless it was. When we were done with the meal we asked to talk to the manager and we adressed all the issues. The manager first pointed out that if wr had problems with the food we should have mentioned it before we eat it. I tried to explain to him that my main concern is not paying the check or not but it's the feedbacks he needs to hear as a manager. The argument lasted longer than pleasant and his argument was not valid, he did not even offer a compensation. I had to speak to the area manager and explain the whole situation again. Never coming again! Such a waste for a beautiful location in old town pasadena.
(1)
Maya M.
What kind of BREAKFAST place doesn't toast your bread? How is my butter supposed to melt!? HUH? I asked our server if she could toast my bread and she said, "we don't toast side orders," you could only imagine my reaction to this? OK! So, later I asked the manager if there was any way my bread could be toasted and he said, "it's our store policy, we don't toast our bread." STUPID POLICY ! I'm never coming back here again.
(1)
Sandra S.
Wow, my first time here and to think I almost didn't try it because of the bad reviews. The food was outstanding and service could not have been better. Had a lovely breakfast of goat cheese and mushroom omelet, hubby had the ham and gruyere croissant both were delicious. Everyone in the place was friendly and attentive. Definitely will be back. Thanks for a nice Saturday breakfast experience.
(5)
Edith F.
I thought I wasn't hungry but I ate ALL my breakfast! So embarrassing! I will be coming here for more... For sure!
(5)
Denice B.
The service is great and the staff even better. They take time to explain menu items and suggest things to try. The apple muffin is to die for and so is the coconut macaroon. The food is great
(5)
Toby C.
I was here last Saturday with my sister and we had a nice table out on the front patio area. Great spot to people watch. Our server was incredibly kind, not only to us, but everyone around. Although she was running around fulfilling everyone's orders, she was extremely cheerful and pleasant when everyone was asking her for extra items like almond milk, jams, creams, etc. I had the salmon omelet which was delicious. Light fluffy eggs, fresh tasting salmon, just plain delicious, fresh, high quality ingredients. Coffee and tea was served in intriguing little bowls. Nice place and I look forward to going back again soon!
(5)
Katy L.
Came here with a friend on a lazy Sunday after working out.. The weather was nice and sunny and I've came to Le Pain Quotidien for pastries but haven't had a chance to eat lunch here before so I was definitely curious to see how the food was. Ordered the ice tea and I liked how they bring out a nice tall pitcher for you so that you could refill the drinks yourself w/out asking the waiter each time. Both of us decided to share the tartine because I couldn't decide which tartine I wanted to eat. Egg Salad Tartine- Organic Egg Salad with herb dressing, garnished with capers and anchovies on wheat bread. The tartine looked great but the first thing I noticed when I bit into it was how bland it was. Definitely needed salt even though I don't normally eat a lot of salty food. It just felt like there was lack of seasoning.. probably didn't help that there was no mayo in it which I'm not that used to in my egg salad. Its probably more heathlier but definitely not as tasty. Smoked Salmon with avocado and chopped dill- Definitely better tasting than the Egg Salad Tartine. Thin slide of smoked salmon on wheat bread. Fresh half avocado is served on the side, along with a slice of lemon, and radish. Refreshing and tasty! Overall the food was okay, service was "meh." Waiter didn't come back to check in on us to see how our food was and took awhile for him to take our order which is alittle annoying when you are starving! But I do really like the overall ambience of the place. For lunch, definitely a great place to sit outside and people watch and enjoy a light healthy lunch. The inside was a different vibe, still nice and I liked the communal table inside. Really busy but casual enough to spend your weekend and enjoy a pastry or two on the side. ;)
(3)
Bernard V.
I know this chain very well, since I lived in Brussels for a couple of years and it is there that Le Pain Quotidien finds its origin (I believe). They have managed to create a similar atmosphere although the menu differs slightly ... in Brussels you would e.g. not find French Toast on the menu. The breads and baked goods are really nice and fresh. I love the communal table! The bad acoustics in the room make it rather noisy during "rush hour". Nice heated seating area outside and ... the WIFI is free.
(3)
Lee E.
Today was really cold, and i wanted to eat something that somebody cooked for me. So i came here to have some warm dish. I got the take out menu, but Im not familiar with french, or french food. I could not understand what "quiche" or "assiettes" stands for. I just wanted some hot omelette or panini. When I asked a mexican guy in front of cashier what this menu is,(no one else to ask) he told me it is "quiche". Oh wow. Thank you. That really helped me. I asked about something else, and he replied in the same way. U could have really taught me how to pronounce alphabets. So i was tired in the morning, just got whatever. And its just cold ham on a bread. I saw that guy trying not to laugh at me after second question. That was really rude. Also, u can be friendly, but u shuld not wave the bag with the food inside, from far away to let me know that the food is ready. Thats what you do when you call your puppy. Damn you. Its pissing me off again. Never ever coming back
(1)
Ernesto S.
Love their coffee! Croissant w ham and gruyere is my favorite. Servers work hard and are attentive but they always feel like they are one server short.
(4)
Mia K.
What happened to this place?! A few years ago when Edward (Indian guy) was managing this restaurant, it was a nice place to grab lunch in a cozy setting while listening to lovely classical music. Now, the service is wretched, the way they treat their customers is deplorable and the food is just OK. Today, I walked in and seated myself and sat and sat and sat and waited about ten minutes before getting up to ask for a menu. I'm positive two different servers walked passed without acknowledging me. There were dirty dishes left on the communal table for about twenty minutes and when they finally got around to clearing them, they did so with major attitude. There were three servers and two managers on duty while I was there and the dining room wasn't even 50% filled. Yet, they couldn't get their act together. It's obvious none of them enjoy working there and have absolutely zero respect for their management team. Too bad they have to take it out on the customer.
(1)
Kim J.
On Saturday afternoon I ordered a chocolate croissant and my friend ordered a Danish and they tasted great. Communal table concept is fun. Mint tea tastes great and priced well. Service was slow but staff kept apologizing for being short staffed. I'd come back but not for lunch on a Saturday.
(4)
Helen O.
Not good here. I use to come for the avocado toast and now they have changed the ingredients. They are skimping out on the avocado slices and it's a thin layer of smash avocado. I don't think I will be back.
(1)
Tomaso F.
One time thing for dessert and coffees but there's better places than this on this strip so we won't be coming back here. Pistachio cake wasn't fresh and the almond milk curdled so we traded that in for soy. And $16 for one small dessert, tip and two half caff coffees. Overpriced by far for what you get. I say don't get fooled by the cool little outdoor patio and walk past it to another dessert/coffee spot.
(2)
Brett B.
Great pastry. Good cappuccino. Prompt service. $11 with tip is super expensive. For $7 this would be 5 stars. At $11, only 3.
(3)
Gina S.
Tiny portions, expensive prices, ok food = a so so brunch. Great service, though! I had the chicken chorizo omelet and it wasn't anything special. I LOVE the fact they use organic eggs... but that's about it. Tiny chunks of chicken chorizo... not a lot of flavor in the dish. It's served with a side salad (which was good and not overdressed (which was appreciated)), and two slices of bread - one white baguette slice and the other a large piece of soft wheat bread. I sorta feel like they fill you up on bread instead of what you ordered.... Can't say I'll be back anytime soon.
(3)
Corey M.
It took them awhile to talk to us for the first time, walking past us multiple times, but once we got our menus all was well. The girl seemed like she was having a bad day but she cheered up. I had the banana crunola. Oh my! If you're a fan of bananas, definitely go for it. I also had the quinoa scone. The cream & preserves went perfectly with it. Yum!
(4)
La Vonne C.
Went from 2 to 1. A friend wanted to try this place out and I forgot how much i hated it. Somehow, I remembered when we visited. 1. Service went from bad to worse. Servers looked irritated. 2. The other table who came later than us got their food before us. My friend ordered yogurt. . . And it came out in a small bowl..why did it take 20 mins to come out? 3. Food quality...mediocre and over priced.
(1)
J E.
While the food was good, the service was horrible, especially from the manager on duty. They have daily specials up on a chalk board, and both my daughter and I ordered the vegetable lasagna. I was horrified when the bill arrived to find out I was charged 14.25 for a single piece of lasagna, no bread, no salad to accompany it. They have delightful drinks, but those too are horribly overpriced. I watched as they filled a small glass full of ice and then poured my drink in, and after you find out they don't do refills. I was greatly disappointed.
(2)
S. C.
Yesterday, I was in Old Town buying a Burke Williams gift card and thought I'd wander around a bit before meeting a friend for dinner in j-town. I hadn't eaten all day and while i was walking, it felt like i was going to pass out on the street because I was so weak. understand, it was 6pm and i hadn't eaten anything all day. so i went in here and got a bunch of stuff to scarf down. -Cheese Almond Danish (2.85): A few sliced almonds on top, not too cheesy on the inside. More like it was very very buttery. -Linz Cookie (2.95): i bought this for my fiance. No idea how it tasted, and he hasn't eaten it yet either. -Apple Tart (5.00) ; haven't tried it yet -chocolate croissant (2.75) - had it today (popped it in the toaster oven for a couple of minutes) and it was okay. -Mixed Berry Tart (6.25) - This was the first thing I scarfed down. It was better than the first one i had from here (over a year ago). The fruit was all actually sweet (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries) but the price went up about a dollar from last year. the crust was hard to cut through with a fork so i had to pick it up and bite through it.
(4)
avant de mourir ..
If you like spending a lot of money on way overpriced meals that aren't very good, go here. It reminds me of the kind of place you'd find in a mall, right next to Nordstrom and Sears.
(2)
Dth S.
what can i say? it's the french 'il fornaio'.....i luv their almond croissant!
(3)
Cali y.
It's a nice little lunch spot. I always get the curried chicken tartatine, which is very good. Remember, don't leave the place without their waffles (it's packed in a clear plastic container right at the cashiers). It's funny that people don't mention the waffles, because I feel it's one of their best desserts.
(4)
Jacqueline S.
This place used to be good, but what passes for food these days is ridiculous. I ordered a sandwich and soup, neither or which fit the description on the menu. The sandwich was supposed to have arugula and it had something akin to iceberg lettuce. The soup was inedible.
(1)
Ben B.
pastries/desserts, bread and good simple vegan food where you can take your dog... definetly a fan.
(4)
Jen F.
To put it simply, this is a pleasant place to have breakfast or an early lunch...but for a hefty price. I enjoy coming here the most early morning on weekends. I usually get one of their omelettes, which are never greasy. But the best part, I think, is just sitting at one of their outside tables and munching on their breads with their delicious apricot jam. The outside tables are dog-friendly, and you can get some good people watching in, too. If I want dessert, I like to indulge in their coconut chia pudding. It's pricey, but I can never get my chia pudding to taste as good as theirs :( Anyways, if you want a light breakfast with plenty of options, definitely check this place out. Come early, though, as it gets busy on weekend mornings.
(4)
Georgia S.
Delicious food and super friendly staff. Shannon took great care of us and was very pleasant. The manager came by and gave a free dessert because it was my birthday. Great place.
(5)
Julia Z.
Have been their another location in Beverly before. I wouldn't say their food is excellent, but their drinkware is really adorable with bowls and holding all the hot drink. Both my friend and I ordered omelette. Mine is the PARIS HAM & AGED GRUYÈRE and my friend ordered the wild mushroom and goat cheese. Mine tastes a bit plain, just OK. But we picked the location simply because we are really early birds and got up like 7 am and this one is open. The environment is pretty nice, with clean and quiet atmosphere, though I believe it's really because we are early and there were not a lot of people in the street yet.
(3)
Evan L.
I saw a few other locations and assumed Le Pain Quotidien was another chain along the lines of Panera Bread. When I went inside, I found the atmosphere surprisingly communal and open on the patio and inside the quasi-cafeteria interior. Wood, wood and more wood is the theme but it is aligned with their natural, fresh motif. This is not, however, a garden salad sort of venue - it's a Belgian/southern french bistro-inspired simple lunch/brunch spot. I also found it a bit more sophisticated than standard fare, though not pretentious. Ingredients are fresh, natural & supposedly local so I was all in. They have a good selection of salads, breakfasts and their Belgian specialty, the tartine (open-faced sandwich with unique ingredient combinations). We settled on the pancetta/ricotta tartine (which had a nice sliver of cucumber) and the lentil/avocado salad. Both were, well, they were quotidien until we added salt - at which point the flavor stretched beyond the everyday norm into a reflection of their fine ingredients. We left fulfilled and impressed, The only drawbacks are the price - $34 for lunch at a 'nice chain' is a little high considering what we ordered (and no drinks). It's not expensive by any means, but it feels like a $25 for two type of place. Otherwise, standard Pasadena complaint no parking - but that's not their fault. You may just luck out and get a meter on Colorado. Lastly, the salt addition was necessary for both me and my wife, and a five star yelp review should be salted just fine. I notice the service getting slammed in the reviews here for some reason; they were great on all fronts during our visit.
(4)
Connie C.
I'm personally not sold by all this organic farm to table thing. Yeah it's a cool concept but eh. Maybe I'm not hipster enough or enough of a foodie? I will say that their french toast was one of the best I've ever had. I'll definitely give them that. Now, if only they can serve it in a normal plate instead of what looks like a porcelain cutting board, then I'm totally on board. The decor was really cute and adorable. I liked the farm house family style table in the middle. It's quite a charming place overall but I feel like it's trying a little too hard? Our waitress was very nice and cheerful. She did get my order wrong and I had to wait a bit longer for my food but she was really nice about it. The food was good. The ambiance was nice. Will I come back? Maybe if I've got money to spend I might. Recap: 1) Good service 2) Good food but over priced and portions are quite small 3) Cute decor
(3)
Jennifer K.
I'm really disappointed in Le Pain Quotidien. When my friends and I walked in, our late lunch seemed promising - the cafe is beautifully decorated, there is outdoor seating, and the baked goods looked fresh. We decided to sit outside to enjoy the nice weather. From then on, my entire experience at LPQ was a !@#$ show. Strike #1: Our waiter was extremely slow and inattentive. He forgot to bring out the bread for our salad and we had to remind him a couple of times before someone else finally brought out the carbs. Strike #2: I found a thick black hair (~1.5 in) about one thirds into my smoked salmon omelette. I quietly informed the manager in a polite manner, and she was very apologetic and quick to replace my dish. However, after the meal, I was surprised to that my dish wasn't taken off the check. Even YardHouse made up for a hairy experience by comp-ing my order. Strike #3: The food itself was just average. My omelette was salty and lacking in flavor, and the bread that came with it was just so-so. The only redeeming factors are the complimentary apricot jam and chocolate hazelnut spread available at the tables. Slathering that stuff all over my mediocre bread made it absolutely delicious. Anyway, for a grilled chicken Cobb salad and three orders of the smoked salmon omelette (two with egg whites), the total came out to upwards of $60. I cried on the inside. Even today, I shed a tear or two every few hours thinking about this ridiculous meal.
(2)
James L.
Great place for brunch or a latte while reading. I recommend sitting at the communal table to get the full feel of the place. The food is very fresh and organic and extremely generous.
(4)
Chuan L.
Waited 30 min for my yogurt bowl and smoked salmon breakfast. I think the waitress forgot about my order or it couldn't possibly take this long when there were so few people in the restaurant. Food were below average. Taste like what I made in a hurry at home. Berries were not fresh. Avoid.
(2)
Carlos d.
I had a fabulous french toast, with actual french bread. My wife had the vegetarian fritada which was excellent. There coffee was so smooth and delicious i did not need to add sugar or half-half. We loved the french bistro feel of Le Pain. It was our first time and we will be back.
(4)
Paris L.
I went to the location in Marina Del Rey. The location in Pasadena is disguising. Hygiene is a main problem there. There were so many little flies were sitting on the bread when they stored at the left side of of the cashier. I told THREE THREE THREE waiter/ waitresses. They responded they would let them know, the moment i left flies were still sitting there . Service was pretty slow.. ( same as the one in Marina Del rey)
(1)
gwen g.
Horrible service --- had to ask the waitress for a million things she forgot (milk, dressing, etc) + it would take her forever to bring it to the table. She did however have plenty of time to bitch and moan with a group of workers 5 feet from our table + that group included two managers! Who does that? The last thing you do is let your customers hear or see that scene so obviously the wrong group of people are running this place. I used to love to eat here but the small portions, crappy service, dirty tables + floors, company complainers, outrageous bill, and messy bathroom make me realize I need to spend my money elsewhere. Skip this place!
(1)
Elleen P.
Came here with my friends on a Tuesday at around 11 AM, and it was mostly empty. People started coming in halfway through our meal though, I assume for lunch hour. We came here after searching it up on yelp, and because of it's 3 1/2 star rating, didn't really want to come. But we were right in front of it anyway, so for the sake of convenience, we decided to eat here. I ordered the paris ham & gruyere croissant (wasn't really hungry) and it was really just whatever, in my opinion. Tasted like a ham and cheese croissant that my mom used to make me for lunch (they were "very ok," my mom's way of saying not that great.) It came with a side salad, which had not enough dressing for the salad. If you're gonna give me dressing, please give me enough! If not, half of it with dressing makes the other half taste gross. Meh. I also got a cold brew coffee, which was mediocre as well for the price of $3.50. I understand it takes ages to brew, but it really just tasted like the coffee I brew at home and accidentally leave in my kitchen for the whole day. :(
(2)
Philippe B.
Not so french! and I can't believe that some of the reviewers think they are eating french food and that is delicious. I am French, well Corsican so basically the worse kind, I am a snob and proud of it, former restaurant owner in Paris and manager in the US and most of people I know, who like me as well as the one of dislike me agree that I know what I am talking about when it come to French food. Anyway, I decided to finally stop to get an espresso at the Pain Quotidien. I should have know better when the girl at the front serve it in a paper cup. I thought I was at Starsux across the street. She then tried to transfer the espresso from the paper cup to the appropriate cup which was a no no. First red flag! I was kinda hungry and inquired about sandwiches starring at those old fashion baguettes sitting in the back counter. "Sorry, those are for lunch boxes not for our sandwiches. We do open sandwiches, "tartines". " Nothing on the menu regarding lunch boxes. A floor manager, (2 today for such a small place) told me that the veggie one was delicious bit not the 2 others when in fact they were 4 or 5 options. Not really excited, I decided to go with a croque-monsieur (very french). I asked the manager if it was the real deal, haven't seen in my days some pretty interesting "croque", when her response was: " I have been to Paris". Ok then. Order a Stella and proceed with my espresso to the sitting area outside. The croque was just a grilled cheese with a little piece of ham with a lot of mustard old fashion style. Bread was a little burnt. The idea and concept was not that bad but you CANNOT sell this as a croque-monsieur specially for $13. It should be illegal. Double espresso+croque-monsieur+Stella=$25 Really!!!!!! Espresso on the board is at $2.50 I was changed $3.75 The cashier went to talked to my experience to the other manager, who chuckled listening to her report, then came to apologized saying that the district manager was responsible for the menu and to food. Regarding the espresso that I ordered at the counter, drank there, was charged more because I decided to stay for lunch....MY MISTAKE. There is nothing french about this place other than the name and the writing on the walls and item descriptions.
(1)
Ricky S.
This place offers a variety of soups, salads, and open faced sandwiches. However, based on prices and their portions, I wouldn't return. Sure, their open faced sandwiches were tasty, but it didn't fill up the other side of my stomach. Also, it didn't leave enough of an impression on me to try another sandwich from their selection. The servers were friendly but not as attentive. A plus, they have a big table in the center of their restaurant, which is great for a large party. Would I return? Probably not. Would I recommend this place? Sure, why not. Everything deserves a chance.
(2)
David C.
They have a giant communal table in the center of the restaurant. The idea is that you can sit next to someone and make a new friend. I don't know how often that happens. Le Pain Quotidien brews a very good cup of coffee. Not too strong. Just mellow and smooth.
(5)
Allison Y.
Very healthy brunch place in Old town. Love stopping by here on the weekend to have their omeletes and Belgian waffles! Ingredients taste amazing and fresh! Even their orange juice tastes so refreshing! Never feel overloaded after eating here. Great service and ambiance as well.
(4)
Hayley L.
Totally support the farm to table initiative and appreciate that they buy from local farmers and growers. Their ok food and average service just didn't justify the price. Stopped by on a weekend in the afternoon for some dessert. As we were perusing the pastry case the woman at the counter encouraged us to have a seat since we planned on dining in and they offered table service. The three of us shared a few pastries and my mom ordered a coffee. The waiter took a very long time to even approach our table, did not even crack a smile, and didn't offer a refill on coffee until he brought us the check when we were about to leave. The pastries looked great and the coconut macaroon was excellent and black and white mousse had a really tasty ganache. I had a mini espresso chocolate tart which tasted super wine-y and like neither espresso nor chocolate. The chocolate brownie was kind of dry. The total came out to $25 including a tip, which I thought was pricey.
(2)
Ali C.
Slow service, over priced food, and small portions! I love the atmosphere but who cares when everything else is so bad!
(1)
Sandy R.
Great food, atmosphere, and a nice server. What a lovely way to start to our RDO Friday.
(5)
Ivan A.
Great place for brunch!! The mimosas were great. We ordered the omelette with avocado and tomateo along with the French toast. Both were amazing. The orders here are pretty small that was the only draw back. I spent $65 for two but that included alcohol so not too bad. I really liked this place and highly recommend, definitely coming back!
(4)
Mike 9.
Ordered food asked for water it took 30 minutes for them to bring water....we had to wait till they washed their water cups
(4)
Breeze S.
Very nice one in Pasadena right on the main strip. Very clean, quiet most of the time, nice staff, clean bathroom, their food is always good, tasty and fresh. They serve pretty fast. You won't be disappointed.check it out.
(4)
Jeong S.
I had brunch with my classmates. We loved every food we ordered. Especially I loved breads for side which I wanna learn how to bake like them. So awesome place!
(5)
Linda C.
It's so great to find a place that serves healthy yet delicious food! I always come here whenever my BFF comes back home for the holidays so Le Pain Quotidien has made a spot in my heart. After some Black Friday shopping, it was 9am in the morning and I found myself needing to wake myself up with some breakfast. The tartines are pretty delicious, all served on whole wheat bread but this time I wanted to try something different. I got the Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelette which was served with some bread and mini bed of greens. I actually loved it. I love cheese and the goat cheese was so satisfying and made for a light tasting omelette. Make sure you taste their various jams and praline spread...definitely one of the best I've ever had. Top the spreads onto the bread and enjoy! Le Pain Quotidien also offers jars of their jams and spread for sale--could make for great gifts and a great addition to a pantry! The only downfall that I find with Le Pain Quotidien is their prices. I know healthy foods normally come at a price, but I wish Le Pain Quotidien either offered more reasonable prices or larger portions. Service seems inconsistent, but otherwise decent. I'll still be back here soon--their bread and spread is too addicting.
(4)
Colette W.
Le Pain makes me so happy. As a Pasadena native I walk down some mornings for the omelet. Amazing. Always sit at the communal table don't be so anti social people. The asparagus is a special treat that I add on. I tried the smoked salmon and it just wasn't for me.. But the lemon tart is a staple every visit and so is the OJ ! Kyle is a fantastic person and so is everyone else.
(5)
Valerie V.
I worked a few steps away from the melrose branch and I used to get breakfast from le pain everyday!!! The melrose and larchmont staff are amazing!! I couldnt say the same for pasadena tho :( im here every Sunday for brunch and theres always something wrong. Service is always slow. One time my 'warm' belgian waffle arrived hard and cold :( i saw it sitting on the kitchen ready to be served however it took a long time before it was served. I called the attention of my server but he said that it wasnt mine and a lot of people ordered before me, it ended up to be my order tho :( i still come coz i really love le pain and this is the closest to me i just hope the service gets better. :)
(4)
Jessica A.
Love how organic this place is! Reasonable prices. Alvacado and tomato omelet is great! The waffle wasn't fluffy sadly but i love the fresh berries on top. Wish they had pancakes but that's ok. Love the bakery as well many options. Love the sourdough wheat bread!! Overall great experience!
(5)
Grace T.
Le Pain is another one those places that I wish I had closer to home. Perfect place to come to for a mellow breakfast or brunch. I like to start with the french donut and get the best the egg white omelet I've had since being in the Bay area (esp. the ham and gruyere). The pralines spread is yummy with the bread that the omelet come with. The cherry green tea always has a good kick in the morning, too. Driving 40 minutes from orange county for their pastries and bread. Very casual ambiance, my bf was a little leery of the organic factor of the the dishes (he's a good old mid western boy), but he soon fell in love with the place as I did.
(5)
Sharon O.
as a former employee at le pain, i can definitely say that not all the bread recipes are from certified organic farms, but they are made from organic products. all of the breads are delivered fresh, twice a day, so they have fresh products all the time. although all of the le pain's close early, they open even earlier than most bakeries and bread shops. their tartines and other menu items are a bit pricey, but they are, nonetheless, really tasty. stop by for great expresso drinks and a muffin to go with it. if you're in the mood for something sweet, i recommend their huge chocolate chip cookie which will do the trick.
(4)
Gene C.
Yes it's an obnoxious French boulangerie. Yes the restaurant is packed with granola-toting organo-vegans. And yes $13 for an omelet is ridiculous. But the wild mushroom and salmon and green onions omelets are two of the best damned egg dish I have ever had! $40 breakfast for two prevents me from visiting this place more frequently, but on a good stock day, I'll hit up this place for the eggs!
(4)
Brandy H.
Ok, let me start by saying I've been all over this country eating at all kinds of restaurants, and I simply don't get the appeal of this place. It's not THAT cozy, the food is a bit too simple, and the people who work here could not give a rat's ass about service. The first time, I got a mushroom omelet for breakfast-it was ok, but not something that was blowing my mind. I had heard and read all these great things about this chain, so I thought to myself "I should give the place another chance." Next time for lunch I got a gruyere cheese sandwich and instead of the melted goo paradise that I expected, I got cold hard cheese on open face. The menu, nor did the server, tell me what I was to expect. I will say on a good note that the lemonade was fresh squeezed and delicious. It's just that I have been places that do the same thing, but much better.
(2)
Ericka S.
We sat at the communal table and I must say it wasn't uncomfortable at all. The restaurant was a bit crowded but it was a Sunday morning. Their coffee is so fresh! I love the handle-less mugs (I think the restaurant sells them at their gift counter). Their omelets are HUGE so if you don't mind sharing, it's perfect for two. My husband and I shared an omelet and tapenade with rye bread, hummus and ham. Perfect for two and the bill was a decent amount. Not too bad. Definitely going back soon.
(4)
Grace L.
Organic, healthy, small portions, and sadly overpriced. I do enjoy their hot chocolate and almond pear pastry though! =)
(3)
RS P.
Okay, so I would say this place is okay. I do like the idea of health food. I have ordered the veggie quiche, the yogurt granola Parfeit, tuna sandwich, and I think a muffin. All the food is kind of bland, but I guess that is partly the health food thing. Perhaps I've ordered the wrong stuff.
(4)
Janice C.
went in to get a bag of small oatmeal cookies (I think there wre 10 in the bag) and a baguette to go. service was just eh, even though they weren't busy. that little bag of cookies cost over $5, and those suckers tasted stale yet strangely enough, chewy, at the same time.i hope their baked sweets are not their specialties. have yet to try their yogurt, but it looks tasty. it looks like yogurt with fruit and bird feed, but hey, i like nuts, so it's something i'd definitely try. i was definitely loving the communal tables, awesome! two stars for now, i may change my mind when i have a better experience.
(2)
Dora C.
I have not found many local places to eat that are healthy, now I have found one. The food is good, the service is friendly and I go home happy.
(4)
Stacey S.
I LOVE little French bistros with fancy egg dishes and yummy bread. This place is cute, but extremely pretentious. Bouchon it's not. Their menu lists almost every item as organic. Yeah...we get it. Why does that need to be repeated over and over and over? The food was just okay...not bad, but not something I ever need to go back for. It's also a bit overpriced. The deal breaker for me? My coffee came in a little pot (cute, right?) and a bowl for drinking. A BOWL. Not a cup, not a mug, a bowl. I looked around and others were drinking their coffee using both hands to maneuver their bowl of beverage. That's not tres chic in my eyes...just odd.
(2)
Jordan M.
It was a blustery Friday night in Pasadena. My partner in crime Matt P and I had just taken a leisurely tour of some great culinary monuments at All India Cafe. Despite the delicious meal and pompous deliberation on the necessities of a proper Valentine's Day, our stomachs were still desiring something more. And thus we began our search. 21 Choices was filled to the brim and out the door with illustrious high school lovers groping each other in line. Not our scene. The Crepevine: no room at the inn. hmm. It was at this point we began to struggle. But wait. What about Pain Quotidien? Despite my gross mispronunciations, Matt's lack of understanding, and our reckless confusion as to the bakery's exact location: we found the light at the end of the tunnel in the form of yummy pastries and a warm French (ex-pat) smile. Pain Quotidien is one of those wonderful places that embraces both healthiness and over-eating. Yes our desserts and hot chocolates were made from whole grains and organic ingredients but we didn't have to a giant chocolate chip cookie and a granola bar and some sort of raisin cake. Overall, it was a cozy place to tuck away and drown the evening in a healthy dose of sugar and sweet.
(4)
Julia S.
First of all, I would like to clarify what kind of place this is, because there seems to be a lot of confusion in the other reviews. Le pain quotidien is a Belgian bakery chain, and it is actually the neighborhood bakery that my aunt goes to who lives in Brussels. Their selection in the US is not as good as in Belgium, but the quality is still comparable. So it's not "trying to be French" as some people write in their reviews, it IS Belgian. There are many things I really like about Le pain quotidien: - Their bread is as similar to European bread as it gets over here on the West coast. Especially their wheat bread is awesome, and having it makes me miss German and Belgian bread a little bit less. They also slice the loafs of bread when you buy them, which I find very convenient. - Their breakfast is very good. I've had their omeletts and the ham and cheese croissants, as well as some of the pastries, and all of it is very good. I also think they have good coffee.They serve it French-style in a "bol", which is a cup without the handle. - Their sandwiches are wonderful. They are cold, open-faced European style sandwiches, and the ingredients are very thoughtfully matched. I usually get the gruyere cheese sandwich with three kinds of mustard. The larger platters are also good. - Their gazpacho is just to die for, but it's not always on the menu, because their soups of the day change. But if they have it, get it. - I like their portion sizes. They are large enough, but don't make you feel like a stuffed turkey afterwards. But if you're used to getting piles and piles of food, you're maybe better off at the Cheesecake factory or so. Why am I not giving it 5 stars? - The service can be less than stellar sometimes. It's usually ok, but sometimes getting for example a refill on water can take forever. - It's a bit overpriced. I go there anyway, because I can't get what they offer anywhere else closeby, but I think I would go way more often if they were slightly cheaper. - Their counterpart in Belgium is better. Especially the pain au chocolat (chocolat croissant). In Belgium it's twice as big and fresher. They also have a better pastry and bread selection in Belgium.
(4)
Annie P.
ive been here twice...couple months back & today then realized that ive never reviewed it! i love this place...from the tables, cups, drink pitchers, service, everything. they really dont rush you on ANYTHING. so come when you have time and just want to relax...it feels like your in another country when you are here. as for the food ive tried the honey+fig+goat cheese tartine the first time for breakfast and i ate it ALL. it was that good. i also ate some of my moms soups + bread with some of that addictive spread (3). Theres the "Brunette" which is a thick and creamy hazelnut spread. you cant even compare this to nutella. i need to buy some of that to take home... then theres an apricot jams and five berries (?) jam. They are all excellent! Anyways.....about my visit for lunch TODAY it was better than the first time...two of us ordered ice tea and each came out in cute medium sized glass-pitchers. One of us got hot chocolate which was in their "Todays Special" menu. the cup was like a small bowl and it was really cute. and this hot chocolate was LIKE A REAL HOT CHOCOLATE. no coco powder+hot water crap...it came with melted HOT CHOCOLATE in a little pouring cup thing and you basically put as much or as little chocolate you want into your cup which is filled with thick milk+foamy stuffffff. they offer more chocolate if you want. for food..one of us got a chicken tartine and another got some basil pesto tartine. I got the Mediterranean platter which came with 4 or 5 different types of bread.....like ALOT OF BREAD. they give you two dips and some salsa type of thing but no tomatoes.....its like a mediterranean version of a salsa. well that wasnt too good but the two dips...hummus and something else was very gooood! i asked for the three spread of course since i got so much bread and ate it both ways. it was delicoussssssss we decided to come here for lunch every wednesday...it was so calming+peaceful!
(5)
Henri T.
Lesson to be learned people. If you want to eat breakfast on Colorado, you're not going to run into run in the mill tourist traps that serve mediocore food (ie. le pain quotidien). Why people flock to this place still befuddles me. If you like to people watch, then find a bench on Colorado and watch people. If you want to people and eat crappy food, then come here.
(2)
Glen W.
My friends and I were very dissatisfied with the service and the food at this location during the lunch hour. The waiters were utterly aloof (even the busboy was rude!) and the food was certainly not worth the price. Le Pain is an insult to true French cuisine, which in my experience has always been delicious and served in a friendly manner. They need to fire their current waitstaff (it's a rough economy, there are good workers to be had) and take the food up a notch. Not worth the money at all.
(1)
vanessa a.
they have this amazing chamomile mint iced tea that they serve in little carafes and its delicious. their sandwiches or whatever they're called are quite good but id like to find a more efficient way to eat them. eh maybe ill just stick to their salad menu my friend had a salad when we were there and it was really yummy.
(4)
Rayna B.
Don't get caught in this tourist trap! I live in South Pasadena and usually avoid Old Town Pasadena for dining. Although this afternoon I decided to try out a this place. The waitress was really nice and seemed to be very candid and honest about what dishes I should avoid. That should have been a sign for me to get up and high tale it out of there but I decided to stay since she was so sincere. I ordered a cup of Butternut Squash soup which was bland. I was so unimpressed I set it aside after a few spoonfuls. I didn't want to waste the calories on something so uninspiring. I decided to try the Tofu Salad. The waitress mentioned that it was good since it had three types of dressing on it. When it arrived it was just simply greens, radish, tomato and tofu with a sprinkling of seaweed (which I can't stand). The menu didn't give a full description of the salad so I didn't know to tell her to hold the seaweed. After I scrapped it off I dug in to the salad and it was very disappointing also, it was bland and tasteless too. I also had a bottle of water that cost $3.50. For those three items my bill came to $21. I would avoid this place if you are in Old Town it is a tourist trap and a rip off.
(1)
A C.
This place serves delicious organic and quality food. It is located in Old Town Pasadena next to the Melting Pot. I only come here for breakfast thus far. I love their soft cooked boiled eggs. They are served in egg cup. The eggs are perfectly cooked with firm white and runny yolk. Yummylicious! Their various tartines are also very good. I like the curry chicken tartines. I love their chilled gazpacho. Few things are tastier during the summer than a cool, spicy bowl of gazpacho. Their bread is also very good. The only problem is the restaurant's lacking comfortable seats. If you sit outside, you sometimes get panhandlers asking for money.
(4)
Olivia F.
I only had the quiche, but it was pretty good. The lemonade was a little bit bitter, but I put some sugar in there and it was doable. I don't like that they have NO soda at all. It's just unfathomable to me I guess. The quiche was good, but it was an obvious reheat because although the crust was a beautiful brown, it was completely soft. I didn't care for the salad on the side and the cantaloupe wasn't at its peak ripeness. I wish they served it a la carte. I wish I had time to try a pastry though.
(3)
Taylor S.
Food was great, service was good (except for the fact that the server refused to split the check amongst our party), but it was a bit noisy -- even during an off peak time. That said, if you don't mind talking loud, and doing math in your head, it's all in all a worthwhile eat!
(4)
Blue L.
Luckily for us, this was the only breakfast place open at 7am on Sunday morning, otherwise we wouldn't have walked this far west from our hotel. At 7am, there is no wait, I might add. The decor is warm and inviting, and the menu was very creative. This is the kind of place a vegetarian likes. Not your standard breakfast items. I had a farro harvest porridge, which was terrific - it was sweetened with fruit, not sugar, and I felt so healthy after eating it. Hubby had an omelette (with some kind of meat item stuck into it) and said it was very good. This is definitely our new breakfast spot of choice in Pasadena.
(5)
Karen S.
Good macaroons and croissants.
(3)
Mina A.
I have mixed feelings about this place. Getting the wrong thing from the menu can leave you extremely disappointed, especially when this place can be pretty pricey. BUT, if you find the right thing from the menu (there are only a few good things on the menu) then you will love how fresh and flavorful the food here can be. Try a cup of gazpacho, the prosciutto tartine and the Belgian brownie for dessert. Some of the employees here are interesting characters. When we first asked the guy behind the counter about the Belgian brownie, he said "a lot of customers think it's weird". Sorry buddy, but we think YOU'RE weird. The Belgian brownie? That's delicious.
(3)
Maria L.
I've eaten here 3 times....twice to go, once sit down...it def is a bit shishi...it's a bit expensive, but for the quality of the food, I guess it's alright. Everything I've had was good...definitely a nice change from the ordinary Subway, McDonalds, Pizza hut etc...this is, I would say, what real food tastes like!
(3)
Marie r.
3.4 stars for the good food omelette with ham and gruyere could have used more seasoning the egg salad tartine was yummy croissant is ok service is mediocre - but to their defense it was really busy
(3)
Lysa S.
Ok we love Pain Quotidien; been to them in Santa Monica, New York, London, and Paris. This one is by far the worst. Primarily because of the service. And I'm not judging this on one visit, I've been here 3 times in the last two months and I'm done! Will not be back, had the same male waiter twice and he was just horrible, got orders wrong, served us cold scrambled eggs and even forgot half the order.
(2)
Christina A.
Staff could use training in customer service. In our thirty minute session of dining our waiter checked on us zero times. We had to flag other waiters down just to get some service. The coffee was delicious and that's why I gave it more than one star.
(2)
Sara W.
My go to lunch stop. I love how fresh and healthy this place is, super tasty! Fabulous seasonal specials. I order the Tuscan white bean salad with prosciutto often, and their chicken and chorizo tartine!
(5)
Georgie W.
We used to drive all the way to Pasadena for this Pain Quotidien when living in West Hollywood, because I like the overall look and feel of Colorado Blvd. on a weekday morning. Imagine the place can be quite crowded on the weekends! Over time and experience, we started to try the one in Beverly Hills and it wasn't too bad either. The Pasadena PQ has more kids and families and the Beverly Hills PQ has more industry types. I haven't been able to find a truly good parking solution in Pasadena, but I will usually park in the structure behind the restaurant, where parking is validated/ free depending on the length of visit. Nice French themed food and good breakfast with breads, the yogurt parfait is excellent and the iced tea is awesome.
(4)
TT H.
Pastries here are fantastic. Can't have just one. Turnovers are so good. I take home a few things each time? Tarts are a must have.
(5)
Jenna C.
This place caught our eye as we were strolling around Pasadena. The set-up inside is very neat. Various sizes of wooden tables (including one very long-family style one that seats apprx. 20). The server was friendly, and the menu had some very appealing items (many organic, healthy choices). I ordered the quinoa salad, that also had arugula, sun-dried tomato, fresh tomato, garbanzo bean, and artichoke. Tasty, wish there was more "stuff" on it (the arugula and other stuff was a little sparse). Casey ordered one of their open faced sandwiches with chicken and mozzarella. We wished the bread was toasted. Overall, our experience was okay. A little pricey for the quantity of food. Quality was okay.
(3)
Kelly G.
I love the coffee - served in bowls! - the large communal table and the preserves. Not all of the breads and pastries have been winners for me, but I'm always happy with a coffee and brioche. My husband loves the trays with meat and cheese - a true continental breakfast. It's right smack in the middle of old town so it often feels overcrowded and busy, when I think what you really want to do is sit and nurse your coffee and lounge a little. Go on a weekday morning if you can.
(3)
Julie N.
This is unique restaurant if you're looking for a place to sit down and eat relatively fast. Good food, good atmosphere. A little pricey, but they do have specials that are reasonable.
(4)
Renee D.
I would have given a 3 star, however, the wheels are coming off the cart on the basics. And I do like this place, so I didn't want to give it a one star.. but here's the situation we had. Ordered the coffee, which is great... however the half and half container had some brown smudges of film in it. As if it was put in dishwashing tub and sat there for a day with coffee dregs in it. So before our server could get too far away, I asked for a different one. She replaced it.... with another one that had gross brown stains it it. Holy Doodle, that really bummed me out. OWNERS-MANAGERS- Quality Control please! Use a little bleach and clean things up! If that is making it out to the customer, what's the kitchen like??? The food was good. I had the salmon scramble. eggs were cooked perfectly. My sweetie had the ham croissant, however, there was a nasty hair on his plate... Major infraction. At that point after the coffee creamer incident, we didn't even bother to complain. Charming place if they can get rid of the chipped coffee pots and clean things up a bit..... it will be a while before we forget the mishaps and return. We hope the management reads these review.
(2)
Kislev A.
Fig & Ricotta Tartine: Oh soooo delicious... and surprisingly filling. Turkey & Avocado Tartine: Good. The exceptional ingredients were the whole mustard seeds and the super soft wheat bread. Vegetarian Quiche: warm and filling. Brioche Bread Pudding: Lighter than regular pudding. Pretty good. Surprisingly small. Great orange marmalade accompaniment. I wouldnt mind going back to try out other items on their list.
(4)
Corina B.
Le Pain is so yummy on a Sunday morning. Their coffee is always fresh, strong and tastes great! Their pastries are perfect with the coffee. Everything is organic and healthy. Enjoy the community table!
(4)
Chris W.
Don't believe the haters. I read your 1- and 2-star reviews you losers. Perhaps you guys should go somewhere that gives you bottomless drinks filled with high fructose corn syrup-based and fried food. Perhaps that's where you belong. The food here is very good. The service is spot on ... especially if Josh is serving. That isn't to say the rest of the staff aren't great, they are, but Josh is a great server. All of the soups I've had are great! The turkey chili is pretty damn good, too. I love the gruyere tartin. Love the fact they don't serve Coke or Pepsi as I think that is one of the aspects that keeps the pedestrian masses from invading the place when I want to eat there. ;) Another thing I love is that when I have vegetarian friends around I can take them there and they're always happy having an ample selection of things to eat. I don't have vegan friends. I don't like vegans. ;) If you're looking for a fast place to have lunch that's way healthier than 99% of the other places in Old Town, this is it!
(4)
Julie B.
The best breakfast place in town-I've never had a bad meal at Le Pain! Between the great customer service given by Sara, Stephanie, Patrick, Stephen and company and the delicious Paris Ham and Gueyere Egg White omelet, this is breakfast at it's best! Their Bakers Basket is a real treat, with a wonderful assortment of breads to accompany their entrees. Also, you have a selection of the tastiest spreads, great beverages and a to-go bakery that satisfies everyone!
(5)
Erika H.
I dropped in here this past weekend to check it out. Anything with a French name catches my eye, especially if they serve dessert/bread. Upon walking in I was greeted by several staff which was a nice welcome. The guy in the front gave me a break down of the name, the menu and the desserts, mentioning that all breads/pastries are baked fresh daily. I ordered to-go: Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, a brioche muffin, a macaroon, sn apple/pear turnover and a vegan carrot muffin. The salad was ridiculous. Filled with diced eggs, tomatoes, bacon, cucumber, bleu cheese crumbles and topped with nice thick slices of avocado. The vinaigrette was the perfect match. It came with a couple of thin slices of bread as well. Yum. The desserts were good. They weren't sweet enough for my sweet tooth but for what the place is and what they strive to serve, the desserts were healthy and fitting. Overall, a good experience and I'll be back to explore their menu.
(4)
Amz T.
The food at this place is delicious. Atmosphere is quite loud in the restaurant. Service can be challenging. We had a waiter who hurried for our order, yet our coffees took a while to arrive. I saw that they served beverages to the table that came in AFTER us. I ordered the curry chicken salad tartine (see photo). When it came, the waiter dropped the chutney sauce right as he was placing the plate on the table. He looked at me, saying "don't worry about it" like it was my fault he dropped it! The Spinach soup I ordered arrived after the entree.
(3)
Heather F.
Filthy dirty place. I used the bathroom after I ate. The level of disgust in the restroom was epic for food establishment. I would expect that level at a club after midnight, not a place charging $12 for 2 scrambled eggs. I let the wait staff know, she was shocked and appalled. Whatever. This was not one day's worth of yuck, this was layered on.
(1)
Christopher T.
Great service and fantastic breads! Loved the place. The coffe was fantastic as well. All around good stuff.
(4)
Virginia R.
We love it! This is my daughter's favorite cafe. The service is always very friendly and the food delicious. My 7 year old's favorite is any and all soups of the day, and has been ever since she was 2 years old. My favorite is the gazpacho. yummy! The coffee is excellent too.
(4)
Rolo M.
Trader Joe's food with inflated pricing!
(1)
Pearl J.
Le Pain Quotiden specializes in pastries and desserts. They also have a cafe menu that serves French style cuisine for breakfast and lunch. The menu is pretty limited to eggs, salads, and tartines with a few other specials. The service is not spectacular but the food comes out quickly. I have order the smoked salmon and avocado tartine, the turkey tartine, and the ricotta and fig tartines. All the tartines taste very light and healthy, but it is not top quality ingredients. The portions are small for the price leaving you enough room to try a dessert. This is just another healthy choice when you can't think of anywhere else to go.
(3)
Maria L.
I took a break from moving today, and had brunch here with an old friend. (Moving is such hard work!!) I ordered an omelette with smoked salmon. My friend ordered a salad. With my meal I also ordered some coffee. It was all good. The omelette was fluffy and light, the salmon fresh and delicious. Breakfast was served with some delicious breads and jellies. The coffee was served in the traditional bowl used by the French and it was very good. The salad ordered by my friend looked really good, and she seemed to really enjoy it. My only complaint is that the service might have been a bit more attentive. This is indeed a nice place for a late Sunday morning bruch, or early lunch. Oh, and it did not hurt that it is located in Old Town Pasadena.
(4)
Daniel R.
the chorizo chicken omelet was awesome! Plus the lattes here are great. PS the parking lot around the corner is free parking for 90 minutes!
(4)
J B.
While visiting Pasadena, my boyfriend and I chose to meet friends at Le Pain Quotidien for brunch, because it is among our favorite breakfast spots back on the East Coast. The food was fresh, familiar, and consistent, but the service left much to be desired. Our waitress all but forgot about our table--failed to bring items we requested, never offered refills on water or coffee, and disappeared for most of the time we were there. We had to ask a different server for our check. Although, we enjoyed our meal, the service was lackluster at best.
(3)
Priscilla S.
Stopped by here after hiking the other day to sample one of their famous open-faced sandwiches. At the moment, Urth Caffe is my absolute favorite for sandwiches and I was hoping this place would be just as good. I got the rustic tuna sandwich, which was pretty good. The tuna was a bit on the dry side though, which was quickly fixed after I added a bit of their olive oil to it. While the sandwich was good, the price was a bit steep (about $11) for what it was - just a plain tuna sandwich w/ a bit of hummus and white beans. I'd rather pay that at Urth, where I'd not only get a sandwich, but also a refreshing light salad as well. Another thing was that the sandwich wasn't as fulfilling for some reason. I don't know if it was the kind of bread they used or whatever, but I left feeling like there was still something missing :/ I'd come back if I was in Old Town looking for a quick and light lunch, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. (Also, I don't know if anyone else had a problem with this, but the plates that they serve the sandwiches on were so ridiculously small. It was just a small little slab that was barely big enough to fit the sandwich on. I swear I dropped so many pieces of my sandwich not onto the plate, but onto the table instead, even though I was eating over the tiny plate. Not taking any stars off for that though, but just thought it was worth a mention.)
(4)
Asia E.
i like this place! i wish it was a little cheaper and i wish the portions were a little bit bigger, but...eh. THINGS I LOVE: - SMOKED SALMON OMLETTE - PROSCUITTO AND BUFALA MOZZERELLA TARTINE - MUFFINS! - BREAD SPREAD: blonde white chocolate, hazelnut spread, raspberry and apricot jams...all delicious and you can mix different spreads for delicious combinations! THE WEIRDEST THING I ATE HERE: I once ordered this bowl that was a variety of raw nuts and a whole banana. You could have it with milk...I thought it was so strange. When I talked to my friends about my weird experience, they were laughing. I realized they were laughing at my expense for eating 'banana and nuts.' I took off my stiletto and beat them, heel first.
(4)
Michael C.
I've had better. But considering it's service is pretty good, and most of the food we had there, have became some of the food we have on our dining table, I think it is at least a 3 star.
(3)
James S.
play me while you read: youtube.com/watch?v=H2-1… We aimlessly strolled troll through narrow red bricked alleys of Old Town, passing by shops and boutiques. I felt like we were navigating through a Parisian neighborhood. As we got to the main streets, we were a bit famished and in search for some sustenance. Since Le Pain Quotiden was bookmarked on our Yelp app, we decided to give it a shot. Kyle our server was very informative and helped with our order. I managed to get the chia muffin and parafait while she settled for the ricotta and fig tartine with a pot of mint tea. Although considered a light meal, it was considerably satiating. Would I be back? I can see myself coming back here and trying out something new off the menu. The outdoor patio is great for people watching or in our case, great to take pictures of passer bys. While the inside is quaint and great for an intimate meal. Also, the prices are fairly decent.
(4)
Daisy C.
Kill me.... Who would've thought that black beans mixed with hummus will steal my meat loving heart... I would order that over and over again.. I even walked out with a tartine on a napkin because I didn't want to waste it... Avocado on each slice? WTH stop spoiling me.. I'm just dying with happiness... Their white bean soup is delicious as well... but that BB Hummus is delicious... together, they make a super... super something... I think Imma go sleep with my slice of tartine heaven now.. *droolls*
(4)
Vickie C.
Everytime I walk into this place, it gives me this quiant cozy feeling. Maybe because everything is made out of wood, from the floors to all the furniture. I've only come here for breakfast, and it is pretty good. The portions are on the smaller side, given their prices. But I guess you're paying for higher quality. They advertise that they use organic coffee and milk here. My fave about this restaurant is the fresh jam and praline spread they provide for their well known breads! Once you order, they bring over a tray of three: 2 jams and 1 praline spread. Super delicious!! I love the jams they have! I always end up eating all the toast that comes with the meal and just take the rest to go. Service is always fast and friendly. You might have to flag them down once in a while when things get busy. Parking: There's a 90 minute free structure in the back, entrance off of delacey. If not, there are metered street parking throughout old town.
(4)
Alyssa P.
How on earth do you pronounce this place's name anyways?! Who cares, cuz it's sooo yum. I first went to this franchise in NYC near The Dakota and thought it was solely a hippie New York spot my healthy friend wanted to eat cuz she got so skinny once she moved there. But I saw it here at home, and looky here, that same friend was home for Christmas and that's where we went. ;P I like this place a lot. Really great, market fresh, quality ingredients. Very healthy and organic without being tasteless. They make it fun and enjoyable to eat moderately and well. That praline spread they have at the table is great, a good substitution for my butter, cuz sorry, you ain't takin' my carbs away from this girl! We had the Paris ham and gruyere omelet and the tuscan plate - it had bread, an olive tepenade, various cheeses, sundried tomatoes and mesclun mix, and prosciutto. Yum yum. Top it off with a hot latte and you're good to go walk around and shop.
(3)
Vera O.
Love their food and drinks- have tried sandwiches, breakfast plates, cheese platter, breads and have enjoyed them all. No issues with service and we enjoy the ambiance.
(5)
Laen S.
They should consider replacing their ham and cheese quiche more frequently, i got an upset stomach immediately after having it today.
(2)
Brandon A.
#107 A friend and I were trying to figure out a place to meet up. She suggested LPQ as the spot, and there we were. From what I had heard, I had the idea that the place was vegetarian. And with the words "Le Pain" in the name, I figured I was in for some punishment. While they do have vegetarian menu items, their focus is rather on fresh, high-quality ingredients. I actually found their menu to have a fair amount of variety (soups, salads, tartines). I wound up ordering one of their tartines - prosciutto & mozzarella di bufala with sundried tomatoes & basil pesto (see my picture: yelp.com/biz_photos/Frb8… ). In reality, it's simply an open-faced sandwich. It came with five slices and a wedge of cantaloupe. It tasted very fresh and light ... just the right lunch for a triple digit September day in Old Town. They serve bread to the table, but make sure to ask for their spreads. I don't recall what each is called, but there was a peanut butter-like spread (reminded me of nutella), an apricot spread, and a berry spread. Overall, you do pay a pretty penny. I think my tartine ran in the low teens. And for a restaurant that is a casual sit down, I thought that was a bit high. I guess you pay the price to eat fresh.
(3)
Michelle K.
This is one of my usual places for business breakfast lunches/meetings. The staff is friendly and the food is fresh and I never feel stuffed or over-full when I leave. It's a little on the pricey side but I still keep coming back so it's worth it. *NOTE: prices for take-out drinks are lower than when you order at the tables! Don't be surprised. Weird policy. Favorites: White Bean & Prosciutto Salad: light but the crutons are AMAZING... comes with 2 slices of their bread so you can try all their delicious spreads! Just the bread & spreads make the meal! Black Bean & Hummus Tartine: with avocado & spicy tahini (the spicy sauce is the BEST). Yes it's vegan but you don't even know because it tastes so good. Hot Chocolate: mix your own! They bring you the heated milk and a little cup of melted chocolate so you can add it in. I'm not the biggest fan of super chocolaty drinks so this was PERFECT! Chai Tea Latte: seasonal, so when they have it, order it! Just the right amount of spice to zing. Hot Apple Cider: also seasonal, balance between sweet and spicy. Love the cinnamon in this. It's perfect for the non-coffee drinker (like me)!
(4)
Sheena L.
MUST TRY: Belgian Waffle & French Toast .. Don't waste your time on anything else
(3)
Chris B.
Had the chicken tartine, veggie quiche and a latte. Flavorful but on the pricey side. Artisan breads and nice ambiance.
I LOVE Le Pain! Organic, healthy, & tons of vegan/vegetarian options. However, they are also healthy because the portions are so small. As my friend and I like to say, they serve "skinny people food" so not long after I am hungry again! However, it is the perfect place to get some fresh ingredients, interesting food combinations and a light bite. Bonus that they have almond milk, not just soy milk, to use in their espresso drinks! I am here at least once every single time I am in LA!
(4)
Rachel N.
Perfectly lovely place to have brunch--went on a Friday around 10 and the place was still hopping--had omelettes and smoked salmon--nothing extraordinary, but perfectly yummy--and good people watching, to boot. If you're in the mood to boldly break your carbohydrate embargo, this is the place to do it. In related news, hazelnut spread! Yes. Slather it on anything you can get your hands on.
(3)
Sarah S.
I love this place! It's very quaint and the food is very clean AND the best part of it is that it's organic! Even the water doesn't have the tap water taste; tastes filtered and crisp. It's perfect for those who don't have a HUGE appetite and just want something not too heavy.
(4)
anna c.
I was there this past weekend for brunch. Make sure to try their zucchini and goat cheese frittata while it's still available! It's awesome! Their brioche is okay, not fantastic, but I love the spreads that come with their bread. They had a hazelnut spread (not Nutella, there's no chocolate involved) that was very tasty! The mimosas are great too, you can tell they use fresh squeezed orange juice.
(4)
Michelle M.
Went here for brunch Sunday, had the salmon omelette, it was great. My friend had the artichoke omelette and it was fantastic as well. Great food, fast service... I just wish I could eat everything here! The only thing I don't like are the big wooden tables that are European style that you can share with a stranger... that's all.
(4)
Anna M.
It's a great place for organic food lovers. It's a little pricey but mostly worth it. Love the waffle with berries for breakfast.
(4)
Stepha G.
In the past, the first couple of years of LPQ in this location I purchased loaves of bread, and very happily introduced out of town friends to this spot in Old Town, especially for tea in the middle of the afternoon. This had been one of my favorite spots to breakfast in Pasadena. About 10 days ago, when I walked in to observe a handsome fly land on the beautiful baked goods by the front door, that was a sad moment. I prefer to see flies outdoors, doing what they do well. How about adding some kind of protection (shield, cover) surrounding the foods flies find attractive?
(3)
Lisa S.
yummy waffles and fruit, but definitely not enough for a breakfast. Servings are small, but the food is good. One of the only places in old town open for breakfast and has a patio (we had to bring our dog with us since he just had surgery). yummy coffee, but when busy, service is a little slow. Some of the food is a little too granola for me, and although delicious, bread and pastries are a bit over priced.
(3)
Chris C.
I have tried all the sandwich. Love the salmon sandwich. Love their organic lemon juice and their jams. I like all their desserts especially the chocolate mouse and berry tart.
(4)
Allen P.
I will not forget my bk here, it was so healthy and tasteful, i love this place. The waiter was very patient and did not rush us throughout the meal. I had multiple serving of the best richest coffee I've had in awhile, the breakfast basket came with chocolate croissant and two drinks with best fruit jams. Orange juice was freshly squeezes. I also had their berry waffle, although it was smaller than most out there, the flavors inside the waffle made it most amazing, crispy and scrumptious, i really did not need any syrup. Awesome experience!
(5)
Melissa K.
I had high hopes for this place as the menu looks good and the place is really cute. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my high hopes. The food was fairly bland and not at all what I expected (I had a tartine and the mozzarella salad). The worst part was the service. It took 10 min to take our drink order, another 15 to take our food order and at this point we had not even gotten our drinks yet (ice tea). Our food arrived and about 20 min later we got our ice tea and utensils. The staff seems uncaring and annoyed to be working. I wouldn't give this place a second chance.
(1)
Amanda G.
We were wandering around downtown Pasadena looking for either a late lunch or an early dinner. Nothing had fit the bill until we came upon this place. The food is mostly organic, and they had some great light options. Our server was incredibly sweet, but a a little flaky, and our food took way too long! Aside from that, the food and overall experience was enjoyable. I had salmon on a bed of whole wheat cous cous, with a few veggies mixed in. Although I requested my salmon be left a little rare, it wasn't, but it was still very good. It was a realistic portion size, (which I totally appreciate) and all the flavors were delicious. It was also served with 2 slices of 2 different kinds of bread, both were tasty, (as were the house brand jams and nutella like spread.) This is not a destination restaurant by any means, but still a good place to find some healthy options. If there was a a location nearby, I'd return for breakfast and/or lunch.
(4)
Amelia S.
Fresh and organic fare doesn't come cheap, but the quality of the food is very good. I sampled the smoked salmon salad. The flavors didn't work for me, but the ingredients were excellent. Their breads are also very good, and I liked the white chocolate spread they had at the table.
(4)
Sarah C.
Bakery, Desserts, & sit down casual quality meals Order on the go, sit down, or to eat on the outdoor patio. This place has fresh and tasty eats. There are many vegetarian and vegan options. Friendly service. Scarce street parking and parking lot in rear.
(4)
Lee A.
I really only visited this place for carry out lunch, which was always a form of soup from their Soup of the Day menu. My coworkers and I affectionately called the restaurant "The Daily Pain", just because. Anyway, the wait is great, the staff is friendly and the environment is inviting. The soups, however... Never had the gazpacho, which is available EVERY DAY. On one occasion, I had what barely passed for a corn chowder. It was watery and bland. Actually, most of their soups were watery and/or bland. Even the potato bacon left one wanting for more. How do you mess up bacon? The breads are excellent, though. The bakery is splendid, the muffins scrumptious and the croissants are decadent. The little nougat candies and jams and jellies and Nutella is all brilliant. Now, if they get their soup down (and how long does it take to ladle soup into a carry-out cup, really), then they'll be on their way to carry-out greatness. But, if you have the inability to taste proper soup and just want something hot and liquidity to keep you alive for a few more hours, you've found just the place!
(2)
Lisa S.
If only I could have given them 1/2 star, I totally would. The wait on table was not bad and they were fairly busy for Sunday nearing 12pm. we sat and the waitress was very nice and smiley. She took our drink order and we drank all our drink and then the food came. Food took a good 15-20 min which I guess was okay if I'd had known they dont give free refills then would have ordered water so I wouldn't gage on the bread they served. My friend ordered ham/gruyere omelette replacing gruyere w/cheddar. well, hers came out but our omelettes had scallions which we didn't know. she doesn't like onions of any form. So we asked for another one. Would be fine but took another 10-15min which I was nearly done eating. We asked why was taking so long for a refire and she apologized and said their kitchen was really backed up and she did ask them to rush it. then finally it came out and what the heck, it had gruyere instead of cheddar. OMG..really? I will not go back. overly priced supposedly all organic food! I've had way better!
(1)
Bianca R.
i love this place! Organic! great omelets! great environment! nice people! what els is needed in a nice saturday or sunday morning!
(5)
Hilary J.
I came here twice, once eating in and the other taking out. The staff were so friendly, I asked to try the apple cider for my son while waiting for my to-go order and the lady offered to just give me a glass while I was waiting for my food. The time I ate in the food was delish and the service also great! I got the arugula and goat cheese salad with hazelnuts & the minestrone soup. Highly recommend! Very nice casual atmosphere.
(5)
Chickything C.
Amazing food, laid back set up. I really enjoyed the coffee in the little pot.
(4)
Michelle K.
Finally ate here after seeing it every time I've been to old town. =) Have to say I am glad I tried it. 1. It wasn't packed during lunch - mainly because people were too busy camping their butts out on Colorado Blvd. awaiting the Rose Parade 2. It was a Thursday I got the chicken and smoked mozzarella tartine and my friend got the Asparagus and goat cheese omelet. My tartine was DELICIOUS. It had the right amount of pesto and the chicken wasn't dry at all. My friend's omelet was good, but I am not a fan of goat cheese so I just picked around it. I love the cozy bakery feel of this restaurant. It's very much about the ambiance. The little pecan peanut butter and jam condiment thing they had was SO GOOD!!! I almost shoved it in my purse!! Definitely a DO TRY if you're in the area.
(4)
Hiram J.
Will be coming back for more!!! Had the Paris ham and gruyere omelette and was impressed. Great atmosphere and service. Love the rustic feel to the place which aligns with the organic menu. Very comfortable feel to the place.
(4)
A M.
Expect small portions & high prices & lately service with attitude. Some of the waiters are nice, though asking more than once for something seems to be the rule. A few are sarcastic & pretend not to understand the customer. I witnessed one server repeatedly being so snarky to a group of brunching elderly ladies that I almost said something to the manager. Even if your job isn't in the service industry, who thinks being rude to older people makes them cool? While I'm being cranky, I may as well point out the cracked/chipped cups, bowls, etc & crusted food on the silverware. Most health depts don't allow restaurants to serve food on cracked plates.
(2)
Edgie T.
This is THE place in Old Town Pasadena if you want a grub for something light, fresh and organic. I especially loved the vegetarian quiche (Gruyere, spinach, mushrooms & leeks) that came with mesclun salad tossed in organic vinaigrette. I would also like to highlight their organic wine list. Inside the restaurant, you can't miss the long communal table with loaves of bread used as menu holder. Their pastries are displayed beautifully on the left and just across is a wide selection of organic jams and spreads. Perfect location for any health conscious shopper or if you just want to try something different.
(4)
Jill and Ying J.
Okay disclaimer: we read the yelp reviews on this place beforehand and went in expecting terrible service, which is what we got. BUT, knowing that and determined to not be fazed by it, the food was wonderful!! there were 4 of us, and we had a nice assortment of omelets, the belgian waffle (which tastes and looks like a LEGIT belgian waffle), a tartine, and their quiche which were all top notch! And of course on our way out, we couldn't help but stop by the little bakery display and buy an ENTIRE salted chocolate ganache (which was consumed in its entirety in 1.5 days), a giant chocolate chip cookie, and a set of their 4 spreads (sooo delicious, especially the Speculoos if you have to choose one). We did not regret any of these purchases. So yes, the service sucks and you'll likely get asked to order by more than one person and then wait more than half an hour for your food, but if you go in expecting that, the food and desserts are truly a unique and delicious experience!
(4)
G. N.
Updating another year and many meals later: This is still my favorite place in Pasadena for breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner. The management ensures quality and consistency, and the staff are to a person attentive, unfailingly courteous, and knowledgeable about the menu, preparation and ingredients. I would go even more often than I already do but I don't want to creep out the staff. It is that comfortable a place. The restaurant can get crazy-busy at times, because they are deservedly popular. However, it has a light communal element to it which makes it okay to grab your jam and spread trio from an empty table (an option one can exercise instead of criticizing the service during those peak times - options are good). I like this informal but non-intrusive element of LPQ. Some people are not comfortable with communal tables, which I can understand. In a city I previously lived in, communal table meant individuals who wanted to personally engage in some way. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it is not for me. At LPQ, communal basically means an optional nod and the courtesy to share condiments when you are done with them if asked. No problem. I love Pasadena's LPQ and the hard-working staff who make it all happen every day. You are the best!
(5)
Greg H.
I like this place because it's in the heart of old tone Pasadena. Addition to that the servers are on top of things. Usually every 2-3 other Sunday morning I would stop by and get their smoke salmon omelet egg whites, a glass of their fresh OJ and glass of low fat milk, and fruit tart to go. It hit the spot every time :) FYI their fresh fruit plate are good too. It is very very fresh
(5)
Aly R.
Sunday Morning - needed to fuel up before hitting Ren Faire. My DMTB and I have much different tastes when we wake up and realize that our stomachs are empty. I like to have "traditional" breakfast thingys - eggs, OJ, coffee, etc. I fully understand the the word traditional is clearly subjective, however, breakfast for me is bagels and lox, waffles, etc. My beau, on the otherhand, likes to skip the "breakfast" and go straight onto "lunch" - sandwiches or Dim Sum. So the first meal of the day usually is difficult to satisfy both of our tastes at one joint. LPQ can really deliver with the quality and freshness of their food. I chose the Smoked Salmon & Scallion, and DMTB ordered the Quiche Lorraine. The serving of the salmon alone already made my day - they are very generous with the salmon. That being said, I normally don't finish any meal, because I tend to not eat much at any given time, but I practically cleaned the plate because I was: a.) Very Hungry, and more importantly b.) the meal was just that good. Thank you LPQ for a delicious breakfast. Yum yum.
(5)
Richard P.
Met up at Le Pain Quotidien with my mom and sister. They had went to get their nails done in Old Town. I had planned to meet others later in the night for drinks in the same area, so I decided to meet up with them for dinner. As they waited for me to arrive they decide to try Le Pain Quotidien. They just order the Baked Ricotta served with Crostini. While the dish tasted OK. It wasn't great. We were the only people in the entire restaurant on a Friday night. There were a few parties eating outside, but the restaurant was relatively empty (especially for a Friday night). In the 20 minutes I spent in the restaurant I noticed the servers drop 2 dishes. The service seemed inadequate. Even with the an empty restaurant it seemed to take them a while to get things done.
(2)
James W.
The baguettes here are as close to France as you can get here in Southern California. I have to admit they are better than La Brea Bakery breads. Le Pain Quotidien also pairs their wonderful breads with delicious preserves and their version of Nutella. (Chocolate hazel nut spread) Everything on their menu is geared towards an organic affair and their flavors certainly show the quality with every bit. From the Tartines to salads to their desserts, you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Jolyn C.
I have walked by many of these in my day, but never really thought about going in to try it, until yesterday! The place looked like the typical cafe/bakery places i normally eat at, so it looked promising. Having no knowledge of french food, i had no idea where to start on the menu. The server suggested a tartine & a omelette. My mom and i shared the Ricotta & Fig Tartine and the Chicken Chorizo Omelette! I couldnt tell you which was my favorite only because BOTH WERE JUST AMAZEBALLS. First of all i LOVE Ricotta. Second of all, i didnt know how awesome honey would taste in that Tartine. I would get it OVER & OVER & OVER again! Chicken Chorizo Omelette was an awesome savory breakfast dish. Their omelets are sooooo cheezy & thats how an omelette should be. So im raving so much about the food, why did they get 3 stars only? the service. if you know me, you know how big of a stickler i am about service. maybe it was busy? idk, but my sever was no bueno in my book. took forever to get me my drink. never checked back on us. brought us our silverware without giving my mom a fork... & the lights were shaky as if we were in a scary movie.. or a rave, whichever. the shaky lights hurt my eyes as i was trying to read the menu. maybe it was just the pasadena location, since there has been the same consensus from the reviews i have read. sad... food is great, service need to step it up a notch, or 10.
(3)
Krystal N.
Communal tables? Very cool concept! You just sit wherever is free and then a server will come greet you! The inside looked like there were a couple long tables and outside seating had more individual tables. We never felt like we were too close to anyone either. Food was simple, healthy, refreshing, but still satisfying. I got the cobb salad, huge portion! I was surprised! The dressing was very light and delicious. I have having super rich creamy dressing all over my salad. Avocado and chicken portions were generous. I would definitely have this again. Came with two slices of their fabulous bread, yum! Boyfriend got the chicken & mozzarella tartine, which is basically an open faced sandwich. He loved it! Very yummy but won't make you feel guilty after eating it. I loved how most of the items on the menu are organic and maybe it is because I am not from socal but I didn't know this place was a chain. Hopefully it'll come to the bay area because I am a fan!
(4)
Rina C.
service is great but food.......it's healthy but doesn't taste good. I ordered quiche and they made a healthy version of it..... or should I say, completely different version of it. it should be call a vegetable pie--not quiche. there's no egg, no cheese, no pie crust...... just layers of veggie that looks pretty but doesn't taste that good. I like it that it come with side salad (dark green veggie). tomato soup--not too impress by it either. If you are a healthy eater , this is the place for you.
(3)
Karen C.
Le Pain Quotidien puts the P in Poser and the Q in Qu'est ce que c'est ce overpriced piece of sh*t?! I met not one but two idiots who told me that this place is their favorite "french" cafe/ restaurant after finding out that I used to live in France and my answer to them is "Have u tried Urth Caffe? Of course not." I think people like this place cuz they can't pronounce the name. Seriously, if you're going to spend $10-$20 for some organic sandwich why would you do it at this place? Frenchies don't even eat sandwiches, they eat "tartines" which is two pieces of bread with some Nutella in it. The closest that comes to a sandwich is a baguette with a slice of jambon and fromage...thats it. No fancy smancy stuff that Le Pain Quotidien wants you to think is french food. Costco's croissant and baguette taste better than theirs. So my advice is to drive 30 mins to Beverly Hills and eat at Urth Caffe, you get to watch better looking people and do some real shopping at Rodeo or Beverly Center. You can thank me later.
(2)
Cindy P.
This place is nice. I came here with my friend for brunch. Although it was a bit cloudy and chilly, we decided to sit outside to enjoy the cool air. It was nice to slow down to enjoy brunch and watch the busyness of Colorado zoom right by. Although the service was a bit slow (I need to keep this in mind if I am ever in a hurry), brunch here was really nice. My friend ordered their French Toast. It was French Toast like I have never seen it. They were small toast cut in (half or fourths) with a coating of sugar glaze. I'm not even sure if there was egg on it, but since it is French Toast, is it safe to say that there was? Basically, this was a French Toast that did not need syrup. It was on the tougher side because of the sugar glaze. Different, but a nice different. I had their Lorraine Quiche! MmMmMm. It is important that I disclose my love for quiche to reveal my personal bias in this review. I just really love quiche in general. If I had more time in my life, I would make more quiche myself to eat on a regular basis! Le Pain Quotidien's quiche was tasty and nice. It has been a while since I had quiche, so when I saw it on the menu - there was no doubt in my mind what I was ordering. It did not disappoint~ It came with a side salad and a piece of fruit. Thumbs up for their quiche. I didn't feel like a cup of coffee then, but now I wish I had ordered one. For dessert, we had their fruit tart. It was nice, but I definitely had better. It was still a very pleasant ending to our brunch. Overall, breakfast foods were a delight. This place is a bit pricey for the amount of food that you get. The portions, at least to me, is perfect - but it is still a bit pricey for breakfast food. What I did enjoy seeing was that there are a lot of veggie/vegan options here. Thumbs up. Le Pain Quotidien, you get 3 stars... for now. =)
(3)
Jon R.
Amazing croissants! Plan and chocolate!! Great decor and ambiance. It's kind of pricey but for great french breads it's worth it!
(5)
Staci F.
My girlfriends and I came her for brunch one morning. The food was great! Super healthy and organic but tasted amazing as well. The prices are little out there for the food, but not too bad. I had the Quinoa salad which was excellent and will definatly come back and order again. They have a bakery as well just to get bread. I ordered my husband a ham and cheese coissant and he loved it! definitely will come back again!
(4)
Tawny A.
I really love it here. The style of food may not be for everyone, but me and my taste buds love it. I love their bread and assorted bakery items. They are fresh and taste like sunshine. yes sunshine. I say this because eating their bread reminds me of sitting next to the window on the train from Paris, with the sunshine beating on my face. The bread at Le Pain Quotidien gives me deja-vu. I love sipping their mint lemonade, which is freshly squeezed and bitter with actual mint leaves. Now, I have tried many of their tartines (open face sandwiches) and particulary love these ones: Chicken Curry Salad which comes with a cranberry chutney is really creamy and the curry is not strong at all. The bitter yet sweet cranberry cuts the spiced chicken curry flavor really well. I grave this tartine the most. Roast Beef is really simple with a herbed mayo, which is sparce, so ask for more. Gruyère is a vegetarian tartine with pickles, mango, mustard and sun dried tomato. I usually ask for them to keep the tomato because i don't care for the flavor of them. Ricotta and Figs is also a vegetarian tartine with black pepper and honey. I actually put a little mustard on this one too and it is oh soooooooo good. their salads are good as is their quiche, but i stick to the sandwiches which usually I avoid. This is one of the only places I will or can enjoy a sandwich.
(5)
Mariko B.
Well, this place is just fantastic for brunch. Nothing beats their breakfast menu. I just keep coming back... Mhmmmm
(5)
Alexandro Z.
Food , decor and whole set up is great!!!! But service : unfortunately is not. And same applies to service in Pasadena, Studio City and Calabasas locations
(3)
Mackenzie G.
Delicious food! Like oh my Gah yum! However, the service is quite slow. I work in the area and go there on my breaks. More than once my take away order has been sitting in the window while the staff just wanders back and forth (not during busy times at all). I'll keep going there I just wish there was a bit more pep in their step.
(4)
Katie B.
Pretentious is my word to describe this bakery/restaurant. Sporting organic cotton t-shirts (and proclaiming it loudly on the front), this placed reeked of upscale Pasadena residents trying to be hipsters. Our service was slow and when we finally received our food (about 25 minutes after we ordered, on a barely populated service floor) my french toast was cold and hard as a rock. While that may be cliche, I literally had to saw through my whole wheat bread battered in free range eggs and spattered with agave nectar. My mom's lemon blueberry scone was incredibly dry and my dad's bread basket came cold. For a $35 check, I expect more than cold, dry bricks for breakfast. We had considered going to ihop that morning and now, I wish we had. Le pain Quotidien is just simply the pain.
(1)
John B.
Great spot. Healthy , service is ok, but food is great
(4)
Anna S.
Who knew this is an international sensation. They got locations stretching as far as Dubai and Japan! My sister suggested this place for a post-mother's day brunch (we had our celebration the night before). We were seated pretty quickly for a party of three. This place was happening and I can tell there were people of all backgrounds here. Maybe some people knew of it outside of the US. We ordered the belgian bread dish. Mine's was four slices of bread with I think tuna (like a tuna salad) with a tomato on the side. It was pretty filling. My fiance had the fig version. I love trying new things. My sister had the quinoa. We all ordered teas and lemonade. They give it to you in a decent size container. We decided to make our own arnold palmers out of it. There are free refills with regular teas too. There are locations from el segundo to downtown claremont too.
(4)
Peien L.
Nice quiet place in Old Town Pasadena to people watch and enjoy some simple French lunch fare while reading. There's a large community table and it seems to be a popular place for professionals and young families. This would be a decent casual place to bring a date, especially someone who prefers healthier fare. I had the Ham & Guyere omelette, which was delicately prepared (with scallions!!!) and came with a small salad, a slice of bread, and a baguette. The baguette was a bit too hard and crunchy; perhaps I should've come earlier for fresher bread. The best part about this place is the spreads, especially the praline spread (its reminiscent of Nutella in its consistency). Downsides: the food isn't a great value (over $10 for the omelette) and service is kind of slow.
(3)
Yana M.
A wide and tasty choice of organic specialties! But be prepared to pay top $.
(4)
Nick N.
I really can't understand how someone could be expected to pay $15+ for tasteless Belgian sh*t that came out of a package and was microwaved. The kitchen head chef is very loud, rude, and obnoxious, and there is a very tall, very obnoxious waiter that needs to be fired. Food was tasteless, small, expensive, but very pretty to look at. The coffee is good, the bread is good, but the service, attitudes, and price aren't even worth it. Seriously, just walk a block down and get your money's worth at Jake's Burgers. Don't waste your time! :)
(1)
Eric B.
So we started going here the day it opened & then nearly once every weekend. You could say we were regulars. At the beginning it was great but we saw its slow change for the worse and now don't go anymore. The portions got smaller (oatmeal for example) and the prices amazingly went up. It also got a lot busier complete with mostly families and their screaming toddlers and the service took a hit - after a while it felt more like a factory pumping out orders just in time. FYI they do something to all their egg dishes that results in an instant laxative by the way - maybe it's a cooking oil or something?
(2)
JP P.
I usually hate coming to places where yuppies and/or yuppies with their screaming kids in that bourgoise-a** stroller that's as big as a Smart Car. HOWEVER, the goat cheese omelet, coffee, and bread are all worth it. The service may be a little slow 'cause of how busy it is, but whenever I'm in Pasadena with the BFF's, we always come to this joint for breakfast. There's a big, long, wooden table that sits, maybe, 20 people?, where you can sit next to strangers - but at least it looks charming and makes the place homey. The parking is, overall, in this part of Pasadena, a pain. You'll be paying for parking EVERYWHERE around here either by meters or paying for parking in a garage. Ugh.
(4)
Marina S.
I think a French bakery offering breakfast food should be judged on their ability to make the perfect 3 minute egg- boiled on the outside, with a soft runny yoke on the inside. Le Pain Quotidien does that perfectly in their "Organic Soft Boiled Eggs with Bread". It comes with 3 strips each of different delectable kinds of bread. It was so delicious. The breads here are delicious. And the communal table in the middle is fun and very european. Who needs their own table? We're all family! I love the sets of jams and spreads, reminds me of my own family's breakfasts where everything is laid out for you to grab yourself. The breakfasts here are delightful.
(4)
Pirahna Jess E.
I like going to Le Pain Quotidien for their tartines. My favorite is the grilled chicken and smoked mozzarella. The hummus is yummy too. I spread it on the tartine for that extra flavor. I really like the atmosphere here too. They've got that large communal table that visitors share and it reminds me of my time spent in Europe. This is definitely a relaxed spot to catch up with a friend or have conversation, while munching on something light, organic, and healthy.
(4)
Candace P.
Great food, service, extremely healthy and natural!! Defiantly coming back again!
(5)
Cynthia L.
I don't know why it took so long for me to try this place (being a Pasadena resident and all). I liked their healthy menu and delicious organic spreads. My boyfriend and I shared a bowl of the soup of the day, which was Butternut Squash soup (came with 2 breads) and I thought that was the best part of my meal. The soup was seasoned perfectly, tasted so fresh and came piping hot (just how I like it!). It took quite a long time for our entrees to came out. I ordered the Roasted Corn & Asparagus Farro with Tomatoes & Basil Pesto, my boyfriend ordered the Warm Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich with Basil Pesto. I enjoyed my Farro dish, it was seasoned the way I like it (not too salty) and I felt good eating it because it was so healthy. My boyfriend's sandwich was very typical to me. I would've given their open faced presentation a 5/5 stars but based on taste alone, I found it to be quite dry. I definitely make a way better sandwich than that. We also got a huge chocolate chip cookie and a Mini Brownie cupcake which were both very disappointing to me. The cookie was extremely hard, and I like them soft. The cupcake was not chocolatey enough for me.
(3)
Jerry L.
*4 - 5 stars if you enjoy very simple food that focuses on the quality and freshness of the ingredients. .. which also means you can pretty much skip the wait if you don't, cuz that's all you going to get! ;p *The breakfast items are a bit over-rated and well overpriced. *the Tartines (open face sandwich) are severed on their signature organic wheat bread, and garnished very nicely with veggies, pickles and fruit. *My roast beef sandwich actually tasted pretty good, but you might want to check out Elements Kitchen a few blocks down if you want a really gourmet (aka expensive organic) sandwich. *Also tried the chilled tomato soup - now, this was surprisingly refreshing, and best thing we ordered of the day. This is only on the special menu, but I highly recommend it if you see it.
(4)
Breanne S.
Love. That's the best adjective I can use to describe my feelings for Le Pain. Not "love" like "oh, I love to eat there," but "love" like "I have butterflies in my stomach and my goosebumps have returned, and when the server asks me if I'm ready to order I say "I'd love YOU" instead of "I'd love TO." Anyway, onward --- so of course, visiting from San Antonio, this place is unique to me. The weather was great and I loved sitting on the patio in July without the possibility of a heat stroke. I also loved the cutesy cozy bakery ambiance. I ordered one of the daily specials, which was a tartine with warm goat cheese, arugula, prosciutto, and sun-dried tomatoes. I feel like I don't need to describe more, but for the people who don't know that goat cheese is made of magic, I'll just say that this was one of my favorite things that I've ever eaten. The veggies were fresh, the bread was perfect - not too flimsy and not too tough for an open-faced sandwich - and the goat cheese was, well, it was warm goat cheese spread all over my meal. Amazing. I also had a bite of my friend's black bean hummus tartine, which deserves all the praise it's received in the other reviews on this page. La Pain was spendy. I feel like my tartine was maybe $16. I definitely wouldn't be making it a regular lunching ground if I lived nearby. However, I have the unfair bias of being on vacation when I ate there, meaning that money didn't matter. So, yes - 5 stars - because finances are of no importance when you're in another state!
(5)
Lady Diane G.
Sandwiched between the melting pot & kabuki at Pasadena's bustling Colorado Blvd, I almost missed it. It was extremely packed at brunch hours with families, yoga lovers, dog walkers (seated on the outside patio), etc... My fresh squeezed orange juice was divine, I had 2 glasses. Ordered the fig ricotta tartine; it was presented pleasantly & tasted delectable. To finish, we had an apple tart which was a little on the dry side but still teetered on good. You don't have a specific server, all servers are there for you which is nice. I would brunch here again. :-)
(3)
Mot Y.
We had lunch here today and it ruled. The food is way above par. They have vegan options as well which is nice. Of course you show up for the bread which is made everyday, but try the soups. Apparently they are all vegan and very delish. It's get packed so be ready to wait. When we were leaving, at least 20 folks were waiting. I would move to a bigger spot.
(4)
Michelle Y.
if you need a quick snack, this is the place to go because your carb loving self will be in heaven. my favorite things are the vegan muffins they have. they're pretty sensational and have healthy stuff in them like quinoa or chia seeds. yum-o. bring on my lovely omega-3s and all that jazz. also, the little tarts are pretty good. if you have a craving for sweets, grab one. they're tiny and pretty flavorful.
(3)
Anne C.
The bread is good, menu is organic, healthy, fresh. Breakfasts here have been pretty good so far. My friend and I split one of the tartines which we were both disappointed in. Praline spread is SO yummy!! Service is okay.
(4)
Kristen S.
I think I paid too much for a ham sandwich.. First time here, might give it one more try...but $10.95 for a simple ham sandwich (ham, cheese, bread) is a little much. Much rather make the trip to Lovebirds or Europane and get a hearty sandwich...
(2)
Clayton W.
Tasty, tasty, tasty! And pricey, pricey, pricey! The tartines and quiches are delicious, but this is one of those places where you eat at, get home, and immediately realize that you're hungry. I'm not a Cheesecake Factory regular, and I don't expect to be drowned in a bucket of mayo-based food, but throw me a bone here, Le Pain Quotidien. The dumb American part of my brain struggles to understand why making a sandwich with only one piece of bread and labeling it with a French word makes it more expensive rather than less expensive. The sticker shock of every bill I've gotten here ensures that--contrary to its translated name of "Everyday Bread"--this is most certainly a lunch destination that most people will reserve for special occasions, if that. If you're that guy that I see driving his Ferrari around Old Town, forget all of this. For you, it's going to be five-star quality food. You may even have the financial wherewithal to order not just one, but TWO tartines or quiches!
(3)
Terri K.
My boyfriend suggested Le Pain Quotidien for lunch, telling me I would like this place because the food is good while being all natural and organic. First off, I love the atmosphere of this place. It's casual and homey, reminiscent of someone's dining room in the countryside of France. Even though Le Pain Quotidien is a chain, I didn't get that feeling from this particular restaurant. After seating ourselves, we were greeted by a friendly server who handed us menus and took our drink orders. I noticed the Daily Specials chalk board on the wall, but I decided to order from the main menu. My boyfriend ordered the Prosciutto & Mozzarella di Bufala (with sundried tomatoes & basil pesto) Tartine, and I ordered the Asian Organic Tofu (with tri-colored slaw and miso-ponzu vinaigrette) Salad. We also reserved the Mixed Berry Tart for afterwards. My boyfriend asked the server to bring the spreads for the bread slices that came with our entrees. The Prosciutto & Mozzarella Tartine, which came with a side salad and cantaloupe, was delicious. The toppings- salty prosciutto, mild mozzarella, sweet sundried tomatoes, and the fresh basil pesto- complemented each other perfectly atop the soft bread slices. The Asian Organic Tofu salad was yummy and healthy. The tofu and greens were fresh, and the slaw's crunchiness balanced the softness of the tofu and the greens underneath. The dressing was light and flavorful, with hints of spiciness. The portion was surprisingly large, too large for me to eat all of it. In my opinion, the salad would've been perfect if there were sweet dried cherries mixed in. The Mixed Berry Tart with fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries atop pastry cream in an almond, butter pastry shell was good. I found it to be a little too sweet, but, overall, the tart did not disappoint. The three spreads that came with the bread were excellent, especially the Praline spread. The fruit spreads (Raspberry and Apricot) were too sweet for me, but the Praline spread was perfect and addictive atop crusty French bread. I can't wait to go back to Le Pain Quotidien to try their other menu and bakery items.
(4)
Mitra H.
Incredibly tasty, many organic options, great portion sizes, flavorful. Absolutely loved it. Service is a bit slow but the food is worth it.
(4)
Lana N.
Dropped in for a quick pastry and grabbed their last chocolate croissant! It was late in the day and the croissant was obviously no longer fresh, but croissant-wise, this was solid - buttery, crisp, and fluffy - the three quintessential words to describe a croissant of any kind. Had it only been fresh out of the oven...
Quality: 2/6 Service: 4/5 Value: 1/4 Total: 7/15 = 2/5 "Meh. I've experienced better." pretty much sums up my experience. I was expecting greatness, and I was really let down. Let's start off with the good things about this place. The staff was very nice. They were courteous and kind, yet a tad on the slow side taking our order. The other thing this place has going for it is atmosphere. It had a very welcoming and pleasant vibe that worked well for brunch. Unfortunately, service and atmosphere are not enough to make a good restaurant. The food was thoroughly uninspired and the portions were petite. I felt that the $10 french toast was more like toasted bread with a little bit of drizzled honey. The fresh strawberries were a delicious addition, but this is certainly not something that saved the dish. The avocado & tomato omelet felt like something I'd find in a diner along the highway. It was essentially a plain omelet with some marinara sauce splotted on top and a few slices of avocado laid over that. There were a few fresh tomato chunks, but not at all anything to write home about. And to add insult to injury, they didn't even have any potatoes!
(2)
Rx T.
This is a mostly organic restaurant which is why the prices are a little higher. These ARE quality products. They specialize in healthy eating which is why the portions are small and the ingredients are simple. This establishment isnt for everyone. Its for people who are looking for healthier options as opposed to buffalo wings and chicken nachos. They have vegan soups and many vegan, vegetarian options. If youve never been there before, ask the server to help guide you. There is something for everyone.
(5)
Brooke I.
Came here around 9:30am for breakfast. You pay for parking on the street anywhere you can find, and it wasn't too crowded. Right when I walked in I was greeted by a smiling server and seated at the communal table (a huge table in the middle of the establishment where you can sit and eat with everyone). The place was kind of loud, but the atmosphere was homey and relaxing for me. Soon after I was seated a server took my order. I ordered the parmesan pesto omelet (with egg whites for a buck extra) and a coffee. Now, what's cool about this place is that they use all organic ingredients. They also had a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options, which you don't find everywhere. And its also a bakery! So the smell of fresh bread filled the air.. mmm. Organic Coffee: This was really good coffee. It wasn't too strong or too weak. I just had to add a little cream and no sugar. I haven't had a good cup of coffee like that in a while. The cup it came in was, well, different. There was no handle and it was shaped like a chawan bowl (rice bowl). Kinda cool, made it memorable lol. Parmesan Pesto Omelet: They made this omelet perfectly. Parmesan shavings and pesto with a little tomato. It was the perfect combination. It came with a side salad and two slices of bread. Wheat and sourdough. Loved the bread. I think I'd come back just for the bread! The spreads they had at the table were awesome too! It was about $15 bucks for my meal. Not too bad I guess. I looked on my receipt and my server's name said Ninja D! That's just awesome.. :) . Ill be coming back here soon.
(4)
ericka g.
One of my favorite places...ever. I feel like I am here all the time..and Im really ok with that because im always trying new things and loving it all. Fresh, organic, wholesome food...hard to find at chains these days but you get all that and more at Le Pain. My breakfast favorite is definitely the asparagus and goat cheese omelet. Tons of goat cheese and the asparagus is so fresh and cooked perfectly. I ordered it with just egg whites and it was about 1/2 as good..but that should be expected. Lunch favorite is either the mediterranean platter or the organic red quinoa salad. YUM. Love the bread and the preserves on the table are a bonus.
(5)
Karen Y.
Went here for a late lunch during a day of shopping in Pasadena. This place screams French countryside to me and when speaking to our "server" about it, he insisted the place was Italian. They serve tartines, croissants, macarons, and the place is called Le Pain Quotidien which I'm pretty sure means Daily Bread in French. Besides the fact that the staff has no knowledge about the place they work at, they need some serious customer service 101. My friend and I both had the Turkey, Avocado, and Sprouts tartine. The quality of their ingredients was good and it was light yet filling but not the tastiest. One thing I did love about the place was their communal tables.
(2)
Elyse M.
Yum! My favorite place to eat lunch in Pasadena. The food here is delicious. Their salads and tartines are so fresh and light. The plate with pita, hummus, babaganoush, and taboule is freakin awesome. Mmmm... I want some just thinking about it. The serving size is decent. No matter how much I stuff myself, I never get to that "gross" point. The organic mint lemonade is the most refreshing thing I've ever sipped.... EVER. Favorite moment of the summer is when I take a book and head on over to this place and relax and eat and read. There is plenty of seating (seat yourself) and even a communal table, which is fun to eat at. The staff is very kind and friendly. The whole place has a nice vibe to it. If you are thinking of checking this place out, do it. You won't regret it.
(4)
Lincoln L.
Came here with family after my sister has gone to the Claremont location and has good things to say about it. If you are into organic foods, this is your place. As far as I know, everything they have here are organic, including the drinks. From what my party ordered, the sandwiches looked fresh, and the hot chocolate was reportedly "VERY CHOCOLATEY," in a good way of course. And for those who are lactose intolerant like me, they also have a soy milk option. I had a double Americano, and the lunch special, Crispy Prosciutto Arugula Salad. The arugula was fresh, and the prosciutto was indeed crispy. The saltiness of the Prosciutto worked well with the slight bitterness of the arugula. The coffee was also good. The beans are organic, and they also sell the beans by the pound or half pound. Their coffee is not too over-roasted, and has a bright fruity tone. Another thing of note is their condiments, there are 2 that I tried. First was a Nutella taste-a-like, and a "red fruit" one that tasted very much like strawberry jam. Both are worth spreading all over their in-house bread, which they also sell at the store. Highly recommend for breakfast/brunch/lunch.
(4)
Joel H.
I waffle about Le Pain. On the one hand, the food is pretty tasty. I've had brunch here now twice, and both times I've been reasonably impressed with the food. I've had a ham and cheese omelette (the ham and gruyere were good, but the eggs were a tad overcooked), and a ham and cheese croissant (delicious). The "four red fruits" (which I think sounds like a fun band name) jam is wonderful, and both times I've considered buying a jar. The coffee is really quite tasty, too, though I don't like the weird little cups they serve it in. My quibbles with this place tend to be about the price and the service. The dishes are about a dollar or two too expensive, though the pastries are appropriately priced. That extra dollar or two adds up with three or four people in your party. The service is uniformly slow, though. Both visits here have involved long waits to get served, long waits for them to bring the drinks, and long waits for the food. Obviously, that's not entirely the wait staff's fault, but the meal just tends to drag on a bit too long. Overall, this is a decent place to have brunch if one is in Pasadena, but I don't think I'd make a special trip for it.
(3)
Victoria W.
Lord geezes! I absolutely love this place. The Paris Ham and Gruyere tartine. It's just delicious. The ham isn't overly salty nor is any other element overwhelming. The cucumber adds that hint of coolness and the baby pickles has that great tartness to it. I always skip the tomatoes though. Just too watery for the tartine in my opinion. Friendly service. Chill atmosphere. Outdoor seating available. Go for a try. NOW.
(4)
Jeanie T.
Love this place! I usually visit the one in west hollywood so its nice thats there is one closer to the SGV. I would drive to Pasadena just for their black bean hummus tartine. Yummy! And their prosciutto spring salad and curry tartine are good as well. One of my fav lunch spots for a quick, healthy bite. Can be a bit pricey so think twice before offering to pick up the tab if you're with a large party. There is in-and-outdoor seating. Restaurant is rustic with mellow feel. Oh, and they have pastries too!
(4)
Sionnan H.
Great food, great ingredients, terrible prices. Of course, I could be alright with the pricing, since the quality of ingredients are so good, but it is questionable how much you want to spend on a fairly small sandwich, when you can hit up a decent deli, and get something just as good for far less. I thought I would go back more often because the food was good (try the tuna if you go) but I just haven;t so, I give it three stars.
(3)
Shelya J.
I usually go here when I'm hungry, but don't want anything that will make me regret it after I eat it. Their food hits that "just right" spot. I've always loved the set-up of all of their locations with all the wood, and the communal table in the center. They sell jams, jellies, and spreads to take home and enjoy too. If I go for lunch, I always have to end with a lemon tart and a latte or cappuccino... perfection.
(4)
Grace F.
Perfect for locals. Perfect for parties of 1 at anytime of the day. A cup of iced tea or coffee on the run, or a cappuccino and meal when time allows. They're consistent and welcoming, and cater to either of the above scenarios. Preferred items: Tartines & Omelette's. That's why I like them, though you can show up with more than just 1 and I believe a good experience would unfold with the same ease. My first experience with Le Pain was at their Melrose location years ago. This location also deserves merit for running smoothly on Colorado Blvd.
(4)
melinda m.
Tried this on a whim while shopping in old town Pasadena because the kid got thirsty and wanted a quick snack. It's a small French bakery with large and small wood tables. It has a quaint low-key vibe. We ordered an apple cider on ice, a fruit tart, and an espresso tart. We loved it so much that we went back a couple weeks later just to try out the food for lunch. There are a lot of vegetarian and vegan options - awesome! Love, love, love the apple cider! It's delicious and refreshing and after stealing some from my daughter that first visit, I had to order two the next time we went. I didn't eat the fruit tart, but my daughter ate it all up and said it was good. I liked the espresso tart; it wasn't overly sweet. For lunch we tried the gazpacho, a cauliflower curry tartine, and the Tuscan platter (has prosciutto, ricotta, olive tapenade, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and bread). We also asked for and got jelly and the brunette spreads for the bread. I wasn't a big fan of the gazpacho, however, I ordered it never having eaten gazpacho before. I don't know how it normally tastes, so I couldn't say if I'm not a fan of their gazpacho or gazpacho in general. The cauliflower curry tartine had great flavors. I really liked it, but wished the cauliflower had been cut in smaller pieces so that it would have been easier to eat. The Tuscan Platter - and the other side spreads - I would definitely recommend. It was all delicious and I can picture having a lazy day hanging out with my girlfriends just munching on the bread and spreads. It would make for a great relaxing brunch that doesn't leave you feeling like you need to be rolled out of the restaurant.
(4)
Jonathon C.
Mmmmm Mint tea made with fresh mint leaves, homemade beef barley soup! Delicious!
(5)
Ginny N.
After reading a couple of recent hostile - and personal-sounding - reviews for this LPQ I have to say there are occasional customers who show up with bad attitudes and it would not matter who the server was - they just like to complain. I've been coming here weekly for over 3 years and have only experienced the best customer service by these friendly professionals. The food is outstanding, it is prepared with high-quality, organic ingredients, the menu changes seasonally, and the place is the polar opposite of a fast-food joint - what's not to like? The food is health-conscious and vegetarian-friendly.
(5)
Mary L.
I was originally looking for Apple Store with my mom and my little doggy (we take her to anywhere that allows pets because you know) but couldn't find it... so either I was blind or they changed the location, I wasn't thinking the former. My mom knew that I haven't had breakfast in the morning so she asked if I wanted to try this place (Le Pain Quotidien) out. It was the first time for both of us. We had to wait in a long line just to make a left turn because there were always groups of pedestrians crossing; all the Old Town Pas colorado blvd [intersections] were like that. Anyways, the only reason we came here was because the name was French so I anticipated it to serve onion soup... but NOPE! It's not really French after all and there wasn't onion soup. The waitresses and the hostess were extremely friendly, but the waiters were NOT. I felt discriminated by the waiters. Because I'm Asian? Or was it because my mom and I weren't sure of what we wanted to order? Or was it a combo of both? We ordered their soup of the day (2 small chicken noodle soups; oh gosh they were extremely small). The baguette was 3.75 so I ordered that too. One orange juice... that's all. The soup came with a small slice of bread. The baguette was smaller than the size of my palm and there was only 1. I quickly yelped this place while I was eating. The pictures looked nice O_O so when the waitress came to our table to ask if everything was fine, I asked if I could order an additional something in the picture. Yes, I showed her the picture from yelp. She then said "haha you're the second person to show me a picture." The old hag (stranger)/ customer next to me said "oh god...." I'm referring her as OLD HAG because she was offensive. We weren't pleased with any of our food. The bill turned out to be $40. Ok fine, $34.88 + $5 tip. It's not that I'm a cheap Asian, I wouldn't even mind paying $100 if the food was at least GOOD. Lun zi sss le (mandarin for bad tasting to death).
(2)
Zena B.
Let's dig in. I'm really not that impressed with Le Pain Quotidien. Their communal eating idea is nice, as is the rustic decor, but the food to price ratio is not equal. The menu is very limiting for those who don't like eggs or meat. The only things left is oatmeal or pastries and I'm not a sweet breakfast kinda gal. I end up getting the lox with toast and I ask myself why every time. For starters the portion is so small for what I'm paying. Secondly, they could at least serve it with cream cheese. I leave feeling hungry and ripped off.
(2)
Kathleen M.
3.5 stars. After visiting 2 liege waffle places, one on melrose and one near sawtelle, both being closed the 3 times I visited, my quest for a liege waffle led me to Le pain quotidien, and finally success, they were open! liege waffle are not like the standard belgium waffle with syrup and butter, these tasty suckers have these pearl sized sugar pieces baked into their rich batter. This accompanied with two open faced sandwiches and a loaf of bread to help suck down the crack like hazelnut butter at the table was delicious. I would have given it 4 stars, only its way too pretentious and ridiculously pricey for breakfast/brunch fare, at 50 bucks total for two, pre tip and tax. You have to be rollin the dough to eat here on any kind of regular basis. Also the spoiled and noisy brats eating with their parents need to learn some manners and stop demanding their whims be met at the top of their lungs. No your child is not perfect embodiment of everything holy, and please take the rose colored glasses and make sure they are house broken before bringing them in public.
(3)
Maxine H.
Was walking down Colorado Blvd with the BF looking for a place to eat when we came across Le Pain Quotidien. The place looked fairly busy and so we decided to give it a try. We were seated quickly despite the amount of people that were waiting. The menu is very simple. Beverages on one side and breakfast on the other. They offer quiche, tartine, and salad as the main entrees. However, you could also choose breakfast sides such as bread, eggs, and sweets. I ordered the avocado and tomato omelet and the BF ordered the soup of the day. Our food came out very quickly. I wasn't so impressed with the omelet. The egg was rubbery making it hard to put down. The atmosphere of the place is quite "cutesy" and maybe I'll give it another try.
(3)
Chris O.
2.5 stars. probably really great to people who go gaga for the niche they operate in. for those of us that aren't instantly won over by simply serving healthy or organic fare, just ok.
(3)
doona c.
I had time to kill before work, so decided to come here and order something small. i had the open faced turkey and avocado sandwich. The mustard and vinaigrette sauce on the sandwich was really good, but so hard to eat. Since the bread was soft, and avocado slices were big, everything kept falling. Other than that, its a nice quiet place to read and grab a bite. Pretty expensive though, so i don't think its worth it.
(3)
Alice A.
Had breakfast here. I ordered the eggs and bread. For $7, that's all you get--a couple of eggs and a little bread. I asked if I could just get eggs and buy a couple of pastries. They would not allow this--I had to pay the $7 plus the pastries. Rather over priced. The service was good, though.
(2)
Sarah S.
I will preface this saying that i am a sucker for restaurants that have wooden furniture/ decor! it just looks so homey and quaint! Le Pain is interesting because there is a long communal table down the restaurant- i loved it! but personally wouldn't necessarily want to sit there with a ton of people- but really there were only a few people there, so i guess its actually like having LOTS of room. My table for two felt a bit cramped = ( but not a huge deal. The place seems to specialize in bread- they have lots of choices and lots of jams, etc for it. Had an omlet which was delicioussssss and most importantly their coffee comes in pots- how can i resist having my own little cut pot of coffee? plus there's no need to ask the waitress to refill when your running low. the location is also really nice because you can walk around and shop after brunch!
(4)
jon i.
The food was pretty and tasted fine and the ambience and little details were positives. My concern was with the baker(y). We were buying things to take home with us and saw a fly flitting around and sitting on the baked goods (which sit out in the open). When we selected what we wanted, he started to pick up an item which we saw had just been fly-sat and we said, "not the one the fly sat on". His immediate and matter-of-fact reply was "well, that would be none of them, then". Huh? I'm no germ-phobe - I work with them in my job - but his offhand comment was really disturbing in that it acknowledged the fact that flies are evidently a routine issue at this place and that he couldn't care less. If this is how they feel about sanitation, I shudder to think about what's going on in the kitchen. Good luck.
(2)
B D.
Perfect lunch spot for open faced sandwiches and soups. I would come here again but they are slighlty more pricey versus Europane (which is further east on Colorado), so if I were to choose I'd go for Europane (which is just as yummy, if not more yummy), and I love their Macaroons. Le Pain Quotidien was yummy as well, but maybe I didn't order anything exceptionally memorable. What was more memorable was the very "natural/ green" atmosphere and the kind service.
(4)
Feelit P.
Great curry chix salad tartine. I usually like this chain - but this location Sucks big ass. I went there on a Sunday during what I think was a shift change - we were sat at a table for at least 15 minutes before we left because no-one came over to take our order. It was not at all busy either. Also - sweep the floors between service under the tables. It's not the first time I've felt this way about this location - I'll try again in 6 months. maybe
(1)
Steven H.
I mean yeah this place has some good muffins and cookies, the coffee is pretty good. and this place is kinda cute for morning breakfast's in pasadena. BUT THE SERVICE. I mean i had to go here a bunch a few months ago cuz i was in the area a lot and i kept getting this total idiot as my register dude. thats why theres 3 stars. they should hire more friendly inviting staff.
(3)
Mariko M.
I know it's a chain and I sort of hate reviewing chains on Yelp but I go here so often I thought I'd do it anyway. The food at LPQ is delicious. The baguette in particular is great, the tartines, the salads, it's all great. The coffee is also very good (I love the cups, I know that doesn't really affect the taste but in my head it does). The hazelnut spread is evil, it's so good (and caloric). It's also pretty reasonably priced if you take into account that it's all organic, fresh, etc. The service is always a little weird. Everything's a little slow (which I don't mind for a weekend brunch ... if you're in such a rush to get somewhere maybe you should just go get a Clif Bar or something) but what gets to me is that it feels ... disorganized. I'm always worried they're going to get my order wrong, there are always more than a few plates waiting at that little kitchen area to be taken to the tables, and the waiters always seem vaguely spacey. The thing that exacerbates that general feel is that the waiters NEVER WRITE DOWN YOUR ORDER. I don't know if this is like, what they are told on day 1 of LPQ training or what, but I don't like it. Waiters, you do not get BONUS points for trying to memorize my order. It's a pass / fail situation. If you get it right, you pass. If not, you fail. I'm not impressed by your memorization skills. In fact, even if you get it right, I'm just stressed out while I wait for the food because I'm worried you have not. I worked as a waitress, and I would not have remembered ANYTHING without writing it down, so I find it hard to believe that others can do it so easily. It also doesn't instill confidence when the waiter comes back and is like, "Oh, did you order the one egg or two? And which salad was that again?" ... which, by the way, has happened more than once. In sum, food is great, service is weird. To be honest I've eaten here at least 30 times and my order has actually been wrong only 1-2 times. Maybe if you're less of a stress case than me the whole disorganized feel would not be an issue.
(3)
Jackie B.
Refreshing change yet simple food. I had a tartine which is an open face cold sandwich. Farm fresh approach with seasonal ingredients. Great fresh bread and cheeses. Affordable prices for a French bakery. Was here on a Sunday and love that they were serving breakfast til 3:00. Check out A Blog For The Girls for L.A. Restaurant Reviews, Shopping, Animal Rescue, Party/Wedding Planning and Dating Tips rescuelashelters.wordpre…
(4)
Chain L.
Delicious: omelettes, mocha capp, and waffles. They try to be french to the core, portioning things well rather than trying to bust your seam like Dennys or IHOP. You'll leave there satisfied and full, but not too full. Service was extremely friendly. Great place for a nice sunday breakfast. Also, they have these awesome spreads on the table: hazelnut, jelly, or apricot. Be sure to try them all. Not too pricey considering its old town pasadena.
(4)
b'z s.
Again, I was disappointed in the service here. They are often busy but to be honest not sure why. The prices are outrages for what you get. We asked to substitute their ham and cheese omelet with instead of ham to a vegetable instead and they suggested to order a vegetable omelet and add the cheese, the waitress said it's "simpler to do it that way", well of course that cost an extra $3 on top of the omelet. So now we're paying $15 per omelet, wow what a great idea that was. Now is that really a good deal, I think not. The waiters are often pushy to sell more than what you want. The motto is "what's best for Le Pain and not for the customer", I think I'm done with this place, there are so many great places to have brunch in Pasadena, this is not one of them.
(2)
Julia L.
Paid $21 with tax and tip. Had the grilled chicken, smoked salmon, and basil pesto tartine (liked). Also had the vegetarian quiche (liked even more). Tried the priscuito and buffalo mozzarella tartine (wasn't bad, but didn't like as much, probably because I don't really like priscuito). Also had warm apple cider, which was standard but overpriced at$ 3.75. Also ordered a bread basket (a little pricy at 7). Went with 7 people total. Think the place is a little overpriced for the food, but understand that the ingredients are supposed to be fresh and the bread is made there. Love the praline spread, which is a lot like nutella but lighter (and hopefully healthier). The red jam tastes like haw flakes. Not my top pick for brunch; very carb heavy, but the actual dishes are light. Supposed to be very european. Maybe this is why europeans are skinny!
(3)
Ume B.
cute little french style cafe/bakery near 3rd St Promenade... they have fantastic little tarts and their lemonade is fresh squeezed tarty goodness... I think the decor is what makes the place more appealing... also, I noted that all the patrons on the day I went were all women, including me.... definitely not a meat and potatoes kind of place for guys.... one star off because it seems a little overpriced, but hey, what do you expect in LA, right? good place for lattes, sandwiches, and dessert with the gals
(4)
Joleen Q.
You feel like a celebrity when you go here....sophisticated. The food is hard to pronounce and you can tell it's really healthy. It's expensive but the quality is very good. I got an open faced lox sandwich which was tasty. I also had a mocha which was delicious and in a cute mug. When you walk in, there's a huge picnic table in the center where you can plop down family-style.
(3)
rhythmMAN I.
Stopped by this place on a whim for a Saturday morning breakfast......as my Ruca had noticed it recently while driving by. In addition to that, we're somewhat breakfast aficionados and are always down to try a new place. After looking through the menu, I soon realized we weren't at your everyday restaurant. Everything was organic, down to the sweeteners they use. The table syrup is made from Agave Nectar, for example. Weird? Uh-huh. I was intimidated by all of the odd menu items, and didn't see any of the comforting breakfast foods that I normally order. I ultimately decided to order the Ham & Gruyère omelette. I was not pleased when the waiter told me that they did not have potatoes, hash browns, home fries, etc. Nor did they have Bacon or Sausage (although, I had to keep reminding myself that we were at a super hipster, grain-eating, grass-roots kinda place). They serve their eggs with fresh greens (salad?) and grain bread. The omelette was actually quite delicious! While it was strange having salad with my eggs; I quite enjoyed the Ham & Gruyère. My honey also enjoyed her egg and croissant sandwich. They also service their organic coffee in large bowl-like coffee cups. The coffee was super strong, and gets cold almost instantly because of the cup shape - but whatever, it had caffeine. I would've given 3.5 stars if it were an option, but had issues with both the Service and the prices. We were sat right next to one of the waiter stations, and there were constantly 4-5 servers flying-by our table at every moment. Once we'd finished eating, we sat there with dirty plates for about 15 minutes - all while a flurry of servers walked right by without even acknowledging us. Then we got the bill. Close to $40 for breakfast???? No thanks - we won't be here again.
(3)
Jen Y.
My boyfriend took me here early on in our relationship, and it has become one of our lunch/brunch favorites! I love that the place is so simply decorated with warm, wood tones. The staff is incredibly friendly, and I love the vibe here! Le Pain is known for the breads it bakes as well as its spreads. The breads are sooooooooo good, especially when you use the Praline spread! I have also been impressed by the drink selection. I have had mint lemonade and mint iced chamomile tea. They are really refreshing, simple and tasty drinks! My boyfriend and I love sharing the Tuscan platter: fresh ricotta spread, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, olive tapenade, prosciutto, canteloupe, and slices of parmesan cheese all served with several slices of freshly-baked bread. This is so delicious! I love putting a little bit of everything onto the bread. Every bite is an explosion of flavor in my mouth! I also love the Smoked salmon and avocado Tartine (an open-faced sandwich). It is light, flavorful and healthy. Squeezing some lemon on top makes it even yummier.
(5)
Patrick K.
People come here to see and be seen, for sure. "Oh look at me!...I just spent all my paycheck at Diesel, but I have $30 dollars left to eat here!" The food here is reliable. I've never disliked anything, which makes me pretty happy. I think my biggest kvetch with this place is the service. Meals should be enjoyed, never hastened, but the servers here don't seem to understand that concept. We've always gotten our check BEFORE WE'RE EVEN FINISHED EATING!!! Fuck you!!! I was about to order another croissant! Can't you see I'm a bonafide fatty?!?! You think this curry chicken "tartine" is going to fill me up??? Get that check outta my face!!! Oh, and another lemonade, please. Basically, I like this place.
(3)
Elettra R.
I'm typically not a franchise/chain diner but I've been to three different locations and the food has been consistently good. Natural, organic, & fresh. The chilled gazpacho is so refreshing and cool in the summer. It's the best gazpacho I've had. The mozzarella di bufala and plum tomatoes is really nice, and it come with a little bit of spring mix. I know it's just mozzarella but you can actually taste the freshness, as well as the sweetness of the tomatoes. Do not miss the avocado tartine. No meat and oh so good. I'm sure their other pastries are just as wonderful, but the almond croissant is lovely. Their plates usually come with a side of fresh bread, so be sure to top it off with some Belgian praline spread...it's like peanut butter but better. The location (Old Town Pasadena) is inconvenient and lousy, but if you're in the area it's great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
(5)
Danny W.
Few things that stand out at this bakery / restaurant: 1. Rather laid-back atmosphere. I think it's a nice rest-your-sore-feet spot after an afternoon of traversing in Old Town. I don't think it's pretentious. Actually, I disagree with people who think this place tries hard to be something it's not. It's just the way it is - simple, cozy, and seat yourself BS-free ambience. I can't say that for other "ristorantes" on Colorado. Two Stars. 2. A menu with the respective approximate calories for each item listed. I thought this was actually a brilliant idea for people who are conscious about their calories intake. One Star. 3. Alaska Smoked Salmon - FANTASTIC. The absolute freshness, begrimed by light smokiness and salinity, definitely deserves ONE Star itself. 13.95 for 1/2 Fresh Avocado, some mesclun greens, 5 slices of Smoked Salmon Tartines - Heck Ya. I was thinking I couldn't even get such great Salmon from the Kabuki Japanese Restaurant next door. All in all, 40 bucks (tax and tips included) for 1 Garden Quiche, 1 Smoked Salmon Tartine, 1 "Organic" Iced Tea, and 1 "Organic" Iced Green Tea. Happy feet, light tummy, and feeling recharged and sexy (ugh, no thanks to bloated stomach and food coma) at the same time. No, it's not cheap. But given the fresh ingredients and prime location in Old Town Pasadena, I think it's reasonable. If you can't afford to eat here, clearly that is not their problem. I'm sure there are other "French" bakeries/restaurants better than this place - but no, i don't want to battle the nasty LA traffic when I can just eat here and finish shopping. Bon Appetit !?
(4)
belinda n.
this isnt starbucks, or mcdonalds $2 wannabe starbucks peppermint mocha. i LOVED this place. no school or work today & w/ $ in my wallet & tons of newspapers to catch up on: you'll find me here! alas no coffee refills, but its delicious, & the croissant was as well. i cant wait to return! (bathrooms stinky btw)
(5)
Elizabeth K.
One of my absolute favorite breakfast spots; I'm in love with the Paris ham and Gruyere omelette. I love how they bring you your coffee in your own small individual metal pot, and then you pour it into a charming little bowl. And let's not forget about that delicious bread, which happens to be the star of the show!!! I love the wheat and the white. The Paris Ham and Gruyere Omelets is my fave, I usually get lost in the nutella spread but they don't serve it anymore :( I guess it was too expensive, so it's only for sale to take home now. However the praline spread is pretty delicious as well. I enjoy many Saturday and Sunday mornings with my handsome boyfriend, reading the newspaper, and sipping piping hot coffee out of a bowl at Le Pain Quotidien.
(4)
Austin S.
Been here.. 3 times. Simple and good food. Not outstanding, but good. All the furniture is unlaquered wood. They even have a long communal table running down the middle of the restaurant. The fact that there's a communal table that is unlaquered makes you think Jesus Himself is going to make an appearance at any moment. And I mean the Messiah, not Rodriguez. Service here is adequate. It isn't stellar no does it suck donkey huevos. I like huevos rancheros. Meh, it wasn't that good. The thing I've gotten the most is the curry chicken salad sandwich. All of their sandwiches, or "tartines" are open faced. I hate the French. I love French onion soup... Last time I came here, was after my photoshoot with Sandra P ( yelp.com/biz/sandra-p-ph… ). We got a.... danish? I can't remember. And this was one time I got the curried chicken salad. We got a couple of other things which I can't remember at this point because that was back in April. Their quiche lorraine is good too. And I'm not a super big fan of quiche. Today I came with a lady friend who I had not seen in awhile and we were catching up. She got the curried chicken salad on my recommendation and I got the chicken and smoked mozzarella sandwich. She liked hers so I was glad I made the recommendation. My sandwich was good. Slices of chicken breast (a little overcooked) and slices of smoked mozzarella cheese on their whole wheat bread with pesto spread. Garnishes are a few pieces of mesclun salad, cornichons (which I love like I love my mama.... ok, maybe not that much... like I love my hair stylist) and sliced radishes and cucumbers. Oh, and a tomato wedge and a small wedge of cantaloupe. But... there was already diced tomato on the sandwich..... why double up on something? Why confuse people? Why is Edward Norton narrating a National Geographic video? (I'm looking for and watching free podcasts on iTunes) They have a breakfast menu but I haven't been here for breakfast nor have I looked at their breakfast offerings. I like how the iced tea comes with your own carafe, so it ends up being like 2 and 1/2 or so glasses. Wait, they're just lazy by giving you your own carafe... those bastards!!! Lazy mofos.... one less thing for them to do.... well it ain't that hard to come by the tables 2 more times to refill the glass It's getting late and I'm getting tired.... Where was I? Oh yeah... so I like this place and it's pretty good for a quick bite. You can definitely take advantage of the parking structure's first 90 minutes for free if you're only going to eat and not do any shopping.
(4)
Min T.
We ducked in here to buy a few jars of fancy food stuff for holiday gifts. There wasn't much of a line after 9 p.m. on a Saturday. After some debate, we opted to get some fruit preserves or as we say, "who doesn't like jam?" Their fancy jars of foodstuff is pricey though. $5 for jam? $20 for a large jar of capers? Who knows how much for the giant jar of sundried organic tomatoes. Oooh, I don't even want to know. The cashier seemed a bit off but was nice enough. I wouldn't mind coming back for a quick meal. The dining room was much larger than I expected. I had always passed this place whenever I walked by assuming it was busy. But now I know they have enough seating inside, I'll be back to try the lentil soup and perhaps their quiche.
(3)
kate r.
Overpriced and underwhelming. That's the best way to describe Le Pain. The food is fine and the restaurant atmosphere is nice. I do find it overpriced for what you get especially considering Europane is just down the street and MUCH better. A pet peeve: I've ordered a coffee and a pastry at the counter and then asked to sit an an outdoor table (during non rush times) and they don't allow it as it is only for table service. Sorry, I'm not going to order a coffee and pastry from the waitstaff.
(3)
Keith M.
The restaurant has a casual Belgian (French) atmosphere. One large wooden table in the middle that seats...maybe 20; designed to be shared. Plenty of other tables for 2 or 4. The food is healthy and tasty, slightly pricey but worth it. This is one of the few restaurants where I can find gazpacho (cold soup made with diced tomatoes and peppers).
(5)
Marie M.
I used to like coming here but this Saturday, service was bad, and it was way overcrowded! The food was mediocre, it was overpriced for what it is (sliced bread on a fancy plate), and to top it off, my husband and I got food poisoning once we got home! Stay away.
(1)
tiffany l.
I was surprised that they offered some Vegan options, definitely something to try (next time, maybe?). Came with a friend of mine for lunch, and although the food was fairly decent (the wheat baguette served was kind of stale. Bakery? What?). I ordered an Cafe Americano and it came served in a bowl! Looked like a soup bowl, but it was fun to drink out of that instead of a regular 'ol mug. But like another user said, the wait staff really does rush the check on you. I'd understand if there was a crowd, but there was plenty of seating even at lunch time.
(3)
Andy C.
LPQ is a cute place on Colorado Blvd. conveniently located right around the corner from the DeLacey Parking lot. It is a popular spot for weekend brunch, but is pretty empty on the weekdays during breakfast time. Staff was friendly and service was very fast. LPQ has quite a few vegan options which are indicated on the menu by a carrot symbol. I had the Omega-3 Berry Oatmeal that was $7.95. Served in a small, but deep bowl the Omega Oatmeal (they have other types) was made with soy milk, flaxseed, and berries. It was not sweet, so I added some of the apricot jelly and it became instantly yummy. Portions are small and expensive for the size. A cup of orange juice was $3.95! Most items are organic, so that accounts for some of the cost. They have a complimentary 4-berry jam, apricot jam, and hazelnut spread for their bread. YUM. They have a communal table inside. Take a seat and meet someone new while you enjoy your meal!
(3)
Isabel H.
Oh I was so happy when I saw this place in Pasadena. The first time I tried it was in Paris, it's one of my French friend's favourite place for brunch, too bad they don't serve brunch in the US. I had an organic coffee with soy milk and that huge piece of chocolate chip cookies everyone crave for.
(4)
Britt C.
My review is based on the service since I did not stick around long enough to try the food. My mom and I were shopping at Tiffany & Co. On a Wednesday afternoon when we decided we wanted to grab something small to eat. As we were walking around we came across this place. Since we hardly ever get over to Pasadena we thought we give it a try. As we walked in the lady behind the counter told us to just sit anywhere. But before sitting we grabbed a take out menu to see what they even had before sitting down. After looking over the menu we decided to stay so we grabbed a seat. The next thing I know a man which I'm amusing was a server then gabbed the takeout menu from my hands and said, "Here if your gonna read it at least read the correct menu." And walked away. I looked up and my mom and said does it really matter what one I read. So then I was reading the dine in menu which had the exact same items on it but what I noticed was the prices were more. The salad we were going to share was 13 and some change where in the dine in menu was 15 and some change. Once we noticed that along with the rude server great we got up and left. The man was at the table next to us and never said a word to us and we got up. He never took our drink order when he came the first time nor did he said ill be right with you. That is why I am writing this and this is why they got one star and I for sure will not be going back here. So stay clear of a male sever 6 foot or so messy Brown hair.
(1)
brian t.
Totally recommend this place for brunch or lunch. Organic, fresh, French food. Its a little pricey, but worth the quality.
(5)
Andrew M.
Went for Saturday breakfast with girlfriend and her mother. Food was just fine, but not exceptional for the price. I didn't pay, though, so I shouldn't complain, and if organic (or biologique, as the Belgian-themed restaurant calls it) is a priority for you, the expense may be tolerable. Also, the bread is fantastic.
(3)
Mariah C.
I love soft boiled eggs. (By the way, it's hard to get a good soft boiled egg... restaurants always overcook 'em.) I love bread. I love jam. I love blonde nutella spread. The fruit tart was mediocre. Overall, it was expensive. However, I will definitely go back again.
(4)
Suzie H.
I come here quite a lot for breakfast. Mainly because of its convenient location of being smack in the middle of downtown pasadena. I've tried the smoked salmon dish, the black bean dish and the avocado omelet. But i just wanna come here and eat bread and drink coffee.
(3)
Lisa V.
It's funny because if you had asked me to write a review about Le Pain Quotidien last year, you would have read essentially all the same complaints (of the reviewers that did complain about something)-- pricey, pretention, chain, etc... Now that I have read "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan, "pretention" means nothing, the fact that it's a chain means nothing, and the "pricey" issue is hardly an issue. One of the points Pollan makes in his quest to prove that we've become a society who doesn't know what real food looks like anymore, is that we spend less money on food than other countries on the whole. It's easy to believe given all our "cheap 'n fast" food production models. I've been budgeting a bigger chunk of my dough to go to REAL foods these days and my body is quite happy about it. The food at Le Pain Quotidien is DEE-lish and yeah, sure, I could make some of the same items for a little less money, but I like not having to always worry about making that trip to Whole Foods/Gelsons/Farmers market, prepping, cooking, cleaning up afterward. I'd recommend this "chain" to anyone. They have a good thing going. Just leave your turned up nose at the door :D
(5)
Jill T.
Wanted something light for lunch and boy did I get a light lunch. I was too lazy to look it up on yelp and just figured to try it. Bad mistake. First off, it took awhile for the customers to be seated. No greeters or anything but a sign 'Please wait to be seated'. And we waited and waited. The restaurant wasn't even busy. Got seated and looked over the menu. Their sandwich is supposedly different because it's an open face sandwich, forgot what they called it. So I decided on the roast beef sandwich. When the sandwich came out it looked like I was eating a pizza sandwich. It was 4-5 small slices of the actual sandwich. Weird. It was a bit messy. Was I supposed to use my knife and fork to cut the sandwich? Avocado falling off, bread was soft and good but wasn't holding the toppings too well. I just decided to take 2 slices and put them together to make a sandwich. No flavor whatsoever on both sandwiches. Had to use the salt and pepper. Usually when I eat yummy food I would dance in my seat but no dancing here. I know it's organic and all but donde esta flavor? My itty bitty sandwich was $11 and boy oh boy, what a disappointment. If I'm paying that much please have some flavor and give me more than 1/2 a sandwich. The itty bitty side salad I got was wilted. I know it's to be Parisian but I visited Paris and never saw this type of sandwich. I would never order the sandwich again and I won't came back again. The green tea was good and strong. Probably the dessert is good.
(2)
Abel P.
This joint is all about organic food! Came here for breakfast and had the Ham and cheese croissant, egg whites and side of fruit and lots of coffee ;-). Spent $40 for two of us. Would definitely come back.
(3)
Matt P.
A true story. Jordan: "I'm looking up Panko Tittian." Matt: "I beg your pardon?" Jordan: "It's called Pan-ko-tit-ian." Matt: "What the hell kind of place are you taking me to?" Jordan: "I think it's on Colorado..." We arrive at the address listed on Jordan's blackberry. It's a Hooters. Matt: "Wow man, that was quite an elaborate story just to get me to go to Hooters." Jordan: "NO dude, there has to be some mistake --" Matt: "-- I mean 'Panko tittian' did kind of sound like a Thai brothel --" Jordan: "-- it says the number right here!" Matt: "Jordan, WHAT kind of place are you taking me to, already?!" Jordan: "It's like a French bakery kind of place..." Matt: "... named Panky Tit-something?" Jordan: "Yeah man it's really good." Matt: "Well where is it? All I see are Hooters." So Jordan calls the place and finds out he's 2 blocks off the mark, somehow; we make the hike all the way back down Colorado... Jordan: "There it is, dude!" Matt: "... Where?" Jordan: "Panko tittian!" Matt: "Jordan. That's PAIN QUOTIDIEN." Jordan: "Oh, yeah. Whatever." Le Pain Quotidien: Not a Thai Massage Parlor. The End. [P.S. I did want to mention that they have authentic waitresses with french accents, as well as this ridiculously long wooden table. I highly recommend the apple cider (order it hot!) as it's quickly become a guilty pleasure of mine. I love the cups here, too, for some reason... they're like little bowls! Definitely a repeat visit kind of place, especially in the later hours of a chilly evening.]
(4)
Ismael P.
I got the chicken and pesto tartine. It was good, but unfortunately the chicken and lentil soup didn't have any lentils. If the soup had lentils I would have rated it a 4.
(3)
Ben G.
I love this place for an early weekend breakfast. Service can be challenging during the rush, but it's better when you get there early. I really like the food and the servers are always really nice when they have time. Anyways, great coffee, excellent omelets, pastries, bread, scrambles, french toast, waffles, berries, fruit salads, riz au lait...it's seriously all good.
(5)
Tom E.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST... it's pricey it's pretentious it's a chain it's trying to be a French version of English cuisine - sandwiches - sacrilege! but it's also good ARGGGHHH.... [brain explodes like in Scanners] So I'll give it 3 stars. It would've got 4 for the good sandwiches, good quiche and great mint lemonade but a star has to be deducted for the waiter bringing me the wrong sandwich and his only reparation was bringing me a useless little pot of sun-dried tomatoes to add when I was already done. Dude? oh yeah - and far too much sanded pine here. you don't fool me foolios, pasadena isn't provence.
(3)
Nicole N.
Cute Cute bakery cafe place that is very spacious and has an awesome and simple menu. Our server, this big man of a man was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We got a brioche, my first time trying it and it was very good. We also got french toast which is cut into these cute pieces and served with strawberries on top yum. My croissant though was very crispy which I was not too happy about. If you like your bread soft like I do go for the brioche, its much softer and buttery. They also had skinny lattes which are served in these good portioned cups. I really recommend this place.
(4)
Paul M.
After a visit to the norton simon I went to stop by elements kitchen by recommendation of yelp. Closed at 7 so I took to wandering the Colorado gauntlet of shopping. I wanted something simple and healthy and all I saw was people eating ice cream and eateries with sauces ladled over food. I stumbled into le pain quotidien and found that the menu suited me though the prices were extravagant. I got a mesclun salad that came with slices of radish and cucumber and two pieces of bread. Such magnificent simplicity. While my grandfather would've considered a big filet mignon the pinnacle of eating, this simple salad - so fresh from the earth - was exactly what I wanted. The place is pretentious and I got the feeling that the servers were well aware of it and almost apologetic knowing that I wasn't the typical loaded shopper who would order a 14 dollar sandwich and leave half on the plate. Still, the salad reminded me of ordering a platter of crudites in France, though double the price. If there were more eateries like this, the prices would drop. For now I'll stick to growing my own.
(4)
Pamela M.
The bread is terrific, the service is good. Try the split pea soup if they have it.
(4)
S P.
I've only been here a couple of times prior to actually moving down the street from this particular location and I simply can't wait until my routine walk to get to this place to devour my favorite breakfast: Avocado & Tomato omelette. The herb & spices they use is just amazing. Makes my mouth water just talking about it. It's a pretty big plate. There's a side of salad and two different type of bread. I have my breakfast with mimosas and what's not to complain about when you have a mimosa with breakfast? The good: breakfast, service, mimosas. The lacking: none I can think of at the moment.
(4)
cat c.
First off, let me say that their servers are very nice. No complaints there. But I always feel completely ripped of when I eat at LPQ. The quality and quantity of the food does not in any way justify the absurdly high prices - especially when locals like me have numerous other options in Pasadena. The only thing I can figure with LPQ is that they're a tourist trap because of their Old Town location, which keeps them afloat. No one I know in town willingly patronizes this place unless (like me) they developed amnesia in between visits.
(2)
Valerie T.
This place is def. a good place to chill or brunch. kinda cramped but... who cares. good food.
(3)
Stella L.
The place itself is nice, but I really don't understand why so many people love to eat there... None of their food is truly tasty, and they are overpriced. However, they make truly good croissants, pains au chocolat and bread which are worth taking out for a nice "home breaskfast".
(3)
Chris I.
I have a problem with all things French. Wait, I take that back, since Sarkozy was elected I have a problem with all things French from 1939 to 2007. This includes their treachery in World War II, Charles De Gaulle, the cinematic New Wave, and Le Pain Quotidien. This place just sucks. We sat down at a long Viking table that had not been cleaned since the the French won a war. (Which if you are counting goes back to before Napoleon invaded Russia. They're coming up on 200 years of geo-political impotence.) Our waiter was incompetent. He could not get the drink orders correct and did not bring water. They stopped serving omelets at noon. Not a smart move on the Friday after Thanksgiving when people are coming in a little later and looking for brunch. (This did not surprise me because the French are...how do you say in America....inflexible.) I ordered a tuna sandwich. Before I get to how bad it was, I would like to give our French friends a little history lesson. The Earl of Sandwich created what we called a "sandwich" when he placed meat between two pieces of bread so he could eat more efficiently while playing cards. When I order a sandwich, I expect a restaurant to follow this centuries old tradition. Instead what I got was several triangular pieces of bread splayed out over a cutting board. They slapped some dry and tasteless tuna on top and placed a grand total of two pieces of thinly sliced roasted red pepper to liven it up. It was opened faced. an important fact not included on the menu description. The cutting board had holes in it, so food kept falling into the holes onto the dirty Viking table. Perhaps Le Pain Quotidien can invest in a wonderful invention called...a PLATE!!! The price was outrageous for what I got. At almost ten dollars, they could have included maybe a salad. This place can kiss my American and Anglophile butt.
(1)
Michelle B.
I've only been here a few times, but the Parmesan pesto omelet is killer. Some other favorites are the mint lemonade, hot Belgian chocolate and the hazelnut spread. It's a treat coming here.
(5)
Caren C.
Really good food! After shopping for like 5 hours my mom and I were pooped. We didn't feel like eating the usual Old Town fare...ie. Kabuki, Cheesecake, etc. etc. So we thought about this place because we wanted something quick and casual...and light. We got the chicken curry tartine (which comes with really good cranberry/raisin type chutney?), a salad, some bread, iced tea lemonade...all yum. But the STAR of the night, was their "brunette" hazelnut butter. It was MmmM Mmm good. We bought a jar for $10. That's right, $10!! But so worth it folks. This place gets four stars in my book! Oh ya, I don't get why people think this is what a French cafe would be like...It's an Americanized chain?! This is definitely NOT the real deal -- so for all the haters -- just take it for what it is and you're good!
(4)
Karen S.
Menu items are good. My favorite - salmon tartine Bakery items are meh... Everything is a bit overpriced
(3)
Lacey W.
Some people just don't get it, man. Whats up with the 2 and 3 star reviews? Serving up quality European tidbits in a country setting that boasts organic and predominately local products in a community inspiring space. Yeah, it's a chain, but a good one. They consistently deliver simple food that is delicious to boot. For breakfast I like to get the soft boiled eggs and toast with a mixed green salad. The apricot jam is killer. For lunch its the arugula and pine nut salad with goat cheese. The cheese they put on this salad is amazing. Their soups are always a sure bet, as are the cheese plate and tartines, which I might add are an authentic Belgian open faced "sandwich" eaten with a knife and fork. I have yet to try out their dinner menu. I always find myself here after a day of shopping to sip on some delicious coffee, served in a cafe Au lait cup - which is not weird, but a perfectly legitimate way to serve and drink coffee (Take a trip to France if you don't believe me....Long Beach I'm talking to you). The bowl can get a little warm - the key is to not fill it up. Enjoy your bowl of coffee with a perfect pastry and call it a day. It is a Little pricey, but no more expensive than that behemoth crap they serve at the Cheesecake Factory down the street.
(4)
Frances D.
Cookies were too hard!! But maybe it's because I love the soft, chewy, just got out of the oven cookie!!! The desserts always look amazing but it seems like I always get a stale one. The place always gets busy for breakfast during the weekends, so be prepared to wait.
(3)
Kathy C.
My father and I were passing through Pasadena and we stopped in at Le Pain Quotidien for an early dinner. I ordered the Tuscan White Bean and Prosciutto Salad with Arugula, shaved Parmesan, and Basil Croutons... OH MY! It was like a wonderful, light, party in my mouth! A revelation, if you will. All the ingredients were fresh and wonderful, the lemon vinaigrette was not to heavy handed and was just enough to cover every leaf without pooling all over the plate. I also met the manager, a lovely woman by the name of Jessica. Everyone was very friendly and attentive without hovering. I've been here before and ordered the Tapenade Platter, also very good and tasty! I highly recommend Le Pain Quotidien as a sure thing for a wonderful meal.
(5)
Tiffany Laura D.
I LOOOOVVVEEE this place! Pretty much everything I have tried here has been good. I realy like the curry chicken tartine with the chutney! It is delicious. Their desserts are really good as well, especially the chocolate mousse. The breakfast is great! Can't go wrong! Give it a try if you haven't already!
(5)
Grace C.
I've come here for breakfast/lunch quite a few times and am glad the food is always clean and fresh. I love the turkey tartine and the pesto/parmesan omelet that comes with a small salad. The breads are also great with different jams to spread over them. At first it doesnt seem like enough food, but it should be enough to fill you up. A meal would probably average $15-20 per person including a drink.
(4)
Brent G.
My wife and my favorite restaurant in pasadena. The food is fresh, healthy, and so good. Going here is like taking a mini trip to Europe. Btw, it's healthy and organic, so they don't have soda or anything like that.
(5)
Roxana K.
It was my first time there and I really enjoyed my experience. They accommodate large groups of people just as well. I was there for brunch and it looked very busy. My friend arrived earlier so she reserved an area for the rest of us so I just walked in. I ordered the Belgian Waffle and paired it with a Mochaccino; they were both good. The waffle was a little too crunchy but the brunette spread totally made up for it. My Mochaccino was also very delicious. Our waitress was the best! She was friendly, attentive, and patient. The environment was also great. I will definitely go back!
(4)
Anna B.
Yesterday Le Pain Quotidien provided a tasty respite from the throngs of weekend shoppers on Colorado. My friend and I shared a tartine of peaches, prosciutto, Parmesan, and asparagus; "like a little French pizza," she said, because it's essentially some very fresh bread with all those ingredients arranged on top of it (served cold). We also shared a raspberry tart for dessert that was so good I wished I hadn't volunteered to share! Prices were reasonable, and their iced tea was delicious (I ordered green, she ordered black). It comes with a small carafe on the side so you can give yourself a refill. The restaurant itself was airy and bright. Le Pain Quotidien gets penalized one star for having a filthy bathroom and penalized one star for having a less-than-attentive server. I had initially ordered a pomegranate iced tea, which I didn't like. I apologized and asked him if I could get a green tea instead. He said "sure." After we'd finished our tartine he still hadn't brought me my replacement tea so my friend flagged him down and I asked him again. He said "sure" as though he didn't even remember having the conversation earlier. When he brought the green tea my friend asked him for the check and he didn't bring it until she'd flagged him down AGAIN. To his credit, he appeared to be waiting on the entire restaurant and the outdoor cafe alone, so I understand how it might be difficult for him to keep track of everything. But an apology would have made us feel better. My friend has been here before and she said that service has not been that disappointing on previous visits.
(3)
Sarah S.
So good. I resisted for a long time because of the lines, the snobby French name (proper pronunciation insisted on my certain people I know), etc...But I went in this weekend and OK, I get it. The lines DO suck - and the fact they didn't write down names on a list, but made it fight us out for outside tables instead - but the food may just be worth the wait. I had a great bowl of oatmeal (although, really, they could only put FIVE berries on top???) The prices aren't cheap and the portions aren't huge, but if you love breakfast and brunch (and who doesn't) - give it a shot. Only 4 stars though for the lines/seating, the prices, and the skimpy portions (sorry I'm American, not French - I prefer a substantial sized meal) One last pet peeve. They push together all these two person tables...so there is room for 4 people yet only 2 people sit at them...even when there are lines! I tried to move two of the tables apart, to make room for more people, but they made me move them back. Its just annoying when there is a line, and people are lounging for brunch, etc...It drives me crazy when restaurants don't plan these things.
(4)
Patrick H.
I'm trying to write this review keeping in mind this is an organic place, because seriously if it wasn't, what the haeelll, it would be sooo pricey. Its already up there on the scale of priceyness, only because its ideal for lunch, and lunch is an american term for cheap. Sorry, les francais. So, I'm planning on studying abroad in France...I'm pretty sure that this is not what a cafe will be like there, but I'll let ya know. The chicken curry tartine was delicious!! A small sandwich (with no sides), this place forces you to be skinny and accept your predestined mini-meal, or suffer the consequences (buying two things and paying more). I would say that the sandwich was pretty much worth it because I'm sure organic free range chicken is hard to come by these days (assuming of course that i was eating organic free range chicken...). Dessert, however,...VERYYYYYYY pricey. Good, but pricey! I got a small ass fruit tart for seven bucks. Not even gelsons is that bad. So, avoid the bakery part, come here not starving with some extra cash on you, and you're good.
(4)
Tony Y.
If it weren't for my semester of French, and Paul D., I would not know how to pronounce the name of this restaurant. I think my co-workers at GAP were afraid to try this place because they didn't know how to say the name... and I suppose it's a little pricey, but it's worth it to me! I've been here a couple times before with Paul, but I wanted to wait until I came here again before reviewing it. Last time we were here, the tart we got was not all that great and we were cramped up in a small corner wishing we had some rustic loafs of bread stabbed into our wooden table like the communal table in the middle. It would have been very entertaining for me. Today (technically yesterday), we came here for brunch. I ordered the Quiche Vegetarienne (vegetarian quiche... in case you weren't sure) and an iced latte. It's probably one of the best quiches I have EVER had. No joke. It wasn't overloaded w/ cheese like some quiches, therefore making it light enough to finish in one sitting. It reminded me a little of lasagna (flavor-wise), which is totally a good thing for me. Had spinach, mushrooms, some tomato sauce i believe, and cheese. The presentation was really nice, too. Our waitress was nice... I felt like I knew her from somewhere. Paul and I were debating whether she was from Temple City High School or Arcadia High School. I didn't get a good opportunity to ask her. Oh well, I'll live with the mystery. If you don't mind shelling out a little extra cash, this is a great place for refreshing organic cuisine. A little iffy on the desserts, though.
(4)
M V.
Whenever I visit my sis in CA, she always insists on going to "Le Pain" (as she calls it) for breakfast. This place can do no wrong in her eyes. I'm sure that if they had private rooms and a gym located in the back, she would never leave. $10 for granola, yogurt, and a few berries thrown on top is a bit steep for my NY pockets--and I love to splurge on food! It is very clean and laid back though (think a large french countryside kitchen that seats, oh, I don't know, 50 people???) I loved the Cherry Green Iced Tea (and cherry juice is great for your muscles after working out, my sis says) and their pots of confiture and praline spread are delicious. The vegetarian quiche is good, if not on the cheesy side, and everything is always presented quite simply and beautifully. She hasn't sold me on it quite yet, like I said, I don't care how many magic pumpkin seeds you throw in my granola, it's still not worth $10--but that's pretty much the only thing that I can think of complaining about when it comes to Le Pain Quotidien.
(4)
Guy D.
I have eaten in the New York location of this upscale bakery/cafe chain and it serves really nice lunchtime food. Their range of spreads and jams are delish so we stopped in for a 'Tartine' or a small open-faced style sandwich. It was OK, nothing over the top good but OK. The real treat came when we were offered the free jams and spreads and enjoyed some of their own Praline spread on some crusty bread - that was ridiculously nice!
(3)
Andrea K.
2 stars overall.... the breads were absolutely fantastic...the french bread was the scene stealer. THE ORDER: Mediterranean Platter: 4.5 stars......Hummus, Babaganoush, and Tabuleh with an arrary of breads. SOOOOO yummy and flavorful....Would definitely recommend to others. Smoked Salmon and Roasted Beet salad: 1 star....firstly, salmon and beets are two of my fave foods, so ordering this salad was a no-brainer. welll.....the salmon was waaaaay too salty....like hard-to-eat salty. The arugula became boring after the first 2 bites....i needed more variety. it was also difficult to eat because of the size and shape of the rocket. The beets were okay....that was about it. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SALAD. SERVICE: 2 stars.....pretty slow and unattentive. OVERALL: this is def up my alley as far as quality and type of fare go. I would love to try the breakfasts here! xo- andrea
(2)
Ninkasi D.
First time I came here for lunch with co-workers, I found it to be a bit off-putting and pretentious. However I did warm up quickly to the idea of the communal table, and felt like I was in some body's mamma's kitchen. I ordered a lovely little ham and three-mustard tartine and a carafe of ginger lemonade (I think it's ginger), and I found I was pleasantly surprised by how good everything was. The food was simple, fresh and tasty. Admittedly I was a little hungry by late afternoon, but all in all I was mostly satisfied. After reading the reviews here, I'll have to come for breakfast. Sounds quite yummy!
(3)
Jen S.
I was so excited this place opened in Old Town so we went on a Saturday morning and were seated immediately, which was nice. However, the organic feel didn't bother me as much as the organic prices which don't resonate well with the small portions. It was definitely one of those places to try just to try because of all the talk about the place but I don't think I would choose to go back.
(3)
Leni A.
so last night i was out in pasadena, taking care of errands. it was way past dinner time and i did not want to wait until i get home to eat. okay, plan b it is then--i didn't really have a plan b but i almost didn't realize i was having "me time" so i thought why not take myself out to eat?! **light bulb** i took myself to try le pain because a few wks earlier i just took notice of it in old town and happened to read favorable reviews on the pasadena location. when i walked in, for whatever reason, i felt i was in europe. be it the unfinished wood decor and tables with the lighting, or the long communal table, it just did. when i sat down i was promptly handed a menu. i remember reading a yelp about a quiche lorraine but after a rapid scan over the menu i opted for the chicken and smoked mozzarella "sandwich" instead. i guess i was so hungry that i didn't pay attention to what i ordered. haha! i saw the word "sandwich" and "tartine" and didn't think a second more about it. when i got my "sandwich" i had one of those "what...the...." moments again. so okay, a tartine is an open faced sandwich...and kinda small/thin. =| but it did look good. =) damn, that thing was GOOD! and filled me up just right. =D i also had a cherry green tea with my meal but it wasn't as good as the idea of it. i spent 16 and half big ones for only myself at le pain, which is a lot considering the tartines are fairly teeny and simplistic. but, you know, for something healthy and tasty as i just had, i'd do it again!! ...minus the cherry green tea.
(4)
Lisa K.
I would never have eaten here if a new friend hadn't suggested it. I had breakfast for lunch and am v. glad they offer breakfast late. The chicken chorizo & cheddar omelette was delicious. It's small but, actually, the right size. It came on a large plate with a couple slices of soft bread & salad leaves with a delicious, healhty dressing. I ordered 2 iced organic masala chai lattes. They were so good. I'll be back soon to try other things on the menu & for the same omelette. This is a healthy, organic, good restaurant and the free 90 min parking lot right behind is a huge bonus. Wait staff wasn't the friendliest though.
(5)
Sean H.
Great weekend breakfast for Pasadena locals or pit stop for morning shoppers. Roll out of bed, drop yourself on the patio and enjoy the view of Colorado Blvd as your morning is warmed by fresh bread, spreads, eggs, soup, or maybe a hot ginger apple juice. Soups are usually incredibly delicoius, as are the spreads for the bread. Head off to do some shopping and you've just started your morning right.
(5)
Emily R.
A nice atmosphere. I ordered a Lemonade iced tea and it was very refreshing.
(4)
E p.
Ok, first off, this is NOT a French bakery, it's actually a Belgian chain popular in Europe and who's been rapidly expanding here now in the US. The beauty of this place is its concept upon which it thrived: a typical neighborhood bakery which so many of our American cities lack these days. The irony is that these place is not quite a bakery, yet not quite a restaurant either, but you can get decent servings of both fresh baked breads and pastries and food. Everything here is good, down to the lemonade, and sandwiches. They use high quality ingredients which you can really taste. Though a bit overpriced, the quality and unpretentious atmosphere keep me coming back.
(4)
Rosie T.
Oh, yes- I now think I 've been to every Le Pain in California. I love this place. The food is great, lots of organic options as well as vegetarian options. The bread....mmm I love bread. Things to try: Quiche Lorraine- beautiful, delish!! it comes with mixed green salad Goat cheese & asparagus omelet- more salad and 2 slices of the mmm bread curried chicken tartatine- served open face w/ some nice sliced veggies and fruit. just lovely Try it try it!
(5)
Isabel M.
I LOVE this place! Their bread is always fresh and they always have the best soup!
(5)
Sher N.
very overpriced and boring brunch. We ordered Baker's Basket that was an entire basket of breads and two small butters, and some preserves that were already on the table, ($8). we also had the ricotta and fig open-faced sandwich that was on a boring soggy bread and had the smallest bits of figs I had ever seen. Basically thry cut ONE FIG in small pieces and put it on the entire sandwich with some bits of tomatos. what a waste of money. we asked for a side of scrambled eggs (2), and were charged $7.50 for that!!!! it came with some pieces of bread only (ya, more bread). overall, not worth the price. Their coffee was cold and server was slow. we paid $20 each for that brunch!! We had breakfast at the Ritz Carlton in Dena Point that cost us less and was amazing. I will not go back here.
(2)
Rick P.
this has to be my new favorite bakery, but some rules to observe: bring lots of money, don't try to sit down when its busy, only buy what you can hold--preferably in your stomach Note to dieters: it's all about the bread--you've been warned!! two words: french donut! take that beard papas~
(5)
Josh M.
Although a chain, Le Pain Quotidien is a great standby. Their breads are fabulous - particularly their morning assorted bread basket, the granola with fruit is a great classic breakfast, and the gazpacho that we had during our lunch there was fresh and cool and just shouted "Healthy!" and "Refreshing!". This is a chain that has a very clear idea of what they do and what their image is and they've remained true to that. If you're looking for a charming local joint, this isn't it, but if you're looking for a warm setting for breakfast or lunch with great ingredients, a range of tasty options and quality you can count on (and just blocks from the Norton Simon and central to Pasadena's main shopping drag), stop on by.
(4)
Kevin C.
After eating here many times to go, I always get their soup and bread for lunch or dinner at work, and having had their dinner experience once there with excellent service. I would recommend to all. Place is nice, food very tasty and healthy. Many vegan options and people who count calories can easily do the math since that is provided for all dishes. It is a solid choice when looking to eat better in Pasadena and not wanting to chow on some crazy fatty or high caloric dish at another place.
(4)
N. W.
Le Pain was very crowded which I'm sure is typical during weekend brunch hours and beautiful days like today; however, it took no time to get an inside table for two. We ended up ordering salmon and scallion omelets, a small fruit bowl, and the whole wheat French toast with strawberries and agave syrup. The food was excellent. The omelets were light and full of flavor, and the French toast came out with the perfect amount of sweetness. I didn't have to add any syrup. I would definitely go back, but I would wait for a seat outside so I can enjoy the beautiful day.
(4)
Tiffany N.
This place is good if you're not feeling like something light, and not too heavy. The menu is mostly quiche, tartines, and salads. I shared 3 dishes among 4 people. The Chicken Cobb Salad, the goat cheese and arugula salad and also an avocado and tomato omelette. All the items were delicious. The salads were a pretty decent portion, but the omelette was not worth it for the price. The chicken cobb salad had a lot of avocado and chicken. The goat cheese salad also had a lot of goat cheese. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very relaxed and feels open. You just walk in and sit and the waiter will come to you. Pretty good food and nice atmosphere, but a bit overpriced.
(3)
Cocoa B.
Good organic, vegan, vegetarian options, good atmosphere, great drinks.
(4)
Stephanie C.
I was in a rush to get to class on time but I needed food to fuel me for three hours of algebra. I stopped in at Le Pain Quotidien for the first time and took my food to go (how I wish I could have stayed to enjoy my food at this lovely little place! Sea salt shakers on the table? Excellent!). I was intrigued by the goat cheese, fig and honey concoction. I asked the cashier if it was good and he said it was one of his favorites so I thought I'd give it a try. It was different and very tasty, though I think it could have used more honey. They didn't skimp on the goat chesse, the figs weren't overwhelming and the side of greens and fruit were a nice touch. While I was waiting for it to be made, I saw a number of other food and drink options that struck my fancy. I do believe I will have to return with more time to explore...
(4)
Samantha S.
My favorite place to eat on an afternoon of shopping on Colorado - I've never gotten anything that I didn't love there. Their tartines are delicious, especially if you get them with a cup of their delicious soup and freshly baked organic bread. Everything there seems thought out, even down to the organic unbleached sugar they have on the tables. My favorite tartines are the chicken curry and the tuna, but on other days I sometimes get their special plates with cheese and fruit and bread. They also have an array of tasty-looking pastries when you walk in the door, which I haven't sampled yet. I love this place.
(5)
Kim B.
Finally, we have one in Pasadena! The food, especially the homemade bread, is delicious. The service is a little so-so. I think maybe they're just in the process of getting a decent serving staff. It's a bit pricey for a bakery/cafe but there are days when you just don't mind paying more for quality. The fresh orange juice is a fave of mine.
(4)
Eva G.
If your looking some wonderful and organic food, this is your spot. You can spare your ticket to France if your longing for the exquisit bread, pasteries and hazelnut-coco spread. Some of the must haves: - Cafe au Lait - Goat cheese & arugula salad with pine nuts and olive oil - Quiche (hightly recommended, never yet tried)
(5)
Elizabeth L.
The food is overall tasty but over-priced. The service is painfully slow. And the manager needs a refresher course on customer relations. Here's why: During my first visit, we paid about $20 bucks for a few pastries and a baguette. Our order was a to-go order, and the cashier (who was the one putting the order together and looked very frazzled) forgot to give us the baguette we had ordered and paid for. By the time we realized she had forgotten to give us the baguette, we were already on the freeway and were not going to turn around for a $5 baguette. This past weekend we revisited the bakery/restaruant. This time, we sat down to dine and ordered tartines, or open-faced sandwiches. They were very tasty, but the portions were small. For about $10-$13 each, I definitely expected more. Upon placing our dine-in order, I mentioned to the waitress that they had forgotten to give us our baguette the last time we were there. The waitress was really nice and said that she would talk to the manager. About 20 minutes later, the manager came over to discuss this issue. According to the manager, unless we had telephoned them to report the missing baguette so that they had a record, there was nothing he could do about it. First, it never occurred to me to call them to report that a baguette was missing from my order because it's just not that big of a deal; I just figured that they would simply hand me one if I told them about it during my next visit (uh, wrong!). Second, why would they not go out of their way to ensure they had a satisfied customer by offering to give me another baguette or some other pastry or bread. It's possible that they thought I was lying about it - but who in the world would lie about something like that! I'm certain that any other bakery would have just apologized for their previous error and immediately given me the baguette I HAD ALREADY PAID FOR. But not this one! Overall, the food is good. But not good enough to make up for the poor customer service and the high prices.
(2)
Lisa T.
I'm here now. Service sucks and they're not that busy. It's my first time here. It's cute in that "look at me. I'm cool & almost vegan" way. The organic coffee is very good as is their breakfast special salmon and egg salad croissant. Portions are moderate so good for people who don't want to be full after they pay $13 for breakfast. Not sure I'll ever come back.
(3)
April C.
i travel to pasadena fairly regularly for work and all i can say is: YAY OATMEAL! travel food - picture starbucks-type options - can be so lame - so it's an absolute treat to stop here for a proper breakfast prior to another crazy worktravel day. also, the coffee....mmm. it's also entirely charming how they include a recipe card with your bill. nice touch.
(5)
Adriana C.
This place has the best waffle I have ever eaten.
(4)
Sabrina T.
I don't know if i can give an accurate review about this place, because when I was ordering, they were out of my first 2 choices. I finally settled on a chicken sandwich. I was kind of disappointed because the chicken looked like lunchmeat chicken which I'm not a fan of. BUT, upon eating it, it was actually quite good. The meal had a fresh and clean quality about it, so I think I would go back, maybe even try some of their pretty desserts.
(3)
Helen P.
Overpriced, horrible service. The food was not bad, but I can easily make you an organic egg and a piece of organic toast too, and charge much less. I went one day with a friend (with high expectations) and we ordered both breakfast and lunch items. The server asked me what kind of milk I wanted with my granola. I told her whole, since I only like fatty foods. When she returned with my milk, I immediately noticed as I poured it over my granola that it was of a suspiciously watery consistency. I took a taste and knew that it was NOT whole milk. When I asked the server politely if there had been a mix-up, she said, "Oh, yeah. We ran out of whole milk so I gave you skim. I didn't think you'd notice." Well, she was WRONG and I DID notice. All she had to do was tell me they were out of whole milk and I would have ordered soy. Instead, she chose to intentionally try to deceive me, taking me for a fool who doesn't know the difference between skim and whole. What if I were allergic to skim milk or something? (I know, I know.. but still). Her nonchalant attitude bothered me. I would have complained to a manager or something, but it was crowded and I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Needless to say, I won't be going back anytime soon. To be fair, the sandwich was good.. but still overpriced.
(2)
Judi T.
Went there for a weekday breakfast. The food is simple, fresh and well prepared. I ordered the Organic Granola Parfait and my husband had a ham and Gruyere omelet. Both were good. The options on the lunch and dinner menus and the bakery items look interesting as well. The service was prompt and attentive. The only criticisms I have are minor. The prices are a bit high and the ambiance is a little precious. (The signage in different languages) Also I was disappointed to learn that it is part of a restaurant chain. I had hoped it was an independent venture.
(3)
P K.
I was attracted by their French atmosphere on Sunday morning.We paid $80 for our family of 4 for brunch.They promoted themselves using all organic produce. 2 tartines (open sandwich) ($13 one spread thin with tuner salad,hummus,white beans on one slice of organic bread;$12 the other is chicken,cheese and leek on one slice of organic bread),$4 for a large cafe au lat (yak),$5 a homemade like brownies, $12 for a 2" X 4" quiche lorraine(ham and cheese),$13 for a 6" plate goat cheese, pear, and walnut salad, $4.5 extra for 4 slices smoke salmon$6 pistachio pie? We asked for some substitute,I love "sunny side up", the waitress said they don't have egg to do it?! My boy doesn't like leek but instead for pepper...she said they can't do it.I asked to put smoke salmon on top of my salad,she at first said no..then she said that she would put it on side...Will the price, but lousy service, I would rather go "the little next door" at Hollywood better!!!
(2)
Szu L.
Located in Old Town Pasadena this little bakery is super! My friends and I decided to check it out after some shopping. All the bread recipes here come from certified organic farms. I had the Mediterranean plate which consisted of sun dried tomatoes, capers, mozzarella, prosciutto, olive oil, olive paste and more. It was all delicious and perfect for a light lunch. The atmosphere of Le Pain Quotidien is quaint with a communal table in the center and clean pine wood interior. This simple chic bakery is must next time you visit Old Town Pasadena!
(4)
James Y.
Don't get me, wrong... I like LPQ. But not this one in Pasadena. I've been to the one on Melrose and vastly prefer that one over this one. I had a sandwich but it was missing a major ingredient listed in the menu. That's usually ok... if someone tells you before the food arrives! By then I was too hungry to order something else. And its not like they offered to make it up to me in any way. Not going back...
(2)
Lina O.
after eating lunch i felt like having some coffee and dessert. after we realized that there was no more ghirradeli in old town, we decided to check this place out. i ordered a latte with some caramel, but they didnt have caramel so i decided to try hazelnut. wow, that was the best tasting latte i have had so far! i dont know what it was, the hazelnut or maybe the organic nonfat milk? or just the way they froth-ed the milk? it was really good. my bf got the iced coffee, which was also really tasty. we got the lemon tart and the Madeline. the lemon tart was good, light in flavor. the Madeline was like a really dense muffin with a Madeline flavor. service was pretty good. only thing i didnt like was that i got the double latte (so it was 16oz). it came in this big rice bowl type looking cup. i guess like those huge cups they had on Friends. BUT no handle! so i felt weird when the waiter handed me my latte, by putting his grubby fingers all over the rim.... =/ plus since theres no handle... you have to hold it like you're sipping soup? and its hot! i dunno, just thought it was weird. the latte was delicious though. maybe it was the grubby hands that made it extra delicious hahah
(4)
Cathy Z.
Le Pain Quotidient is a nice break from all the food-coma inducing Italian & American food on the block. They also have a nice outdoor seating area if you're into people watching or like talking your dog out around Old Town. I recommend the shrimp and avocado (with slices of cucumber, tomatoes, basil...) tartine!! I loved it so much I'm going to try to make it myself. Their coffee and lemon iced tea are also delicious. They give you the whole decanter so you don't have to keep calling waitress for refills.
(5)
Caroline N.
I haven't worked here in over two years yet I still have cravings. So the portions are small and the prices are not. Most people are willing to pay money for crap food when dining out (I know - I now work at Gordon Biersch) so why not pay a bit more for decent food? This stuff is fresh, organic, and unique. My favs were the arugula and goat cheese salad, the gazpacho, the mediterranean platter, and the shrimp and avacado tartine. All the breads, teas, and coffees are of the highest quality and compliment the breakfast items and baked goods fabulously. They've expanded their vegan menu since I've left and I can't wait to try it all!
(4)
Randy D.
the daily pain is one of the few bright spots of trendy colorado blvd in old pasadena. it's a great place for coffee, breakfast, a light lunch, and definitely dessert. shared a mini mousse duo, lemon tart, and apple almond tart with the gf, mom, and bro-in-law today. washed it all down with a fine mini-pot of coffee. hmmm, tres bien....
(4)
John L.
I enjoy this place. I am glad that finally Le Pain open here in California. The first time I had Le Pain was in NY, as a result I came back to SoCal with jars and jars of Brunnette. When in need of snack while you are in Old Town Pas, just pop into this place get a small French bread roll (those individual ones) and asked them to put some of those 'Brunnette' on it, so delicious.
(3)
Lei-Lei F.
love to go here for sunday brunch
(4)
Karen W.
This is a great place for baked goods. If we go for breakfast, sometimes we have great service and sometimes we have mediocre service, but it's always good food.
(4)
mary c.
I tried the pain au chocolat and it was good. The pain was flaky, but only had a very small strip of chocolate. Not enough chocolate for me!!!!!!!!!! The price was $2.75, which was fair for the size, but still not enough chocolate. There are other pastries, but the prices are little steep so I only one item.
(3)
Ai M.
Get the quiche! I got the cheapest tartine but capers made it too salty. I love their carafes and the waffles are good. Its nice that some of the drinks are organic or sweetened with honey. When I went on a late afternoon, there weren't many people inside.
(4)
Rebecca P.
My boyfriend and I went to Old Town Pasadena this morning to get breakfast, and we ended up eating here. Such a great choice! I often judge a breakfast place by its oatmeal, and I was super happy with the oatmeal here. I got the steel-cut oatmeal with extra berries... so good! The berries were fresh (just cut!) AND it came with mint leaves! That means that the last half of my oatmeal was a mixture of blackberries and muddled mint, so it tasted like berry-mint oatmeal! Mmmmmm! I may try the flaxseed berry oatmeal next time, but they use frozen berries in that one so maybe not. I would have given five stars, but minus one star because the patio didn't have much ambiance, the waitress asked my boyfriend if he wanted cheese on his omelet but didn't tell us that it was $3 extra, and the blueberry muffin wasn't that great. I'll definitely be back though!
(4)
Mitzi C.
Although it's a chain, and a pricier chain at that, I still like this place. I've had their salads and sandwiches (served open-faced) and the mediterranean platter (really good). I've always wanted to try their omelettes but they stop serving at noon. This place is a good option when you need a little snack while shopping.
(4)
Bernard K.
The food here can be quite good if a bit pretentious and somewhat overpriced, though not terribly so. The issue with service is more problematic. The place feels to me like it is always trying to be a real business, like it really wants to grow up. Because of this the service suffers unevenness. But if you are more patient and forgiving than I am, and have some time, you will really enjoy some excellent and different foods.
(3)
Karen S.
A very cute laid back sandwich place. It had a very french cafe feel to it. Ordered a pesto chicken and mozzarella sandwich with Avocado. Pretty good, nothing too notable. I did feel very healthy eating it though. Buddy Mike had a curry chicken sandwich which was very tasty (kinda wished I ordered that actually). We shared a cup of lentil soup between the three of us, which also was very good. The food was very fresh and presented nicely on a small platter. The food was a little bit expensive but I guess it's the "organic" stuff that costs more. Service was fabulous, she even gave us a sample of the soup before we bought. Robin and Mike laughed when I said our waitress reminded me of a carrot, she fit perfectly in that place nice and organic. Cute place.
(4)
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Address :88 W Colorado Blvd,Ste 102
Pasadena, CA, 91105
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes Good for Working : Yes
brad h.
My second favorite brunch location, it's a close second though... I've been here before so this was a repeat performance. The atmosphere is casual, with a large and very long table in the center of the restaurant that invites sitting family style. Tables appear to be unpainted wood. A country French look to me... I had a large omelette; goat cheese and oyster mushrooms with lime butter and herbs. This was without doubt, one of the best omelette I have had on my visit to this planet. The coffee was great. Served in cups that look like small bowls with no handles. They served bread cooked on the premises ahead of our meal. Also excellent.
(4)Lillian H.
Where do I even begin? Food... over priced, horrible taste (my salmon was raw yet warm. wtf?) ice green tea was just lukewarm green tea. service: horrible. I asked for ice for my "ice" green tea and the guy just looked at me like I was asking for the moon. 1 waiter running a entire room of people while the manager just sits behind the register playing with this phone. wtf.
(1)Erica L.
Three of us went for brunch. I got the summer special, Watermelon Cooler. I've had the lemonade here before and it was way too tart, but I couldn't resist the combination of watermelon, lemon, and cucumber. Super refreshing! As for food, the three of us shared the avocado toast, French toast, and Prosciutto, Ricotta & Fig Tartine. All three dishes were enjoyable. I've gotten the Tartine before and it never disappoints. I like to add the jam to it for a bit more flavor though! We were drawn into the French toast because the menu said that it is soaked in coconut and lime. Couldn't really taste the coconut or the lime but it was still tasty. The avocado toast was really good and way more flavorful than expected. It was pretty busy today and service was a little slow. Our waiter was friendly, but the lady who we asked for jam forgot and we eventually had to grab it ourselves off another table. Overall, the meal was fresh and delicious!
(4)Abel H.
The waffle and the fact that you need to click one star is the only reason they get a star. Got the Belgian waffle. It was good. Got the pot of coffee. Coffee was ok. The top of the coffee pot fell into my glass as I was getting to the end of the pot. Did my server care? Nope. Probably thought i dumped it in there and made the mess on purpose. My hard boiled egg wasn't fully cooked but it took my server til the end of the meal to notice.
(1)Albert V.
Food was tasty I enjoyed the white bean and prosciutto salad along with a cappuccino and gazpacho soup. Very much enjoyed food and service. The cappuccino was a little bland for my taste, and my coffee is worth 20% of the stars. Would definitely return though. Very reasonable pricing.
(4)Nijole T.
Lovely brunch here with my family. Service is excellent, the space cute but a bit cramped, the tables could be a bit further apart so you are always bumping into the person next to or behind you. My husband had the ham and cheese kids plate and enjoyed it, my husband the hot ham and cheese, also very good. I went with the turkey sandwich and phone, while tasty, I was not a fan of the greens served with it and would have preferred the phone hot, not lukewarm. The absolutely best thing here is the bread, I got a baguette and some rhubarb jam to go and it was fantastic! Perfectly crunchy bread, tart rhubarb jam which was such a nice change from your average strawberry rhubarb mix you usually find in stores. I'll be back for more!
(4)Lisa Y.
This is a great pastry and coffee shop. Came here for a girls day. We had the lemonade, coffee, raspberry tart, chocolate croissant, and cheesecake. The Lemonades weren't that sweet, which is great. The raspberry tart was good, but the raspberry jam ontop was a little too much for me, I had to scrape some off. Parking: There's free 90 min parking on de Lacey street.
(4)Melissa L.
I've been a fan of Le Pain for years. I like the Manhattan Beach location in the Metlox the best. Although this location is convenient in Old Town, it does not have a patio that compares to MB. I've only been here for brunch/lunch. Parking: DeLacey 90 minutes free, metered street Ambiance: There's a few tables out front, but I think there's too much traffic on Colorado to enjoy. Inside, they are going for a rustic french/farm look with weathered/community tables. They also have individual tables. Service: I've been to this location about 4 times and have had good service on all occasions. My most recent visit, my daughter and I stopped by for lunch. Warning, my daughter is not a fan of this place. Any place that doesn't serve soft drinks is a no-no to her. Teenagers. BUT, she actually found something she really liked on the menu on my last visit. My favorite item is the Grilled Chicken Cobb. Yes, I crave this. It tastes fresh and I love that they use a good quality Fourme d'Ambert. Excellent. Main reason I visit. My daughter loved the Avocado Toast. She gave me a taste and it was very good. (I will need to bring my husband and son, because they will love it, too.) Other items I like: Roasted Turkey & Avocado Tartine Paris Ham & Aged Gruyere Tartine Finally, I like trying their seasonal stuff, but its always a hit or miss. Tried the Thai Chai last week; it was okay. Mine was sweeter than my daughters. Final note: they have Gluten-Free items, so I've been able to meet a friend of mine here.
(4)Amanda P.
Le pain is a great go to place for a casual breakfast or lunch at the Americana! They have a big variety of pastries, breads, and other bakery items at the counter in the front and you can also sit down to enjoy a meal. My manager and I went after a morning workshop and we both got the yogurt and granola parfaits. She had one that was filled with banana creme, mine was more traditional made up of Greek yogurt, berries, and granola! The granola had the perfect crunch and I love that they offer a low fat yogurt option as well. My cafe au lait was a little bitter and adding two packs of Splenda didn't really help. The coffee was my only complaint but overall my experience here was great and I enjoyed my meal and the service!
(4)Lindsey S.
While the food was as good as at any other location, the venue was cramped, loud and busy, full of screaming kids and messy uncleared tables. The wait staff was AWFUL to say the least. After standing around for 5 minutes by the front waiting to be seated, I finally had to seat myself so that someone would pay me some attention (which they still didn't). Then, after flagging down my waiter, I had to honestly wait at least 20 minutes between each time she would come to check on me or even make eye contact with me, even when I raised my hand or when she was literally at the table 1 foot away. I had to ask for a glass of water 3 times (from 2 separate servers) for it to appear (they should've just brought one anyways) and 2 separate servers for a pot of honey as well. What a nightmare. Next time I'll stick to my local LPQ.
(1)Christine C.
This was my first time at a Le Pain and I really enjoyed it! It seems like a very welcoming place, where sitting with a glass of wine and some nibbles would be a fabulous afternoon activity on a spring or fall day. It happen to be 90 degrees the day I visited so sitting inside is what sounded the best. My food choice (frittata) was super tasty and I enjoyed every bite. My friend liked her Cobb salad too, though she wasn't fond of the fact that the bacon was on the chewy side. I would like to come back to try more items from their menu and bakery case. My problem with this place it is a bit uppity. Like, you're inconveniencing your waiter by ordering your beverage, and even though there are plenty of tables available they are quick to get you your check and scoot you out. Not many smiles are on the staff's faces, which is worrisome. Maybe if this place was less spendy I wouldn't care so much... we paid nearly $20/ea for an entree and non-alc drink.
(4)Jean K.
Thought the food was bit overpriced. So so coffee. Goat cheese mushroom omelette was good and prosciutto tartine was OK. Casual dining w friends, not sure I would go back.
(2)Jeana H.
Best Homemade Mint Lemonade. It's waaay better than Lemonade (the restaurant), which is going to come into Americana soon. I love LPQ's cheesecake. It's just superb. I like their salmon tartine and their soups are pretty good. Delicious toast and jam. Not a fan of their coffee but did I mention how much I love their cheesecake? Seriously, best cheesecake ever.
(4)Winnie L.
I love Le Pain & it's versatility in it's food. I'm getting sick of brunch places that only serve omelettes, french toast & pancakes. This Le Pain is in right next to Kabuki & across from 21 choices. Food: 1. I got the Roasted Turkey Avocado Tartine (540 kcal). I'm a healthy eater so I love how simple yet flavorful this was. It's an open faced sandwich with organic sourdough whole wheat bread. It has slices of turkey (that taste amazingly fresh) with arugula, cucumber, avocado & diced tomatos & tomato salsa on top. So FRESH AH I'm craving. It came with a small little cantaloupe hehe, I love my fruit. I also got a side of organic lentils because I've never tried lentils before. It came with a slice of bread & a small lemon. It was alright. I just wanted to try what it tasted like at least once. I would order it again but it was just pricey for the amount I got! 2. My dad got the Grilled Chicken & Local Mozzarella Tartine (490 kcal). They were very generous on the portions of Mozzarella. I'm lactose so I tried the tartine without the cheese ): But still good! The chicken wasn't dry either! It also was topped with diced tomatoes, arugula, herb dressing and tomato salsa. Also came with a small cantaloupe as well. 3. My brother got the Charcuterie (560 kcal). He got it because the names sounded interesting & he didn't know what anything was except olives... haha nice to know he can be spontaneous like that because I can't! It was served on a wooden platter which I thought was totally hipster! It was prosciutto, sopressata and Paris ham served with olives and cornichons. It came with bread, so he just put the sliced meats on the bread and ate it. He said it was a bit dry so he took some of the cheese off my dad's tartine to eat with his bread and sliced meats LOL but he said the meat was interesting and good! Overall, great ambiance. I recommend sitting outside when it's not super hot. The servers were super nice :) Great environment because it's near many shopping stores so it's great to just stop by to have a quick meal.
(5)Katrina W.
I loved this place. It is mostly organic and the food and coffee is delicious. I ordered the Vegetable Quiche and it was really good. The quiche did not have your ordinary buttery flakey crust but it was still really good. The seasonal salad was simple but delicious especially with their house dressing. I also ordered an Almond Milk Cappuccino and I loved it, I am one to like a lot of foam and it definitely did. Also the cup for the coffee is cool because it doesn't have a handle because they originated in Belgian and when it was cold the people would come to the restaurant for comfort and wrap their hands around the cup to keep them warm. I really like how they stick to their roots. Definitely would come back again.
(5)Cesar Q.
The two stars is for the service, but the food is always on point, 4.5 stars. There has been a steady decline in the service here for the last 6 months, I'm here about once a week for breakfast. Majority of the servers here seem to be in unpleasant moods with the exception of a couple of them, it sad because the food is exceptional and it was my go to spot for Sunday breakfast.
(2)Richard B.
I love this place for both breakfast and lunch. I had the chicken cobb salad for lunch the other day and it was one of the best salads I have had anywhere. The service is always good and the food is fresh and tasty.
(5)Eunice K.
Came here for brunch! Having been to the same restaurant in London, I was happy with the lower prices. Located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena with a beautiful outside patio where you can people watch! I ordered the Belgium Waffle ($5.75) and was extremely disappointed with the size of the waffle - like 2 inches in diameter. And the waffle was extremely sugary, almost like eating a soft cookie. Fiance ordered the Ham Gruyere Omelette ($12.45) - delicious, but again small portions. His dish came with a variety of bread which was scrumptious with all the different types of jam provided on each table. Pot of Coffee ($3.50) - do not expect big portions! Small regular size coffee brought do you in a nice individual pot! All in all, small portions, sparse service, but a great location - smack dab in the heart of old town!
(3)Amy S.
Very nice staff and relaxing outdoor patio dining area (perfect for the summer). Food was very fresh and good.
(4)Kara S.
I like the open table seating and the outdoor options. The ambiance is nice and could be great for groups. I was confused what to do when I entered for breakfast. It looked like a cafe counter so I ordered. But apparently you only order at the counter for to-go orders. If you're staying, you seat yourself and wait for a waitress. I had a bit of confusion there and the dude at the front acted like I was a dummy. But while enjoying my perfectly prepared Cafe Au Lait (aka Cafe Ole, as I like to spell it), I noticed many other patrons made the same mistake and were a bit confused. I had a simple croissant and it was big, crisp in all the right places and flakey. Perfect for dipping into my coffee. I wasn't rushed at all, neither was any other customer it seemed. I regret not order brunch style actual food. The avocado on toast look delightful as did the omlettes I saw coming out of the kitchen. I will hit this place up again and try the food. But pastries? Hit the spot.
(4)Olivia M.
Loved the Tomato and Avocado Omelette, which came with a side of salad and bread for $11.50. The food was yummy and I really liked the ambience. The service was great too and the servers were very kind and accommodating.
(5)Ally R.
I have nothing but good to say about this place. The environment itself is really cute and trendy and they have a huge menu to cater to all tastes. They especially focus on healthy foods. There are a solid amount of vegan options available. I ordered the avocado toast and would HIGHLY recommend it. It was perfectly satisfying and tasted amazing!
(4)Carol D.
Went here today for something sweet with the ladies. They had a lovely selection of desserts and cakes on offer. I loved the feel of the place, very homely. I ordered the strawberry cheesecake and a glass of white wine. The girls had coffee, raspberry and regular lemonades, and the raspberry tart and a pain au chocolat. Really delicious treats in a lovely environments. The staff were friendly and attentive too. The major downside that I had was the condition of their female restroom. It was absolutely disgusting. Toilet roll was strewn all overture flow and the bin in the cubicle was overflowing. While I understand it's the patrons who are largely responsible for the condition of the restroom, it's up to the establishment to keep things in cheek in there. This is why I am deducting stars in the rating.
(3)Candace L.
Excellent service even when the place is busy busy! I'm a fan of Le Pain weather I'm dining in or picking up a latte to go. Their quinoa spelt scone with crème fraîche is phenomenal! I wish they'd bring back the vegan cherry scone but I'll keep dreaming. The tomato and avocado omelet is tasty and I enjoy the turkey avocado tartine. Really, there are very few, if any menu items you can go wrong with here. It's simple, fresh enough and delish.
(4)Valentina L.
It is a quick stop in, if you are window or physically shopping! Being Euro, I prefer to sit on the sidewalk, or at least near it, and it was QUITE the Sunday to watch Ferraris and Lambo's ROAR by, so you know I was in heaven! ;) But hot wheels aside, I just had Jasmine tea- nothing fancy, but I kept eyeing my girlfriend's HOT CHOCOLATE which was delicious and very much like the kind I would have back home in Northern European, unsweetened and more chocolatey than sugar! My WAFFLE did come in an eye catching display, but it was only ONE, and Little V was a little hungrier than just one this past Sunday! My gf had to leave before I could order another, so I left hungry...waah! Nonetheless, it's a nice little set up for a quick bite and catch up on gossip or argue with your boyfriend depending on the type you are! LOL
(4)Jenn R.
I'm bummed that they got rid of the fig & prosciutto tartine!! It was replaced by the ricotta & prosciutto tartine which I had this time around (gluten free option). It was good as well but not as yummy as the fig! Sad face. My sister ordered the chicken curry tartine and that one wasn't that great. It didn't jive with my tastebuds. She didn't finish her food either. She said it was just ok. My Mom had the standard ham and gruyere tartine. Simple but you can never go wrong with this one. Always good. My fiancé had the chicken buffula which had chicken and mozzarella buffalo cheese. It looked absolutely tasty! He ate all of it! To accompany my meal, I ordered the summer special: watermelon juice. It was refreshing but more on the sour side. Not what I expected. I'm bummed that they ran out of other gluten free pastries yesterday. Overall this place is solid: clean, yummy food on a consistent basis, and reasonably priced!
(5)Kat C.
One of my favorite places to each breakfast or brunch. Or if I want a waffle for dinner and just want to feel sophisticated and French. Le Pain Quotidien is a quaint little shop that appeals to all the hipsters and bohemians in town. Which is why it is directly across from Urban Outfitters and why I fell in love with it. They have the most amazing spreads: ranging down the brunette, hazelnut spread; the blondie, white chocolate spread; and at least a couple more! They have a cookbook for sale and several housemade organic jams. All their spreads and jams are for sale. They have a small bakery with a myriad of pastries and breads for sale that one can pick up after their main course. The hot chocolate is delectable and the Belgian waffle is amazing. The service was also great and got our food out to us as quickly as possible. In addition, the menu is fully stocked with offerings such as kale noodles and salads if one doesn't not desire oatmeal, toast, yogurts, or waffles at the moment.
(5)Amihan M.
Nice brunch place in Pasadena. They welcome dogs in their patio and have delicious food (get the bread basket!) Sometimes Yelpers just get it right. Yeah, the service was off. They were friendly enough but from the beginning to end, errors in orders, forgotten utensils, disappearances. You know, just like in a Parisian cafe when you're a non-French speaking American. So a little too authentic maybe? Aside from that and if you are expecting it, it was actually a pretty enjoyable brunch.
(3)Joanna V.
I really enjoy this restaurant! Their coffee is amazing. And their avocado and tomato omelette is delicious! They open at 7am on Sundays and I love that. Their tables are rustic and homely. Love it!
(5)Michelle K.
Food is always good. Consistent, fresh and good service. Absolutely no complaints.
(4)Ada F.
I love coming here and the last few times have been great. This time not so much. Food here is delicious. I love their omelets and their oatmeal. Their hazelnut spread pairs wells with their bread. They also have delicious jams. Give me a bread basket and I am all set!! This time I tried their organic quinoa taboule. Super yummy!!! If you like quinoa you will love this. It has chickpeas and arugula and avocado. It has a light dressing and a hint of mint. Highly recommend this salad. Light and refreshing; made my palette dance. Every time I have been here I felt they deserve five stars but today was a huge disappointment. Their service sucked. We were seated right away and the waitress came to take our order. After that we waited and waited and no water came to the table. After what felt like eternity she shows up with two plastic cups of water and apologized saying they are washing cups. It's warm outside so I was dying for water. The food finally arrived. That was the highlight of lunch. After we finished we waited and waited and my husband tried to get the waitress' attention but she was too busy. Today was not busy at the restaurant but all the waitresses and waiters appeared so busy. Finally she dropped by to give us our check. I hope they improve on their service. I love their food but if their service does not improve, I might have to say goodbye and head to the one at the Americana.
(3)Gor G.
One of my favorite places to have breakfast and lunch. Their watermelon juice is amazing and refreshing, too bad it's small cup. The omelet with avocado and tomato is delicious. Service is very good.
(5)Samira H.
There are only a few things I ever order here: the soup, the mint lemonade, the hot spiced cider (fall/winter only), and the pastries. Everything else is too dang expensive. If you're eating here and Corn Chowder is the soup of the day- DO NOT HESITATE TO ORDER IT! Le Pain's corn chowder is some of the best I've ever had. I live for what I've come to call CORN CHOWDER DAY, and will sometimes even eat it for breakfast before my shift next door at Madewell starts so I don't have to risk missing out on my beloved corn chowder. (This has happened before- I went on my lunch break and by 12:30, the chowder was gone. I cried.)
(4)Kathy M.
I want LPQ all to myself. I want a cafe au lait, bread, and sidewalk dining table with my name on it. I want to sip my coffee with a book and an apple tart on a balmy Pasadena afternoon while shoppers come and go on Colorado Blvd and I will look up on occasion to watch a tourist squint at something. A friend walks by and we are both hungry, so we each order one of the flavorful, organic creations from the daily menu or the regular menu and smile at the server, because he/she is so courteous (and sometimes cute :-) LPQ is clean and relaxing. Portions may be a little small for general American standards, however they are tasty. Note an LPQ quirk: they do not toast their bread.
(5)Ernest A.
This place is BAD ASS. Great food ...I love the French again,.. Eating is part of their lives... I just wish they weren't so anal... Any who...Been here several times always the best...would like to know if its what the French eat...if not ,,,still great...
(4)Michael H.
Over Priced. Low Quality. Cold coffee for $3.75... wow! Ordered one coffee and charged for two ($7.50). Really! Croissant for $3.95. Anywhere else for $1. Why go back... Never! Why should you go? Crazy!!!
(1)Lindy C.
Great lunch spot with outdoor patio! Enjoyed our meal...a little bit pricey, but delicious. Service was excellent!
(4)Jen G.
First saw this in London but never got to try it. Glad they have it in Pasadena. Not to bad. Pretty good. Everything is organic. The spreads they offer were good as well.
(4)courtney a.
I love this restaurant on larchmont and at the Americana. But the Pasadena location always disappoints me. And the reasons always have to do with the service. Last time I went I had to grab my own high chair for baby (which ended up being broken), get us our silverware from the server stand- and good thing I brought my own water because that never came. Then when the wrong order came out the server seemed to hope I would just keep it. But that is only an assumption... I used to wait tables and because of that I have a high patience for service. But the repeated bad service at this location is starting to wear on me. The other locations are so friendly and accommodating.
(2)Hamid M.
I had avocado tomatoes omelette. It was good. I also had the Belgian waffle which i really liked. Overall good food and ambiance, but pricy.
(5)Nancy X.
It's a healthy choice, the food is pretty yummy, but there's nothing too special here. I've come here a bunch because one of my friends LOVES this place, but whenever she suggests Le Pain, I groan on the inside. The ambiance is charming: wooden tables and chairs, and a rustic yet modern feel. But...it's pretty overpriced for what you get. However, if you're eating here, there are some yummy options: -the cookie butter!!!!!! and the chocolate spreads! Okay, these are the free "condiments" on the tables during brunch/lunch, and they're different on every table, but you can ask your server for the ones you want. I will always ask for the delicious cookie butter and the chocolate spread, then I scoop out around a 1/2 cup of each onto my plate and just eat it with a spoon as I'm waiting for my food to come. -quinoa tabbouleh: this is a pretty yummy thing. it's really healthy, so it's not insanely tasty, but it's pretty good -chicken pot a feu (spelling?) is like a fancy-ish chicken soup that comes with literally like 1/4 cup of quinoa 0_0 It's like $12 if I remember but I'm never full from this... I think all the open faced sandwiches (tartines) are overrated! They are tiny and all okay tasting...I've had the prosciutto and pear, the curry chicken salad, and the egg and salmon and I've never felt full after eating them...also they're not like that yummy either....Just go down to Euro Pane and have yourself a yummier brunch/lunch even though it won't be as healthy :p ALSO!!! the bread that comes with the food is always stale!!!!! Why?
(3)S C.
I've been to this chain many times. First time at this location. The restaurants are always clean with great menu options...love it here! Coffee is always fresh and the food is very enjoyable. My only qualm is the service has a tendency to be on the slower side. However, I would recommend enjoyable a meal or beverage here anytime. Stacy was extremely personable and does very well with her team. I will be back here most definitely. :)
(4)Thea V.
Delicious and healthy food! Everything is yummy and amazing! LOVE breakfast here you can never go wrong! One of my favorite healthy places in Pasadena!
(5)Benjamin T.
I am not at all religious but one does not have to be religious to "believe in the holidays." They exist as a social happening regardless of anyone's religious beliefs... you don't have to celebrate them but their existence is not centered around "faith" or "belief." This would normally be irrelevant on Yelp if not for the annoying prick that this bakery had placed on the register earlier today. I don't care what moronic lack of belief in a non-faith related entity this "gentleman" may have... the polite thing to do when someone wishes you happy holidays, especially a customer, is to wish them Happy Holidays back. Instead, the clerk dryly replied with the oh-so-ignorant statement "I don't believe in the holidays." I've worked retail during these "nonexistent holidays" for 10 years and put up with enough prick customers that I have no patience for people being rude to me while I'm POLITELY paying their paycheck (and as a social scientist he made me want to puke) Lost a customer... that ignoramus wouldn't work for me for a day with that completely horrible idea of "customer service."
(1)Natalie M.
Love the food here. Everything is high quality and organic, which is important to me and that is why I continue to come back. It might be a little on the pricier side but that's to be expected of an organic serving restaurant. I frequent this establishment often and every time, without a doubt, the service is terrible. Be prepared to wait approx 10 min to be greeted and another 10 min to get your coffee or specialty drink after that. Once your order is taken your food will arrive in a timely manner. The waitress I had today saw me sitting at a dirty table, but didn't come over. Her coworker noticed me and had to let her know I had waited for a while and was ready to order. She then proceeded to mess up my drink order, which I understand can happen sometimes, especially when it's busy and several orders are taken at once, but it was not busy when I was there... I really do like this place since the food is great, I highly recommend the avocado toast and smoked salmon breakfast but the service needs to improve.
(3)Danni Shinya L.
The portion is healthy, perfect if you want to avoid over eating. Food is fresh, salads use organic ingredients. Service is not too fast, servers are polite. The flavors are clean and delicious
(4)Ameera D.
Came here for brunch with my bestie and her boyfriend. We ordered three things, the French toast (with strawberries), Smoked Salmon breakfast and the hot chocolate. Food was good, felt a little over priced, portions were a little small, but service was good. Felt like I was eating at a farm. Waiter knew the menu well, and overall we had a good time.
(4)Jeanette Y.
It was ok... Not bad, but nothing really that special neither. Pretty crowded on weekends and it's really loud inside.
(3)Eve H.
My 5 yr old loved the hot choc. It was a hot cup of steamed milk with froth on top and chocolate syrup on the side so she can make her own hot chocolate nice touch. My tomatoe avacado omelet was descent but small. We were surprised by the big bill. $70 for 2 adults one child for breakfast. A bit too pricey especially for such small portions. We were still hungry after we ate. Don't think we're coming back especially when hungry. Coffee is pretty good I may only stop in for coffee but only if I happend to be in the area. Oh their hazelnut spread found on the tables is amazing. Must try that. If they dropped their prices or served larger portions I would give it a five star. But big bill for small portions I give it a 3
(3)Albert G.
Very expensive for unimpressive food. You could get the same food at whole food for 1/10th price. Most of the menu is uncooked, just "presented" on a plate. Service was excellent and place is cute.
(1)Simon K.
Good vive, coffee and breakfast in easy and hip location of Oldtown Pasadena.
(4)Alisa S.
A rustic little cafe that is delicious for breakfast or a light lunch. I love the omelettes and tartines. Get the blueberry scone! Great coffee and tasty refreshments! I'm a huge fan of the mint lemonade. Service was a bit slow--it seemed like there was a lack of communication between the host and the servers since three different people tried to take our drink order. OH! The desserts are pretty frikkin' amazing too.
(4)Justin J.
The expensive food here is extremely mediocre, if not bad. You're better off buying baked goods from a Ralphs or Albertson's bakery. My family tried many things. Our thoughts: Chocolate chip cookie was burnt--tasted like ashes mixed with chocolate chunks. The chocolate-filled croissant was stale, not to mention that the chocolate filling was only on one side, and there wasn't much of it. The macroons tasted just like the store-bought ones--why am I paying so much for the same thing? The "hazelnut stick" (breadstick) was super hard/chewy and tasted like cardboard with nuts. Just terrible, probably the worst thing we ordered. Finally, the guy who helped us was extremely rude. Seemed more inclined to work on his laptop than serve us. No hello, thank you, or goodbye--barley any acknowledgment that we were even there. Verdict: avoid this place. Overpriced, substandard food with terrible customer service to match. Go down the street and find a better bakery!
(1)Diana I.
3.5 stars. Stopped in for a quick lunch in the middle of shopping. The place was packed and lots of people were waiting for seating. I waited about 5 minutes for a small table outside. I ordered the mint lemonade ($3.35) which came in a cute glass pitcher with mint leaves inside. It tasted clean and refreshing, exactly what I'd want a mint lemonade to taste like. Their unique specialty here are tartines which are pretty much like open-face sandwiches cut into 5-6 small slices of bread with various toppings on top. I decided to go with the prosciutto and mozarella di bufala with sundried tomatoes and basil pesto tartine ($13.45). The basil pesto was delicious and the sundried tomatoes were PERFECT. I wish there were more on each slice. It was so good that for each slice, I saved the bite with the sundried tomato on it until the end. I think without it, I could easily have gotten sick of the tartine. But overall, it was light and the portions were just right. But next time, I want to try a different kind. Service was also really friendly and attentive!
(4)Toby W.
This is a cute little place in the heart of old town. The food was good and service was friendly. It's a sit down full service restaurant and not really a café for study. I saw someone sitting alone with a laptop on the table but probably not a good place for that since it was pretty busy and the server wanted the table for other customers. Cute décor and a relaxing place to have a light meal in busy old town.
(4)S J.
nice place :-)
(5)Margaret L.
Came to Le Pain Quptidien for a meeting with a potential wedding planner, so all I had was the coffee, but I have to say the coffee was really delicious. Will definitely be coming back for another shot of caffeine here.
(4)Allie P.
Seat yourself & the waiter or waitress will hand you a menu. My friend and I did not know if we were supposed to wait to be seated (even though there was a sign inside, lol... but after we sat ourselves we were waiting for a menu for maybe 3 minutes outside... so we then thought we were supposed to order inside then sit anywhere). It was difficult to pick out one item from their menu (wasn't sure if I wanted breakfast or lunch). NOTE: Breakfast ends at 3pm I ordered the Prosciutto Mozzarella Tartine which came in 5 tiny slices on a plate with a cantaloupe wedge, cucumbers, radishes, a few olives, and some leafy greens. The mini tartines had prosciutto and mozzarella topped off with sun-dried tomatoes and a dab of pesto paired w/ a lovely mimosa on a Sunday afternoon. Our waitress was very helpful in terms of helping me decide what to order (what else is new). I would want to come back to try the other items off their menu - Turkey, Salmon, quinoa soup special, omelets, waffles, some type of pastry so I could try the spreads they have placed out on the tables... I love eating outside! My friend and I came here on a day that was a tad bit chilly... we wanted to sit outside - they had heat lamps above :D The atmosphere was nice minus the screaming child that was sitting at the table behind us. Random loud screaming, NOT okay. Parents, please learn to control your children while they're at a restaurant - just because you're seated outside doesn't mean its okay for kids to scream and cry super duper loud that it becomes harmful to the ears.
(4)Irene L.
They weren't too busy so I don't think my complaint is unreasonable; we came in and the hostess told us to sit and a menu would be brought to us but we sat for a good ten minutes and no one came to even acknowledge us. I went to get the menu uh myself and we sat there for another ten minutes and finally just was like forget it and left.
(1)Saroya W.
I've been here for breakfast a few times with friends. It's definitely a fun place to grab a bite to eat either for breakfast, brunch or lunch, and wonderful to sit outside on their patio when the weather is warm and permits it. All the food is healthy and organic, so you feel as though you're eating something good for your body as well as delicious. I really enjoy getting the oatmeal with bananas, pecans and maple syrup. It's always warm and the right consistency, not too liquid and not too solid. It's a bit on the expensive side, so I can't go all the time, but definitely a great place to go once in a while.
(4)julie l.
The egg salad sandwich was ok, a little bland, but it's probably because they ran out of anchovies to top it. Also it is strong with the parsley, so don't get it of you hate parsley. The ham and cheese with three mustards was good. Lots of cheese and lots of ham. I would get this again if I wanted a snack or small breakfast. The kids waffle was so good when it was hot and fresh. It's slightly sweet, dense, chewy, crisp on the outside. Once it cools it gets hard and crumbly. Still good, but I suggest eating it fresh. Nice environment, can't wait to come back to try the other dishes.
(4)Chris C.
Great food and atmosphere, priced fair and service above average. Would go back when I am in Pasadena.
(5)Lanie B.
I've only been there for lunch, so I can't comment on their breakfast or bakery (although I have tried their vegan-scramble, which was fantastic). Ingredients are fresh and tasty. My favorite is their gazpacho (and add avocado)- it's outstanding. I work nearby and regularly order their soup for lunch. They also have other vegan soups that are featured weekly that I've tried, but nothing beats their gazpacho. I've also enjoyed their sides- hummus and bab ganoush. Yes, the place is pricy, and you won't go home with leftovers, but it is quality food. Service can be slow at times. I usually order take away and call ahead. If you are dining in, the outdoor seating looks nice and inviting. It would probably be nice for weekend breakfast.
(4)I T.
My husband and I like coming here for brunch on Saturdays. Le Pain Quotidien serves a variety of fresh, organic dishes. Their meals always comes with slices of their bread that you can spread their praline and hazelnut spread on. The food is lightly and no greasy at all! A bit pricy, but good!
(4)Darlene Y.
This place is adorable, its perfect for brunch with friends to catch up. I came with a few friends for brunch.. well really I was late so it was more lunch. We ordered their omelette and salmon plate. DELICIOUS and fresh! Their coffee is strong just like I like it. Their set up is really cute, I can't wait to come back again and dig into their pastries! ENJOY!
(5)Asif H.
Food was good, the Apple cider was amazing, the service dwindled. We were seated and served very quickly, but waited forever to pay. I asked for water and the check and didn't get it for twenty minutes. It's a busy Saturday morning but customers, especially ones ready to pay and leave shouldn't be forgotten!
(3)Lilya A.
Great quality food! It's very European and you don't feel like a dying cow after you eat! Good quantity! I still can't pronounce the name!
(5)rose S.
The bread here is fantastic. I will always come back to buy their bread to take home. I did try the cranberry scone this time and was greatly disappointed. It was dry flavorless and a waste for me. Quite sad to say the least. The macron had too much sugar. It was your typical macron. I was expecting something more from this bakery. From now on I will stick to their breads. Their salads are OK but too pricey for me. It is nice to eat organic but it is at a price. $13.95 for a small to medium size salad is too much for me. It did come with 2 small pieces of bread, very small. I was still hungry and ate a snack when I got home The service was only fair at best. It was hard to locate our waitress and I had to get up to tell the maître de to get our waitress. The waitress never came to or table to see how we were doing. I had to get another server to get our check.
(2)Omega C.
This place is okay. I was a bit confused as to how I was supposed to eat my sandwich because they serve you the sandwiched in a flat bread style. I had the roasted turkey mozzarella with avocado, and tomato salsa. The tomatoes salsas and avocado was exceptional... You can taste the attention to detail in the food and you can see that they are conscientiousness and intently about how there ingredients are prepared. The indoor seating has large wood dining room style table which is unconventional but nice this place is definitely worth trying.
(3)Jess R.
Le Pain Quotidien! The biggest mistake the BF ever made was teaching me the correct way to say this. Ever since, every morning that we wake up, it's "Le Pain Quotidien! Le Pain Quotidien! Le Pain Quotidien!" It is so lovely to come here for breakfast/brunch/lunch/whenever!! There is outdoor and indoor seating. The inside has lots of window light, and both private and communal tables. The food is amazing. There is a lot to choose from, and I've only had one thing that I wasn't crazy about in all of my times there. (It was the vegan quiche, if you're wondering. i'm usually a fan of all things vegan, but this was funky.) The parmesan and basil pesto omelette is a favorite of mine, as is their baguette. I love the spreads that they bring out too. Two jams, and one praline spread. (puts nutella to shame!) They consistently change the "specials" board to make the most of seasonal foods. I always clean my entire plate - that amount of food at any other restaurant usually has me feeling sluggish and heavy, but here I feel fine. I'm sure that it is the quality of ingredients that they use. There is a parking lot right around the corner on DeLacey that has free 90 minute parking. What are you waiting for? Go.
(5)Kimberly L.
Le Pain Quotidien serves fresh, organic dishes. I would recommend the smoked salmon tartine, a Belgian open-faced sandwich, for $14.25. It is served with avocado, scallions and dill on organic wheat levain bread. Although this dish is pricier than the other items I have reviewed in the past, it is packed with the essential nutrients our bodies need.
(4)Marina R.
I am a sucker for artisan bread so four stars for their rustic loaves. minus 1 star for your lemon tart. I expected better. The tartines are OK, the bread is what makes them good. But for the price, it's just a regular sandwich and I'd prefer to go elsewhere (minus another star). I really want to like this place but I just can't when I know there are places like Boudin and Le Boulengerie out there...
(2)Lily T.
I understand the concept of this place, and I like the idea of it, but of course, it's a bit pricey for me to come here more than a few times a year. I got the chicken mozzarella sandwich, and though I don't like arugula, it worked really well with this sandwich, because it was subtle. I didn't like that the crust of the bread was so hard, but my coworker said that's how it's supposed to be. I also really liked that they had a piece of cantaloupe on the plate, it was a nice touch. My favorite part was the dessert lol. I'm a bakery person, I love almost all things baked. My coworker raved about the mixed berry tart, and while it was super delicious, I would rather get two fruit tarts from Porto's instead. Because the two merely delicious fruit tarts from Porto's at the same price is more worth my money than one super delicious berry tart from here. That said, I would like to come back and try the mini tarts. I have a thing for all things mini. The service was okay, but our server wasn't very nice until the end. He wasn't rude, but he definitely didn't smile or seem welcoming or any of that. He didn't seem very customer servicey. But after we let him know that he forgot to put the berry tart on the bill, he got all smiley and friendly. Maybe he was having a bad day, but still. We shouldn't have to pay for decent service; we could've just walked out without paying for the tart and let him pay out of his own pocket. I wanted to try a quiche, but when the server told me how big a quiche was (which was slightly bigger than the berry tart -_____-) I couldn't justify the price. But now I wish I would've gotten a quiche. Since there was really nothing else on the menu I wanted, I might probably come back one more time for the quiche and the mini tarts.
(3)Amanda L.
Came in on a Sunday around noon. I got a mocha, and the bf got a hazelnut latte - both were over $4. Both coffees were good, but not hot enough in my opinion and not strong enough. I got the turkey and avocado tartine and my bf got the prosciutto tartine. Both were very tasty, but overpriced. If the prices were better, I would come back.
(3)Sandy H.
I wanted a quick, light lunch to go. I stopped by here around 11:30, but it was already pretty busy. I ordered the Smoked Salmon Tartine. They bake their breads here, so it's really rustic and has really good flavor. THe smoked salmon was a bit too salty for my taste. It was pretty plain, just smoked salmon slices on top of their bread with a lil bit of fresh dill. I was disappointed that they didn't serve it with dill cream cheese on the side. The have a fresh array of baked goods which you can see when you walk in. I definitely want to try their pain au chocolate. I noticed they carried jars of chocolate spread.
(2)Dorothy L.
After the last time I was here, I can't believe how overly nice I was with my first review. I was in the company of good friends and puppies, so maybe I was more willing to look past the negatives of this place. The food is not wonderful. The salmon omelet I had was so fishy, I couldn't finish it. The salad was lackluster, and the breads are hard and cold. (They could at least pretend they're warm in the microwave!) The reason I give this place two stars is for the Brunette praline spread. BUT I can just buy a bottle of that inside next time to save myself a sad food experience and paying for an overpriced meal that it TOTALLY not worth it.
(2)Kimi P.
Yay! What a great dinner date with my best gal pal. My friend and I split all our food in half! That way we could try out multiple dishes. Love a place with vegan options! Service: Our server was awesome. Quick to bring us our food and gave really great recommendations. Side spreads: YUM. Praline spread? Apricot jam? I love these so much with my bread that I bought some from their bakery section. Organic too! Drink: Hot chocolate ~ Heated soy milk with belgian chocolate. Yay. A place that can substitute milk for soy milk! *happy camper* Food: ~ Atlantic smoked salmon tartine ~ yum. Salmon, scallions, avocado in an open faced sandwich-style. Loved it. ~ Organic red quinoa ~ I love arugula and artichoke and am always happy to find a salad that isn't covered in cheese (is lactose intolerant). Desserts: ~ Belgian-style cheesecake ~ the best part about this was the raspberry sauce. The cheesecake wasn't the most amazing I've tasted, but it was delicious. And the raspberry sauce complimented it so well that all of the cheesecake disappeared into our stomaches. ~ Belgian waffle ~ YUM. the sugar in it... so delicious. Felt like another meal though ^^ I could see myself eating this for breakfast and being happy.
(5)Victor R.
What a disappointment today, as bad on this second visit as it was good on the first last month. Food is good here, though somewhat pricy and portion size-challenged. Service today, however, was surprisingly dismal--even after the lunch hour when we were there: Our waitress was very nice and we liked her at first, but she was not well-trained, well-supervised or well-versed in the ingredients and components of the dishes we considered. Furthermore, (and this is the nub of our complaint), (1) we had to ask for bread, which when it arrived was rather dried out, (2) had to ask a passing waiter about availability of the complimentary confitures/jams/jellies which constitute the "signature" of this Belgian bistro and even then get up and serve ourselves, (3) there was no offer of additional bread, refills on the iced tea, or dessert --again, we finally flagged down a passing waiter to bring us the dessert menu because our waitress had earlier gone MIA, and (4) worst of all, during the entire time we were in the restaurant--about 40 minutes--we watched an employee stand chatting and laughing with some friends at a nearby table while we searched the horizon for our server--we learned before leaving that she was the manager! Managers should manage; perhaps the staff would then be better trained and more diligent in performance of their duties. We will avoid this restaurant until staff and management are under better control.
(3)Derrick C.
Decided to check this place out with a friend as we came across it walking through oldtown pasadena. The environment was pretty relaxed with a semi rustic feel to it. You could sit outside and people watch as your eat. As for the food, i ordered the prosciutto and mozzarella di bufala which was amazingly good and delicious. Everything complimented each other perfectly in flavorful harmony...not even sure if thats a word...lmao...but thats how i felt. They also have an array of spreads which is mouthwatering good. I will def be back again
(4)Alice K.
Short & sweet: Service: 2 Food: 3.5 Wait time: 5 Price: 2 Cleanliness of bathroom: n/a I often think in terms of "net worth" : What is the total value of ABC? Sometimes I pay more for what other people view to be of little significance because it's simply worth more to me. In the yelp world, I sometimes go out of my way to go to a certain restaurant/ cafe, incurring extra costs of gas and spending more time because of reasona 1-2-3. Le Pain Quotidien was a-ok: not horrible, not great. Would I come back? Most likely not. My salmon + avocado + dill tartine was good, but not $13.95 good. And after having eaten it, I felt a-ok, along with feeling a little disappointed and a little ripped off. It was almost as if I was robbed of a truly fantastic dining experience. I equate Le Pain Quotidien to Panera. Overpriced for very average food. Surely there is more to life than this. .
(2)Jacqueline M.
The tartines we had were poorly conceived, bland and very disappointing. The chai latte I ordered was essentially spiced water. The food and beverages were obscenely overpriced.
(1)S K.
"A~OK" I've been itchin to get out of Downtown recently. I love living here, I do. I have my favorite restaurants, my bartenders are my friends, my favorite beauty supply store, and my lil bodega where they know my name. I have the man that I love a half a block away from me but, sometimes I wonder what's out there. Like dipping your toes in a cool pool. You're not sure if it's worth getting soaking wet. Saturday afternoon.... The Man sensed my need to dip my toes. He suggested we go out to Pasadena to do a lil shopping and have a light lunch. I remember going to Le Pain over on Melrose numerous of times and really enjoying their simple open faced sandwiches with yummy cornichons. It took me back to the light fares one would have on a Parisian street. The breads were always crusty on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. Emmm... Le Pain in Pasadena is similar to the one I remember. The Butternut Squash Soup was warm and creamy. The Quiche Lorraine was a bit dry but was still flavorful and nicely portioned. Tho, I must say, all of the dishes were a bit under seasoned. A long communal table in the center and small tables surrounding it makes the space a bit cramped but not uncomfortably so. The service was a bit ditsy but polite. After a satisfying lunch, we were off to do some shopping. I failed. Well, actually... the shops failed. What happened to this street? I remember there being many more boutiques. Now, it's like walking into an open mall filled with cheap tchatchkes and even cheaper mass produced clothes. Yuck. Well, there was Tiffany's but The Man had horse blinders on walking passed this one and only shop I was interested in. Maybe one day....
(3)L And J L.
Overpriced and they refuse to heat up any pastries. Our party of four ordered two pain au chocolat, a blueberry muffin, and some bread. We asked that these be warmed up/toasted, and the waitress refused. It's apparently against the owner's policy to heat up any baked goods. If they had just come out of the oven, this would have been fine. But instead, they were all cold. The chocolate in the pain au chocolate was a solid block instead of the warm, gooey potential that it had. What a stupid business model to not allow customers to have something as basic as toast in a place that serves breakfast. Really? The coffee was good, but we paid over $30 for four coffees and four cold pastries/bread. We like to support local, non-major-chain restaurants, but this was a big disappointment.
(1)Mae A.
The Fig & Proscuitto tartine, salmon tartine were wonderfully fresh and tasty. The organic decaf coffee was the best I've had. I'll keep going back to this place.
(5)Alex L.
A nice place for lunch in Old Town. For the health nuts in the area or those who love organic foods, this is the place for you. Everything is prepared fresh and in an expedient manner. The setting is nice too and it definitely is a place you can take people out to. As for the food, I ordered the Chicken roasted mozzarella and my friend ordered the Smoked salmon avocado. The chicken roasted mozzarella was quite fresh and while I would have liked the chicken to be a little more tender it was still quite good. The smoke salmon avocado I could not like as much. It wasn't that the smoke salmon was not good. Just that the avocado didn't match with the item in my opinion. That's probably just a taste issue but food pairing is important especially when you're paying not a cheap price. Of course, it's Pasadena Old Town for organic food so keeping that in mind I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Could I give it a little higher, maybe. But it didn't wow me as much as I would have liked.
(3)Cindy L.
Loooooove the communal table! I've never tried eating alone at an actual sit down restaurant before, but if more restaurants had a communal table, I would definitely consider solo dining. Always wanted to try this place, with its fancy "I still can't pronounce it" name. Food was kinda meh though. I was definitely not impressed with their tartines (open faced sandwich I can make at home? I had the rustic tuna with white bean). I understand the pricey-ness because of the fresh/organic ingredients they use but man, the portion size was uber small. My friend also picked up some additional pastries to take home. We tried a little bit of the scone (I think it was Parmesan something...) and it was meh also. Service was friendly, kinda slow, and I think one of the server was confused and almost gave us someone else's drinks order (we did sit at the communal table). I'll probably be back, to try something else on menu (their omelettes looked delicious! totally should've gotten that instead!) and maybe the copious amounts of desserts on display.
(3)Melissa R.
Cute lunch place! Nice outdoor seating, spacious indoor seating, and free wifi! Although it's a bit on the pricier side for salads, the food is delicious. I had the tuscan white bean & prosciutto salad with arugula, parmesan and basil. While I realize this is a bean salad, it was a bit heavy for me so I asked for more arugula, less beans, and the proportions were just right! The employees seemed friendlier at the Westwood location.
(4)Antho L.
I think the prices here are a bit high for what you get at Le Pain Quotidien. I ate here for dinner and ordered from the list on the special menu on the chalkboard on the wall. I felt like a salad so they had a Moroccan Chicken Salad but the price was $15.75. I wasn't sure whether I could finish a huge salad but it sounded good and nothing else really seemed all that appealing to me so I went ahead and ordered it. Boy was I disappointed when my server brought my order out. The salad portion was in my opinion rather small. It was the size of a half salad at CPK. It also came with a two pieces of bread. I was somewhat in disbelief and said to the waitress, "wow , this is really small. This is going to go on Yelp" She kind of agreed with me and nodded. The salad was composed of chicken strips mixed with a tomato-based sauce with a few chickpeas mixed in. It was pretty tasty but I thought it didn't have enough arugula to be a salad. I think my waitress mentioned something to the manager because he stopped by and set some olive oil on my table. He asked if everything was okay and I mentioned that I thought the salad would be a lot bigger for $15.75. He said that it used to be but they felt it was a hearty and rich salad that was really filling so they made the portion smaller to keep the calories lower for everyone. I was going to quip something like "but it looks like you didn't lower the price" or something to that effect but I bit my tongue and just smiled. He said he could give me some more arugula if I wanted and I said yes, please. One of he runners delivered a small coffee cup of extra arugula and another piece of bread which was much appreciated. The chicken mixture had a nice taste to it but even with the extra arugula given to me, I still think it needed slightly more. I admit, I did like eating the bread and trying the three spreads that was on my table. One was a strawberry jam, another was I think an apricot jam or something and then there was a Nutella-like spread. Out of the three, I liked the strawberry jam which had big chunks of strawberries and looked home made. I also enjoyed the Nutella spread. I think they have good offerings here but I also think there's not really a value here for what you get because the prices are so high. If you don't mind paying "euro" prices, then come here because the food is tasty and everything seems fresh here.
(2)Clement H.
Our. Waitress Tara was not wearing a name tag. I have to ask for her name. She managed to serve clients who came after us first. She felt sarcastically bad about it but her facial expression showed I don t care. This place news to have basic retraining their staff.
(1)Mike E.
The omelettes, bread and pastry are great. Three stars because service has deteriorated over the last year: long waits even where there are open tables, slow service, incorrect food orders, waiters spill stuff, the coffee tastes weird. We'll keep coming but there has got to be a better breakfast/brunch place around.
(3)Lanie J.
I cancelled my order and walked out. It was 3:30 - definitely not busy The patio was FILTHY. There were no clean tables, so I chose the least dirty one. The manager came out and 'cleaned' a table next to me by wiping all the crumbs and straw wrappers onto the chair and ground. Across from me was a table with soggy coffee soaked napkins under it as well as a to go soup container. Next to me were more dirty napkins, pieces of dirty cardboard and a gum wrapper. When I was presented with silver wear with crud stuck on it, I left. I manage a restaurant. If this were how mine looked, I'd fire myself.
(1)jonie b.
Eating here is an experience, communal seating, dining hall atmosphere. There are also tables for those seeking your traditional sit down privacy, or if you are a telecommuter working on the road. That being said, If your looking to get a fairly quick bite to eat and attentive service this is not your place. The average dine in time is once you are seated, is aprox 45 minutes. often times you will have to ask for your check. It sometimes feels as if the wait staff isn't really interested in being there (which we all have those days) but they wear it on their sleeves, and it comes through with their service, or lack there of. Don't get me wrong, they are always nice, but they lack hustle and a sense of work pride. However, if you're looking for a place to people watch and don't have any place to be, this might be a good fit for you. Food is always good and fresh.
(3)Cindy L.
I've found my new favorite drink -- ask them to blend the mint lemonade and the sparkling hibiscus tea. Its such a yummy and tart blend of those flavors minus the soda. It literally kicked ass and did a kapow in my mouth. I may have actually jolted as I tasted it. LPQ is basically my office headquarters. I love coming here in the morning and having a cup of coffee or tea and getting ready for the day. All the food is organic and so good, and they play classical music here!!! They always give a cup of water for dogs, so my pup comes with me. Dogs allowed in patio area only. Some items I like: Chorizo and cheddar omelette Paris ham and gruyere croissant. Strawberry mimosas! Chia seed pudding (made with coconut milk and topped with fruit puree) Quinoa currant scone w fresh cream and jam
(5)Carla R.
Restaurant has a nice ambiance. Food is pricier than your usual breakfast place. One tea bag in a small fancy ceramic teapot costs $3.40! Serving is good for one person only but the food is tasty. The jams are oh so heavenly especially the apricot one. You can buy the jams too. Didn't fancy the belgian waffle though, too sweet!
(4)Celeste W.
My favorite meal here is the turkey and avocado tartines. It is the perfect balance of flavors. Huge fan!
(5)Kevin J.
Le Pain Quotidien is quite the charming, French cafe chain. The place was pretty packed for Sunday brunch, but our whimsical visit didn't result in too lengthy of a wait. Our waitress was really nice, and on time with food and water. The food is a bit over-priced, but I guess it's the French ambiance/dining experience. Their menu isn't too long, with bunch of variations of different main dishes (ie. tens of types of tartines, etc...) I ordered the ham and cheese tartine. As mundane as it sounds, it was served open faced, with sliced cucumbers and radish, a few olives and little pickles, and a small well of three types of mustard. Very French. I love how they have signs up, telling you the proper way to eat a tartine...but I guess my instincts kicked in, and I picked that sucker up and chowed down on a simple, yet yummy, brunch! I would say this: if you haven't been, try it. Lots of people here with their loves for a cute, little Sunday brunch date. Also a good number of foodies/Yelpers around taking pics and sharing every bit of their food. If you've been...you might agree with me when I say that I wouldn't be back. Not because the food is bad...but there's plenty of other places better suited for weekend brunch.
(3)Karen K.
Pricey and not that great. They didn't warm up my brioche. It was pricey, and not as large or tasty as 85 Degree's Brioche. The tartine was dry, and the flavors were not that great considering the price. They charged over $12 for a slab of bread with egg and smoked salmon, and it doesn't taste that great. The chairs are also uncomfortable, and mine was a bit rickety.
(2)Marissa B.
Went here for brunch with my friends who are all positive people :-) I ordered the sardines with jalapeño and herbs and it came in a can and wasn't the best choice! I was tempted to ask for a switch to a quiche, but just ate it and vowed never to order it again. I was bummed that the waiter didn't allow me to switch and just passively asked if I wanted something else. Oh well. Watermelon cooler was excellent and it was watermelon and cucumber. I tried my friend's lentil soup and quiche and it was delicious! This place was crowded so we sat inside.
(5)Sandra C.
I was walking around pasadena hungry and this spot looked nice so i decided to check it out. Customer service was great, the enviroment of the restaurant was very cozy. I wouldnt recomend if youre not into organic food. There is also a bakery up front which was great!
(3)cigar l.
I don't like it. Everything I ordered is not so fresh. Salmon avocado tartine 4small pieces for $15 is I can't even bite through the crust. Waffles is ok but unacceptable garnish mint leaf. It's dying. If u don't have a fresh mint leaf I think u don't need to put it on top of the cream. It makes the waffle looks soooo sad and not inviting.Overpriced watermelon juice. Service is very inattentive.staffs seemed not happy. Take a long time to hand us a menu. Have to ask for it. I like the one on Robertson better.
(2)Dee K.
My first time trying this place out and I am a fan! This place is a short walking distance from where I work and I always pass by it during my midday walks with my coworker. I finally had the chance to try this place out with a friend over the weekend and I am pleasantly surprised that such a healthy restaurant exists in Pasadena! As usual, let's break it down: Service: 4/5 We got seated right away for a Saturday brunch. Hostess was nice and our server was wonderful. Food: 4/5 Surprisingly good for healthy dishes! I ordered the Turkey and avocado tartine and it was delicious. The dish was basic and probably something I could make but something about the tomato based spread made me so partial to it. The only thing I would change is the plate the tartines were placed on. It's basically a cheese plate and was so small. Things kept falling off. Parking: 3/5 What did you expect? It's Pasadena. Parking in a nearby parking structure or on street... I on the other hand work on Raymond and I have a monthly pass for parking so I just walked over here. Might seem far to others but I enjoy walking :) Overall: Good one. I'm a fan!
(4)Elsa P.
Loved the food but the service sucked!! We waited soooooo long for our food it was ridiculous. We arrived at 9:00 and left at 11:30.....we sat for about a half hour before anyone approached us. The food was great but not worth the wait.
(3)Jennifer D.
Had brunch here for the first time the other day and had a really nice experience. The prices are somewhat more expensive compared to other brunch places but everything we had was pretty tasty and healthy, which is probably their selling point. Everything is really simple, so I think if the prices were a bit more affordable for what it was, then I'd be happier.
(3)Jessica N.
Rustic-style organic cafe with vegan friendly options. There were so many options for brunch I couldn't decide! I asked my friend if we could get a sweet and salty dish and share and he told me to stop mooching and eat my own food. :( I got their mushroom & goat cheese omelette that came with onions & bell peppers. I don't like goat cheese or bell peppers and they were happy to take out the peppers and substitute with chedder. The omlette that came out was super yummy. It included a small salad, some of their signature bread, and pesto sauce. Their pesto sauce was to die for, seriously. Pesto usually comes out to be a distinct but mild flavor, but I think it was the amount of basil & garlic they put in that really made it pop. It was so addicting, I started dipping everything I could into that sauce. My friend ordered their seasonal special plate of smoked salmon. When it came out, it was a plate of just that: a plate of smoked salmon with salad & bread. In the end my friend put cream cheese, salmon, & their capers with lemon on top of the bread. I think this dish would've been much better if they replaced their normal bread with a bagel. It's not that good to eat by itself, as savory as smoke salmon is. The jam we had that day were cherry, rhubarb, & chocolate hazelnut. The last time I was here, I tried their belgium waffle, soooo yummy. My regular will by the waffle, but some of their items are seasonal, so it's always different when you come in here. And you'll know they'll use the best ingredients for it.
(4)Sam F.
Stopped by to grab some brunch to go with my bf on Sunday morning (^-^) We walked in and the place was already packed at around 10 AM. We parked in the nearby structure right behind the fondue restaurant which has FREE parking for 90 minutes. Hell yes Old Town Pasadena you rock. The inside of the restaurant was really busy but we just went straight up to the counter to order to go. If I was going to eat here I would have liked to sit outside because it was quite loud inside and the weather was just so nice it would have been lovely to relax and sit outside while pretending you were in a nice Parisian cafe. Anyway the girl who took our order was obviously new because she didn't know how to operate the register. Even so, we gave her the benefit of the doubt and she made it through our order with a bit of help from her manager. Not really a big deal. Everyone was really nice and friendly, yay staff! I had the pain au chocolate (NOM!) one of my favorite treats that apparently is considered a dessert (whoops ate it for breakfast haha). The pastry was great and it had just enough chocolate to satisfy me. I also ordered the steel cut oatmeal which came in a BIG container. I think they made it with milk because it was really creamy and yummy; I didn't need any brown sugar or anything on top it was so good! My bf ordered the turkey and avocado sandwich which we thought was kind of pricey but there were 3 large pieces inside the box! YAY! He really enjoyed the sandwich and they added some cucumber slices and a melon as well. Definitely want to come back and try their quiche and other items. Oh and they of course have legit bread you can buy, we saw one guy order half a loaf and they cut it fresh and put it through an awesome slicing machine for him. So cool.
(4)Cecilia R.
Amazing coffee, low acidity and taste great. The coconut macaroon, is a fluffy yummy goodness . It has a crispy outside and you can taste all the fresh coconut mixed in with the bread. FYI: Food is so good, it's a little wait sometimes. I've also tried other baked goodies that are sooo good and fresh. The attention to detail is outstanding. Great customer service from the tall dark handsome guy.
(4)Lauren C.
We stopped into this place as we were dropping a friend off for work. Yelp pointed it out as a great lil brunch spot nearby. We were NOT disappointed! We sat down outside and were promptly greeted by our server. We ordered the mushroom and goat cheese omelette, whole wheat french toast with strawberries, a paistry, and oatmeal to split between the 3 of us. Each and every bite of food was more delicious than the bite before. It really was a great brunch voyage. We also got coffee which was brewed in small little pots which kept the cup tasting fresh, and avoided that 'bottom of the pot' taste. They were able to accomdoate soy milk, rice milk etc. Impressive. The only downside is that i was seated underneath of a heat lamp, yet it was pretty toasty out. I thought i was having hot flashes before I realized what was going on. We asked the waitress to turn it off, and she obliged, but it took a while to figure out why I was so toasty. I thought it was the coffee!!! All in all, this was a quick brunch on a whim, but a delcious one that I would recommend to all.
(4)Claire J.
Love this place for breakfast and lunch. A little on the pricier side for basic bread type stuff, but what can you expect for Old Town nowadays. The bread products are pretty par for the course. Good stuff but nothing thrilling. What is thrilling is the speculoos! I could eat this stuff all day long! You can put it on anything and make it taste other-worldly. Seriously. Smear it all over your stale bread, and you will polish it off. Personally, I don't like overripe (read: spotted) bananas, but put some Le Pain Quotidien speculoos on it and I'm in business!
(4)N G.
I have been coming here since it opened. I was very excited to see them in Pasadena because I had been in the Europe locations and loved it. It's been fine until maybe the last year. Every time I go in now, I ask myself, "why do I come back"?? It's like taking abuse from relatives. The service is really bad. Food doesn't come out for at least half an hour on a Monday morning where there's only about 10 people there and a few waiters. I had to go inside to get what my husband asked for, and my favorite dish that comes with avocados, had black avocados on it. Really?? When I showed it to the waitress, she was like ok. Then I had to go fetch her for the bill. My family calls this place "moms favorite place" NOT anymore. They actually don't like the foo foo food being served and it costs an arm and a leg. That weekend, my daughter took me to Central Park on fair oaks and service was great and food not bad. I had seen that place for years but finally went in.
(2)wendy m.
Great little brunch/lunch spot with a large selection of breakfast staples as well as a great offering of specialties. My husband has Celiac and can't eat gluten and on a friends recommendation he ordered the seared quinoa cake. It was beyond delicious! I am a huge meat eater, the type who doesn't think a meal is complete without it, but I was sold on the first crispy savory bite. I ordered a ham and gruyere croissant which was lovely but was definitely more interested in his dish. It's on the pricey side but I appreciate food well done and will pay accordingly. This dish was well worth it, we will be back!
(4)Steve X.
I owe it to yelp to update my review. First, my "usual" in the prompt service is still true. I've been coming here less and less because as I try more items, the less I'm impressed with the menu. I guess I got lucky with my first few visits. Same with service. For some reason its been going downhill and others who've been coming here have noticed also. Today for example, the manager was non-nonchalantly "training" someone on their first day. I thought to myself "luckily I ordered an Americano" but hey - not only was the manager pointing out simple mistakes she was making, and laughing, but just not really paying attention in general either as he started fumbling with his phone or something. I walked away with what tasted like half an espresso and a bunch of hot water and quite the disappointment. The prices are certainly above average and you don't expect this type of inconsistency and lack of professionalism. My first impression was wrong and I really dont even come here anymore. Aux Delicies next to Cheesecake Factory is a lot smaller, more cozy, more reasonably priced, and they never screw up my coffee drinks.
(1)Natalie M.
Communal tables. Freshly baked artisan breads. Fresh organic ingredients. Specialty spreads and jams. What's not to like? It's a little slice of Europe. I've tried items from their breakfast and lunch menu and while the food is light, healthy, the portions are just right, nothing is spectacular. Maybe I have yet to try their "crowd pleaser" dish but I haven't been wowed thus far. The service is pretty good, very friendly staff, the outdoor seating area is nice overlooking Colorado blvd., prices are reasonable so I'll probably be back to try some more menu items. I really want to like this place. Stay tuned...
(3)Eden R.
Ok so I have been working in old town Pasadena for almost a year and today was the first time I stepped foot into this place and let me tell you I wish I had a lot sooner ! My latte is delicious I also ordered an apple turnover ! O M G can you day d e l i c i o u s! I mean I'm sucker for pastries so ... You've won my heart LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN
(5)A S.
This is a review for their delicious chia muffins. I ordered a dozen on short notice and without any hesitation they were able to accommodate me. Thank you Ingrid for taking good care of me. See you in the very near future.
(5)Sophia B.
Pretty solid joint! Loved the avocado toast with the watermelon cooler. Great place to take a break from shopping and escape the heat in an air conditioned space. I wouldn't have guessed that this place is a chain; it doesn't have that dreaded "chain" feel. Much better than hitting up a Starbucks.
(4)O H.
Saturday evening the restaurant was empty except for a couple finishing up a meal, outside patio had several tables with dishes from previous customers and two couples consumed in conversation watching all this and waiting for a busboy or server to clean a table I became frustrated. Went inside and looked for any employee and finally a young lady appeared and was told to have someone clean a table in the patio. I waited a full 7 minutes before a male server appeared bringing dishes for waiting customers. He finally cleaned my table and I immediately asked for clarification on the dishes. He was the only server/waiter working! I ordered a small salad and a sandwich - ham and cheese - the salad was tasty, but the portion was small - the sandwich was an assortment of slices of ham, cheese on bread wedges. On top of these wedges were olives, tiny pickles and a dried tomato! The wedges were dry and I asked for mayonnaise - "sorry we are an organic restaurant and we don't use mayonnaise." I asked for any spread to make the sandwich more palatable and the server running around managed to bring me some mustard that made the sandwich bearable. I noticed several people entering the patio area looking for a place to sit, some went into the empty restaurant and no one attended to them. Very troubling the lack of employees to attend to customers. The food was palatable, nothing exciting or worth writing more about, while I must give kudos to the server for his valiant effort at attending to the customers and cleaning tables. Lesson: if the restaurant is empty stay away - if you want pastries there are many other fine places in Pasadena. Hungry go elsewhere....Le Pain is a Pain!
(2)Keila N.
My daughter's been wanting to go here for some time, and she finally put in on our agenda today after school. The chicken cobb salad is the best cobb salad hands down. No one even comes close. The salmon tartine didn't taste fresh. The service was inattentive and sloppy.
(4)Ghassan R.
It is a shame to see the deterioration that had taken place in the quality of the bread and overall food here. That was the only close place for us for a good baguette. They said they are getting similar complaints from other customers. Hope they will fix it.
(2)Trina L.
It was my first time here. I've always passed by the place but never ventured inside. But, I was watching TV and this place was featured on it showing fresh ingredients with a rustic setting so I thought it would be a nice place to try for a later lunch, early dinner. The communal tables seem very welcoming and homey. I tried the quiche Lorain, which had ham, Gruyere & leeks with a mesclun salad and a basil pesto dressing with a side of cantaloupe! The portion was just right. The service was very friendly as well. I was gonna get a tea drink but something came up and I didn't have time to get it, but definitely will return to try it.
(4)Jessie W.
It's an ok place. A bit overpriced but they have a good variety of food. Coffee is just ok.
(3)Mary Anne D.
Meh, this place is just ok. We came for lunch and grabbed a seat on the patio. The waiter was friendly, but overworked so we sat for about 15 minutes before ever seeing a menu. My hubby ordered the tuna tartine and I had the paris ham and gruyere. The sandwiches were well prepared and tasty. The problem...they were $13(including tax). For a grand total of $40 my hubby and I had two lattes and two sandwiches. Mind you these sandwiches were good, but felt a little flimsy and there were no sides that came with our meals. I'm more than happy to pay $13 for a hit you over the head with flavor, packed, hearty sandwich (and a side of fries/fruit/chips!). But, at the end of the meal I felt I could have run down to Ralphs and bought all the ingredients used (probably for under $13) and made the same small sandwich sans sides. I would mmmaayybbbee try Le Pain Quotidien again, perhaps for breakfast. But in case you couldn't tell from my exaggerated maybe, I say this with great hesitation. When you walk away from a restaurant you should be left with the memory of a delicious meal, not thinking "what the hell did I just spend $40 on?"
(3)Seta A.
Nice side-walk cafe in Old Town. Be careful, it adds up... cappucino, omelette, a croissant, the delicious breads with those amazing nutella like spreads, and you're coughing up close to $30/person for a quick breakfast! The food is organic, and taste is refreshing. I prefer the American coffee to the cappucino, whiich sometimes is watery. Love their omelettes, and light salads. If you're lucky to be seated outside on a nice sunny day, wonderful. Inside, not so much- it gets waaay too noisey with the communal tables.... But I do go back often, just 'cause I love to think I am in Europe!
(3)Jeff K.
Under-staffed, but worth the wait in terms of the food. In all honesty, the food is really the most pertinent aspect of any dining experience; however, time is valuable.
(4)Kalia C.
Coming here is probably the closest I'll ever come to feeling like I'm a fancy Parisian, without having to leave the 15 mile radius of my house. Not going to sugar coat it - it IS expensive. But, it is a LOVELY place to come for a light breakfast. I overheard a couple walk out saying, "I thought this was supposed to be a bakery." -- Yes, I suppose it is. But it's masquerading as a coffee shop/ gourmet restaurant too. When you pass by, you can't help but smell the bread, or notice the rustic interior design, golden lighting, and the cute little pastries in the window. I've passed by this place for years. YEARS. Without stepping foot inside to actually look at the prices or the menu. It just seemed so... fancy. Too fancy, perhaps, for my budget. And in some ways, it still is. But now I know exactly where I want to go to treat myself...and I do. I love to get tea or coffee - because they serve it with a really cute set of pots and cups...all stamped with their signature logo, of course. And bread... the bread basket is fun. It's too much bread for two people - but just right for four or five. Comes with an assortment of jams, jellies, and my favorite - the hazelnut spread (which is like heaven in a jar). Take your mom here - or your aunt -- or maybe your girlfriend. She'll love you for it.
(4)Anthony N.
***Le Pain Quotidien's tartines make for a satisfying light lunch in the $10-$13 range; I have had a few of their tartines and their prosciutto and mozzarella is my favorite*** I have been to three Le Pain Quotidien locations (Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Brentwood) and I am little mixed on them. The decor (kind of a rustic French countryside style) is nice enough and the food is pretty decent. I have not had great things here though and for this style of cafe and the prices charged, I prefer the sandwiches more at La Brea Bakery, Joan's On Third and Huckleberry. That being said, my recent experience at the Pasadena location was my best so far. Le Pain Quotidien does not feature sandwiches but tartines (open faced sandwiches). They have a wide variety of flavors/ingredients, but the prosciutto and mozzarella I had here would easily be the best one I've had to date. The prosciutto was good. It had a delicate flavor and it was not too salty. The mozzarella was nice and creamy and I really enjoyed the garnishes. The sun dried tomatoes were great as were the fresh basil, radishes, basil pesto, cucumber, and salty olives. The tartine was fresh and flavorful; it was light too. I also got one of their mini desserts to go (a mini brownie) and it was good. The brownie definitely had a chocolatey brownie flavor and it had a light texture. While the brownie was not incredibly moist, it was not dry either. Service was pleasant and polite. There were times when the service felt a little inattentive, but it was good overall. The food also came out quickly. A lot of their tartines are right around $10-$13. Though the portions are not huge, the prices are not too unreasonable especially given the quality ingredients being used. All of the tartines I have had at Le Pain Quotidien have (at the very least) been decent and this last one (prosciutto and mozzarella) was good and would be something I would order again. While the tartines at Le Pain Quotidien are not incredibly filling, they make for a satisfying light lunch. Street parking can be difficult to find around here, but you will be able to find an open space if you do not mind walking a little.
(4)Tiffany L.
Came here for a late breakfast with my friend. We decided to sit inside since it was a little cold outside. Service was a little slow. Our waitress seemed overwhelmed and wasn't very helpful. My friend was the one who got up to get us menus because no one came to help us. She also went to another table to get the jams because our waitress never brought it when we asked for some. She also got our drink order wrong. The food was average. We shared a French toast and chicken chorizo and cheese omelette. The French toast was a little lacking and definitely smaller than I thought it was going to be. The omelette was average, I thought it needed more spice. The bread and jams were good though. The bill came out to be about $23 total before tip. Will I come back? Maybe, but not to eat in. They have some delicious looking pastries on display by the front counter.
(3)Christy L.
Perhaps I ordered the wrong combination of food when I ate here last Sunday around 11am. After hearing such good things about their Belgium waffle, this was a definite dish that was on the list to order. Since it's a la carte, I wanted to add sides of ham which came with pickles and fruits. Their huge selection of breads caught my curiosity so went ahead and ordered the bread basket which came with juice and coffee. After waiting for 15 minutes, we noticed that other tables that sat after us were already being served. The server quickly responded to our concern and our dishes came out soon after. The bread basket had 4-5 different types of breads which I thought were just OK. The belgium waffle looked like a kids size serving but after taking a bite of it, I was fooled by the size. It was quite heavy and had a thick cake consistency. I liked the different texture and flavors this waffle carried and would order it again. The ham dish was nothing special and felt it was way overpriced. What makes me give this place only 2 stars is due to their lack of attentiveness and service. I asked three different servers for a cup of ice and every single request was either forgotten or ignored. After waiting patiently for 10 minutes, I just left. Despite the busy rush and having 2 servers work on 10 tables, it was quite annoying to constantly flag down someone to request something only to be ignored.
(2)Annie L.
The food taste very fresh (not so much on the side salad that comes with the dish. Salad dressing is on the tart side as well). The bread is very dry and cold but their hazelnut praline spread makes it up for it. MUST TRY THIS SPREAD! You can skip the coffee because it's very regular. I probably won't go back any time soon because it's a little pricy for the amount of food. But if you are in the mood for light meal, this is the right place to go.
(3)Sharr K.
3.5 STARS Cute breakfast spot....never had lunch here. - Could use more variety for breakfast items (especially egg dishes). - Love the Organic Baker's Basket and the assorted jam & spreads. - Belgium Waffle is small portioned. - Bowl of Organic Granola is fantastic. - Love their pot of coffee served in a little bowl (very strong, btw) *I got suckered into trying their new Flax-seed Banana Muffin my last visit. Pls do not get it unless if you're into bland and dry muffins (even my dog refused to eat it). If you come early enough, you can get a spot in the front. You can also park in the structure on Delancey for 90 mins free.
(3)Erin G.
What I ate: Mushroom lasagna, lemonades, Brussels sprouts Visit date: January 14, 2012 First time? No. Yums! Layers of mushrooms topped with a layer of what I like to describe as fluffed-egg-like cheese topping. Trust, it's good. Served on top of pesto and diced tomatoes, the mushroom lasagna was delightful and filling (it could be enough for two). The pesto didn't add much, but it was pretty to look at. The lemonade iced tea was ok; the mint lemonade was tastier. If either is too tart for you, ask for their agave syrup. It's sweet like honey but pours like...well, syrup. The lemonade varietals come in a carafe. It is definitely enough to share; each carafe is about 3-4 glasses. I also tried a Brussels sprouts dish with tofu. It wasn't anything special. I actually wanted the roasted Brussels sprouts appetizer, but they gave us a tofu and Brussels sprouts entree instead. Fail. I think the roasted dish would have been better.
(3)Dominic G.
Tasty vegan and gluten options. Yummy pastries both simple and gourmet. Super friendly staff.
(5)AL G.
Great Food ! Service is absolutely horrible here ...No smiling faces no warm feeling when you walk in ! Very cold employees ! 5th time being here only for the great food but always long waits here....for a table ...Coffee cups here are a little weird hold and very unreasonable to drink coffee with I feel like I'm going to spill it all over me ! The employees always feel overwhelmed and never come to check to see if we need anything else or how the food is ! I don't think we will come often anymore.... They definitely need more employees up front and serving ! Besides all that the food is amazing here ... Their avocado tomato omelette is the best we always get it with mushrooms ! Definitely coming back their food is amazing oh well for the service somehow that will get fixed !
(4)Michael S.
An island of quiet in Old Town Pasadena. Well, it is quiet until the strollers come thundering down the aisles and pray you won't have the kids seated nearby. This being said, The food is good, if a little pricey, but you get food made with the best ingredients and pretty decent service. Coffee was fine and their breakfast selection included a terrific frittata.
(4)Lawrence L.
After discovering LPQ on my recent trip back east in Manhattan and Bethesda, I have found myself coming to this location in Old Town Pasadena a couple of times even though it's been here for a while now... I come in for a croissant or a loaf of bread to go. I haven't sampled their menu and/or actually eaten anything that is served here yet, although I would like to sometime... Their croissants are pretty good, but not mind blowing. Hard for me to decide if they're better than Europane's, and if I'm not in the area, I like Some Crust in Claremont for their croissants and breads... This location does look charming though, they have some outdoor seating if you like to people watch in Old Town, there is a parking structure around the corner towards Green St. where the first 90 minutes are free...
(4)Sausan A.
Stay away from this place! I moved to LA two years ago, this is by far the worst brunch experience I've had. It was actually a nightmare. My friend and I came in at around 2:00 PM. The floors were so dirty. The tables were sticky and had food remaining .The firtata we ordered was preheated, it taste so blunt and dry. We also ordered a waffle that was so hard and tasted like dough. We asked for the manager to hopefully solve the problem. He was so rude and didn't offer any compensation and was giving us excuses that it was our fault. Are we coming back again? Hell no!!
(1)Chloe C.
Good organic food, harried staff and bad service. And bad service in the most annoying way - they nickel and dime you to death, and they're not cheap to begin with so it's doubly annoying. Case in point: the fresh juice drinks are TINY and cost 4.50. The coffee: expensive, no refills. Today I ordered the smoked salmon special and got two large pieces of bread (which, when I asked for them toasted the waitress replied that they "don't do that"); an overcooked boiled egg; and literally like an ounce of smoked salmon. And then!!! I asked for butter and the waitress brought, literally, ONE PAT OF BUTTER. I was like, "I'm fairly certain we're going to require more butter." She kind of rolled her eyes a little but I don't blame her, it's probably store policy. So yeah, NOT returning. Not that they care since they're a European chain with plenty of locations. I just needed to get that off my chest. Oh yeah the spreads are DELICIOUS. Too bad they're just not worth the trouble.
(2)Jim H.
Overpriced bread / breakfast. ...A Manifesto on Breakfast in Pasadena: Since the loss of both Elements restaurants yelp.com/biz/elements-ca… *sobs uncontrollably* Pasadena is a bit of a wasteland when it comes to breakfast/brunch options. Marston's has questionable service, bizarre hours; Russel's has mediocre food; the only remaining options are spending $20-$30/plate for breakfast at the Langham Hotel or Green Street Tavern. The latter is the best in the land, but I can't afford it regularly, so I whine instead.
(2)Andy W.
So let me clarify this review, if you think $3 is too much for a good cup of coffee and too much for pastries then you might not enjoy what Le Pain has to offer. Otherwise, the pastries here remind me of those I ate while traveling around Europe and so I'll skip over Coffee Bean and Starbucks to eat and drink here. Brunch is good too with fresh and light omelets and a crispy french toast with syrup infused ahead of time. I always enjoy my experiences here. And if you like fresh loaves of bread try the 5 grain toast early in the morning before they sell out.
(5)Cynthia Y.
I love this place! It's such a super duper cute little bakery/restaurant. I've never noticed this place before & I'm glad my friend picked this place for our brunch date. It's located right by the Melting Pot :) Everyone who works here is so friendly. I believe everything on the menu is organic. I ordered the salmon omelet & it was delicious! Portion seems small but I was pretty full half way through. I also tried the baked potato bacon soup which was okay. I was really in love with the bread & the salmon omelet =) I will definitely come back and try other stuff on the menu.
(5)Elizabeth W.
I've only ever had their cheese-almond danish so I'm no expert, but their help is always friendly, even first thing in the morning, which I really appreciate.
(4)Kevin G.
Honestly, I wanted to like it more! It was a nice environment, but a simple salad was overpriced and the service wasn't very good. I enjoyed my vegetable quiche and that tasted amazing. However my girlfriend asked for her Apple Turnover to be heated and we were told that "everything is fresh baked, reheating would compromise the pastry". Frankly, if a customer wants a warmed pastry - just warm the damn thing. It came off as pretentious. That's how she likes he apple turnover, don't tell us that we're eating it wrong. I wouldn't want to return, to be completely honest.
(2)Derek W.
Woke up after only sleeping 4 hours (on my 4 graveyard shifts) and walked to old town for breakfast. We originally planned to head to the food truck even at Santa Anita, but decided not to as some other friends backed out. Walked in and was quickly seated inside. Would have been a nice to have been seated outside as the weather was perfect. However, all the tables were taken and we were hungry. Never had dined here but there have always been tons of people dining here. First thing we noticed was the jam tray which consisted of a red berry jam, an apricot jam, and prailine spread (brunette). Wasn't sure what to expect of the jams and of the spread but once we were served bread....I was in heaven. The jams were good...but the brunette was awesome. I think I finished half the bottle myself. It was so good that we ended up buying two jars to take home. Now onto the food that we ordered: Grilled chicken and smoked mozzarella tartine ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Frb8… ). This was very tasty and the portion was perfect for me. I did end up saving the crusts for dessert to go along with the brunette spread! Wild mushroom omelette ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Frb8… ). Finally have found another restaurant that actually makes omelettes the way I like them. This omelette was not only cooked perfectly but also very flavorful. Of course the two pieces of bread were reserved for more of the brunette spread! The only complaint I had was that the seating inside was a bit stuffy. Will be back again soon to try other tartines and also other omelettes. May have to order their bread basket to start so that I can enjoy more of the praline spread.
(4)Lisa Y.
I decided to check this place out after my morning run at the Rose Bowl. I didn't want anything heavy or greasy, so I went with the tofu scramble and a cup of coffee. I'm not a fan of tomatoes and asked the waitress to omit them. She offered to substitute the tomatoes for spinach. Works for me! The service and food were great. I definitely want to come back for lunch and try some of the Belgium hot chocolate my friend ordered!
(4)Kellen F.
I had a good time with the server and a good meal. We had a sampler of prosciutto and gruyere with pickled veggies, then we all tried three omelettes and waffles. The clear winner was the ham and gruyere but the mushroom and goat cheese was delicious. The chorizo omelette was a little heavy on the spice - just tasted like chili. Coffee was alright, nothing to write home about.
(4)Lily S.
I ordered the small salad with chicken, it had a good taste. My favorite part was the lemonade, it was not too sweet and fresh.
(4)Mickey M.
The soft boiled eggs were undercooked so it was like gooey raw egg whites. We wanted bread for our eggs and the server let us order a basket of bread and didn't bother to tell us our meals came with bread. And when they saw we barely touched our food they didn't even bother to ask if everything was ok, just dropped a $50 bill and walked away. Such a disappointment compared to the one in studio city. I will not be back.
(1)Kathy V.
The crazy manager wasn't there, so I felt safe enough to sit and relax on the terrace with out of town friends and my family. They enjoyed the overpriced organic tartines and I had a brioche. Nice afternoon snack in the warm breeze of Pasadena. Still the altercation I had in the past with the manager leaves a mark. I don't think I'll ever go back alone for instance. Also the outside tables are still sticky and dirty.
(3)Gabriela G.
First time I bumped into this place was actually in Tokyo and I really liked it. I was pleased to find this restaurant here in the states. If you look at their website they have stores in several countries. It's a bit pricey but I really enjoyed the breakfast options. They have a lot of organic and tasty items to choose from. Their organic jams are so delicious and you can purchase them to take home. I ordered the Belgian waffle with cream and berries and a cafe latte. The waffle was sweet and crispy which was complemented with a semisweet tart cherry jam and topped off with cream that wasn't sweet so as to not overwhelm the waffle with too much sweetness. The coffee was also very delicious. The staff is friendly enough. I will definitely come back for breakfast or lunch.
(4)Sandy I.
Not my cup of tea or coffee!
(1)Liz T.
Such a cute little bakery. They have a common table, which is a giant table where people can get seated if you go alone or with a few people so that you don't have to wait long if it is busy. The ingredients are fresh and all from local farms. I had breakfast there one saturday morning, they were busy but I got a seat quickly since I opted for the common table. Ordered the sparkling pear and ginger drink, it wasn't that great, there was no sparkle. Ordered the french toast, they used whole wheat bread and agave syrup on the french toast, but really it just tasted like whole wheat bread toasted and agave put on top. Although it was good, not really the french toast order I was expecting since they are a bread shop too. But they did have condiments that were tasty, like the jams and praline spread, like nutella but made with pralines and no chocolate. It was very tasty. I saw some other great items on the menu, I think I'll try next time and definitely will try the breads and desserts such as the chocolate croissant.
(3)juno c.
My friend and I popped in for dessert and coffee. We had lemonades and salad leftovers from an earlier lunch with us sitting in a bag and that seemed to really upset our waitress. We sat down, no menus for about 10 minutes. Then the waitress stopped by and asked if we would be ordering and we said yes we just needed a sec.. she did not like that. We literally had just been handed a menu at this point. The eye rolling and stares from her and the manager were ridiculous. Finally the manager came to us and asked that we leave because they needed the table for paying clients. Had we been given the opportunity to acutally order and pay for a meal this wouldnt have been an issue. Confused and with sweet tooth we decided to walk down 2 shops to another bakery. I'm still very confused as to what the heck happened. Maybe they are rude to add to their wannabe French style? Perhaps, we were rude to expect a menu at a restaurant? Whatever the deal.. don't bother. There as so many other cool restaurants you can try in south pas without having to deal with these pretentious nitwits.
(1)sara h.
What a bummer! I used to work here about 6 years ago and have always loved the food. But I guess they've gone downhill. It's been about 6 months since I've been here, but wow. Salmon tartine ($14? $15?) was a single piece of bread with a single paper thin piece of salmon. No dressing, no sauce, nothing. It also came with a small salad with no dressing. Isn't it just me, or did it used to come with cornichons too? All it had were a couple radish and cucumber slices. Bland! Not even their signature pesto that garnishes everything! Even the salmon wasn't like it used to be. Today it was fishy and oily. Yuck. The gazpacho was as wonderful as always-almost. It didn't seem to have the variety of garnish as it used to. It used to even have mango! It was a very special gazpacho. But I guess they lost that. Asked if I wanted avocado, sure why not! But $2 for literally a couple cubes? Gimme a break! The bread seemed stale, which is odd because normally it was baked every morning. The famous sourdough wheat wasn't as chewy and yeasty-flavored as it used to be. And the baguette was a small squat slice, not the huge angular wedges they used to serve. Ok, my rant is over. And so is my fandom of PQ. I don't need to go back ever. :(
(1)Vicki L.
I've walked past this place about a zillion times from shopping around Old Town Pasadena but never bothered to stop by to grab some lunch. Came here today and ordered off their lunch menu even though they were still serving breakfast (It was around 12:30 when I went in) and they don't serve dinner until 5 pm. Anyways, I ended up ordering the "Paris Ham and Aged Gruyere" Tartine (which is like a one sided sandwich with a piece of bread, cheese on top, then two slices of ham). It was about $10.95 for 5 one sided sandwiches that came with a mustard spread, some dill pickles, tomatoes, and some salad leaves. All in all, pretty delicious! The service was pretty good, the portions were pretty big, and the food was delicious! Would come here again to try the rest of their menu but this place is pretty pricey all in all. Cute restaurant to stop by for a French feeling type of brunch!
(4)Mikey L.
Decent food but very overpriced, unless you're willing to pay for that location right on Colorado in heart of Old Town.
(3)Mia M.
God, I love this place. The greens are always so crunchily fresh and the servers are always so sweet and attentive. I love the chickpea soup, delicious breads, and the amazing tartines. (Black bean hummus tartine is a must!) I always stop by here any time I'm in the Pasadena area.
(5)Hedaya A.
One of the most horrible brunch experiences!! I came here with my friend for brunch on a Monday. When we first walked in the floor and tiles were extremely dirty. The table was sticky and dirty looking as well. We sat down and orderred frittata, pear and fig tartine, and a waffle with berries. When the frittata came we first noticed how it looked like plastic!! The taste was even more disappointing, it was extremely blunt and tasteless. I can't think of anything worse to have than overcooked eggs. The Belgium waffle was soooo dry and cutting through it took all my effort. Let alone how old and tasteless it was. When we were done with the meal we asked to talk to the manager and we adressed all the issues. The manager first pointed out that if wr had problems with the food we should have mentioned it before we eat it. I tried to explain to him that my main concern is not paying the check or not but it's the feedbacks he needs to hear as a manager. The argument lasted longer than pleasant and his argument was not valid, he did not even offer a compensation. I had to speak to the area manager and explain the whole situation again. Never coming again! Such a waste for a beautiful location in old town pasadena.
(1)Maya M.
What kind of BREAKFAST place doesn't toast your bread? How is my butter supposed to melt!? HUH? I asked our server if she could toast my bread and she said, "we don't toast side orders," you could only imagine my reaction to this? OK! So, later I asked the manager if there was any way my bread could be toasted and he said, "it's our store policy, we don't toast our bread." STUPID POLICY ! I'm never coming back here again.
(1)Sandra S.
Wow, my first time here and to think I almost didn't try it because of the bad reviews. The food was outstanding and service could not have been better. Had a lovely breakfast of goat cheese and mushroom omelet, hubby had the ham and gruyere croissant both were delicious. Everyone in the place was friendly and attentive. Definitely will be back. Thanks for a nice Saturday breakfast experience.
(5)Edith F.
I thought I wasn't hungry but I ate ALL my breakfast! So embarrassing! I will be coming here for more... For sure!
(5)Denice B.
The service is great and the staff even better. They take time to explain menu items and suggest things to try. The apple muffin is to die for and so is the coconut macaroon. The food is great
(5)Toby C.
I was here last Saturday with my sister and we had a nice table out on the front patio area. Great spot to people watch. Our server was incredibly kind, not only to us, but everyone around. Although she was running around fulfilling everyone's orders, she was extremely cheerful and pleasant when everyone was asking her for extra items like almond milk, jams, creams, etc. I had the salmon omelet which was delicious. Light fluffy eggs, fresh tasting salmon, just plain delicious, fresh, high quality ingredients. Coffee and tea was served in intriguing little bowls. Nice place and I look forward to going back again soon!
(5)Katy L.
Came here with a friend on a lazy Sunday after working out.. The weather was nice and sunny and I've came to Le Pain Quotidien for pastries but haven't had a chance to eat lunch here before so I was definitely curious to see how the food was. Ordered the ice tea and I liked how they bring out a nice tall pitcher for you so that you could refill the drinks yourself w/out asking the waiter each time. Both of us decided to share the tartine because I couldn't decide which tartine I wanted to eat. Egg Salad Tartine- Organic Egg Salad with herb dressing, garnished with capers and anchovies on wheat bread. The tartine looked great but the first thing I noticed when I bit into it was how bland it was. Definitely needed salt even though I don't normally eat a lot of salty food. It just felt like there was lack of seasoning.. probably didn't help that there was no mayo in it which I'm not that used to in my egg salad. Its probably more heathlier but definitely not as tasty. Smoked Salmon with avocado and chopped dill- Definitely better tasting than the Egg Salad Tartine. Thin slide of smoked salmon on wheat bread. Fresh half avocado is served on the side, along with a slice of lemon, and radish. Refreshing and tasty! Overall the food was okay, service was "meh." Waiter didn't come back to check in on us to see how our food was and took awhile for him to take our order which is alittle annoying when you are starving! But I do really like the overall ambience of the place. For lunch, definitely a great place to sit outside and people watch and enjoy a light healthy lunch. The inside was a different vibe, still nice and I liked the communal table inside. Really busy but casual enough to spend your weekend and enjoy a pastry or two on the side. ;)
(3)Bernard V.
I know this chain very well, since I lived in Brussels for a couple of years and it is there that Le Pain Quotidien finds its origin (I believe). They have managed to create a similar atmosphere although the menu differs slightly ... in Brussels you would e.g. not find French Toast on the menu. The breads and baked goods are really nice and fresh. I love the communal table! The bad acoustics in the room make it rather noisy during "rush hour". Nice heated seating area outside and ... the WIFI is free.
(3)Lee E.
Today was really cold, and i wanted to eat something that somebody cooked for me. So i came here to have some warm dish. I got the take out menu, but Im not familiar with french, or french food. I could not understand what "quiche" or "assiettes" stands for. I just wanted some hot omelette or panini. When I asked a mexican guy in front of cashier what this menu is,(no one else to ask) he told me it is "quiche". Oh wow. Thank you. That really helped me. I asked about something else, and he replied in the same way. U could have really taught me how to pronounce alphabets. So i was tired in the morning, just got whatever. And its just cold ham on a bread. I saw that guy trying not to laugh at me after second question. That was really rude. Also, u can be friendly, but u shuld not wave the bag with the food inside, from far away to let me know that the food is ready. Thats what you do when you call your puppy. Damn you. Its pissing me off again. Never ever coming back
(1)Ernesto S.
Love their coffee! Croissant w ham and gruyere is my favorite. Servers work hard and are attentive but they always feel like they are one server short.
(4)Mia K.
What happened to this place?! A few years ago when Edward (Indian guy) was managing this restaurant, it was a nice place to grab lunch in a cozy setting while listening to lovely classical music. Now, the service is wretched, the way they treat their customers is deplorable and the food is just OK. Today, I walked in and seated myself and sat and sat and sat and waited about ten minutes before getting up to ask for a menu. I'm positive two different servers walked passed without acknowledging me. There were dirty dishes left on the communal table for about twenty minutes and when they finally got around to clearing them, they did so with major attitude. There were three servers and two managers on duty while I was there and the dining room wasn't even 50% filled. Yet, they couldn't get their act together. It's obvious none of them enjoy working there and have absolutely zero respect for their management team. Too bad they have to take it out on the customer.
(1)Kim J.
On Saturday afternoon I ordered a chocolate croissant and my friend ordered a Danish and they tasted great. Communal table concept is fun. Mint tea tastes great and priced well. Service was slow but staff kept apologizing for being short staffed. I'd come back but not for lunch on a Saturday.
(4)Helen O.
Not good here. I use to come for the avocado toast and now they have changed the ingredients. They are skimping out on the avocado slices and it's a thin layer of smash avocado. I don't think I will be back.
(1)Tomaso F.
One time thing for dessert and coffees but there's better places than this on this strip so we won't be coming back here. Pistachio cake wasn't fresh and the almond milk curdled so we traded that in for soy. And $16 for one small dessert, tip and two half caff coffees. Overpriced by far for what you get. I say don't get fooled by the cool little outdoor patio and walk past it to another dessert/coffee spot.
(2)Brett B.
Great pastry. Good cappuccino. Prompt service. $11 with tip is super expensive. For $7 this would be 5 stars. At $11, only 3.
(3)Gina S.
Tiny portions, expensive prices, ok food = a so so brunch. Great service, though! I had the chicken chorizo omelet and it wasn't anything special. I LOVE the fact they use organic eggs... but that's about it. Tiny chunks of chicken chorizo... not a lot of flavor in the dish. It's served with a side salad (which was good and not overdressed (which was appreciated)), and two slices of bread - one white baguette slice and the other a large piece of soft wheat bread. I sorta feel like they fill you up on bread instead of what you ordered.... Can't say I'll be back anytime soon.
(3)Corey M.
It took them awhile to talk to us for the first time, walking past us multiple times, but once we got our menus all was well. The girl seemed like she was having a bad day but she cheered up. I had the banana crunola. Oh my! If you're a fan of bananas, definitely go for it. I also had the quinoa scone. The cream & preserves went perfectly with it. Yum!
(4)La Vonne C.
Went from 2 to 1. A friend wanted to try this place out and I forgot how much i hated it. Somehow, I remembered when we visited. 1. Service went from bad to worse. Servers looked irritated. 2. The other table who came later than us got their food before us. My friend ordered yogurt. . . And it came out in a small bowl..why did it take 20 mins to come out? 3. Food quality...mediocre and over priced.
(1)J E.
While the food was good, the service was horrible, especially from the manager on duty. They have daily specials up on a chalk board, and both my daughter and I ordered the vegetable lasagna. I was horrified when the bill arrived to find out I was charged 14.25 for a single piece of lasagna, no bread, no salad to accompany it. They have delightful drinks, but those too are horribly overpriced. I watched as they filled a small glass full of ice and then poured my drink in, and after you find out they don't do refills. I was greatly disappointed.
(2)S. C.
Yesterday, I was in Old Town buying a Burke Williams gift card and thought I'd wander around a bit before meeting a friend for dinner in j-town. I hadn't eaten all day and while i was walking, it felt like i was going to pass out on the street because I was so weak. understand, it was 6pm and i hadn't eaten anything all day. so i went in here and got a bunch of stuff to scarf down. -Cheese Almond Danish (2.85): A few sliced almonds on top, not too cheesy on the inside. More like it was very very buttery. -Linz Cookie (2.95): i bought this for my fiance. No idea how it tasted, and he hasn't eaten it yet either. -Apple Tart (5.00) ; haven't tried it yet -chocolate croissant (2.75) - had it today (popped it in the toaster oven for a couple of minutes) and it was okay. -Mixed Berry Tart (6.25) - This was the first thing I scarfed down. It was better than the first one i had from here (over a year ago). The fruit was all actually sweet (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries) but the price went up about a dollar from last year. the crust was hard to cut through with a fork so i had to pick it up and bite through it.
(4)avant de mourir ..
If you like spending a lot of money on way overpriced meals that aren't very good, go here. It reminds me of the kind of place you'd find in a mall, right next to Nordstrom and Sears.
(2)Dth S.
what can i say? it's the french 'il fornaio'.....i luv their almond croissant!
(3)Cali y.
It's a nice little lunch spot. I always get the curried chicken tartatine, which is very good. Remember, don't leave the place without their waffles (it's packed in a clear plastic container right at the cashiers). It's funny that people don't mention the waffles, because I feel it's one of their best desserts.
(4)Jacqueline S.
This place used to be good, but what passes for food these days is ridiculous. I ordered a sandwich and soup, neither or which fit the description on the menu. The sandwich was supposed to have arugula and it had something akin to iceberg lettuce. The soup was inedible.
(1)Ben B.
pastries/desserts, bread and good simple vegan food where you can take your dog... definetly a fan.
(4)Jen F.
To put it simply, this is a pleasant place to have breakfast or an early lunch...but for a hefty price. I enjoy coming here the most early morning on weekends. I usually get one of their omelettes, which are never greasy. But the best part, I think, is just sitting at one of their outside tables and munching on their breads with their delicious apricot jam. The outside tables are dog-friendly, and you can get some good people watching in, too. If I want dessert, I like to indulge in their coconut chia pudding. It's pricey, but I can never get my chia pudding to taste as good as theirs :( Anyways, if you want a light breakfast with plenty of options, definitely check this place out. Come early, though, as it gets busy on weekend mornings.
(4)Georgia S.
Delicious food and super friendly staff. Shannon took great care of us and was very pleasant. The manager came by and gave a free dessert because it was my birthday. Great place.
(5)Julia Z.
Have been their another location in Beverly before. I wouldn't say their food is excellent, but their drinkware is really adorable with bowls and holding all the hot drink. Both my friend and I ordered omelette. Mine is the PARIS HAM & AGED GRUYÈRE and my friend ordered the wild mushroom and goat cheese. Mine tastes a bit plain, just OK. But we picked the location simply because we are really early birds and got up like 7 am and this one is open. The environment is pretty nice, with clean and quiet atmosphere, though I believe it's really because we are early and there were not a lot of people in the street yet.
(3)Evan L.
I saw a few other locations and assumed Le Pain Quotidien was another chain along the lines of Panera Bread. When I went inside, I found the atmosphere surprisingly communal and open on the patio and inside the quasi-cafeteria interior. Wood, wood and more wood is the theme but it is aligned with their natural, fresh motif. This is not, however, a garden salad sort of venue - it's a Belgian/southern french bistro-inspired simple lunch/brunch spot. I also found it a bit more sophisticated than standard fare, though not pretentious. Ingredients are fresh, natural & supposedly local so I was all in. They have a good selection of salads, breakfasts and their Belgian specialty, the tartine (open-faced sandwich with unique ingredient combinations). We settled on the pancetta/ricotta tartine (which had a nice sliver of cucumber) and the lentil/avocado salad. Both were, well, they were quotidien until we added salt - at which point the flavor stretched beyond the everyday norm into a reflection of their fine ingredients. We left fulfilled and impressed, The only drawbacks are the price - $34 for lunch at a 'nice chain' is a little high considering what we ordered (and no drinks). It's not expensive by any means, but it feels like a $25 for two type of place. Otherwise, standard Pasadena complaint no parking - but that's not their fault. You may just luck out and get a meter on Colorado. Lastly, the salt addition was necessary for both me and my wife, and a five star yelp review should be salted just fine. I notice the service getting slammed in the reviews here for some reason; they were great on all fronts during our visit.
(4)Connie C.
I'm personally not sold by all this organic farm to table thing. Yeah it's a cool concept but eh. Maybe I'm not hipster enough or enough of a foodie? I will say that their french toast was one of the best I've ever had. I'll definitely give them that. Now, if only they can serve it in a normal plate instead of what looks like a porcelain cutting board, then I'm totally on board. The decor was really cute and adorable. I liked the farm house family style table in the middle. It's quite a charming place overall but I feel like it's trying a little too hard? Our waitress was very nice and cheerful. She did get my order wrong and I had to wait a bit longer for my food but she was really nice about it. The food was good. The ambiance was nice. Will I come back? Maybe if I've got money to spend I might. Recap: 1) Good service 2) Good food but over priced and portions are quite small 3) Cute decor
(3)Jennifer K.
I'm really disappointed in Le Pain Quotidien. When my friends and I walked in, our late lunch seemed promising - the cafe is beautifully decorated, there is outdoor seating, and the baked goods looked fresh. We decided to sit outside to enjoy the nice weather. From then on, my entire experience at LPQ was a !@#$ show. Strike #1: Our waiter was extremely slow and inattentive. He forgot to bring out the bread for our salad and we had to remind him a couple of times before someone else finally brought out the carbs. Strike #2: I found a thick black hair (~1.5 in) about one thirds into my smoked salmon omelette. I quietly informed the manager in a polite manner, and she was very apologetic and quick to replace my dish. However, after the meal, I was surprised to that my dish wasn't taken off the check. Even YardHouse made up for a hairy experience by comp-ing my order. Strike #3: The food itself was just average. My omelette was salty and lacking in flavor, and the bread that came with it was just so-so. The only redeeming factors are the complimentary apricot jam and chocolate hazelnut spread available at the tables. Slathering that stuff all over my mediocre bread made it absolutely delicious. Anyway, for a grilled chicken Cobb salad and three orders of the smoked salmon omelette (two with egg whites), the total came out to upwards of $60. I cried on the inside. Even today, I shed a tear or two every few hours thinking about this ridiculous meal.
(2)James L.
Great place for brunch or a latte while reading. I recommend sitting at the communal table to get the full feel of the place. The food is very fresh and organic and extremely generous.
(4)Chuan L.
Waited 30 min for my yogurt bowl and smoked salmon breakfast. I think the waitress forgot about my order or it couldn't possibly take this long when there were so few people in the restaurant. Food were below average. Taste like what I made in a hurry at home. Berries were not fresh. Avoid.
(2)Carlos d.
I had a fabulous french toast, with actual french bread. My wife had the vegetarian fritada which was excellent. There coffee was so smooth and delicious i did not need to add sugar or half-half. We loved the french bistro feel of Le Pain. It was our first time and we will be back.
(4)Paris L.
I went to the location in Marina Del Rey. The location in Pasadena is disguising. Hygiene is a main problem there. There were so many little flies were sitting on the bread when they stored at the left side of of the cashier. I told THREE THREE THREE waiter/ waitresses. They responded they would let them know, the moment i left flies were still sitting there . Service was pretty slow.. ( same as the one in Marina Del rey)
(1)gwen g.
Horrible service --- had to ask the waitress for a million things she forgot (milk, dressing, etc) + it would take her forever to bring it to the table. She did however have plenty of time to bitch and moan with a group of workers 5 feet from our table + that group included two managers! Who does that? The last thing you do is let your customers hear or see that scene so obviously the wrong group of people are running this place. I used to love to eat here but the small portions, crappy service, dirty tables + floors, company complainers, outrageous bill, and messy bathroom make me realize I need to spend my money elsewhere. Skip this place!
(1)Elleen P.
Came here with my friends on a Tuesday at around 11 AM, and it was mostly empty. People started coming in halfway through our meal though, I assume for lunch hour. We came here after searching it up on yelp, and because of it's 3 1/2 star rating, didn't really want to come. But we were right in front of it anyway, so for the sake of convenience, we decided to eat here. I ordered the paris ham & gruyere croissant (wasn't really hungry) and it was really just whatever, in my opinion. Tasted like a ham and cheese croissant that my mom used to make me for lunch (they were "very ok," my mom's way of saying not that great.) It came with a side salad, which had not enough dressing for the salad. If you're gonna give me dressing, please give me enough! If not, half of it with dressing makes the other half taste gross. Meh. I also got a cold brew coffee, which was mediocre as well for the price of $3.50. I understand it takes ages to brew, but it really just tasted like the coffee I brew at home and accidentally leave in my kitchen for the whole day. :(
(2)Philippe B.
Not so french! and I can't believe that some of the reviewers think they are eating french food and that is delicious. I am French, well Corsican so basically the worse kind, I am a snob and proud of it, former restaurant owner in Paris and manager in the US and most of people I know, who like me as well as the one of dislike me agree that I know what I am talking about when it come to French food. Anyway, I decided to finally stop to get an espresso at the Pain Quotidien. I should have know better when the girl at the front serve it in a paper cup. I thought I was at Starsux across the street. She then tried to transfer the espresso from the paper cup to the appropriate cup which was a no no. First red flag! I was kinda hungry and inquired about sandwiches starring at those old fashion baguettes sitting in the back counter. "Sorry, those are for lunch boxes not for our sandwiches. We do open sandwiches, "tartines". " Nothing on the menu regarding lunch boxes. A floor manager, (2 today for such a small place) told me that the veggie one was delicious bit not the 2 others when in fact they were 4 or 5 options. Not really excited, I decided to go with a croque-monsieur (very french). I asked the manager if it was the real deal, haven't seen in my days some pretty interesting "croque", when her response was: " I have been to Paris". Ok then. Order a Stella and proceed with my espresso to the sitting area outside. The croque was just a grilled cheese with a little piece of ham with a lot of mustard old fashion style. Bread was a little burnt. The idea and concept was not that bad but you CANNOT sell this as a croque-monsieur specially for $13. It should be illegal. Double espresso+croque-monsieur+Stella=$25 Really!!!!!! Espresso on the board is at $2.50 I was changed $3.75 The cashier went to talked to my experience to the other manager, who chuckled listening to her report, then came to apologized saying that the district manager was responsible for the menu and to food. Regarding the espresso that I ordered at the counter, drank there, was charged more because I decided to stay for lunch....MY MISTAKE. There is nothing french about this place other than the name and the writing on the walls and item descriptions.
(1)Ricky S.
This place offers a variety of soups, salads, and open faced sandwiches. However, based on prices and their portions, I wouldn't return. Sure, their open faced sandwiches were tasty, but it didn't fill up the other side of my stomach. Also, it didn't leave enough of an impression on me to try another sandwich from their selection. The servers were friendly but not as attentive. A plus, they have a big table in the center of their restaurant, which is great for a large party. Would I return? Probably not. Would I recommend this place? Sure, why not. Everything deserves a chance.
(2)David C.
They have a giant communal table in the center of the restaurant. The idea is that you can sit next to someone and make a new friend. I don't know how often that happens. Le Pain Quotidien brews a very good cup of coffee. Not too strong. Just mellow and smooth.
(5)Allison Y.
Very healthy brunch place in Old town. Love stopping by here on the weekend to have their omeletes and Belgian waffles! Ingredients taste amazing and fresh! Even their orange juice tastes so refreshing! Never feel overloaded after eating here. Great service and ambiance as well.
(4)Hayley L.
Totally support the farm to table initiative and appreciate that they buy from local farmers and growers. Their ok food and average service just didn't justify the price. Stopped by on a weekend in the afternoon for some dessert. As we were perusing the pastry case the woman at the counter encouraged us to have a seat since we planned on dining in and they offered table service. The three of us shared a few pastries and my mom ordered a coffee. The waiter took a very long time to even approach our table, did not even crack a smile, and didn't offer a refill on coffee until he brought us the check when we were about to leave. The pastries looked great and the coconut macaroon was excellent and black and white mousse had a really tasty ganache. I had a mini espresso chocolate tart which tasted super wine-y and like neither espresso nor chocolate. The chocolate brownie was kind of dry. The total came out to $25 including a tip, which I thought was pricey.
(2)Ali C.
Slow service, over priced food, and small portions! I love the atmosphere but who cares when everything else is so bad!
(1)Sandy R.
Great food, atmosphere, and a nice server. What a lovely way to start to our RDO Friday.
(5)Ivan A.
Great place for brunch!! The mimosas were great. We ordered the omelette with avocado and tomateo along with the French toast. Both were amazing. The orders here are pretty small that was the only draw back. I spent $65 for two but that included alcohol so not too bad. I really liked this place and highly recommend, definitely coming back!
(4)Mike 9.
Ordered food asked for water it took 30 minutes for them to bring water....we had to wait till they washed their water cups
(4)Breeze S.
Very nice one in Pasadena right on the main strip. Very clean, quiet most of the time, nice staff, clean bathroom, their food is always good, tasty and fresh. They serve pretty fast. You won't be disappointed.check it out.
(4)Jeong S.
I had brunch with my classmates. We loved every food we ordered. Especially I loved breads for side which I wanna learn how to bake like them. So awesome place!
(5)Linda C.
It's so great to find a place that serves healthy yet delicious food! I always come here whenever my BFF comes back home for the holidays so Le Pain Quotidien has made a spot in my heart. After some Black Friday shopping, it was 9am in the morning and I found myself needing to wake myself up with some breakfast. The tartines are pretty delicious, all served on whole wheat bread but this time I wanted to try something different. I got the Mushroom and Goat Cheese Omelette which was served with some bread and mini bed of greens. I actually loved it. I love cheese and the goat cheese was so satisfying and made for a light tasting omelette. Make sure you taste their various jams and praline spread...definitely one of the best I've ever had. Top the spreads onto the bread and enjoy! Le Pain Quotidien also offers jars of their jams and spread for sale--could make for great gifts and a great addition to a pantry! The only downfall that I find with Le Pain Quotidien is their prices. I know healthy foods normally come at a price, but I wish Le Pain Quotidien either offered more reasonable prices or larger portions. Service seems inconsistent, but otherwise decent. I'll still be back here soon--their bread and spread is too addicting.
(4)Colette W.
Le Pain makes me so happy. As a Pasadena native I walk down some mornings for the omelet. Amazing. Always sit at the communal table don't be so anti social people. The asparagus is a special treat that I add on. I tried the smoked salmon and it just wasn't for me.. But the lemon tart is a staple every visit and so is the OJ ! Kyle is a fantastic person and so is everyone else.
(5)Valerie V.
I worked a few steps away from the melrose branch and I used to get breakfast from le pain everyday!!! The melrose and larchmont staff are amazing!! I couldnt say the same for pasadena tho :( im here every Sunday for brunch and theres always something wrong. Service is always slow. One time my 'warm' belgian waffle arrived hard and cold :( i saw it sitting on the kitchen ready to be served however it took a long time before it was served. I called the attention of my server but he said that it wasnt mine and a lot of people ordered before me, it ended up to be my order tho :( i still come coz i really love le pain and this is the closest to me i just hope the service gets better. :)
(4)Jessica A.
Love how organic this place is! Reasonable prices. Alvacado and tomato omelet is great! The waffle wasn't fluffy sadly but i love the fresh berries on top. Wish they had pancakes but that's ok. Love the bakery as well many options. Love the sourdough wheat bread!! Overall great experience!
(5)Grace T.
Le Pain is another one those places that I wish I had closer to home. Perfect place to come to for a mellow breakfast or brunch. I like to start with the french donut and get the best the egg white omelet I've had since being in the Bay area (esp. the ham and gruyere). The pralines spread is yummy with the bread that the omelet come with. The cherry green tea always has a good kick in the morning, too. Driving 40 minutes from orange county for their pastries and bread. Very casual ambiance, my bf was a little leery of the organic factor of the the dishes (he's a good old mid western boy), but he soon fell in love with the place as I did.
(5)Sharon O.
as a former employee at le pain, i can definitely say that not all the bread recipes are from certified organic farms, but they are made from organic products. all of the breads are delivered fresh, twice a day, so they have fresh products all the time. although all of the le pain's close early, they open even earlier than most bakeries and bread shops. their tartines and other menu items are a bit pricey, but they are, nonetheless, really tasty. stop by for great expresso drinks and a muffin to go with it. if you're in the mood for something sweet, i recommend their huge chocolate chip cookie which will do the trick.
(4)Gene C.
Yes it's an obnoxious French boulangerie. Yes the restaurant is packed with granola-toting organo-vegans. And yes $13 for an omelet is ridiculous. But the wild mushroom and salmon and green onions omelets are two of the best damned egg dish I have ever had! $40 breakfast for two prevents me from visiting this place more frequently, but on a good stock day, I'll hit up this place for the eggs!
(4)Brandy H.
Ok, let me start by saying I've been all over this country eating at all kinds of restaurants, and I simply don't get the appeal of this place. It's not THAT cozy, the food is a bit too simple, and the people who work here could not give a rat's ass about service. The first time, I got a mushroom omelet for breakfast-it was ok, but not something that was blowing my mind. I had heard and read all these great things about this chain, so I thought to myself "I should give the place another chance." Next time for lunch I got a gruyere cheese sandwich and instead of the melted goo paradise that I expected, I got cold hard cheese on open face. The menu, nor did the server, tell me what I was to expect. I will say on a good note that the lemonade was fresh squeezed and delicious. It's just that I have been places that do the same thing, but much better.
(2)Ericka S.
We sat at the communal table and I must say it wasn't uncomfortable at all. The restaurant was a bit crowded but it was a Sunday morning. Their coffee is so fresh! I love the handle-less mugs (I think the restaurant sells them at their gift counter). Their omelets are HUGE so if you don't mind sharing, it's perfect for two. My husband and I shared an omelet and tapenade with rye bread, hummus and ham. Perfect for two and the bill was a decent amount. Not too bad. Definitely going back soon.
(4)Grace L.
Organic, healthy, small portions, and sadly overpriced. I do enjoy their hot chocolate and almond pear pastry though! =)
(3)RS P.
Okay, so I would say this place is okay. I do like the idea of health food. I have ordered the veggie quiche, the yogurt granola Parfeit, tuna sandwich, and I think a muffin. All the food is kind of bland, but I guess that is partly the health food thing. Perhaps I've ordered the wrong stuff.
(4)Janice C.
went in to get a bag of small oatmeal cookies (I think there wre 10 in the bag) and a baguette to go. service was just eh, even though they weren't busy. that little bag of cookies cost over $5, and those suckers tasted stale yet strangely enough, chewy, at the same time.i hope their baked sweets are not their specialties. have yet to try their yogurt, but it looks tasty. it looks like yogurt with fruit and bird feed, but hey, i like nuts, so it's something i'd definitely try. i was definitely loving the communal tables, awesome! two stars for now, i may change my mind when i have a better experience.
(2)Dora C.
I have not found many local places to eat that are healthy, now I have found one. The food is good, the service is friendly and I go home happy.
(4)Stacey S.
I LOVE little French bistros with fancy egg dishes and yummy bread. This place is cute, but extremely pretentious. Bouchon it's not. Their menu lists almost every item as organic. Yeah...we get it. Why does that need to be repeated over and over and over? The food was just okay...not bad, but not something I ever need to go back for. It's also a bit overpriced. The deal breaker for me? My coffee came in a little pot (cute, right?) and a bowl for drinking. A BOWL. Not a cup, not a mug, a bowl. I looked around and others were drinking their coffee using both hands to maneuver their bowl of beverage. That's not tres chic in my eyes...just odd.
(2)Jordan M.
It was a blustery Friday night in Pasadena. My partner in crime Matt P and I had just taken a leisurely tour of some great culinary monuments at All India Cafe. Despite the delicious meal and pompous deliberation on the necessities of a proper Valentine's Day, our stomachs were still desiring something more. And thus we began our search. 21 Choices was filled to the brim and out the door with illustrious high school lovers groping each other in line. Not our scene. The Crepevine: no room at the inn. hmm. It was at this point we began to struggle. But wait. What about Pain Quotidien? Despite my gross mispronunciations, Matt's lack of understanding, and our reckless confusion as to the bakery's exact location: we found the light at the end of the tunnel in the form of yummy pastries and a warm French (ex-pat) smile. Pain Quotidien is one of those wonderful places that embraces both healthiness and over-eating. Yes our desserts and hot chocolates were made from whole grains and organic ingredients but we didn't have to a giant chocolate chip cookie and a granola bar and some sort of raisin cake. Overall, it was a cozy place to tuck away and drown the evening in a healthy dose of sugar and sweet.
(4)Julia S.
First of all, I would like to clarify what kind of place this is, because there seems to be a lot of confusion in the other reviews. Le pain quotidien is a Belgian bakery chain, and it is actually the neighborhood bakery that my aunt goes to who lives in Brussels. Their selection in the US is not as good as in Belgium, but the quality is still comparable. So it's not "trying to be French" as some people write in their reviews, it IS Belgian. There are many things I really like about Le pain quotidien: - Their bread is as similar to European bread as it gets over here on the West coast. Especially their wheat bread is awesome, and having it makes me miss German and Belgian bread a little bit less. They also slice the loafs of bread when you buy them, which I find very convenient. - Their breakfast is very good. I've had their omeletts and the ham and cheese croissants, as well as some of the pastries, and all of it is very good. I also think they have good coffee.They serve it French-style in a "bol", which is a cup without the handle. - Their sandwiches are wonderful. They are cold, open-faced European style sandwiches, and the ingredients are very thoughtfully matched. I usually get the gruyere cheese sandwich with three kinds of mustard. The larger platters are also good. - Their gazpacho is just to die for, but it's not always on the menu, because their soups of the day change. But if they have it, get it. - I like their portion sizes. They are large enough, but don't make you feel like a stuffed turkey afterwards. But if you're used to getting piles and piles of food, you're maybe better off at the Cheesecake factory or so. Why am I not giving it 5 stars? - The service can be less than stellar sometimes. It's usually ok, but sometimes getting for example a refill on water can take forever. - It's a bit overpriced. I go there anyway, because I can't get what they offer anywhere else closeby, but I think I would go way more often if they were slightly cheaper. - Their counterpart in Belgium is better. Especially the pain au chocolat (chocolat croissant). In Belgium it's twice as big and fresher. They also have a better pastry and bread selection in Belgium.
(4)Annie P.
ive been here twice...couple months back & today then realized that ive never reviewed it! i love this place...from the tables, cups, drink pitchers, service, everything. they really dont rush you on ANYTHING. so come when you have time and just want to relax...it feels like your in another country when you are here. as for the food ive tried the honey+fig+goat cheese tartine the first time for breakfast and i ate it ALL. it was that good. i also ate some of my moms soups + bread with some of that addictive spread (3). Theres the "Brunette" which is a thick and creamy hazelnut spread. you cant even compare this to nutella. i need to buy some of that to take home... then theres an apricot jams and five berries (?) jam. They are all excellent! Anyways.....about my visit for lunch TODAY it was better than the first time...two of us ordered ice tea and each came out in cute medium sized glass-pitchers. One of us got hot chocolate which was in their "Todays Special" menu. the cup was like a small bowl and it was really cute. and this hot chocolate was LIKE A REAL HOT CHOCOLATE. no coco powder+hot water crap...it came with melted HOT CHOCOLATE in a little pouring cup thing and you basically put as much or as little chocolate you want into your cup which is filled with thick milk+foamy stuffffff. they offer more chocolate if you want. for food..one of us got a chicken tartine and another got some basil pesto tartine. I got the Mediterranean platter which came with 4 or 5 different types of bread.....like ALOT OF BREAD. they give you two dips and some salsa type of thing but no tomatoes.....its like a mediterranean version of a salsa. well that wasnt too good but the two dips...hummus and something else was very gooood! i asked for the three spread of course since i got so much bread and ate it both ways. it was delicoussssssss we decided to come here for lunch every wednesday...it was so calming+peaceful!
(5)Henri T.
Lesson to be learned people. If you want to eat breakfast on Colorado, you're not going to run into run in the mill tourist traps that serve mediocore food (ie. le pain quotidien). Why people flock to this place still befuddles me. If you like to people watch, then find a bench on Colorado and watch people. If you want to people and eat crappy food, then come here.
(2)Glen W.
My friends and I were very dissatisfied with the service and the food at this location during the lunch hour. The waiters were utterly aloof (even the busboy was rude!) and the food was certainly not worth the price. Le Pain is an insult to true French cuisine, which in my experience has always been delicious and served in a friendly manner. They need to fire their current waitstaff (it's a rough economy, there are good workers to be had) and take the food up a notch. Not worth the money at all.
(1)vanessa a.
they have this amazing chamomile mint iced tea that they serve in little carafes and its delicious. their sandwiches or whatever they're called are quite good but id like to find a more efficient way to eat them. eh maybe ill just stick to their salad menu my friend had a salad when we were there and it was really yummy.
(4)Rayna B.
Don't get caught in this tourist trap! I live in South Pasadena and usually avoid Old Town Pasadena for dining. Although this afternoon I decided to try out a this place. The waitress was really nice and seemed to be very candid and honest about what dishes I should avoid. That should have been a sign for me to get up and high tale it out of there but I decided to stay since she was so sincere. I ordered a cup of Butternut Squash soup which was bland. I was so unimpressed I set it aside after a few spoonfuls. I didn't want to waste the calories on something so uninspiring. I decided to try the Tofu Salad. The waitress mentioned that it was good since it had three types of dressing on it. When it arrived it was just simply greens, radish, tomato and tofu with a sprinkling of seaweed (which I can't stand). The menu didn't give a full description of the salad so I didn't know to tell her to hold the seaweed. After I scrapped it off I dug in to the salad and it was very disappointing also, it was bland and tasteless too. I also had a bottle of water that cost $3.50. For those three items my bill came to $21. I would avoid this place if you are in Old Town it is a tourist trap and a rip off.
(1)A C.
This place serves delicious organic and quality food. It is located in Old Town Pasadena next to the Melting Pot. I only come here for breakfast thus far. I love their soft cooked boiled eggs. They are served in egg cup. The eggs are perfectly cooked with firm white and runny yolk. Yummylicious! Their various tartines are also very good. I like the curry chicken tartines. I love their chilled gazpacho. Few things are tastier during the summer than a cool, spicy bowl of gazpacho. Their bread is also very good. The only problem is the restaurant's lacking comfortable seats. If you sit outside, you sometimes get panhandlers asking for money.
(4)Olivia F.
I only had the quiche, but it was pretty good. The lemonade was a little bit bitter, but I put some sugar in there and it was doable. I don't like that they have NO soda at all. It's just unfathomable to me I guess. The quiche was good, but it was an obvious reheat because although the crust was a beautiful brown, it was completely soft. I didn't care for the salad on the side and the cantaloupe wasn't at its peak ripeness. I wish they served it a la carte. I wish I had time to try a pastry though.
(3)Taylor S.
Food was great, service was good (except for the fact that the server refused to split the check amongst our party), but it was a bit noisy -- even during an off peak time. That said, if you don't mind talking loud, and doing math in your head, it's all in all a worthwhile eat!
(4)Blue L.
Luckily for us, this was the only breakfast place open at 7am on Sunday morning, otherwise we wouldn't have walked this far west from our hotel. At 7am, there is no wait, I might add. The decor is warm and inviting, and the menu was very creative. This is the kind of place a vegetarian likes. Not your standard breakfast items. I had a farro harvest porridge, which was terrific - it was sweetened with fruit, not sugar, and I felt so healthy after eating it. Hubby had an omelette (with some kind of meat item stuck into it) and said it was very good. This is definitely our new breakfast spot of choice in Pasadena.
(5)Karen S.
Good macaroons and croissants.
(3)Mina A.
I have mixed feelings about this place. Getting the wrong thing from the menu can leave you extremely disappointed, especially when this place can be pretty pricey. BUT, if you find the right thing from the menu (there are only a few good things on the menu) then you will love how fresh and flavorful the food here can be. Try a cup of gazpacho, the prosciutto tartine and the Belgian brownie for dessert. Some of the employees here are interesting characters. When we first asked the guy behind the counter about the Belgian brownie, he said "a lot of customers think it's weird". Sorry buddy, but we think YOU'RE weird. The Belgian brownie? That's delicious.
(3)Maria L.
I've eaten here 3 times....twice to go, once sit down...it def is a bit shishi...it's a bit expensive, but for the quality of the food, I guess it's alright. Everything I've had was good...definitely a nice change from the ordinary Subway, McDonalds, Pizza hut etc...this is, I would say, what real food tastes like!
(3)Marie r.
3.4 stars for the good food omelette with ham and gruyere could have used more seasoning the egg salad tartine was yummy croissant is ok service is mediocre - but to their defense it was really busy
(3)Lysa S.
Ok we love Pain Quotidien; been to them in Santa Monica, New York, London, and Paris. This one is by far the worst. Primarily because of the service. And I'm not judging this on one visit, I've been here 3 times in the last two months and I'm done! Will not be back, had the same male waiter twice and he was just horrible, got orders wrong, served us cold scrambled eggs and even forgot half the order.
(2)Christina A.
Staff could use training in customer service. In our thirty minute session of dining our waiter checked on us zero times. We had to flag other waiters down just to get some service. The coffee was delicious and that's why I gave it more than one star.
(2)Sara W.
My go to lunch stop. I love how fresh and healthy this place is, super tasty! Fabulous seasonal specials. I order the Tuscan white bean salad with prosciutto often, and their chicken and chorizo tartine!
(5)Georgie W.
We used to drive all the way to Pasadena for this Pain Quotidien when living in West Hollywood, because I like the overall look and feel of Colorado Blvd. on a weekday morning. Imagine the place can be quite crowded on the weekends! Over time and experience, we started to try the one in Beverly Hills and it wasn't too bad either. The Pasadena PQ has more kids and families and the Beverly Hills PQ has more industry types. I haven't been able to find a truly good parking solution in Pasadena, but I will usually park in the structure behind the restaurant, where parking is validated/ free depending on the length of visit. Nice French themed food and good breakfast with breads, the yogurt parfait is excellent and the iced tea is awesome.
(4)TT H.
Pastries here are fantastic. Can't have just one. Turnovers are so good. I take home a few things each time? Tarts are a must have.
(5)Jenna C.
This place caught our eye as we were strolling around Pasadena. The set-up inside is very neat. Various sizes of wooden tables (including one very long-family style one that seats apprx. 20). The server was friendly, and the menu had some very appealing items (many organic, healthy choices). I ordered the quinoa salad, that also had arugula, sun-dried tomato, fresh tomato, garbanzo bean, and artichoke. Tasty, wish there was more "stuff" on it (the arugula and other stuff was a little sparse). Casey ordered one of their open faced sandwiches with chicken and mozzarella. We wished the bread was toasted. Overall, our experience was okay. A little pricey for the quantity of food. Quality was okay.
(3)Kelly G.
I love the coffee - served in bowls! - the large communal table and the preserves. Not all of the breads and pastries have been winners for me, but I'm always happy with a coffee and brioche. My husband loves the trays with meat and cheese - a true continental breakfast. It's right smack in the middle of old town so it often feels overcrowded and busy, when I think what you really want to do is sit and nurse your coffee and lounge a little. Go on a weekday morning if you can.
(3)Julie N.
This is unique restaurant if you're looking for a place to sit down and eat relatively fast. Good food, good atmosphere. A little pricey, but they do have specials that are reasonable.
(4)Renee D.
I would have given a 3 star, however, the wheels are coming off the cart on the basics. And I do like this place, so I didn't want to give it a one star.. but here's the situation we had. Ordered the coffee, which is great... however the half and half container had some brown smudges of film in it. As if it was put in dishwashing tub and sat there for a day with coffee dregs in it. So before our server could get too far away, I asked for a different one. She replaced it.... with another one that had gross brown stains it it. Holy Doodle, that really bummed me out. OWNERS-MANAGERS- Quality Control please! Use a little bleach and clean things up! If that is making it out to the customer, what's the kitchen like??? The food was good. I had the salmon scramble. eggs were cooked perfectly. My sweetie had the ham croissant, however, there was a nasty hair on his plate... Major infraction. At that point after the coffee creamer incident, we didn't even bother to complain. Charming place if they can get rid of the chipped coffee pots and clean things up a bit..... it will be a while before we forget the mishaps and return. We hope the management reads these review.
(2)Kislev A.
Fig & Ricotta Tartine: Oh soooo delicious... and surprisingly filling. Turkey & Avocado Tartine: Good. The exceptional ingredients were the whole mustard seeds and the super soft wheat bread. Vegetarian Quiche: warm and filling. Brioche Bread Pudding: Lighter than regular pudding. Pretty good. Surprisingly small. Great orange marmalade accompaniment. I wouldnt mind going back to try out other items on their list.
(4)Corina B.
Le Pain is so yummy on a Sunday morning. Their coffee is always fresh, strong and tastes great! Their pastries are perfect with the coffee. Everything is organic and healthy. Enjoy the community table!
(4)Chris W.
Don't believe the haters. I read your 1- and 2-star reviews you losers. Perhaps you guys should go somewhere that gives you bottomless drinks filled with high fructose corn syrup-based and fried food. Perhaps that's where you belong. The food here is very good. The service is spot on ... especially if Josh is serving. That isn't to say the rest of the staff aren't great, they are, but Josh is a great server. All of the soups I've had are great! The turkey chili is pretty damn good, too. I love the gruyere tartin. Love the fact they don't serve Coke or Pepsi as I think that is one of the aspects that keeps the pedestrian masses from invading the place when I want to eat there. ;) Another thing I love is that when I have vegetarian friends around I can take them there and they're always happy having an ample selection of things to eat. I don't have vegan friends. I don't like vegans. ;) If you're looking for a fast place to have lunch that's way healthier than 99% of the other places in Old Town, this is it!
(4)Julie B.
The best breakfast place in town-I've never had a bad meal at Le Pain! Between the great customer service given by Sara, Stephanie, Patrick, Stephen and company and the delicious Paris Ham and Gueyere Egg White omelet, this is breakfast at it's best! Their Bakers Basket is a real treat, with a wonderful assortment of breads to accompany their entrees. Also, you have a selection of the tastiest spreads, great beverages and a to-go bakery that satisfies everyone!
(5)Erika H.
I dropped in here this past weekend to check it out. Anything with a French name catches my eye, especially if they serve dessert/bread. Upon walking in I was greeted by several staff which was a nice welcome. The guy in the front gave me a break down of the name, the menu and the desserts, mentioning that all breads/pastries are baked fresh daily. I ordered to-go: Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, a brioche muffin, a macaroon, sn apple/pear turnover and a vegan carrot muffin. The salad was ridiculous. Filled with diced eggs, tomatoes, bacon, cucumber, bleu cheese crumbles and topped with nice thick slices of avocado. The vinaigrette was the perfect match. It came with a couple of thin slices of bread as well. Yum. The desserts were good. They weren't sweet enough for my sweet tooth but for what the place is and what they strive to serve, the desserts were healthy and fitting. Overall, a good experience and I'll be back to explore their menu.
(4)Amz T.
The food at this place is delicious. Atmosphere is quite loud in the restaurant. Service can be challenging. We had a waiter who hurried for our order, yet our coffees took a while to arrive. I saw that they served beverages to the table that came in AFTER us. I ordered the curry chicken salad tartine (see photo). When it came, the waiter dropped the chutney sauce right as he was placing the plate on the table. He looked at me, saying "don't worry about it" like it was my fault he dropped it! The Spinach soup I ordered arrived after the entree.
(3)Heather F.
Filthy dirty place. I used the bathroom after I ate. The level of disgust in the restroom was epic for food establishment. I would expect that level at a club after midnight, not a place charging $12 for 2 scrambled eggs. I let the wait staff know, she was shocked and appalled. Whatever. This was not one day's worth of yuck, this was layered on.
(1)Christopher T.
Great service and fantastic breads! Loved the place. The coffe was fantastic as well. All around good stuff.
(4)Virginia R.
We love it! This is my daughter's favorite cafe. The service is always very friendly and the food delicious. My 7 year old's favorite is any and all soups of the day, and has been ever since she was 2 years old. My favorite is the gazpacho. yummy! The coffee is excellent too.
(4)Rolo M.
Trader Joe's food with inflated pricing!
(1)Pearl J.
Le Pain Quotiden specializes in pastries and desserts. They also have a cafe menu that serves French style cuisine for breakfast and lunch. The menu is pretty limited to eggs, salads, and tartines with a few other specials. The service is not spectacular but the food comes out quickly. I have order the smoked salmon and avocado tartine, the turkey tartine, and the ricotta and fig tartines. All the tartines taste very light and healthy, but it is not top quality ingredients. The portions are small for the price leaving you enough room to try a dessert. This is just another healthy choice when you can't think of anywhere else to go.
(3)Maria L.
I took a break from moving today, and had brunch here with an old friend. (Moving is such hard work!!) I ordered an omelette with smoked salmon. My friend ordered a salad. With my meal I also ordered some coffee. It was all good. The omelette was fluffy and light, the salmon fresh and delicious. Breakfast was served with some delicious breads and jellies. The coffee was served in the traditional bowl used by the French and it was very good. The salad ordered by my friend looked really good, and she seemed to really enjoy it. My only complaint is that the service might have been a bit more attentive. This is indeed a nice place for a late Sunday morning bruch, or early lunch. Oh, and it did not hurt that it is located in Old Town Pasadena.
(4)Daniel R.
the chorizo chicken omelet was awesome! Plus the lattes here are great. PS the parking lot around the corner is free parking for 90 minutes!
(4)J B.
While visiting Pasadena, my boyfriend and I chose to meet friends at Le Pain Quotidien for brunch, because it is among our favorite breakfast spots back on the East Coast. The food was fresh, familiar, and consistent, but the service left much to be desired. Our waitress all but forgot about our table--failed to bring items we requested, never offered refills on water or coffee, and disappeared for most of the time we were there. We had to ask a different server for our check. Although, we enjoyed our meal, the service was lackluster at best.
(3)Priscilla S.
Stopped by here after hiking the other day to sample one of their famous open-faced sandwiches. At the moment, Urth Caffe is my absolute favorite for sandwiches and I was hoping this place would be just as good. I got the rustic tuna sandwich, which was pretty good. The tuna was a bit on the dry side though, which was quickly fixed after I added a bit of their olive oil to it. While the sandwich was good, the price was a bit steep (about $11) for what it was - just a plain tuna sandwich w/ a bit of hummus and white beans. I'd rather pay that at Urth, where I'd not only get a sandwich, but also a refreshing light salad as well. Another thing was that the sandwich wasn't as fulfilling for some reason. I don't know if it was the kind of bread they used or whatever, but I left feeling like there was still something missing :/ I'd come back if I was in Old Town looking for a quick and light lunch, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come back. (Also, I don't know if anyone else had a problem with this, but the plates that they serve the sandwiches on were so ridiculously small. It was just a small little slab that was barely big enough to fit the sandwich on. I swear I dropped so many pieces of my sandwich not onto the plate, but onto the table instead, even though I was eating over the tiny plate. Not taking any stars off for that though, but just thought it was worth a mention.)
(4)Asia E.
i like this place! i wish it was a little cheaper and i wish the portions were a little bit bigger, but...eh. THINGS I LOVE: - SMOKED SALMON OMLETTE - PROSCUITTO AND BUFALA MOZZERELLA TARTINE - MUFFINS! - BREAD SPREAD: blonde white chocolate, hazelnut spread, raspberry and apricot jams...all delicious and you can mix different spreads for delicious combinations! THE WEIRDEST THING I ATE HERE: I once ordered this bowl that was a variety of raw nuts and a whole banana. You could have it with milk...I thought it was so strange. When I talked to my friends about my weird experience, they were laughing. I realized they were laughing at my expense for eating 'banana and nuts.' I took off my stiletto and beat them, heel first.
(4)Michael C.
I've had better. But considering it's service is pretty good, and most of the food we had there, have became some of the food we have on our dining table, I think it is at least a 3 star.
(3)James S.
play me while you read: youtube.com/watch?v=H2-1… We aimlessly strolled troll through narrow red bricked alleys of Old Town, passing by shops and boutiques. I felt like we were navigating through a Parisian neighborhood. As we got to the main streets, we were a bit famished and in search for some sustenance. Since Le Pain Quotiden was bookmarked on our Yelp app, we decided to give it a shot. Kyle our server was very informative and helped with our order. I managed to get the chia muffin and parafait while she settled for the ricotta and fig tartine with a pot of mint tea. Although considered a light meal, it was considerably satiating. Would I be back? I can see myself coming back here and trying out something new off the menu. The outdoor patio is great for people watching or in our case, great to take pictures of passer bys. While the inside is quaint and great for an intimate meal. Also, the prices are fairly decent.
(4)Daisy C.
Kill me.... Who would've thought that black beans mixed with hummus will steal my meat loving heart... I would order that over and over again.. I even walked out with a tartine on a napkin because I didn't want to waste it... Avocado on each slice? WTH stop spoiling me.. I'm just dying with happiness... Their white bean soup is delicious as well... but that BB Hummus is delicious... together, they make a super... super something... I think Imma go sleep with my slice of tartine heaven now.. *droolls*
(4)Vickie C.
Everytime I walk into this place, it gives me this quiant cozy feeling. Maybe because everything is made out of wood, from the floors to all the furniture. I've only come here for breakfast, and it is pretty good. The portions are on the smaller side, given their prices. But I guess you're paying for higher quality. They advertise that they use organic coffee and milk here. My fave about this restaurant is the fresh jam and praline spread they provide for their well known breads! Once you order, they bring over a tray of three: 2 jams and 1 praline spread. Super delicious!! I love the jams they have! I always end up eating all the toast that comes with the meal and just take the rest to go. Service is always fast and friendly. You might have to flag them down once in a while when things get busy. Parking: There's a 90 minute free structure in the back, entrance off of delacey. If not, there are metered street parking throughout old town.
(4)Alyssa P.
How on earth do you pronounce this place's name anyways?! Who cares, cuz it's sooo yum. I first went to this franchise in NYC near The Dakota and thought it was solely a hippie New York spot my healthy friend wanted to eat cuz she got so skinny once she moved there. But I saw it here at home, and looky here, that same friend was home for Christmas and that's where we went. ;P I like this place a lot. Really great, market fresh, quality ingredients. Very healthy and organic without being tasteless. They make it fun and enjoyable to eat moderately and well. That praline spread they have at the table is great, a good substitution for my butter, cuz sorry, you ain't takin' my carbs away from this girl! We had the Paris ham and gruyere omelet and the tuscan plate - it had bread, an olive tepenade, various cheeses, sundried tomatoes and mesclun mix, and prosciutto. Yum yum. Top it off with a hot latte and you're good to go walk around and shop.
(3)Vera O.
Love their food and drinks- have tried sandwiches, breakfast plates, cheese platter, breads and have enjoyed them all. No issues with service and we enjoy the ambiance.
(5)Laen S.
They should consider replacing their ham and cheese quiche more frequently, i got an upset stomach immediately after having it today.
(2)Brandon A.
#107 A friend and I were trying to figure out a place to meet up. She suggested LPQ as the spot, and there we were. From what I had heard, I had the idea that the place was vegetarian. And with the words "Le Pain" in the name, I figured I was in for some punishment. While they do have vegetarian menu items, their focus is rather on fresh, high-quality ingredients. I actually found their menu to have a fair amount of variety (soups, salads, tartines). I wound up ordering one of their tartines - prosciutto & mozzarella di bufala with sundried tomatoes & basil pesto (see my picture: yelp.com/biz_photos/Frb8… ). In reality, it's simply an open-faced sandwich. It came with five slices and a wedge of cantaloupe. It tasted very fresh and light ... just the right lunch for a triple digit September day in Old Town. They serve bread to the table, but make sure to ask for their spreads. I don't recall what each is called, but there was a peanut butter-like spread (reminded me of nutella), an apricot spread, and a berry spread. Overall, you do pay a pretty penny. I think my tartine ran in the low teens. And for a restaurant that is a casual sit down, I thought that was a bit high. I guess you pay the price to eat fresh.
(3)Michelle K.
This is one of my usual places for business breakfast lunches/meetings. The staff is friendly and the food is fresh and I never feel stuffed or over-full when I leave. It's a little on the pricey side but I still keep coming back so it's worth it. *NOTE: prices for take-out drinks are lower than when you order at the tables! Don't be surprised. Weird policy. Favorites: White Bean & Prosciutto Salad: light but the crutons are AMAZING... comes with 2 slices of their bread so you can try all their delicious spreads! Just the bread & spreads make the meal! Black Bean & Hummus Tartine: with avocado & spicy tahini (the spicy sauce is the BEST). Yes it's vegan but you don't even know because it tastes so good. Hot Chocolate: mix your own! They bring you the heated milk and a little cup of melted chocolate so you can add it in. I'm not the biggest fan of super chocolaty drinks so this was PERFECT! Chai Tea Latte: seasonal, so when they have it, order it! Just the right amount of spice to zing. Hot Apple Cider: also seasonal, balance between sweet and spicy. Love the cinnamon in this. It's perfect for the non-coffee drinker (like me)!
(4)Sheena L.
MUST TRY: Belgian Waffle & French Toast .. Don't waste your time on anything else
(3)Chris B.
Had the chicken tartine, veggie quiche and a latte. Flavorful but on the pricey side. Artisan breads and nice ambiance.
(3)Baby L.
Nice interio design! Nice food! Nice waiters! Nice location!
(4)Kimberly A.
I LOVE Le Pain! Organic, healthy, & tons of vegan/vegetarian options. However, they are also healthy because the portions are so small. As my friend and I like to say, they serve "skinny people food" so not long after I am hungry again! However, it is the perfect place to get some fresh ingredients, interesting food combinations and a light bite. Bonus that they have almond milk, not just soy milk, to use in their espresso drinks! I am here at least once every single time I am in LA!
(4)Rachel N.
Perfectly lovely place to have brunch--went on a Friday around 10 and the place was still hopping--had omelettes and smoked salmon--nothing extraordinary, but perfectly yummy--and good people watching, to boot. If you're in the mood to boldly break your carbohydrate embargo, this is the place to do it. In related news, hazelnut spread! Yes. Slather it on anything you can get your hands on.
(3)Sarah S.
I love this place! It's very quaint and the food is very clean AND the best part of it is that it's organic! Even the water doesn't have the tap water taste; tastes filtered and crisp. It's perfect for those who don't have a HUGE appetite and just want something not too heavy.
(4)anna c.
I was there this past weekend for brunch. Make sure to try their zucchini and goat cheese frittata while it's still available! It's awesome! Their brioche is okay, not fantastic, but I love the spreads that come with their bread. They had a hazelnut spread (not Nutella, there's no chocolate involved) that was very tasty! The mimosas are great too, you can tell they use fresh squeezed orange juice.
(4)Michelle M.
Went here for brunch Sunday, had the salmon omelette, it was great. My friend had the artichoke omelette and it was fantastic as well. Great food, fast service... I just wish I could eat everything here! The only thing I don't like are the big wooden tables that are European style that you can share with a stranger... that's all.
(4)Anna M.
It's a great place for organic food lovers. It's a little pricey but mostly worth it. Love the waffle with berries for breakfast.
(4)Stepha G.
In the past, the first couple of years of LPQ in this location I purchased loaves of bread, and very happily introduced out of town friends to this spot in Old Town, especially for tea in the middle of the afternoon. This had been one of my favorite spots to breakfast in Pasadena. About 10 days ago, when I walked in to observe a handsome fly land on the beautiful baked goods by the front door, that was a sad moment. I prefer to see flies outdoors, doing what they do well. How about adding some kind of protection (shield, cover) surrounding the foods flies find attractive?
(3)Lisa S.
yummy waffles and fruit, but definitely not enough for a breakfast. Servings are small, but the food is good. One of the only places in old town open for breakfast and has a patio (we had to bring our dog with us since he just had surgery). yummy coffee, but when busy, service is a little slow. Some of the food is a little too granola for me, and although delicious, bread and pastries are a bit over priced.
(3)Chris C.
I have tried all the sandwich. Love the salmon sandwich. Love their organic lemon juice and their jams. I like all their desserts especially the chocolate mouse and berry tart.
(4)Allen P.
I will not forget my bk here, it was so healthy and tasteful, i love this place. The waiter was very patient and did not rush us throughout the meal. I had multiple serving of the best richest coffee I've had in awhile, the breakfast basket came with chocolate croissant and two drinks with best fruit jams. Orange juice was freshly squeezes. I also had their berry waffle, although it was smaller than most out there, the flavors inside the waffle made it most amazing, crispy and scrumptious, i really did not need any syrup. Awesome experience!
(5)Melissa K.
I had high hopes for this place as the menu looks good and the place is really cute. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my high hopes. The food was fairly bland and not at all what I expected (I had a tartine and the mozzarella salad). The worst part was the service. It took 10 min to take our drink order, another 15 to take our food order and at this point we had not even gotten our drinks yet (ice tea). Our food arrived and about 20 min later we got our ice tea and utensils. The staff seems uncaring and annoyed to be working. I wouldn't give this place a second chance.
(1)Amanda G.
We were wandering around downtown Pasadena looking for either a late lunch or an early dinner. Nothing had fit the bill until we came upon this place. The food is mostly organic, and they had some great light options. Our server was incredibly sweet, but a a little flaky, and our food took way too long! Aside from that, the food and overall experience was enjoyable. I had salmon on a bed of whole wheat cous cous, with a few veggies mixed in. Although I requested my salmon be left a little rare, it wasn't, but it was still very good. It was a realistic portion size, (which I totally appreciate) and all the flavors were delicious. It was also served with 2 slices of 2 different kinds of bread, both were tasty, (as were the house brand jams and nutella like spread.) This is not a destination restaurant by any means, but still a good place to find some healthy options. If there was a a location nearby, I'd return for breakfast and/or lunch.
(4)Amelia S.
Fresh and organic fare doesn't come cheap, but the quality of the food is very good. I sampled the smoked salmon salad. The flavors didn't work for me, but the ingredients were excellent. Their breads are also very good, and I liked the white chocolate spread they had at the table.
(4)Sarah C.
Bakery, Desserts, & sit down casual quality meals Order on the go, sit down, or to eat on the outdoor patio. This place has fresh and tasty eats. There are many vegetarian and vegan options. Friendly service. Scarce street parking and parking lot in rear.
(4)Lee A.
I really only visited this place for carry out lunch, which was always a form of soup from their Soup of the Day menu. My coworkers and I affectionately called the restaurant "The Daily Pain", just because. Anyway, the wait is great, the staff is friendly and the environment is inviting. The soups, however... Never had the gazpacho, which is available EVERY DAY. On one occasion, I had what barely passed for a corn chowder. It was watery and bland. Actually, most of their soups were watery and/or bland. Even the potato bacon left one wanting for more. How do you mess up bacon? The breads are excellent, though. The bakery is splendid, the muffins scrumptious and the croissants are decadent. The little nougat candies and jams and jellies and Nutella is all brilliant. Now, if they get their soup down (and how long does it take to ladle soup into a carry-out cup, really), then they'll be on their way to carry-out greatness. But, if you have the inability to taste proper soup and just want something hot and liquidity to keep you alive for a few more hours, you've found just the place!
(2)Lisa S.
If only I could have given them 1/2 star, I totally would. The wait on table was not bad and they were fairly busy for Sunday nearing 12pm. we sat and the waitress was very nice and smiley. She took our drink order and we drank all our drink and then the food came. Food took a good 15-20 min which I guess was okay if I'd had known they dont give free refills then would have ordered water so I wouldn't gage on the bread they served. My friend ordered ham/gruyere omelette replacing gruyere w/cheddar. well, hers came out but our omelettes had scallions which we didn't know. she doesn't like onions of any form. So we asked for another one. Would be fine but took another 10-15min which I was nearly done eating. We asked why was taking so long for a refire and she apologized and said their kitchen was really backed up and she did ask them to rush it. then finally it came out and what the heck, it had gruyere instead of cheddar. OMG..really? I will not go back. overly priced supposedly all organic food! I've had way better!
(1)Bianca R.
i love this place! Organic! great omelets! great environment! nice people! what els is needed in a nice saturday or sunday morning!
(5)Hilary J.
I came here twice, once eating in and the other taking out. The staff were so friendly, I asked to try the apple cider for my son while waiting for my to-go order and the lady offered to just give me a glass while I was waiting for my food. The time I ate in the food was delish and the service also great! I got the arugula and goat cheese salad with hazelnuts & the minestrone soup. Highly recommend! Very nice casual atmosphere.
(5)Chickything C.
Amazing food, laid back set up. I really enjoyed the coffee in the little pot.
(4)Michelle K.
Finally ate here after seeing it every time I've been to old town. =) Have to say I am glad I tried it. 1. It wasn't packed during lunch - mainly because people were too busy camping their butts out on Colorado Blvd. awaiting the Rose Parade 2. It was a Thursday I got the chicken and smoked mozzarella tartine and my friend got the Asparagus and goat cheese omelet. My tartine was DELICIOUS. It had the right amount of pesto and the chicken wasn't dry at all. My friend's omelet was good, but I am not a fan of goat cheese so I just picked around it. I love the cozy bakery feel of this restaurant. It's very much about the ambiance. The little pecan peanut butter and jam condiment thing they had was SO GOOD!!! I almost shoved it in my purse!! Definitely a DO TRY if you're in the area.
(4)Hiram J.
Will be coming back for more!!! Had the Paris ham and gruyere omelette and was impressed. Great atmosphere and service. Love the rustic feel to the place which aligns with the organic menu. Very comfortable feel to the place.
(4)A M.
Expect small portions & high prices & lately service with attitude. Some of the waiters are nice, though asking more than once for something seems to be the rule. A few are sarcastic & pretend not to understand the customer. I witnessed one server repeatedly being so snarky to a group of brunching elderly ladies that I almost said something to the manager. Even if your job isn't in the service industry, who thinks being rude to older people makes them cool? While I'm being cranky, I may as well point out the cracked/chipped cups, bowls, etc & crusted food on the silverware. Most health depts don't allow restaurants to serve food on cracked plates.
(2)Edgie T.
This is THE place in Old Town Pasadena if you want a grub for something light, fresh and organic. I especially loved the vegetarian quiche (Gruyere, spinach, mushrooms & leeks) that came with mesclun salad tossed in organic vinaigrette. I would also like to highlight their organic wine list. Inside the restaurant, you can't miss the long communal table with loaves of bread used as menu holder. Their pastries are displayed beautifully on the left and just across is a wide selection of organic jams and spreads. Perfect location for any health conscious shopper or if you just want to try something different.
(4)Jill and Ying J.
Okay disclaimer: we read the yelp reviews on this place beforehand and went in expecting terrible service, which is what we got. BUT, knowing that and determined to not be fazed by it, the food was wonderful!! there were 4 of us, and we had a nice assortment of omelets, the belgian waffle (which tastes and looks like a LEGIT belgian waffle), a tartine, and their quiche which were all top notch! And of course on our way out, we couldn't help but stop by the little bakery display and buy an ENTIRE salted chocolate ganache (which was consumed in its entirety in 1.5 days), a giant chocolate chip cookie, and a set of their 4 spreads (sooo delicious, especially the Speculoos if you have to choose one). We did not regret any of these purchases. So yes, the service sucks and you'll likely get asked to order by more than one person and then wait more than half an hour for your food, but if you go in expecting that, the food and desserts are truly a unique and delicious experience!
(4)G. N.
Updating another year and many meals later: This is still my favorite place in Pasadena for breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner. The management ensures quality and consistency, and the staff are to a person attentive, unfailingly courteous, and knowledgeable about the menu, preparation and ingredients. I would go even more often than I already do but I don't want to creep out the staff. It is that comfortable a place. The restaurant can get crazy-busy at times, because they are deservedly popular. However, it has a light communal element to it which makes it okay to grab your jam and spread trio from an empty table (an option one can exercise instead of criticizing the service during those peak times - options are good). I like this informal but non-intrusive element of LPQ. Some people are not comfortable with communal tables, which I can understand. In a city I previously lived in, communal table meant individuals who wanted to personally engage in some way. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it is not for me. At LPQ, communal basically means an optional nod and the courtesy to share condiments when you are done with them if asked. No problem. I love Pasadena's LPQ and the hard-working staff who make it all happen every day. You are the best!
(5)Greg H.
I like this place because it's in the heart of old tone Pasadena. Addition to that the servers are on top of things. Usually every 2-3 other Sunday morning I would stop by and get their smoke salmon omelet egg whites, a glass of their fresh OJ and glass of low fat milk, and fruit tart to go. It hit the spot every time :) FYI their fresh fruit plate are good too. It is very very fresh
(5)Aly R.
Sunday Morning - needed to fuel up before hitting Ren Faire. My DMTB and I have much different tastes when we wake up and realize that our stomachs are empty. I like to have "traditional" breakfast thingys - eggs, OJ, coffee, etc. I fully understand the the word traditional is clearly subjective, however, breakfast for me is bagels and lox, waffles, etc. My beau, on the otherhand, likes to skip the "breakfast" and go straight onto "lunch" - sandwiches or Dim Sum. So the first meal of the day usually is difficult to satisfy both of our tastes at one joint. LPQ can really deliver with the quality and freshness of their food. I chose the Smoked Salmon & Scallion, and DMTB ordered the Quiche Lorraine. The serving of the salmon alone already made my day - they are very generous with the salmon. That being said, I normally don't finish any meal, because I tend to not eat much at any given time, but I practically cleaned the plate because I was: a.) Very Hungry, and more importantly b.) the meal was just that good. Thank you LPQ for a delicious breakfast. Yum yum.
(5)Richard P.
Met up at Le Pain Quotidien with my mom and sister. They had went to get their nails done in Old Town. I had planned to meet others later in the night for drinks in the same area, so I decided to meet up with them for dinner. As they waited for me to arrive they decide to try Le Pain Quotidien. They just order the Baked Ricotta served with Crostini. While the dish tasted OK. It wasn't great. We were the only people in the entire restaurant on a Friday night. There were a few parties eating outside, but the restaurant was relatively empty (especially for a Friday night). In the 20 minutes I spent in the restaurant I noticed the servers drop 2 dishes. The service seemed inadequate. Even with the an empty restaurant it seemed to take them a while to get things done.
(2)James W.
The baguettes here are as close to France as you can get here in Southern California. I have to admit they are better than La Brea Bakery breads. Le Pain Quotidien also pairs their wonderful breads with delicious preserves and their version of Nutella. (Chocolate hazel nut spread) Everything on their menu is geared towards an organic affair and their flavors certainly show the quality with every bit. From the Tartines to salads to their desserts, you will not be disappointed.
(4)Jolyn C.
I have walked by many of these in my day, but never really thought about going in to try it, until yesterday! The place looked like the typical cafe/bakery places i normally eat at, so it looked promising. Having no knowledge of french food, i had no idea where to start on the menu. The server suggested a tartine & a omelette. My mom and i shared the Ricotta & Fig Tartine and the Chicken Chorizo Omelette! I couldnt tell you which was my favorite only because BOTH WERE JUST AMAZEBALLS. First of all i LOVE Ricotta. Second of all, i didnt know how awesome honey would taste in that Tartine. I would get it OVER & OVER & OVER again! Chicken Chorizo Omelette was an awesome savory breakfast dish. Their omelets are sooooo cheezy & thats how an omelette should be. So im raving so much about the food, why did they get 3 stars only? the service. if you know me, you know how big of a stickler i am about service. maybe it was busy? idk, but my sever was no bueno in my book. took forever to get me my drink. never checked back on us. brought us our silverware without giving my mom a fork... & the lights were shaky as if we were in a scary movie.. or a rave, whichever. the shaky lights hurt my eyes as i was trying to read the menu. maybe it was just the pasadena location, since there has been the same consensus from the reviews i have read. sad... food is great, service need to step it up a notch, or 10.
(3)Krystal N.
Communal tables? Very cool concept! You just sit wherever is free and then a server will come greet you! The inside looked like there were a couple long tables and outside seating had more individual tables. We never felt like we were too close to anyone either. Food was simple, healthy, refreshing, but still satisfying. I got the cobb salad, huge portion! I was surprised! The dressing was very light and delicious. I have having super rich creamy dressing all over my salad. Avocado and chicken portions were generous. I would definitely have this again. Came with two slices of their fabulous bread, yum! Boyfriend got the chicken & mozzarella tartine, which is basically an open faced sandwich. He loved it! Very yummy but won't make you feel guilty after eating it. I loved how most of the items on the menu are organic and maybe it is because I am not from socal but I didn't know this place was a chain. Hopefully it'll come to the bay area because I am a fan!
(4)Rina C.
service is great but food.......it's healthy but doesn't taste good. I ordered quiche and they made a healthy version of it..... or should I say, completely different version of it. it should be call a vegetable pie--not quiche. there's no egg, no cheese, no pie crust...... just layers of veggie that looks pretty but doesn't taste that good. I like it that it come with side salad (dark green veggie). tomato soup--not too impress by it either. If you are a healthy eater , this is the place for you.
(3)Karen C.
Le Pain Quotidien puts the P in Poser and the Q in Qu'est ce que c'est ce overpriced piece of sh*t?! I met not one but two idiots who told me that this place is their favorite "french" cafe/ restaurant after finding out that I used to live in France and my answer to them is "Have u tried Urth Caffe? Of course not." I think people like this place cuz they can't pronounce the name. Seriously, if you're going to spend $10-$20 for some organic sandwich why would you do it at this place? Frenchies don't even eat sandwiches, they eat "tartines" which is two pieces of bread with some Nutella in it. The closest that comes to a sandwich is a baguette with a slice of jambon and fromage...thats it. No fancy smancy stuff that Le Pain Quotidien wants you to think is french food. Costco's croissant and baguette taste better than theirs. So my advice is to drive 30 mins to Beverly Hills and eat at Urth Caffe, you get to watch better looking people and do some real shopping at Rodeo or Beverly Center. You can thank me later.
(2)Cindy P.
This place is nice. I came here with my friend for brunch. Although it was a bit cloudy and chilly, we decided to sit outside to enjoy the cool air. It was nice to slow down to enjoy brunch and watch the busyness of Colorado zoom right by. Although the service was a bit slow (I need to keep this in mind if I am ever in a hurry), brunch here was really nice. My friend ordered their French Toast. It was French Toast like I have never seen it. They were small toast cut in (half or fourths) with a coating of sugar glaze. I'm not even sure if there was egg on it, but since it is French Toast, is it safe to say that there was? Basically, this was a French Toast that did not need syrup. It was on the tougher side because of the sugar glaze. Different, but a nice different. I had their Lorraine Quiche! MmMmMm. It is important that I disclose my love for quiche to reveal my personal bias in this review. I just really love quiche in general. If I had more time in my life, I would make more quiche myself to eat on a regular basis! Le Pain Quotidien's quiche was tasty and nice. It has been a while since I had quiche, so when I saw it on the menu - there was no doubt in my mind what I was ordering. It did not disappoint~ It came with a side salad and a piece of fruit. Thumbs up for their quiche. I didn't feel like a cup of coffee then, but now I wish I had ordered one. For dessert, we had their fruit tart. It was nice, but I definitely had better. It was still a very pleasant ending to our brunch. Overall, breakfast foods were a delight. This place is a bit pricey for the amount of food that you get. The portions, at least to me, is perfect - but it is still a bit pricey for breakfast food. What I did enjoy seeing was that there are a lot of veggie/vegan options here. Thumbs up. Le Pain Quotidien, you get 3 stars... for now. =)
(3)Jon R.
Amazing croissants! Plan and chocolate!! Great decor and ambiance. It's kind of pricey but for great french breads it's worth it!
(5)Staci F.
My girlfriends and I came her for brunch one morning. The food was great! Super healthy and organic but tasted amazing as well. The prices are little out there for the food, but not too bad. I had the Quinoa salad which was excellent and will definatly come back and order again. They have a bakery as well just to get bread. I ordered my husband a ham and cheese coissant and he loved it! definitely will come back again!
(4)Tawny A.
I really love it here. The style of food may not be for everyone, but me and my taste buds love it. I love their bread and assorted bakery items. They are fresh and taste like sunshine. yes sunshine. I say this because eating their bread reminds me of sitting next to the window on the train from Paris, with the sunshine beating on my face. The bread at Le Pain Quotidien gives me deja-vu. I love sipping their mint lemonade, which is freshly squeezed and bitter with actual mint leaves. Now, I have tried many of their tartines (open face sandwiches) and particulary love these ones: Chicken Curry Salad which comes with a cranberry chutney is really creamy and the curry is not strong at all. The bitter yet sweet cranberry cuts the spiced chicken curry flavor really well. I grave this tartine the most. Roast Beef is really simple with a herbed mayo, which is sparce, so ask for more. Gruyère is a vegetarian tartine with pickles, mango, mustard and sun dried tomato. I usually ask for them to keep the tomato because i don't care for the flavor of them. Ricotta and Figs is also a vegetarian tartine with black pepper and honey. I actually put a little mustard on this one too and it is oh soooooooo good. their salads are good as is their quiche, but i stick to the sandwiches which usually I avoid. This is one of the only places I will or can enjoy a sandwich.
(5)Mariko B.
Well, this place is just fantastic for brunch. Nothing beats their breakfast menu. I just keep coming back... Mhmmmm
(5)Alexandro Z.
Food , decor and whole set up is great!!!! But service : unfortunately is not. And same applies to service in Pasadena, Studio City and Calabasas locations
(3)Mackenzie G.
Delicious food! Like oh my Gah yum! However, the service is quite slow. I work in the area and go there on my breaks. More than once my take away order has been sitting in the window while the staff just wanders back and forth (not during busy times at all). I'll keep going there I just wish there was a bit more pep in their step.
(4)Katie B.
Pretentious is my word to describe this bakery/restaurant. Sporting organic cotton t-shirts (and proclaiming it loudly on the front), this placed reeked of upscale Pasadena residents trying to be hipsters. Our service was slow and when we finally received our food (about 25 minutes after we ordered, on a barely populated service floor) my french toast was cold and hard as a rock. While that may be cliche, I literally had to saw through my whole wheat bread battered in free range eggs and spattered with agave nectar. My mom's lemon blueberry scone was incredibly dry and my dad's bread basket came cold. For a $35 check, I expect more than cold, dry bricks for breakfast. We had considered going to ihop that morning and now, I wish we had. Le pain Quotidien is just simply the pain.
(1)John B.
Great spot. Healthy , service is ok, but food is great
(4)Anna S.
Who knew this is an international sensation. They got locations stretching as far as Dubai and Japan! My sister suggested this place for a post-mother's day brunch (we had our celebration the night before). We were seated pretty quickly for a party of three. This place was happening and I can tell there were people of all backgrounds here. Maybe some people knew of it outside of the US. We ordered the belgian bread dish. Mine's was four slices of bread with I think tuna (like a tuna salad) with a tomato on the side. It was pretty filling. My fiance had the fig version. I love trying new things. My sister had the quinoa. We all ordered teas and lemonade. They give it to you in a decent size container. We decided to make our own arnold palmers out of it. There are free refills with regular teas too. There are locations from el segundo to downtown claremont too.
(4)Peien L.
Nice quiet place in Old Town Pasadena to people watch and enjoy some simple French lunch fare while reading. There's a large community table and it seems to be a popular place for professionals and young families. This would be a decent casual place to bring a date, especially someone who prefers healthier fare. I had the Ham & Guyere omelette, which was delicately prepared (with scallions!!!) and came with a small salad, a slice of bread, and a baguette. The baguette was a bit too hard and crunchy; perhaps I should've come earlier for fresher bread. The best part about this place is the spreads, especially the praline spread (its reminiscent of Nutella in its consistency). Downsides: the food isn't a great value (over $10 for the omelette) and service is kind of slow.
(3)Yana M.
A wide and tasty choice of organic specialties! But be prepared to pay top $.
(4)Nick N.
I really can't understand how someone could be expected to pay $15+ for tasteless Belgian sh*t that came out of a package and was microwaved. The kitchen head chef is very loud, rude, and obnoxious, and there is a very tall, very obnoxious waiter that needs to be fired. Food was tasteless, small, expensive, but very pretty to look at. The coffee is good, the bread is good, but the service, attitudes, and price aren't even worth it. Seriously, just walk a block down and get your money's worth at Jake's Burgers. Don't waste your time! :)
(1)Eric B.
So we started going here the day it opened & then nearly once every weekend. You could say we were regulars. At the beginning it was great but we saw its slow change for the worse and now don't go anymore. The portions got smaller (oatmeal for example) and the prices amazingly went up. It also got a lot busier complete with mostly families and their screaming toddlers and the service took a hit - after a while it felt more like a factory pumping out orders just in time. FYI they do something to all their egg dishes that results in an instant laxative by the way - maybe it's a cooking oil or something?
(2)JP P.
I usually hate coming to places where yuppies and/or yuppies with their screaming kids in that bourgoise-a** stroller that's as big as a Smart Car. HOWEVER, the goat cheese omelet, coffee, and bread are all worth it. The service may be a little slow 'cause of how busy it is, but whenever I'm in Pasadena with the BFF's, we always come to this joint for breakfast. There's a big, long, wooden table that sits, maybe, 20 people?, where you can sit next to strangers - but at least it looks charming and makes the place homey. The parking is, overall, in this part of Pasadena, a pain. You'll be paying for parking EVERYWHERE around here either by meters or paying for parking in a garage. Ugh.
(4)Marina S.
I think a French bakery offering breakfast food should be judged on their ability to make the perfect 3 minute egg- boiled on the outside, with a soft runny yoke on the inside. Le Pain Quotidien does that perfectly in their "Organic Soft Boiled Eggs with Bread". It comes with 3 strips each of different delectable kinds of bread. It was so delicious. The breads here are delicious. And the communal table in the middle is fun and very european. Who needs their own table? We're all family! I love the sets of jams and spreads, reminds me of my own family's breakfasts where everything is laid out for you to grab yourself. The breakfasts here are delightful.
(4)Pirahna Jess E.
I like going to Le Pain Quotidien for their tartines. My favorite is the grilled chicken and smoked mozzarella. The hummus is yummy too. I spread it on the tartine for that extra flavor. I really like the atmosphere here too. They've got that large communal table that visitors share and it reminds me of my time spent in Europe. This is definitely a relaxed spot to catch up with a friend or have conversation, while munching on something light, organic, and healthy.
(4)Candace P.
Great food, service, extremely healthy and natural!! Defiantly coming back again!
(5)Cynthia L.
I don't know why it took so long for me to try this place (being a Pasadena resident and all). I liked their healthy menu and delicious organic spreads. My boyfriend and I shared a bowl of the soup of the day, which was Butternut Squash soup (came with 2 breads) and I thought that was the best part of my meal. The soup was seasoned perfectly, tasted so fresh and came piping hot (just how I like it!). It took quite a long time for our entrees to came out. I ordered the Roasted Corn & Asparagus Farro with Tomatoes & Basil Pesto, my boyfriend ordered the Warm Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich with Basil Pesto. I enjoyed my Farro dish, it was seasoned the way I like it (not too salty) and I felt good eating it because it was so healthy. My boyfriend's sandwich was very typical to me. I would've given their open faced presentation a 5/5 stars but based on taste alone, I found it to be quite dry. I definitely make a way better sandwich than that. We also got a huge chocolate chip cookie and a Mini Brownie cupcake which were both very disappointing to me. The cookie was extremely hard, and I like them soft. The cupcake was not chocolatey enough for me.
(3)Jerry L.
*4 - 5 stars if you enjoy very simple food that focuses on the quality and freshness of the ingredients. .. which also means you can pretty much skip the wait if you don't, cuz that's all you going to get! ;p *The breakfast items are a bit over-rated and well overpriced. *the Tartines (open face sandwich) are severed on their signature organic wheat bread, and garnished very nicely with veggies, pickles and fruit. *My roast beef sandwich actually tasted pretty good, but you might want to check out Elements Kitchen a few blocks down if you want a really gourmet (aka expensive organic) sandwich. *Also tried the chilled tomato soup - now, this was surprisingly refreshing, and best thing we ordered of the day. This is only on the special menu, but I highly recommend it if you see it.
(4)Breanne S.
Love. That's the best adjective I can use to describe my feelings for Le Pain. Not "love" like "oh, I love to eat there," but "love" like "I have butterflies in my stomach and my goosebumps have returned, and when the server asks me if I'm ready to order I say "I'd love YOU" instead of "I'd love TO." Anyway, onward --- so of course, visiting from San Antonio, this place is unique to me. The weather was great and I loved sitting on the patio in July without the possibility of a heat stroke. I also loved the cutesy cozy bakery ambiance. I ordered one of the daily specials, which was a tartine with warm goat cheese, arugula, prosciutto, and sun-dried tomatoes. I feel like I don't need to describe more, but for the people who don't know that goat cheese is made of magic, I'll just say that this was one of my favorite things that I've ever eaten. The veggies were fresh, the bread was perfect - not too flimsy and not too tough for an open-faced sandwich - and the goat cheese was, well, it was warm goat cheese spread all over my meal. Amazing. I also had a bite of my friend's black bean hummus tartine, which deserves all the praise it's received in the other reviews on this page. La Pain was spendy. I feel like my tartine was maybe $16. I definitely wouldn't be making it a regular lunching ground if I lived nearby. However, I have the unfair bias of being on vacation when I ate there, meaning that money didn't matter. So, yes - 5 stars - because finances are of no importance when you're in another state!
(5)Lady Diane G.
Sandwiched between the melting pot & kabuki at Pasadena's bustling Colorado Blvd, I almost missed it. It was extremely packed at brunch hours with families, yoga lovers, dog walkers (seated on the outside patio), etc... My fresh squeezed orange juice was divine, I had 2 glasses. Ordered the fig ricotta tartine; it was presented pleasantly & tasted delectable. To finish, we had an apple tart which was a little on the dry side but still teetered on good. You don't have a specific server, all servers are there for you which is nice. I would brunch here again. :-)
(3)Mot Y.
We had lunch here today and it ruled. The food is way above par. They have vegan options as well which is nice. Of course you show up for the bread which is made everyday, but try the soups. Apparently they are all vegan and very delish. It's get packed so be ready to wait. When we were leaving, at least 20 folks were waiting. I would move to a bigger spot.
(4)Michelle Y.
if you need a quick snack, this is the place to go because your carb loving self will be in heaven. my favorite things are the vegan muffins they have. they're pretty sensational and have healthy stuff in them like quinoa or chia seeds. yum-o. bring on my lovely omega-3s and all that jazz. also, the little tarts are pretty good. if you have a craving for sweets, grab one. they're tiny and pretty flavorful.
(3)Anne C.
The bread is good, menu is organic, healthy, fresh. Breakfasts here have been pretty good so far. My friend and I split one of the tartines which we were both disappointed in. Praline spread is SO yummy!! Service is okay.
(4)Kristen S.
I think I paid too much for a ham sandwich.. First time here, might give it one more try...but $10.95 for a simple ham sandwich (ham, cheese, bread) is a little much. Much rather make the trip to Lovebirds or Europane and get a hearty sandwich...
(2)Clayton W.
Tasty, tasty, tasty! And pricey, pricey, pricey! The tartines and quiches are delicious, but this is one of those places where you eat at, get home, and immediately realize that you're hungry. I'm not a Cheesecake Factory regular, and I don't expect to be drowned in a bucket of mayo-based food, but throw me a bone here, Le Pain Quotidien. The dumb American part of my brain struggles to understand why making a sandwich with only one piece of bread and labeling it with a French word makes it more expensive rather than less expensive. The sticker shock of every bill I've gotten here ensures that--contrary to its translated name of "Everyday Bread"--this is most certainly a lunch destination that most people will reserve for special occasions, if that. If you're that guy that I see driving his Ferrari around Old Town, forget all of this. For you, it's going to be five-star quality food. You may even have the financial wherewithal to order not just one, but TWO tartines or quiches!
(3)Terri K.
My boyfriend suggested Le Pain Quotidien for lunch, telling me I would like this place because the food is good while being all natural and organic. First off, I love the atmosphere of this place. It's casual and homey, reminiscent of someone's dining room in the countryside of France. Even though Le Pain Quotidien is a chain, I didn't get that feeling from this particular restaurant. After seating ourselves, we were greeted by a friendly server who handed us menus and took our drink orders. I noticed the Daily Specials chalk board on the wall, but I decided to order from the main menu. My boyfriend ordered the Prosciutto & Mozzarella di Bufala (with sundried tomatoes & basil pesto) Tartine, and I ordered the Asian Organic Tofu (with tri-colored slaw and miso-ponzu vinaigrette) Salad. We also reserved the Mixed Berry Tart for afterwards. My boyfriend asked the server to bring the spreads for the bread slices that came with our entrees. The Prosciutto & Mozzarella Tartine, which came with a side salad and cantaloupe, was delicious. The toppings- salty prosciutto, mild mozzarella, sweet sundried tomatoes, and the fresh basil pesto- complemented each other perfectly atop the soft bread slices. The Asian Organic Tofu salad was yummy and healthy. The tofu and greens were fresh, and the slaw's crunchiness balanced the softness of the tofu and the greens underneath. The dressing was light and flavorful, with hints of spiciness. The portion was surprisingly large, too large for me to eat all of it. In my opinion, the salad would've been perfect if there were sweet dried cherries mixed in. The Mixed Berry Tart with fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries atop pastry cream in an almond, butter pastry shell was good. I found it to be a little too sweet, but, overall, the tart did not disappoint. The three spreads that came with the bread were excellent, especially the Praline spread. The fruit spreads (Raspberry and Apricot) were too sweet for me, but the Praline spread was perfect and addictive atop crusty French bread. I can't wait to go back to Le Pain Quotidien to try their other menu and bakery items.
(4)Mitra H.
Incredibly tasty, many organic options, great portion sizes, flavorful. Absolutely loved it. Service is a bit slow but the food is worth it.
(4)Lana N.
Dropped in for a quick pastry and grabbed their last chocolate croissant! It was late in the day and the croissant was obviously no longer fresh, but croissant-wise, this was solid - buttery, crisp, and fluffy - the three quintessential words to describe a croissant of any kind. Had it only been fresh out of the oven...
(3)Thomas L.
Great Avacado Omelet with communal seating!
(4)Sara B.
I like LPQ. My girlfriend and I frequent this location, especially on the weekend. We used to live up the street from the one in Weho on Westbourne and loved it then too. The oatmeal is good and I love the hard boiled eggs. Their coffee is good too and I love that it comes it your personal pot. I just wish you could you get free refills lol.. This is cute little place that has yummy small, light plates that have always been good. The pastries are good too. Love the chocolate croissant. I definitely recommend this place for a coffee or if you want a delicious light meal. Délicieux!!!
(4)Jeremy S.
Quality: 2/6 Service: 4/5 Value: 1/4 Total: 7/15 = 2/5 "Meh. I've experienced better." pretty much sums up my experience. I was expecting greatness, and I was really let down. Let's start off with the good things about this place. The staff was very nice. They were courteous and kind, yet a tad on the slow side taking our order. The other thing this place has going for it is atmosphere. It had a very welcoming and pleasant vibe that worked well for brunch. Unfortunately, service and atmosphere are not enough to make a good restaurant. The food was thoroughly uninspired and the portions were petite. I felt that the $10 french toast was more like toasted bread with a little bit of drizzled honey. The fresh strawberries were a delicious addition, but this is certainly not something that saved the dish. The avocado & tomato omelet felt like something I'd find in a diner along the highway. It was essentially a plain omelet with some marinara sauce splotted on top and a few slices of avocado laid over that. There were a few fresh tomato chunks, but not at all anything to write home about. And to add insult to injury, they didn't even have any potatoes!
(2)Rx T.
This is a mostly organic restaurant which is why the prices are a little higher. These ARE quality products. They specialize in healthy eating which is why the portions are small and the ingredients are simple. This establishment isnt for everyone. Its for people who are looking for healthier options as opposed to buffalo wings and chicken nachos. They have vegan soups and many vegan, vegetarian options. If youve never been there before, ask the server to help guide you. There is something for everyone.
(5)Brooke I.
Came here around 9:30am for breakfast. You pay for parking on the street anywhere you can find, and it wasn't too crowded. Right when I walked in I was greeted by a smiling server and seated at the communal table (a huge table in the middle of the establishment where you can sit and eat with everyone). The place was kind of loud, but the atmosphere was homey and relaxing for me. Soon after I was seated a server took my order. I ordered the parmesan pesto omelet (with egg whites for a buck extra) and a coffee. Now, what's cool about this place is that they use all organic ingredients. They also had a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options, which you don't find everywhere. And its also a bakery! So the smell of fresh bread filled the air.. mmm. Organic Coffee: This was really good coffee. It wasn't too strong or too weak. I just had to add a little cream and no sugar. I haven't had a good cup of coffee like that in a while. The cup it came in was, well, different. There was no handle and it was shaped like a chawan bowl (rice bowl). Kinda cool, made it memorable lol. Parmesan Pesto Omelet: They made this omelet perfectly. Parmesan shavings and pesto with a little tomato. It was the perfect combination. It came with a side salad and two slices of bread. Wheat and sourdough. Loved the bread. I think I'd come back just for the bread! The spreads they had at the table were awesome too! It was about $15 bucks for my meal. Not too bad I guess. I looked on my receipt and my server's name said Ninja D! That's just awesome.. :) . Ill be coming back here soon.
(4)ericka g.
One of my favorite places...ever. I feel like I am here all the time..and Im really ok with that because im always trying new things and loving it all. Fresh, organic, wholesome food...hard to find at chains these days but you get all that and more at Le Pain. My breakfast favorite is definitely the asparagus and goat cheese omelet. Tons of goat cheese and the asparagus is so fresh and cooked perfectly. I ordered it with just egg whites and it was about 1/2 as good..but that should be expected. Lunch favorite is either the mediterranean platter or the organic red quinoa salad. YUM. Love the bread and the preserves on the table are a bonus.
(5)Karen Y.
Went here for a late lunch during a day of shopping in Pasadena. This place screams French countryside to me and when speaking to our "server" about it, he insisted the place was Italian. They serve tartines, croissants, macarons, and the place is called Le Pain Quotidien which I'm pretty sure means Daily Bread in French. Besides the fact that the staff has no knowledge about the place they work at, they need some serious customer service 101. My friend and I both had the Turkey, Avocado, and Sprouts tartine. The quality of their ingredients was good and it was light yet filling but not the tastiest. One thing I did love about the place was their communal tables.
(2)Elyse M.
Yum! My favorite place to eat lunch in Pasadena. The food here is delicious. Their salads and tartines are so fresh and light. The plate with pita, hummus, babaganoush, and taboule is freakin awesome. Mmmm... I want some just thinking about it. The serving size is decent. No matter how much I stuff myself, I never get to that "gross" point. The organic mint lemonade is the most refreshing thing I've ever sipped.... EVER. Favorite moment of the summer is when I take a book and head on over to this place and relax and eat and read. There is plenty of seating (seat yourself) and even a communal table, which is fun to eat at. The staff is very kind and friendly. The whole place has a nice vibe to it. If you are thinking of checking this place out, do it. You won't regret it.
(4)Lincoln L.
Came here with family after my sister has gone to the Claremont location and has good things to say about it. If you are into organic foods, this is your place. As far as I know, everything they have here are organic, including the drinks. From what my party ordered, the sandwiches looked fresh, and the hot chocolate was reportedly "VERY CHOCOLATEY," in a good way of course. And for those who are lactose intolerant like me, they also have a soy milk option. I had a double Americano, and the lunch special, Crispy Prosciutto Arugula Salad. The arugula was fresh, and the prosciutto was indeed crispy. The saltiness of the Prosciutto worked well with the slight bitterness of the arugula. The coffee was also good. The beans are organic, and they also sell the beans by the pound or half pound. Their coffee is not too over-roasted, and has a bright fruity tone. Another thing of note is their condiments, there are 2 that I tried. First was a Nutella taste-a-like, and a "red fruit" one that tasted very much like strawberry jam. Both are worth spreading all over their in-house bread, which they also sell at the store. Highly recommend for breakfast/brunch/lunch.
(4)Joel H.
I waffle about Le Pain. On the one hand, the food is pretty tasty. I've had brunch here now twice, and both times I've been reasonably impressed with the food. I've had a ham and cheese omelette (the ham and gruyere were good, but the eggs were a tad overcooked), and a ham and cheese croissant (delicious). The "four red fruits" (which I think sounds like a fun band name) jam is wonderful, and both times I've considered buying a jar. The coffee is really quite tasty, too, though I don't like the weird little cups they serve it in. My quibbles with this place tend to be about the price and the service. The dishes are about a dollar or two too expensive, though the pastries are appropriately priced. That extra dollar or two adds up with three or four people in your party. The service is uniformly slow, though. Both visits here have involved long waits to get served, long waits for them to bring the drinks, and long waits for the food. Obviously, that's not entirely the wait staff's fault, but the meal just tends to drag on a bit too long. Overall, this is a decent place to have brunch if one is in Pasadena, but I don't think I'd make a special trip for it.
(3)Victoria W.
Lord geezes! I absolutely love this place. The Paris Ham and Gruyere tartine. It's just delicious. The ham isn't overly salty nor is any other element overwhelming. The cucumber adds that hint of coolness and the baby pickles has that great tartness to it. I always skip the tomatoes though. Just too watery for the tartine in my opinion. Friendly service. Chill atmosphere. Outdoor seating available. Go for a try. NOW.
(4)Jeanie T.
Love this place! I usually visit the one in west hollywood so its nice thats there is one closer to the SGV. I would drive to Pasadena just for their black bean hummus tartine. Yummy! And their prosciutto spring salad and curry tartine are good as well. One of my fav lunch spots for a quick, healthy bite. Can be a bit pricey so think twice before offering to pick up the tab if you're with a large party. There is in-and-outdoor seating. Restaurant is rustic with mellow feel. Oh, and they have pastries too!
(4)Sionnan H.
Great food, great ingredients, terrible prices. Of course, I could be alright with the pricing, since the quality of ingredients are so good, but it is questionable how much you want to spend on a fairly small sandwich, when you can hit up a decent deli, and get something just as good for far less. I thought I would go back more often because the food was good (try the tuna if you go) but I just haven;t so, I give it three stars.
(3)Shelya J.
I usually go here when I'm hungry, but don't want anything that will make me regret it after I eat it. Their food hits that "just right" spot. I've always loved the set-up of all of their locations with all the wood, and the communal table in the center. They sell jams, jellies, and spreads to take home and enjoy too. If I go for lunch, I always have to end with a lemon tart and a latte or cappuccino... perfection.
(4)Grace F.
Perfect for locals. Perfect for parties of 1 at anytime of the day. A cup of iced tea or coffee on the run, or a cappuccino and meal when time allows. They're consistent and welcoming, and cater to either of the above scenarios. Preferred items: Tartines & Omelette's. That's why I like them, though you can show up with more than just 1 and I believe a good experience would unfold with the same ease. My first experience with Le Pain was at their Melrose location years ago. This location also deserves merit for running smoothly on Colorado Blvd.
(4)melinda m.
Tried this on a whim while shopping in old town Pasadena because the kid got thirsty and wanted a quick snack. It's a small French bakery with large and small wood tables. It has a quaint low-key vibe. We ordered an apple cider on ice, a fruit tart, and an espresso tart. We loved it so much that we went back a couple weeks later just to try out the food for lunch. There are a lot of vegetarian and vegan options - awesome! Love, love, love the apple cider! It's delicious and refreshing and after stealing some from my daughter that first visit, I had to order two the next time we went. I didn't eat the fruit tart, but my daughter ate it all up and said it was good. I liked the espresso tart; it wasn't overly sweet. For lunch we tried the gazpacho, a cauliflower curry tartine, and the Tuscan platter (has prosciutto, ricotta, olive tapenade, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and bread). We also asked for and got jelly and the brunette spreads for the bread. I wasn't a big fan of the gazpacho, however, I ordered it never having eaten gazpacho before. I don't know how it normally tastes, so I couldn't say if I'm not a fan of their gazpacho or gazpacho in general. The cauliflower curry tartine had great flavors. I really liked it, but wished the cauliflower had been cut in smaller pieces so that it would have been easier to eat. The Tuscan Platter - and the other side spreads - I would definitely recommend. It was all delicious and I can picture having a lazy day hanging out with my girlfriends just munching on the bread and spreads. It would make for a great relaxing brunch that doesn't leave you feeling like you need to be rolled out of the restaurant.
(4)Jonathon C.
Mmmmm Mint tea made with fresh mint leaves, homemade beef barley soup! Delicious!
(5)Ginny N.
After reading a couple of recent hostile - and personal-sounding - reviews for this LPQ I have to say there are occasional customers who show up with bad attitudes and it would not matter who the server was - they just like to complain. I've been coming here weekly for over 3 years and have only experienced the best customer service by these friendly professionals. The food is outstanding, it is prepared with high-quality, organic ingredients, the menu changes seasonally, and the place is the polar opposite of a fast-food joint - what's not to like? The food is health-conscious and vegetarian-friendly.
(5)Mary L.
I was originally looking for Apple Store with my mom and my little doggy (we take her to anywhere that allows pets because you know) but couldn't find it... so either I was blind or they changed the location, I wasn't thinking the former. My mom knew that I haven't had breakfast in the morning so she asked if I wanted to try this place (Le Pain Quotidien) out. It was the first time for both of us. We had to wait in a long line just to make a left turn because there were always groups of pedestrians crossing; all the Old Town Pas colorado blvd [intersections] were like that. Anyways, the only reason we came here was because the name was French so I anticipated it to serve onion soup... but NOPE! It's not really French after all and there wasn't onion soup. The waitresses and the hostess were extremely friendly, but the waiters were NOT. I felt discriminated by the waiters. Because I'm Asian? Or was it because my mom and I weren't sure of what we wanted to order? Or was it a combo of both? We ordered their soup of the day (2 small chicken noodle soups; oh gosh they were extremely small). The baguette was 3.75 so I ordered that too. One orange juice... that's all. The soup came with a small slice of bread. The baguette was smaller than the size of my palm and there was only 1. I quickly yelped this place while I was eating. The pictures looked nice O_O so when the waitress came to our table to ask if everything was fine, I asked if I could order an additional something in the picture. Yes, I showed her the picture from yelp. She then said "haha you're the second person to show me a picture." The old hag (stranger)/ customer next to me said "oh god...." I'm referring her as OLD HAG because she was offensive. We weren't pleased with any of our food. The bill turned out to be $40. Ok fine, $34.88 + $5 tip. It's not that I'm a cheap Asian, I wouldn't even mind paying $100 if the food was at least GOOD. Lun zi sss le (mandarin for bad tasting to death).
(2)Zena B.
Let's dig in. I'm really not that impressed with Le Pain Quotidien. Their communal eating idea is nice, as is the rustic decor, but the food to price ratio is not equal. The menu is very limiting for those who don't like eggs or meat. The only things left is oatmeal or pastries and I'm not a sweet breakfast kinda gal. I end up getting the lox with toast and I ask myself why every time. For starters the portion is so small for what I'm paying. Secondly, they could at least serve it with cream cheese. I leave feeling hungry and ripped off.
(2)Kathleen M.
3.5 stars. After visiting 2 liege waffle places, one on melrose and one near sawtelle, both being closed the 3 times I visited, my quest for a liege waffle led me to Le pain quotidien, and finally success, they were open! liege waffle are not like the standard belgium waffle with syrup and butter, these tasty suckers have these pearl sized sugar pieces baked into their rich batter. This accompanied with two open faced sandwiches and a loaf of bread to help suck down the crack like hazelnut butter at the table was delicious. I would have given it 4 stars, only its way too pretentious and ridiculously pricey for breakfast/brunch fare, at 50 bucks total for two, pre tip and tax. You have to be rollin the dough to eat here on any kind of regular basis. Also the spoiled and noisy brats eating with their parents need to learn some manners and stop demanding their whims be met at the top of their lungs. No your child is not perfect embodiment of everything holy, and please take the rose colored glasses and make sure they are house broken before bringing them in public.
(3)Maxine H.
Was walking down Colorado Blvd with the BF looking for a place to eat when we came across Le Pain Quotidien. The place looked fairly busy and so we decided to give it a try. We were seated quickly despite the amount of people that were waiting. The menu is very simple. Beverages on one side and breakfast on the other. They offer quiche, tartine, and salad as the main entrees. However, you could also choose breakfast sides such as bread, eggs, and sweets. I ordered the avocado and tomato omelet and the BF ordered the soup of the day. Our food came out very quickly. I wasn't so impressed with the omelet. The egg was rubbery making it hard to put down. The atmosphere of the place is quite "cutesy" and maybe I'll give it another try.
(3)Chris O.
2.5 stars. probably really great to people who go gaga for the niche they operate in. for those of us that aren't instantly won over by simply serving healthy or organic fare, just ok.
(3)doona c.
I had time to kill before work, so decided to come here and order something small. i had the open faced turkey and avocado sandwich. The mustard and vinaigrette sauce on the sandwich was really good, but so hard to eat. Since the bread was soft, and avocado slices were big, everything kept falling. Other than that, its a nice quiet place to read and grab a bite. Pretty expensive though, so i don't think its worth it.
(3)Alice A.
Had breakfast here. I ordered the eggs and bread. For $7, that's all you get--a couple of eggs and a little bread. I asked if I could just get eggs and buy a couple of pastries. They would not allow this--I had to pay the $7 plus the pastries. Rather over priced. The service was good, though.
(2)Sarah S.
I will preface this saying that i am a sucker for restaurants that have wooden furniture/ decor! it just looks so homey and quaint! Le Pain is interesting because there is a long communal table down the restaurant- i loved it! but personally wouldn't necessarily want to sit there with a ton of people- but really there were only a few people there, so i guess its actually like having LOTS of room. My table for two felt a bit cramped = ( but not a huge deal. The place seems to specialize in bread- they have lots of choices and lots of jams, etc for it. Had an omlet which was delicioussssss and most importantly their coffee comes in pots- how can i resist having my own little cut pot of coffee? plus there's no need to ask the waitress to refill when your running low. the location is also really nice because you can walk around and shop after brunch!
(4)jon i.
The food was pretty and tasted fine and the ambience and little details were positives. My concern was with the baker(y). We were buying things to take home with us and saw a fly flitting around and sitting on the baked goods (which sit out in the open). When we selected what we wanted, he started to pick up an item which we saw had just been fly-sat and we said, "not the one the fly sat on". His immediate and matter-of-fact reply was "well, that would be none of them, then". Huh? I'm no germ-phobe - I work with them in my job - but his offhand comment was really disturbing in that it acknowledged the fact that flies are evidently a routine issue at this place and that he couldn't care less. If this is how they feel about sanitation, I shudder to think about what's going on in the kitchen. Good luck.
(2)B D.
Perfect lunch spot for open faced sandwiches and soups. I would come here again but they are slighlty more pricey versus Europane (which is further east on Colorado), so if I were to choose I'd go for Europane (which is just as yummy, if not more yummy), and I love their Macaroons. Le Pain Quotidien was yummy as well, but maybe I didn't order anything exceptionally memorable. What was more memorable was the very "natural/ green" atmosphere and the kind service.
(4)Feelit P.
Great curry chix salad tartine. I usually like this chain - but this location Sucks big ass. I went there on a Sunday during what I think was a shift change - we were sat at a table for at least 15 minutes before we left because no-one came over to take our order. It was not at all busy either. Also - sweep the floors between service under the tables. It's not the first time I've felt this way about this location - I'll try again in 6 months. maybe
(1)Steven H.
I mean yeah this place has some good muffins and cookies, the coffee is pretty good. and this place is kinda cute for morning breakfast's in pasadena. BUT THE SERVICE. I mean i had to go here a bunch a few months ago cuz i was in the area a lot and i kept getting this total idiot as my register dude. thats why theres 3 stars. they should hire more friendly inviting staff.
(3)Mariko M.
I know it's a chain and I sort of hate reviewing chains on Yelp but I go here so often I thought I'd do it anyway. The food at LPQ is delicious. The baguette in particular is great, the tartines, the salads, it's all great. The coffee is also very good (I love the cups, I know that doesn't really affect the taste but in my head it does). The hazelnut spread is evil, it's so good (and caloric). It's also pretty reasonably priced if you take into account that it's all organic, fresh, etc. The service is always a little weird. Everything's a little slow (which I don't mind for a weekend brunch ... if you're in such a rush to get somewhere maybe you should just go get a Clif Bar or something) but what gets to me is that it feels ... disorganized. I'm always worried they're going to get my order wrong, there are always more than a few plates waiting at that little kitchen area to be taken to the tables, and the waiters always seem vaguely spacey. The thing that exacerbates that general feel is that the waiters NEVER WRITE DOWN YOUR ORDER. I don't know if this is like, what they are told on day 1 of LPQ training or what, but I don't like it. Waiters, you do not get BONUS points for trying to memorize my order. It's a pass / fail situation. If you get it right, you pass. If not, you fail. I'm not impressed by your memorization skills. In fact, even if you get it right, I'm just stressed out while I wait for the food because I'm worried you have not. I worked as a waitress, and I would not have remembered ANYTHING without writing it down, so I find it hard to believe that others can do it so easily. It also doesn't instill confidence when the waiter comes back and is like, "Oh, did you order the one egg or two? And which salad was that again?" ... which, by the way, has happened more than once. In sum, food is great, service is weird. To be honest I've eaten here at least 30 times and my order has actually been wrong only 1-2 times. Maybe if you're less of a stress case than me the whole disorganized feel would not be an issue.
(3)Jackie B.
Refreshing change yet simple food. I had a tartine which is an open face cold sandwich. Farm fresh approach with seasonal ingredients. Great fresh bread and cheeses. Affordable prices for a French bakery. Was here on a Sunday and love that they were serving breakfast til 3:00. Check out A Blog For The Girls for L.A. Restaurant Reviews, Shopping, Animal Rescue, Party/Wedding Planning and Dating Tips rescuelashelters.wordpre…
(4)Chain L.
Delicious: omelettes, mocha capp, and waffles. They try to be french to the core, portioning things well rather than trying to bust your seam like Dennys or IHOP. You'll leave there satisfied and full, but not too full. Service was extremely friendly. Great place for a nice sunday breakfast. Also, they have these awesome spreads on the table: hazelnut, jelly, or apricot. Be sure to try them all. Not too pricey considering its old town pasadena.
(4)b'z s.
Again, I was disappointed in the service here. They are often busy but to be honest not sure why. The prices are outrages for what you get. We asked to substitute their ham and cheese omelet with instead of ham to a vegetable instead and they suggested to order a vegetable omelet and add the cheese, the waitress said it's "simpler to do it that way", well of course that cost an extra $3 on top of the omelet. So now we're paying $15 per omelet, wow what a great idea that was. Now is that really a good deal, I think not. The waiters are often pushy to sell more than what you want. The motto is "what's best for Le Pain and not for the customer", I think I'm done with this place, there are so many great places to have brunch in Pasadena, this is not one of them.
(2)Julia L.
Paid $21 with tax and tip. Had the grilled chicken, smoked salmon, and basil pesto tartine (liked). Also had the vegetarian quiche (liked even more). Tried the priscuito and buffalo mozzarella tartine (wasn't bad, but didn't like as much, probably because I don't really like priscuito). Also had warm apple cider, which was standard but overpriced at$ 3.75. Also ordered a bread basket (a little pricy at 7). Went with 7 people total. Think the place is a little overpriced for the food, but understand that the ingredients are supposed to be fresh and the bread is made there. Love the praline spread, which is a lot like nutella but lighter (and hopefully healthier). The red jam tastes like haw flakes. Not my top pick for brunch; very carb heavy, but the actual dishes are light. Supposed to be very european. Maybe this is why europeans are skinny!
(3)Ume B.
cute little french style cafe/bakery near 3rd St Promenade... they have fantastic little tarts and their lemonade is fresh squeezed tarty goodness... I think the decor is what makes the place more appealing... also, I noted that all the patrons on the day I went were all women, including me.... definitely not a meat and potatoes kind of place for guys.... one star off because it seems a little overpriced, but hey, what do you expect in LA, right? good place for lattes, sandwiches, and dessert with the gals
(4)Joleen Q.
You feel like a celebrity when you go here....sophisticated. The food is hard to pronounce and you can tell it's really healthy. It's expensive but the quality is very good. I got an open faced lox sandwich which was tasty. I also had a mocha which was delicious and in a cute mug. When you walk in, there's a huge picnic table in the center where you can plop down family-style.
(3)rhythmMAN I.
Stopped by this place on a whim for a Saturday morning breakfast......as my Ruca had noticed it recently while driving by. In addition to that, we're somewhat breakfast aficionados and are always down to try a new place. After looking through the menu, I soon realized we weren't at your everyday restaurant. Everything was organic, down to the sweeteners they use. The table syrup is made from Agave Nectar, for example. Weird? Uh-huh. I was intimidated by all of the odd menu items, and didn't see any of the comforting breakfast foods that I normally order. I ultimately decided to order the Ham & Gruyère omelette. I was not pleased when the waiter told me that they did not have potatoes, hash browns, home fries, etc. Nor did they have Bacon or Sausage (although, I had to keep reminding myself that we were at a super hipster, grain-eating, grass-roots kinda place). They serve their eggs with fresh greens (salad?) and grain bread. The omelette was actually quite delicious! While it was strange having salad with my eggs; I quite enjoyed the Ham & Gruyère. My honey also enjoyed her egg and croissant sandwich. They also service their organic coffee in large bowl-like coffee cups. The coffee was super strong, and gets cold almost instantly because of the cup shape - but whatever, it had caffeine. I would've given 3.5 stars if it were an option, but had issues with both the Service and the prices. We were sat right next to one of the waiter stations, and there were constantly 4-5 servers flying-by our table at every moment. Once we'd finished eating, we sat there with dirty plates for about 15 minutes - all while a flurry of servers walked right by without even acknowledging us. Then we got the bill. Close to $40 for breakfast???? No thanks - we won't be here again.
(3)Jen Y.
My boyfriend took me here early on in our relationship, and it has become one of our lunch/brunch favorites! I love that the place is so simply decorated with warm, wood tones. The staff is incredibly friendly, and I love the vibe here! Le Pain is known for the breads it bakes as well as its spreads. The breads are sooooooooo good, especially when you use the Praline spread! I have also been impressed by the drink selection. I have had mint lemonade and mint iced chamomile tea. They are really refreshing, simple and tasty drinks! My boyfriend and I love sharing the Tuscan platter: fresh ricotta spread, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, olive tapenade, prosciutto, canteloupe, and slices of parmesan cheese all served with several slices of freshly-baked bread. This is so delicious! I love putting a little bit of everything onto the bread. Every bite is an explosion of flavor in my mouth! I also love the Smoked salmon and avocado Tartine (an open-faced sandwich). It is light, flavorful and healthy. Squeezing some lemon on top makes it even yummier.
(5)Patrick K.
People come here to see and be seen, for sure. "Oh look at me!...I just spent all my paycheck at Diesel, but I have $30 dollars left to eat here!" The food here is reliable. I've never disliked anything, which makes me pretty happy. I think my biggest kvetch with this place is the service. Meals should be enjoyed, never hastened, but the servers here don't seem to understand that concept. We've always gotten our check BEFORE WE'RE EVEN FINISHED EATING!!! Fuck you!!! I was about to order another croissant! Can't you see I'm a bonafide fatty?!?! You think this curry chicken "tartine" is going to fill me up??? Get that check outta my face!!! Oh, and another lemonade, please. Basically, I like this place.
(3)Elettra R.
I'm typically not a franchise/chain diner but I've been to three different locations and the food has been consistently good. Natural, organic, & fresh. The chilled gazpacho is so refreshing and cool in the summer. It's the best gazpacho I've had. The mozzarella di bufala and plum tomatoes is really nice, and it come with a little bit of spring mix. I know it's just mozzarella but you can actually taste the freshness, as well as the sweetness of the tomatoes. Do not miss the avocado tartine. No meat and oh so good. I'm sure their other pastries are just as wonderful, but the almond croissant is lovely. Their plates usually come with a side of fresh bread, so be sure to top it off with some Belgian praline spread...it's like peanut butter but better. The location (Old Town Pasadena) is inconvenient and lousy, but if you're in the area it's great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
(5)Danny W.
Few things that stand out at this bakery / restaurant: 1. Rather laid-back atmosphere. I think it's a nice rest-your-sore-feet spot after an afternoon of traversing in Old Town. I don't think it's pretentious. Actually, I disagree with people who think this place tries hard to be something it's not. It's just the way it is - simple, cozy, and seat yourself BS-free ambience. I can't say that for other "ristorantes" on Colorado. Two Stars. 2. A menu with the respective approximate calories for each item listed. I thought this was actually a brilliant idea for people who are conscious about their calories intake. One Star. 3. Alaska Smoked Salmon - FANTASTIC. The absolute freshness, begrimed by light smokiness and salinity, definitely deserves ONE Star itself. 13.95 for 1/2 Fresh Avocado, some mesclun greens, 5 slices of Smoked Salmon Tartines - Heck Ya. I was thinking I couldn't even get such great Salmon from the Kabuki Japanese Restaurant next door. All in all, 40 bucks (tax and tips included) for 1 Garden Quiche, 1 Smoked Salmon Tartine, 1 "Organic" Iced Tea, and 1 "Organic" Iced Green Tea. Happy feet, light tummy, and feeling recharged and sexy (ugh, no thanks to bloated stomach and food coma) at the same time. No, it's not cheap. But given the fresh ingredients and prime location in Old Town Pasadena, I think it's reasonable. If you can't afford to eat here, clearly that is not their problem. I'm sure there are other "French" bakeries/restaurants better than this place - but no, i don't want to battle the nasty LA traffic when I can just eat here and finish shopping. Bon Appetit !?
(4)belinda n.
this isnt starbucks, or mcdonalds $2 wannabe starbucks peppermint mocha. i LOVED this place. no school or work today & w/ $ in my wallet & tons of newspapers to catch up on: you'll find me here! alas no coffee refills, but its delicious, & the croissant was as well. i cant wait to return! (bathrooms stinky btw)
(5)Elizabeth K.
One of my absolute favorite breakfast spots; I'm in love with the Paris ham and Gruyere omelette. I love how they bring you your coffee in your own small individual metal pot, and then you pour it into a charming little bowl. And let's not forget about that delicious bread, which happens to be the star of the show!!! I love the wheat and the white. The Paris Ham and Gruyere Omelets is my fave, I usually get lost in the nutella spread but they don't serve it anymore :( I guess it was too expensive, so it's only for sale to take home now. However the praline spread is pretty delicious as well. I enjoy many Saturday and Sunday mornings with my handsome boyfriend, reading the newspaper, and sipping piping hot coffee out of a bowl at Le Pain Quotidien.
(4)Austin S.
Been here.. 3 times. Simple and good food. Not outstanding, but good. All the furniture is unlaquered wood. They even have a long communal table running down the middle of the restaurant. The fact that there's a communal table that is unlaquered makes you think Jesus Himself is going to make an appearance at any moment. And I mean the Messiah, not Rodriguez. Service here is adequate. It isn't stellar no does it suck donkey huevos. I like huevos rancheros. Meh, it wasn't that good. The thing I've gotten the most is the curry chicken salad sandwich. All of their sandwiches, or "tartines" are open faced. I hate the French. I love French onion soup... Last time I came here, was after my photoshoot with Sandra P ( yelp.com/biz/sandra-p-ph… ). We got a.... danish? I can't remember. And this was one time I got the curried chicken salad. We got a couple of other things which I can't remember at this point because that was back in April. Their quiche lorraine is good too. And I'm not a super big fan of quiche. Today I came with a lady friend who I had not seen in awhile and we were catching up. She got the curried chicken salad on my recommendation and I got the chicken and smoked mozzarella sandwich. She liked hers so I was glad I made the recommendation. My sandwich was good. Slices of chicken breast (a little overcooked) and slices of smoked mozzarella cheese on their whole wheat bread with pesto spread. Garnishes are a few pieces of mesclun salad, cornichons (which I love like I love my mama.... ok, maybe not that much... like I love my hair stylist) and sliced radishes and cucumbers. Oh, and a tomato wedge and a small wedge of cantaloupe. But... there was already diced tomato on the sandwich..... why double up on something? Why confuse people? Why is Edward Norton narrating a National Geographic video? (I'm looking for and watching free podcasts on iTunes) They have a breakfast menu but I haven't been here for breakfast nor have I looked at their breakfast offerings. I like how the iced tea comes with your own carafe, so it ends up being like 2 and 1/2 or so glasses. Wait, they're just lazy by giving you your own carafe... those bastards!!! Lazy mofos.... one less thing for them to do.... well it ain't that hard to come by the tables 2 more times to refill the glass It's getting late and I'm getting tired.... Where was I? Oh yeah... so I like this place and it's pretty good for a quick bite. You can definitely take advantage of the parking structure's first 90 minutes for free if you're only going to eat and not do any shopping.
(4)Min T.
We ducked in here to buy a few jars of fancy food stuff for holiday gifts. There wasn't much of a line after 9 p.m. on a Saturday. After some debate, we opted to get some fruit preserves or as we say, "who doesn't like jam?" Their fancy jars of foodstuff is pricey though. $5 for jam? $20 for a large jar of capers? Who knows how much for the giant jar of sundried organic tomatoes. Oooh, I don't even want to know. The cashier seemed a bit off but was nice enough. I wouldn't mind coming back for a quick meal. The dining room was much larger than I expected. I had always passed this place whenever I walked by assuming it was busy. But now I know they have enough seating inside, I'll be back to try the lentil soup and perhaps their quiche.
(3)kate r.
Overpriced and underwhelming. That's the best way to describe Le Pain. The food is fine and the restaurant atmosphere is nice. I do find it overpriced for what you get especially considering Europane is just down the street and MUCH better. A pet peeve: I've ordered a coffee and a pastry at the counter and then asked to sit an an outdoor table (during non rush times) and they don't allow it as it is only for table service. Sorry, I'm not going to order a coffee and pastry from the waitstaff.
(3)Keith M.
The restaurant has a casual Belgian (French) atmosphere. One large wooden table in the middle that seats...maybe 20; designed to be shared. Plenty of other tables for 2 or 4. The food is healthy and tasty, slightly pricey but worth it. This is one of the few restaurants where I can find gazpacho (cold soup made with diced tomatoes and peppers).
(5)Marie M.
I used to like coming here but this Saturday, service was bad, and it was way overcrowded! The food was mediocre, it was overpriced for what it is (sliced bread on a fancy plate), and to top it off, my husband and I got food poisoning once we got home! Stay away.
(1)tiffany l.
I was surprised that they offered some Vegan options, definitely something to try (next time, maybe?). Came with a friend of mine for lunch, and although the food was fairly decent (the wheat baguette served was kind of stale. Bakery? What?). I ordered an Cafe Americano and it came served in a bowl! Looked like a soup bowl, but it was fun to drink out of that instead of a regular 'ol mug. But like another user said, the wait staff really does rush the check on you. I'd understand if there was a crowd, but there was plenty of seating even at lunch time.
(3)Andy C.
LPQ is a cute place on Colorado Blvd. conveniently located right around the corner from the DeLacey Parking lot. It is a popular spot for weekend brunch, but is pretty empty on the weekdays during breakfast time. Staff was friendly and service was very fast. LPQ has quite a few vegan options which are indicated on the menu by a carrot symbol. I had the Omega-3 Berry Oatmeal that was $7.95. Served in a small, but deep bowl the Omega Oatmeal (they have other types) was made with soy milk, flaxseed, and berries. It was not sweet, so I added some of the apricot jelly and it became instantly yummy. Portions are small and expensive for the size. A cup of orange juice was $3.95! Most items are organic, so that accounts for some of the cost. They have a complimentary 4-berry jam, apricot jam, and hazelnut spread for their bread. YUM. They have a communal table inside. Take a seat and meet someone new while you enjoy your meal!
(3)Isabel H.
Oh I was so happy when I saw this place in Pasadena. The first time I tried it was in Paris, it's one of my French friend's favourite place for brunch, too bad they don't serve brunch in the US. I had an organic coffee with soy milk and that huge piece of chocolate chip cookies everyone crave for.
(4)Britt C.
My review is based on the service since I did not stick around long enough to try the food. My mom and I were shopping at Tiffany & Co. On a Wednesday afternoon when we decided we wanted to grab something small to eat. As we were walking around we came across this place. Since we hardly ever get over to Pasadena we thought we give it a try. As we walked in the lady behind the counter told us to just sit anywhere. But before sitting we grabbed a take out menu to see what they even had before sitting down. After looking over the menu we decided to stay so we grabbed a seat. The next thing I know a man which I'm amusing was a server then gabbed the takeout menu from my hands and said, "Here if your gonna read it at least read the correct menu." And walked away. I looked up and my mom and said does it really matter what one I read. So then I was reading the dine in menu which had the exact same items on it but what I noticed was the prices were more. The salad we were going to share was 13 and some change where in the dine in menu was 15 and some change. Once we noticed that along with the rude server great we got up and left. The man was at the table next to us and never said a word to us and we got up. He never took our drink order when he came the first time nor did he said ill be right with you. That is why I am writing this and this is why they got one star and I for sure will not be going back here. So stay clear of a male sever 6 foot or so messy Brown hair.
(1)brian t.
Totally recommend this place for brunch or lunch. Organic, fresh, French food. Its a little pricey, but worth the quality.
(5)Andrew M.
Went for Saturday breakfast with girlfriend and her mother. Food was just fine, but not exceptional for the price. I didn't pay, though, so I shouldn't complain, and if organic (or biologique, as the Belgian-themed restaurant calls it) is a priority for you, the expense may be tolerable. Also, the bread is fantastic.
(3)Mariah C.
I love soft boiled eggs. (By the way, it's hard to get a good soft boiled egg... restaurants always overcook 'em.) I love bread. I love jam. I love blonde nutella spread. The fruit tart was mediocre. Overall, it was expensive. However, I will definitely go back again.
(4)Suzie H.
I come here quite a lot for breakfast. Mainly because of its convenient location of being smack in the middle of downtown pasadena. I've tried the smoked salmon dish, the black bean dish and the avocado omelet. But i just wanna come here and eat bread and drink coffee.
(3)Lisa V.
It's funny because if you had asked me to write a review about Le Pain Quotidien last year, you would have read essentially all the same complaints (of the reviewers that did complain about something)-- pricey, pretention, chain, etc... Now that I have read "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan, "pretention" means nothing, the fact that it's a chain means nothing, and the "pricey" issue is hardly an issue. One of the points Pollan makes in his quest to prove that we've become a society who doesn't know what real food looks like anymore, is that we spend less money on food than other countries on the whole. It's easy to believe given all our "cheap 'n fast" food production models. I've been budgeting a bigger chunk of my dough to go to REAL foods these days and my body is quite happy about it. The food at Le Pain Quotidien is DEE-lish and yeah, sure, I could make some of the same items for a little less money, but I like not having to always worry about making that trip to Whole Foods/Gelsons/Farmers market, prepping, cooking, cleaning up afterward. I'd recommend this "chain" to anyone. They have a good thing going. Just leave your turned up nose at the door :D
(5)Jill T.
Wanted something light for lunch and boy did I get a light lunch. I was too lazy to look it up on yelp and just figured to try it. Bad mistake. First off, it took awhile for the customers to be seated. No greeters or anything but a sign 'Please wait to be seated'. And we waited and waited. The restaurant wasn't even busy. Got seated and looked over the menu. Their sandwich is supposedly different because it's an open face sandwich, forgot what they called it. So I decided on the roast beef sandwich. When the sandwich came out it looked like I was eating a pizza sandwich. It was 4-5 small slices of the actual sandwich. Weird. It was a bit messy. Was I supposed to use my knife and fork to cut the sandwich? Avocado falling off, bread was soft and good but wasn't holding the toppings too well. I just decided to take 2 slices and put them together to make a sandwich. No flavor whatsoever on both sandwiches. Had to use the salt and pepper. Usually when I eat yummy food I would dance in my seat but no dancing here. I know it's organic and all but donde esta flavor? My itty bitty sandwich was $11 and boy oh boy, what a disappointment. If I'm paying that much please have some flavor and give me more than 1/2 a sandwich. The itty bitty side salad I got was wilted. I know it's to be Parisian but I visited Paris and never saw this type of sandwich. I would never order the sandwich again and I won't came back again. The green tea was good and strong. Probably the dessert is good.
(2)Abel P.
This joint is all about organic food! Came here for breakfast and had the Ham and cheese croissant, egg whites and side of fruit and lots of coffee ;-). Spent $40 for two of us. Would definitely come back.
(3)Matt P.
A true story. Jordan: "I'm looking up Panko Tittian." Matt: "I beg your pardon?" Jordan: "It's called Pan-ko-tit-ian." Matt: "What the hell kind of place are you taking me to?" Jordan: "I think it's on Colorado..." We arrive at the address listed on Jordan's blackberry. It's a Hooters. Matt: "Wow man, that was quite an elaborate story just to get me to go to Hooters." Jordan: "NO dude, there has to be some mistake --" Matt: "-- I mean 'Panko tittian' did kind of sound like a Thai brothel --" Jordan: "-- it says the number right here!" Matt: "Jordan, WHAT kind of place are you taking me to, already?!" Jordan: "It's like a French bakery kind of place..." Matt: "... named Panky Tit-something?" Jordan: "Yeah man it's really good." Matt: "Well where is it? All I see are Hooters." So Jordan calls the place and finds out he's 2 blocks off the mark, somehow; we make the hike all the way back down Colorado... Jordan: "There it is, dude!" Matt: "... Where?" Jordan: "Panko tittian!" Matt: "Jordan. That's PAIN QUOTIDIEN." Jordan: "Oh, yeah. Whatever." Le Pain Quotidien: Not a Thai Massage Parlor. The End. [P.S. I did want to mention that they have authentic waitresses with french accents, as well as this ridiculously long wooden table. I highly recommend the apple cider (order it hot!) as it's quickly become a guilty pleasure of mine. I love the cups here, too, for some reason... they're like little bowls! Definitely a repeat visit kind of place, especially in the later hours of a chilly evening.]
(4)Ismael P.
I got the chicken and pesto tartine. It was good, but unfortunately the chicken and lentil soup didn't have any lentils. If the soup had lentils I would have rated it a 4.
(3)Ben G.
I love this place for an early weekend breakfast. Service can be challenging during the rush, but it's better when you get there early. I really like the food and the servers are always really nice when they have time. Anyways, great coffee, excellent omelets, pastries, bread, scrambles, french toast, waffles, berries, fruit salads, riz au lait...it's seriously all good.
(5)Tom E.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST... it's pricey it's pretentious it's a chain it's trying to be a French version of English cuisine - sandwiches - sacrilege! but it's also good ARGGGHHH.... [brain explodes like in Scanners] So I'll give it 3 stars. It would've got 4 for the good sandwiches, good quiche and great mint lemonade but a star has to be deducted for the waiter bringing me the wrong sandwich and his only reparation was bringing me a useless little pot of sun-dried tomatoes to add when I was already done. Dude? oh yeah - and far too much sanded pine here. you don't fool me foolios, pasadena isn't provence.
(3)Nicole N.
Cute Cute bakery cafe place that is very spacious and has an awesome and simple menu. Our server, this big man of a man was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We got a brioche, my first time trying it and it was very good. We also got french toast which is cut into these cute pieces and served with strawberries on top yum. My croissant though was very crispy which I was not too happy about. If you like your bread soft like I do go for the brioche, its much softer and buttery. They also had skinny lattes which are served in these good portioned cups. I really recommend this place.
(4)Paul M.
After a visit to the norton simon I went to stop by elements kitchen by recommendation of yelp. Closed at 7 so I took to wandering the Colorado gauntlet of shopping. I wanted something simple and healthy and all I saw was people eating ice cream and eateries with sauces ladled over food. I stumbled into le pain quotidien and found that the menu suited me though the prices were extravagant. I got a mesclun salad that came with slices of radish and cucumber and two pieces of bread. Such magnificent simplicity. While my grandfather would've considered a big filet mignon the pinnacle of eating, this simple salad - so fresh from the earth - was exactly what I wanted. The place is pretentious and I got the feeling that the servers were well aware of it and almost apologetic knowing that I wasn't the typical loaded shopper who would order a 14 dollar sandwich and leave half on the plate. Still, the salad reminded me of ordering a platter of crudites in France, though double the price. If there were more eateries like this, the prices would drop. For now I'll stick to growing my own.
(4)Pamela M.
The bread is terrific, the service is good. Try the split pea soup if they have it.
(4)S P.
I've only been here a couple of times prior to actually moving down the street from this particular location and I simply can't wait until my routine walk to get to this place to devour my favorite breakfast: Avocado & Tomato omelette. The herb & spices they use is just amazing. Makes my mouth water just talking about it. It's a pretty big plate. There's a side of salad and two different type of bread. I have my breakfast with mimosas and what's not to complain about when you have a mimosa with breakfast? The good: breakfast, service, mimosas. The lacking: none I can think of at the moment.
(4)cat c.
First off, let me say that their servers are very nice. No complaints there. But I always feel completely ripped of when I eat at LPQ. The quality and quantity of the food does not in any way justify the absurdly high prices - especially when locals like me have numerous other options in Pasadena. The only thing I can figure with LPQ is that they're a tourist trap because of their Old Town location, which keeps them afloat. No one I know in town willingly patronizes this place unless (like me) they developed amnesia in between visits.
(2)Valerie T.
This place is def. a good place to chill or brunch. kinda cramped but... who cares. good food.
(3)Stella L.
The place itself is nice, but I really don't understand why so many people love to eat there... None of their food is truly tasty, and they are overpriced. However, they make truly good croissants, pains au chocolat and bread which are worth taking out for a nice "home breaskfast".
(3)Chris I.
I have a problem with all things French. Wait, I take that back, since Sarkozy was elected I have a problem with all things French from 1939 to 2007. This includes their treachery in World War II, Charles De Gaulle, the cinematic New Wave, and Le Pain Quotidien. This place just sucks. We sat down at a long Viking table that had not been cleaned since the the French won a war. (Which if you are counting goes back to before Napoleon invaded Russia. They're coming up on 200 years of geo-political impotence.) Our waiter was incompetent. He could not get the drink orders correct and did not bring water. They stopped serving omelets at noon. Not a smart move on the Friday after Thanksgiving when people are coming in a little later and looking for brunch. (This did not surprise me because the French are...how do you say in America....inflexible.) I ordered a tuna sandwich. Before I get to how bad it was, I would like to give our French friends a little history lesson. The Earl of Sandwich created what we called a "sandwich" when he placed meat between two pieces of bread so he could eat more efficiently while playing cards. When I order a sandwich, I expect a restaurant to follow this centuries old tradition. Instead what I got was several triangular pieces of bread splayed out over a cutting board. They slapped some dry and tasteless tuna on top and placed a grand total of two pieces of thinly sliced roasted red pepper to liven it up. It was opened faced. an important fact not included on the menu description. The cutting board had holes in it, so food kept falling into the holes onto the dirty Viking table. Perhaps Le Pain Quotidien can invest in a wonderful invention called...a PLATE!!! The price was outrageous for what I got. At almost ten dollars, they could have included maybe a salad. This place can kiss my American and Anglophile butt.
(1)Michelle B.
I've only been here a few times, but the Parmesan pesto omelet is killer. Some other favorites are the mint lemonade, hot Belgian chocolate and the hazelnut spread. It's a treat coming here.
(5)Caren C.
Really good food! After shopping for like 5 hours my mom and I were pooped. We didn't feel like eating the usual Old Town fare...ie. Kabuki, Cheesecake, etc. etc. So we thought about this place because we wanted something quick and casual...and light. We got the chicken curry tartine (which comes with really good cranberry/raisin type chutney?), a salad, some bread, iced tea lemonade...all yum. But the STAR of the night, was their "brunette" hazelnut butter. It was MmmM Mmm good. We bought a jar for $10. That's right, $10!! But so worth it folks. This place gets four stars in my book! Oh ya, I don't get why people think this is what a French cafe would be like...It's an Americanized chain?! This is definitely NOT the real deal -- so for all the haters -- just take it for what it is and you're good!
(4)Karen S.
Menu items are good. My favorite - salmon tartine Bakery items are meh... Everything is a bit overpriced
(3)Lacey W.
Some people just don't get it, man. Whats up with the 2 and 3 star reviews? Serving up quality European tidbits in a country setting that boasts organic and predominately local products in a community inspiring space. Yeah, it's a chain, but a good one. They consistently deliver simple food that is delicious to boot. For breakfast I like to get the soft boiled eggs and toast with a mixed green salad. The apricot jam is killer. For lunch its the arugula and pine nut salad with goat cheese. The cheese they put on this salad is amazing. Their soups are always a sure bet, as are the cheese plate and tartines, which I might add are an authentic Belgian open faced "sandwich" eaten with a knife and fork. I have yet to try out their dinner menu. I always find myself here after a day of shopping to sip on some delicious coffee, served in a cafe Au lait cup - which is not weird, but a perfectly legitimate way to serve and drink coffee (Take a trip to France if you don't believe me....Long Beach I'm talking to you). The bowl can get a little warm - the key is to not fill it up. Enjoy your bowl of coffee with a perfect pastry and call it a day. It is a Little pricey, but no more expensive than that behemoth crap they serve at the Cheesecake Factory down the street.
(4)Frances D.
Cookies were too hard!! But maybe it's because I love the soft, chewy, just got out of the oven cookie!!! The desserts always look amazing but it seems like I always get a stale one. The place always gets busy for breakfast during the weekends, so be prepared to wait.
(3)Kathy C.
My father and I were passing through Pasadena and we stopped in at Le Pain Quotidien for an early dinner. I ordered the Tuscan White Bean and Prosciutto Salad with Arugula, shaved Parmesan, and Basil Croutons... OH MY! It was like a wonderful, light, party in my mouth! A revelation, if you will. All the ingredients were fresh and wonderful, the lemon vinaigrette was not to heavy handed and was just enough to cover every leaf without pooling all over the plate. I also met the manager, a lovely woman by the name of Jessica. Everyone was very friendly and attentive without hovering. I've been here before and ordered the Tapenade Platter, also very good and tasty! I highly recommend Le Pain Quotidien as a sure thing for a wonderful meal.
(5)Tiffany Laura D.
I LOOOOVVVEEE this place! Pretty much everything I have tried here has been good. I realy like the curry chicken tartine with the chutney! It is delicious. Their desserts are really good as well, especially the chocolate mousse. The breakfast is great! Can't go wrong! Give it a try if you haven't already!
(5)Grace C.
I've come here for breakfast/lunch quite a few times and am glad the food is always clean and fresh. I love the turkey tartine and the pesto/parmesan omelet that comes with a small salad. The breads are also great with different jams to spread over them. At first it doesnt seem like enough food, but it should be enough to fill you up. A meal would probably average $15-20 per person including a drink.
(4)Brent G.
My wife and my favorite restaurant in pasadena. The food is fresh, healthy, and so good. Going here is like taking a mini trip to Europe. Btw, it's healthy and organic, so they don't have soda or anything like that.
(5)Roxana K.
It was my first time there and I really enjoyed my experience. They accommodate large groups of people just as well. I was there for brunch and it looked very busy. My friend arrived earlier so she reserved an area for the rest of us so I just walked in. I ordered the Belgian Waffle and paired it with a Mochaccino; they were both good. The waffle was a little too crunchy but the brunette spread totally made up for it. My Mochaccino was also very delicious. Our waitress was the best! She was friendly, attentive, and patient. The environment was also great. I will definitely go back!
(4)Anna B.
Yesterday Le Pain Quotidien provided a tasty respite from the throngs of weekend shoppers on Colorado. My friend and I shared a tartine of peaches, prosciutto, Parmesan, and asparagus; "like a little French pizza," she said, because it's essentially some very fresh bread with all those ingredients arranged on top of it (served cold). We also shared a raspberry tart for dessert that was so good I wished I hadn't volunteered to share! Prices were reasonable, and their iced tea was delicious (I ordered green, she ordered black). It comes with a small carafe on the side so you can give yourself a refill. The restaurant itself was airy and bright. Le Pain Quotidien gets penalized one star for having a filthy bathroom and penalized one star for having a less-than-attentive server. I had initially ordered a pomegranate iced tea, which I didn't like. I apologized and asked him if I could get a green tea instead. He said "sure." After we'd finished our tartine he still hadn't brought me my replacement tea so my friend flagged him down and I asked him again. He said "sure" as though he didn't even remember having the conversation earlier. When he brought the green tea my friend asked him for the check and he didn't bring it until she'd flagged him down AGAIN. To his credit, he appeared to be waiting on the entire restaurant and the outdoor cafe alone, so I understand how it might be difficult for him to keep track of everything. But an apology would have made us feel better. My friend has been here before and she said that service has not been that disappointing on previous visits.
(3)Sarah S.
So good. I resisted for a long time because of the lines, the snobby French name (proper pronunciation insisted on my certain people I know), etc...But I went in this weekend and OK, I get it. The lines DO suck - and the fact they didn't write down names on a list, but made it fight us out for outside tables instead - but the food may just be worth the wait. I had a great bowl of oatmeal (although, really, they could only put FIVE berries on top???) The prices aren't cheap and the portions aren't huge, but if you love breakfast and brunch (and who doesn't) - give it a shot. Only 4 stars though for the lines/seating, the prices, and the skimpy portions (sorry I'm American, not French - I prefer a substantial sized meal) One last pet peeve. They push together all these two person tables...so there is room for 4 people yet only 2 people sit at them...even when there are lines! I tried to move two of the tables apart, to make room for more people, but they made me move them back. Its just annoying when there is a line, and people are lounging for brunch, etc...It drives me crazy when restaurants don't plan these things.
(4)Patrick H.
I'm trying to write this review keeping in mind this is an organic place, because seriously if it wasn't, what the haeelll, it would be sooo pricey. Its already up there on the scale of priceyness, only because its ideal for lunch, and lunch is an american term for cheap. Sorry, les francais. So, I'm planning on studying abroad in France...I'm pretty sure that this is not what a cafe will be like there, but I'll let ya know. The chicken curry tartine was delicious!! A small sandwich (with no sides), this place forces you to be skinny and accept your predestined mini-meal, or suffer the consequences (buying two things and paying more). I would say that the sandwich was pretty much worth it because I'm sure organic free range chicken is hard to come by these days (assuming of course that i was eating organic free range chicken...). Dessert, however,...VERYYYYYYY pricey. Good, but pricey! I got a small ass fruit tart for seven bucks. Not even gelsons is that bad. So, avoid the bakery part, come here not starving with some extra cash on you, and you're good.
(4)Tony Y.
If it weren't for my semester of French, and Paul D., I would not know how to pronounce the name of this restaurant. I think my co-workers at GAP were afraid to try this place because they didn't know how to say the name... and I suppose it's a little pricey, but it's worth it to me! I've been here a couple times before with Paul, but I wanted to wait until I came here again before reviewing it. Last time we were here, the tart we got was not all that great and we were cramped up in a small corner wishing we had some rustic loafs of bread stabbed into our wooden table like the communal table in the middle. It would have been very entertaining for me. Today (technically yesterday), we came here for brunch. I ordered the Quiche Vegetarienne (vegetarian quiche... in case you weren't sure) and an iced latte. It's probably one of the best quiches I have EVER had. No joke. It wasn't overloaded w/ cheese like some quiches, therefore making it light enough to finish in one sitting. It reminded me a little of lasagna (flavor-wise), which is totally a good thing for me. Had spinach, mushrooms, some tomato sauce i believe, and cheese. The presentation was really nice, too. Our waitress was nice... I felt like I knew her from somewhere. Paul and I were debating whether she was from Temple City High School or Arcadia High School. I didn't get a good opportunity to ask her. Oh well, I'll live with the mystery. If you don't mind shelling out a little extra cash, this is a great place for refreshing organic cuisine. A little iffy on the desserts, though.
(4)M V.
Whenever I visit my sis in CA, she always insists on going to "Le Pain" (as she calls it) for breakfast. This place can do no wrong in her eyes. I'm sure that if they had private rooms and a gym located in the back, she would never leave. $10 for granola, yogurt, and a few berries thrown on top is a bit steep for my NY pockets--and I love to splurge on food! It is very clean and laid back though (think a large french countryside kitchen that seats, oh, I don't know, 50 people???) I loved the Cherry Green Iced Tea (and cherry juice is great for your muscles after working out, my sis says) and their pots of confiture and praline spread are delicious. The vegetarian quiche is good, if not on the cheesy side, and everything is always presented quite simply and beautifully. She hasn't sold me on it quite yet, like I said, I don't care how many magic pumpkin seeds you throw in my granola, it's still not worth $10--but that's pretty much the only thing that I can think of complaining about when it comes to Le Pain Quotidien.
(4)Guy D.
I have eaten in the New York location of this upscale bakery/cafe chain and it serves really nice lunchtime food. Their range of spreads and jams are delish so we stopped in for a 'Tartine' or a small open-faced style sandwich. It was OK, nothing over the top good but OK. The real treat came when we were offered the free jams and spreads and enjoyed some of their own Praline spread on some crusty bread - that was ridiculously nice!
(3)Andrea K.
2 stars overall.... the breads were absolutely fantastic...the french bread was the scene stealer. THE ORDER: Mediterranean Platter: 4.5 stars......Hummus, Babaganoush, and Tabuleh with an arrary of breads. SOOOOO yummy and flavorful....Would definitely recommend to others. Smoked Salmon and Roasted Beet salad: 1 star....firstly, salmon and beets are two of my fave foods, so ordering this salad was a no-brainer. welll.....the salmon was waaaaay too salty....like hard-to-eat salty. The arugula became boring after the first 2 bites....i needed more variety. it was also difficult to eat because of the size and shape of the rocket. The beets were okay....that was about it. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SALAD. SERVICE: 2 stars.....pretty slow and unattentive. OVERALL: this is def up my alley as far as quality and type of fare go. I would love to try the breakfasts here! xo- andrea
(2)Ninkasi D.
First time I came here for lunch with co-workers, I found it to be a bit off-putting and pretentious. However I did warm up quickly to the idea of the communal table, and felt like I was in some body's mamma's kitchen. I ordered a lovely little ham and three-mustard tartine and a carafe of ginger lemonade (I think it's ginger), and I found I was pleasantly surprised by how good everything was. The food was simple, fresh and tasty. Admittedly I was a little hungry by late afternoon, but all in all I was mostly satisfied. After reading the reviews here, I'll have to come for breakfast. Sounds quite yummy!
(3)Jen S.
I was so excited this place opened in Old Town so we went on a Saturday morning and were seated immediately, which was nice. However, the organic feel didn't bother me as much as the organic prices which don't resonate well with the small portions. It was definitely one of those places to try just to try because of all the talk about the place but I don't think I would choose to go back.
(3)Leni A.
so last night i was out in pasadena, taking care of errands. it was way past dinner time and i did not want to wait until i get home to eat. okay, plan b it is then--i didn't really have a plan b but i almost didn't realize i was having "me time" so i thought why not take myself out to eat?! **light bulb** i took myself to try le pain because a few wks earlier i just took notice of it in old town and happened to read favorable reviews on the pasadena location. when i walked in, for whatever reason, i felt i was in europe. be it the unfinished wood decor and tables with the lighting, or the long communal table, it just did. when i sat down i was promptly handed a menu. i remember reading a yelp about a quiche lorraine but after a rapid scan over the menu i opted for the chicken and smoked mozzarella "sandwich" instead. i guess i was so hungry that i didn't pay attention to what i ordered. haha! i saw the word "sandwich" and "tartine" and didn't think a second more about it. when i got my "sandwich" i had one of those "what...the...." moments again. so okay, a tartine is an open faced sandwich...and kinda small/thin. =| but it did look good. =) damn, that thing was GOOD! and filled me up just right. =D i also had a cherry green tea with my meal but it wasn't as good as the idea of it. i spent 16 and half big ones for only myself at le pain, which is a lot considering the tartines are fairly teeny and simplistic. but, you know, for something healthy and tasty as i just had, i'd do it again!! ...minus the cherry green tea.
(4)Lisa K.
I would never have eaten here if a new friend hadn't suggested it. I had breakfast for lunch and am v. glad they offer breakfast late. The chicken chorizo & cheddar omelette was delicious. It's small but, actually, the right size. It came on a large plate with a couple slices of soft bread & salad leaves with a delicious, healhty dressing. I ordered 2 iced organic masala chai lattes. They were so good. I'll be back soon to try other things on the menu & for the same omelette. This is a healthy, organic, good restaurant and the free 90 min parking lot right behind is a huge bonus. Wait staff wasn't the friendliest though.
(5)Sean H.
Great weekend breakfast for Pasadena locals or pit stop for morning shoppers. Roll out of bed, drop yourself on the patio and enjoy the view of Colorado Blvd as your morning is warmed by fresh bread, spreads, eggs, soup, or maybe a hot ginger apple juice. Soups are usually incredibly delicoius, as are the spreads for the bread. Head off to do some shopping and you've just started your morning right.
(5)Emily R.
A nice atmosphere. I ordered a Lemonade iced tea and it was very refreshing.
(4)E p.
Ok, first off, this is NOT a French bakery, it's actually a Belgian chain popular in Europe and who's been rapidly expanding here now in the US. The beauty of this place is its concept upon which it thrived: a typical neighborhood bakery which so many of our American cities lack these days. The irony is that these place is not quite a bakery, yet not quite a restaurant either, but you can get decent servings of both fresh baked breads and pastries and food. Everything here is good, down to the lemonade, and sandwiches. They use high quality ingredients which you can really taste. Though a bit overpriced, the quality and unpretentious atmosphere keep me coming back.
(4)Rosie T.
Oh, yes- I now think I 've been to every Le Pain in California. I love this place. The food is great, lots of organic options as well as vegetarian options. The bread....mmm I love bread. Things to try: Quiche Lorraine- beautiful, delish!! it comes with mixed green salad Goat cheese & asparagus omelet- more salad and 2 slices of the mmm bread curried chicken tartatine- served open face w/ some nice sliced veggies and fruit. just lovely Try it try it!
(5)Isabel M.
I LOVE this place! Their bread is always fresh and they always have the best soup!
(5)Sher N.
very overpriced and boring brunch. We ordered Baker's Basket that was an entire basket of breads and two small butters, and some preserves that were already on the table, ($8). we also had the ricotta and fig open-faced sandwich that was on a boring soggy bread and had the smallest bits of figs I had ever seen. Basically thry cut ONE FIG in small pieces and put it on the entire sandwich with some bits of tomatos. what a waste of money. we asked for a side of scrambled eggs (2), and were charged $7.50 for that!!!! it came with some pieces of bread only (ya, more bread). overall, not worth the price. Their coffee was cold and server was slow. we paid $20 each for that brunch!! We had breakfast at the Ritz Carlton in Dena Point that cost us less and was amazing. I will not go back here.
(2)Rick P.
this has to be my new favorite bakery, but some rules to observe: bring lots of money, don't try to sit down when its busy, only buy what you can hold--preferably in your stomach Note to dieters: it's all about the bread--you've been warned!! two words: french donut! take that beard papas~
(5)Josh M.
Although a chain, Le Pain Quotidien is a great standby. Their breads are fabulous - particularly their morning assorted bread basket, the granola with fruit is a great classic breakfast, and the gazpacho that we had during our lunch there was fresh and cool and just shouted "Healthy!" and "Refreshing!". This is a chain that has a very clear idea of what they do and what their image is and they've remained true to that. If you're looking for a charming local joint, this isn't it, but if you're looking for a warm setting for breakfast or lunch with great ingredients, a range of tasty options and quality you can count on (and just blocks from the Norton Simon and central to Pasadena's main shopping drag), stop on by.
(4)Kevin C.
After eating here many times to go, I always get their soup and bread for lunch or dinner at work, and having had their dinner experience once there with excellent service. I would recommend to all. Place is nice, food very tasty and healthy. Many vegan options and people who count calories can easily do the math since that is provided for all dishes. It is a solid choice when looking to eat better in Pasadena and not wanting to chow on some crazy fatty or high caloric dish at another place.
(4)N. W.
Le Pain was very crowded which I'm sure is typical during weekend brunch hours and beautiful days like today; however, it took no time to get an inside table for two. We ended up ordering salmon and scallion omelets, a small fruit bowl, and the whole wheat French toast with strawberries and agave syrup. The food was excellent. The omelets were light and full of flavor, and the French toast came out with the perfect amount of sweetness. I didn't have to add any syrup. I would definitely go back, but I would wait for a seat outside so I can enjoy the beautiful day.
(4)Tiffany N.
This place is good if you're not feeling like something light, and not too heavy. The menu is mostly quiche, tartines, and salads. I shared 3 dishes among 4 people. The Chicken Cobb Salad, the goat cheese and arugula salad and also an avocado and tomato omelette. All the items were delicious. The salads were a pretty decent portion, but the omelette was not worth it for the price. The chicken cobb salad had a lot of avocado and chicken. The goat cheese salad also had a lot of goat cheese. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also very relaxed and feels open. You just walk in and sit and the waiter will come to you. Pretty good food and nice atmosphere, but a bit overpriced.
(3)Cocoa B.
Good organic, vegan, vegetarian options, good atmosphere, great drinks.
(4)Stephanie C.
I was in a rush to get to class on time but I needed food to fuel me for three hours of algebra. I stopped in at Le Pain Quotidien for the first time and took my food to go (how I wish I could have stayed to enjoy my food at this lovely little place! Sea salt shakers on the table? Excellent!). I was intrigued by the goat cheese, fig and honey concoction. I asked the cashier if it was good and he said it was one of his favorites so I thought I'd give it a try. It was different and very tasty, though I think it could have used more honey. They didn't skimp on the goat chesse, the figs weren't overwhelming and the side of greens and fruit were a nice touch. While I was waiting for it to be made, I saw a number of other food and drink options that struck my fancy. I do believe I will have to return with more time to explore...
(4)Samantha S.
My favorite place to eat on an afternoon of shopping on Colorado - I've never gotten anything that I didn't love there. Their tartines are delicious, especially if you get them with a cup of their delicious soup and freshly baked organic bread. Everything there seems thought out, even down to the organic unbleached sugar they have on the tables. My favorite tartines are the chicken curry and the tuna, but on other days I sometimes get their special plates with cheese and fruit and bread. They also have an array of tasty-looking pastries when you walk in the door, which I haven't sampled yet. I love this place.
(5)Kim B.
Finally, we have one in Pasadena! The food, especially the homemade bread, is delicious. The service is a little so-so. I think maybe they're just in the process of getting a decent serving staff. It's a bit pricey for a bakery/cafe but there are days when you just don't mind paying more for quality. The fresh orange juice is a fave of mine.
(4)Eva G.
If your looking some wonderful and organic food, this is your spot. You can spare your ticket to France if your longing for the exquisit bread, pasteries and hazelnut-coco spread. Some of the must haves: - Cafe au Lait - Goat cheese & arugula salad with pine nuts and olive oil - Quiche (hightly recommended, never yet tried)
(5)Elizabeth L.
The food is overall tasty but over-priced. The service is painfully slow. And the manager needs a refresher course on customer relations. Here's why: During my first visit, we paid about $20 bucks for a few pastries and a baguette. Our order was a to-go order, and the cashier (who was the one putting the order together and looked very frazzled) forgot to give us the baguette we had ordered and paid for. By the time we realized she had forgotten to give us the baguette, we were already on the freeway and were not going to turn around for a $5 baguette. This past weekend we revisited the bakery/restaruant. This time, we sat down to dine and ordered tartines, or open-faced sandwiches. They were very tasty, but the portions were small. For about $10-$13 each, I definitely expected more. Upon placing our dine-in order, I mentioned to the waitress that they had forgotten to give us our baguette the last time we were there. The waitress was really nice and said that she would talk to the manager. About 20 minutes later, the manager came over to discuss this issue. According to the manager, unless we had telephoned them to report the missing baguette so that they had a record, there was nothing he could do about it. First, it never occurred to me to call them to report that a baguette was missing from my order because it's just not that big of a deal; I just figured that they would simply hand me one if I told them about it during my next visit (uh, wrong!). Second, why would they not go out of their way to ensure they had a satisfied customer by offering to give me another baguette or some other pastry or bread. It's possible that they thought I was lying about it - but who in the world would lie about something like that! I'm certain that any other bakery would have just apologized for their previous error and immediately given me the baguette I HAD ALREADY PAID FOR. But not this one! Overall, the food is good. But not good enough to make up for the poor customer service and the high prices.
(2)Lisa T.
I'm here now. Service sucks and they're not that busy. It's my first time here. It's cute in that "look at me. I'm cool & almost vegan" way. The organic coffee is very good as is their breakfast special salmon and egg salad croissant. Portions are moderate so good for people who don't want to be full after they pay $13 for breakfast. Not sure I'll ever come back.
(3)April C.
i travel to pasadena fairly regularly for work and all i can say is: YAY OATMEAL! travel food - picture starbucks-type options - can be so lame - so it's an absolute treat to stop here for a proper breakfast prior to another crazy worktravel day. also, the coffee....mmm. it's also entirely charming how they include a recipe card with your bill. nice touch.
(5)Adriana C.
This place has the best waffle I have ever eaten.
(4)Sabrina T.
I don't know if i can give an accurate review about this place, because when I was ordering, they were out of my first 2 choices. I finally settled on a chicken sandwich. I was kind of disappointed because the chicken looked like lunchmeat chicken which I'm not a fan of. BUT, upon eating it, it was actually quite good. The meal had a fresh and clean quality about it, so I think I would go back, maybe even try some of their pretty desserts.
(3)Helen P.
Overpriced, horrible service. The food was not bad, but I can easily make you an organic egg and a piece of organic toast too, and charge much less. I went one day with a friend (with high expectations) and we ordered both breakfast and lunch items. The server asked me what kind of milk I wanted with my granola. I told her whole, since I only like fatty foods. When she returned with my milk, I immediately noticed as I poured it over my granola that it was of a suspiciously watery consistency. I took a taste and knew that it was NOT whole milk. When I asked the server politely if there had been a mix-up, she said, "Oh, yeah. We ran out of whole milk so I gave you skim. I didn't think you'd notice." Well, she was WRONG and I DID notice. All she had to do was tell me they were out of whole milk and I would have ordered soy. Instead, she chose to intentionally try to deceive me, taking me for a fool who doesn't know the difference between skim and whole. What if I were allergic to skim milk or something? (I know, I know.. but still). Her nonchalant attitude bothered me. I would have complained to a manager or something, but it was crowded and I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Needless to say, I won't be going back anytime soon. To be fair, the sandwich was good.. but still overpriced.
(2)Judi T.
Went there for a weekday breakfast. The food is simple, fresh and well prepared. I ordered the Organic Granola Parfait and my husband had a ham and Gruyere omelet. Both were good. The options on the lunch and dinner menus and the bakery items look interesting as well. The service was prompt and attentive. The only criticisms I have are minor. The prices are a bit high and the ambiance is a little precious. (The signage in different languages) Also I was disappointed to learn that it is part of a restaurant chain. I had hoped it was an independent venture.
(3)P K.
I was attracted by their French atmosphere on Sunday morning.We paid $80 for our family of 4 for brunch.They promoted themselves using all organic produce. 2 tartines (open sandwich) ($13 one spread thin with tuner salad,hummus,white beans on one slice of organic bread;$12 the other is chicken,cheese and leek on one slice of organic bread),$4 for a large cafe au lat (yak),$5 a homemade like brownies, $12 for a 2" X 4" quiche lorraine(ham and cheese),$13 for a 6" plate goat cheese, pear, and walnut salad, $4.5 extra for 4 slices smoke salmon$6 pistachio pie? We asked for some substitute,I love "sunny side up", the waitress said they don't have egg to do it?! My boy doesn't like leek but instead for pepper...she said they can't do it.I asked to put smoke salmon on top of my salad,she at first said no..then she said that she would put it on side...Will the price, but lousy service, I would rather go "the little next door" at Hollywood better!!!
(2)Szu L.
Located in Old Town Pasadena this little bakery is super! My friends and I decided to check it out after some shopping. All the bread recipes here come from certified organic farms. I had the Mediterranean plate which consisted of sun dried tomatoes, capers, mozzarella, prosciutto, olive oil, olive paste and more. It was all delicious and perfect for a light lunch. The atmosphere of Le Pain Quotidien is quaint with a communal table in the center and clean pine wood interior. This simple chic bakery is must next time you visit Old Town Pasadena!
(4)James Y.
Don't get me, wrong... I like LPQ. But not this one in Pasadena. I've been to the one on Melrose and vastly prefer that one over this one. I had a sandwich but it was missing a major ingredient listed in the menu. That's usually ok... if someone tells you before the food arrives! By then I was too hungry to order something else. And its not like they offered to make it up to me in any way. Not going back...
(2)Lina O.
after eating lunch i felt like having some coffee and dessert. after we realized that there was no more ghirradeli in old town, we decided to check this place out. i ordered a latte with some caramel, but they didnt have caramel so i decided to try hazelnut. wow, that was the best tasting latte i have had so far! i dont know what it was, the hazelnut or maybe the organic nonfat milk? or just the way they froth-ed the milk? it was really good. my bf got the iced coffee, which was also really tasty. we got the lemon tart and the Madeline. the lemon tart was good, light in flavor. the Madeline was like a really dense muffin with a Madeline flavor. service was pretty good. only thing i didnt like was that i got the double latte (so it was 16oz). it came in this big rice bowl type looking cup. i guess like those huge cups they had on Friends. BUT no handle! so i felt weird when the waiter handed me my latte, by putting his grubby fingers all over the rim.... =/ plus since theres no handle... you have to hold it like you're sipping soup? and its hot! i dunno, just thought it was weird. the latte was delicious though. maybe it was the grubby hands that made it extra delicious hahah
(4)Cathy Z.
Le Pain Quotidient is a nice break from all the food-coma inducing Italian & American food on the block. They also have a nice outdoor seating area if you're into people watching or like talking your dog out around Old Town. I recommend the shrimp and avocado (with slices of cucumber, tomatoes, basil...) tartine!! I loved it so much I'm going to try to make it myself. Their coffee and lemon iced tea are also delicious. They give you the whole decanter so you don't have to keep calling waitress for refills.
(5)Caroline N.
I haven't worked here in over two years yet I still have cravings. So the portions are small and the prices are not. Most people are willing to pay money for crap food when dining out (I know - I now work at Gordon Biersch) so why not pay a bit more for decent food? This stuff is fresh, organic, and unique. My favs were the arugula and goat cheese salad, the gazpacho, the mediterranean platter, and the shrimp and avacado tartine. All the breads, teas, and coffees are of the highest quality and compliment the breakfast items and baked goods fabulously. They've expanded their vegan menu since I've left and I can't wait to try it all!
(4)Randy D.
the daily pain is one of the few bright spots of trendy colorado blvd in old pasadena. it's a great place for coffee, breakfast, a light lunch, and definitely dessert. shared a mini mousse duo, lemon tart, and apple almond tart with the gf, mom, and bro-in-law today. washed it all down with a fine mini-pot of coffee. hmmm, tres bien....
(4)John L.
I enjoy this place. I am glad that finally Le Pain open here in California. The first time I had Le Pain was in NY, as a result I came back to SoCal with jars and jars of Brunnette. When in need of snack while you are in Old Town Pas, just pop into this place get a small French bread roll (those individual ones) and asked them to put some of those 'Brunnette' on it, so delicious.
(3)Lei-Lei F.
love to go here for sunday brunch
(4)Karen W.
This is a great place for baked goods. If we go for breakfast, sometimes we have great service and sometimes we have mediocre service, but it's always good food.
(4)mary c.
I tried the pain au chocolat and it was good. The pain was flaky, but only had a very small strip of chocolate. Not enough chocolate for me!!!!!!!!!! The price was $2.75, which was fair for the size, but still not enough chocolate. There are other pastries, but the prices are little steep so I only one item.
(3)Ai M.
Get the quiche! I got the cheapest tartine but capers made it too salty. I love their carafes and the waffles are good. Its nice that some of the drinks are organic or sweetened with honey. When I went on a late afternoon, there weren't many people inside.
(4)Rebecca P.
My boyfriend and I went to Old Town Pasadena this morning to get breakfast, and we ended up eating here. Such a great choice! I often judge a breakfast place by its oatmeal, and I was super happy with the oatmeal here. I got the steel-cut oatmeal with extra berries... so good! The berries were fresh (just cut!) AND it came with mint leaves! That means that the last half of my oatmeal was a mixture of blackberries and muddled mint, so it tasted like berry-mint oatmeal! Mmmmmm! I may try the flaxseed berry oatmeal next time, but they use frozen berries in that one so maybe not. I would have given five stars, but minus one star because the patio didn't have much ambiance, the waitress asked my boyfriend if he wanted cheese on his omelet but didn't tell us that it was $3 extra, and the blueberry muffin wasn't that great. I'll definitely be back though!
(4)Mitzi C.
Although it's a chain, and a pricier chain at that, I still like this place. I've had their salads and sandwiches (served open-faced) and the mediterranean platter (really good). I've always wanted to try their omelettes but they stop serving at noon. This place is a good option when you need a little snack while shopping.
(4)Bernard K.
The food here can be quite good if a bit pretentious and somewhat overpriced, though not terribly so. The issue with service is more problematic. The place feels to me like it is always trying to be a real business, like it really wants to grow up. Because of this the service suffers unevenness. But if you are more patient and forgiving than I am, and have some time, you will really enjoy some excellent and different foods.
(3)Karen S.
A very cute laid back sandwich place. It had a very french cafe feel to it. Ordered a pesto chicken and mozzarella sandwich with Avocado. Pretty good, nothing too notable. I did feel very healthy eating it though. Buddy Mike had a curry chicken sandwich which was very tasty (kinda wished I ordered that actually). We shared a cup of lentil soup between the three of us, which also was very good. The food was very fresh and presented nicely on a small platter. The food was a little bit expensive but I guess it's the "organic" stuff that costs more. Service was fabulous, she even gave us a sample of the soup before we bought. Robin and Mike laughed when I said our waitress reminded me of a carrot, she fit perfectly in that place nice and organic. Cute place.
(4)