Canelé

Canele. The morning after.

by gastronomnom at Citysearch

There are some experiences in life that elevate the bar so high that you can never view what you thought was good the same way again.

Like the first time you fly first class. Or the first time you slip into a bespoke suit. Or your first threesome.

Today I added to that list the first time you try the french toast at Canelé.

A 2" thick round of toast, crispy and tasting almost baked on the outside, perfectly eggy and sweet, almost custardy, on the inside. So perfect that the addition of syrup would diminish its taste. Served with mascarpone and poached prunes, this is truly an indulgent brunch treat.

The duck confit hash topped with a fried duck egg was also phenomenally good. The amount of duck in the hash is generous, almost 50/50 I'd say, and deliciously good. Cut a mouthful with your fork, break the soft yolk of the sunny side up duck egg and dip the hash. Heaven.

The side of house cured bacon would have been a standout in any other brunch but was almost overlooked in this company. Almost, I said. But not.

A blood orange mimosa and a rhubarb lemonade rounded out this outstanding brunch.

The restaurant itself is charmingly rough hewn. All dark unpolished floorboards, exposed bricks and beams, heavy and high blood red walls, and a menu written in chalk on a blackboard wall. It's a small space with a large communal table in the front window and smaller tables tucked around the two partially separated rooms. An open kitchen dominates the space.

And yet, on a Sunday morning, the space didn't feel crowded or busy. On the contrary, it felt quiet and casual and neighborhoody.

No first class reservations are taken here and you can leave the bespoke suit at home.

Although a post-threesome morning after brunch at Canelé would be something special.

Either way, this is the best brunch I've experienced in LA.

• Pros: French toast, duck confit hash

ATTITUDE? EXPERIENCED IT, VERY DISAPPOINTED

by crampydiva at Citysearch

I wanted to like it and hadn't read the reviews beforehand. I was given possibly the worst table in the restaurant when it wasn't busy at all. I asked for another table and that's when it began, an attitude of an annoyed, pouty child that came from the hostess and then continued with the server who seemed defensive with any question I had regarding the menu and then ordering. I thought it was bizarre, but I brushed it off. But then it continued, and my guest also experienced it. I couldn't wait to leave the pretentious negativity in the air...so we bolted fast.

I can say the eggs were cooked perfectly; otherwise, I can't say I would ever return. When I want to have breakfast over the weekend after a hard week the last thing I want is to have to put up with pissy attitudes & give them my hard earned $$$.

I miss the Italian restaurant that was there for years.

• Pros: Eggs cooked well
• Cons: The hostess/owner/mgr? & service...cramped space tiny tables

In two words: French toast

by DianaTakesaBite at Citysearch

While it is slightly unfair to reduce a restaurant to a single menu item, whenever I think about Canele, a local sweet spot in Atwater Village, my mind immediately conjures up a mental image of their gargantuan French toast. It's not just good -- it's epic -- the breakfast of sugarholic champions. Not even the heartiest of appetites could take down all three towers of the three-inch thick toast. But they would sure have fun trying -- especially in the familial setting that harkens up memories of breakfast at grandma's house. You might even find yourself coming back for dinner just for another taste of traditional American charm. The French toast will be long gone by that point, but consider it the perfect opportunity to savor the crispy-skinned duck confit, one of the restaurant's signature dinner dishes. It won't put you into a sugar coma, but you will leave with a smile on your face.

• Pros: Best French toast in the city, homey atmosphere
• Cons: Limited dinner menu

One of my favorite neighborhood spots

by hvandyke at Citysearch

Canele cooks some of the best fresh, seasonal cuisine in the area. It has a rustic, casual, French-Californian bistro atmosphere with an open kitchen and small wooden tables side by side. The food is always packed with flavor and surprisingly affordable. Great for a budget neighborhood date-night!

• Pros: free treat on your way out, lots of free street parking
• Cons: small, close tables

mmmm!!! i'm trying out facebook connect & city search!

by fightshark at Citysearch

loved canele. awesome service. great food. and they give you a little cake treat when you're leaving. hey city search! stop telling me how many characters i have to write in a review or i will just do this this this this this until i get to 100 characters.

• Pros: near my house
• Cons: a little bit pricey.