M Cafe de Chaya

04/17/09

Delicious Health Food

by wonderlily at Citysearch

Thankfully, I discovered this wonderful establishment a few years ago while hungry and scouting for food on a Saturday afternoon. Upon entering, I discovered a wonderful layout of colorful looking fresh foods set in simple white plates in a long display case that stretched the width of the café. Inside, the seating consists of small round tables with French bistro wicker chairs and a long wooden communal table. The small tables outside are coveted among its patrons in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Come lunchtime and the place is packed with a variety of people: vegans, vegetarians, macrobiotics, celebrities, hipsters, people coming in from a work out and locals like me who are not vegan nor macrobiotic but looking for a healthy meal. My favorites amongst the menu items are the California Club, The M Chop Salad, the Spicy Tuna and Spicy shrimp sushi rolls, Organic Fries, Big Macro, the Cauliflower and Broccoli Soup, Carrot and Barley soup, Bi-Bim Bop and Brown Rice Pudding. Tasty selections from the deli include the Scarlet Quinoa, Broccolini Pepperoncini, and Kale with Spicy Peanut Sauce. I’d recommend you taste the deli items before ordering if visiting for the first time. I made the mistake of ordering the Falafel wrap on my second visit to M Café and I almost never came back; it was incredibly dry and disappointing, stay away :>

• Pros: healthy, no processed foods, friendly staff, clean displays
• Cons: parking, lack of seating on busy days

07/02/08

Delicious food!!!

by Jokats at Citysearch

I absolutely LOVE M Cafe. I work nearby and it's my favorite place to get lunch, although I can't really afford to get it as often as I'd like. My favorites are the California Club sandwich and the Grilled Tuna Burger. They are SO good. I normally only stick to those two things because they're so delicious I don't even want anything else, but today I decided to try something new and I have to admit, it was the most disappointing lunch I've ever had from M Cafe. I got the Tuna Tataki salad. I thought they would make it fresh when I ordered, but they have those salads already made. I wasn't a fan. But now I know for next time! My friend loves the M Chopped Salad and gets it almost every time with a side order of fries. I'm not a vegan or vegetarian by the way...I just love the food here. It's so fresh and healthy and guilt-free! Wish I could have it everyday.

• Pros: Healthy, delicious food.

04/22/08

Chaya Group's gourmet macrobiotic cafe offers organic Asian-inspired fare with a cool Melrose vibe.

by Martha Burr at Citysearch

This haute macrobiotic bistro gleams inside with glass deli cases, smooth wooden tables and white tile while tables beneath market umbrellas. Attracting a hodgepodge of locals ranging from young moms with babies in slings to 70-something hippies to Melrose fashionistas, this is where everyone can enjoy healthy dining courtesy of the former private chefs of Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna. The menu offers macrobiotic cuisine made without refined sugar, dairy products, meat or egg. Rice bowls, salads, healthy burgers, panini, wraps and sushi highlight organic ingredients. Japanese breakfast is a lovely bento box of miso-broiled black cod, steamed pumpkin, tiny Japanese salads and hijiki. Meanwhile, the organic patisserie case is filled with eye-popping goodies like scones and muffins, chocolate mousse cake, praline nut tart and green tea truffles.

02/28/08

I LOVE M!

by sueinthepark at Citysearch

I am a vegetarian (sometimes vegan) and I love, love, love this place! The staff has always been friendly, the food is not only tasty and healthy, but I FEEL better after I eat there. With that said, I take visitors here whenever they're in town (sometimes kicking and screaming) and I have yet to have anyone who hasn't fallen in love with the place. Even the most die-hard of meat eaters have something to order (the North Carolina pulled "Pork" sandwich is fantastic!

Whenever I haven't been feeling well, I go in and ask what I could order that will help. (This isn't a service they offer, but the owner KNOWS HIS STUFF!) The miso soup is magical, in my opinion.

I wish the prices were a little lower b/c of my budget, but I understand that they buy the best organic ingredients, and that costs more. If I could, I'd be there every day. Try to treat yourself at least once a week for your health!

• Pros: Food, staff
• Cons: Parking, sometimes not enough seating.

02/06/08

surprisingly good!

by jstemps at Citysearch

I am by no means a vegetarian or vegan so I wasn't really excited when my mom wanted to go to this macrobiotic joint. However, i had a veggie burger and it was delicious! i don't know how this was macrobiotic or vegan, it tasted better than a real burger!! delicious!!! and its right next to pinkberry!

• Pros: great food, even for non vegetarians, trendy melrose location, order to eat in or grab from takeout case
• Cons: parking, my lemonade wasn't good

11/08/07

I didn't even know it was vegan!

by jtsunns at Citysearch

I went for brunch. They have great specials. The food was amazing. I kept asking, "Are you sure this doesn't have meat?" Oh, don't forget to grab a dessert, they're delicious.

• Pros: The Food & Desserts
• Cons: Parking & Fighting for a table

09/29/07

Best Vegan food in LA

by despairohmy at Citysearch

hands down the best vegan food in la. the restaurant is actually macrobiotic so its vegan but they serve fish. not really sure the exact theory of macro although the food is fresh, organic and has no additives or artifical sugars. the strawberry cupcakes are to die for! breakfast id get the french toast or panini. lunch: the big macro (veggie burger) or club sandwich, m chopped salad is a favortie too.

a little pricey but worth it for the quality.

06/17/07

Good food without guilt!

by jaized at Citysearch

I was excited to find a place that catered to my dietary preferences. I have healthy tendencies, but I am not a vegetarian, nor am I vegan. I simply prefer veggie/fruit to meat, and eat no eggs or dairy. I also prefer my food to be as fresh and minimally processed as possible. M cafe was recommended by a friend, but to be honest I wasn't expecting much, most places like M cafe are lacking in the taste/flavor department. To my surprise M cafe was great! I got a veggie terriyaki bowl and it was really good (but overpriced). It was kind of crowded, but we got a table, and had a very nice lunch. The staff was friendly, and offered great service! Check it out!

• Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere
• Cons: Parking, Price

02/07/07

Guilt-free food!

by humpsushi at Citysearch

This has become one of my frequent stops in LA :-) ... really like the hijiki inari, smoked salmon & asparagus, spicy tuna rolls. The cucumber and ginger garnish is excellent. Good selection of vegetable dishes, i like the kale salad. Not really impressed with the soup.

• Pros: healthy and well prepared food, wide selections
• Cons: parking

11/16/06

Cafe MMMMMMMMMMMMMm

by miss_r at Citysearch

Ususally crowded but a table will turn up. We dont find this a big problem cuz we'll just take it to go and eat the car. Parking is a stinker. Park next to the school.

The California Club is grrrrreat! The Carolina Style BBQ Seitan & Seitan Katsu rice bowl are awesome!

The desserts are meh.

• Pros: everything else
• Cons: desserts & parking