07/26/08

Good Food, Wrong Decade

by ssenior

Visiting Grateful Bread was like stepping out of the 21st century, back into the 90's. Yah, not the 60's as the name might imply, but a time when the average Joe Customer didn't care about our landfills and global warming. It's like an expensive picnic, complete with paper plates, paper bowls, plastic cups, and plastic utensils.

It's not all bad though, they seem to have healthy and complete menu. Their coffee is very good and their bread was comparable to other bread spots of the same ilk. Overall, I would rate the food 5 star. Their ambiance had a better than average English cafe feel, though I was expecting tie-dye walls, menus, or pictures. And most important to my wife and I, their staff seemed friendly.

07/10/08

Decent Deli, lacks anything special

by kiercemartin

I think the most disappointing thing about this place is that it has so much potential. The bread selection is pretty awesome, and the sandwiches are on par with any other Santa Monica deli, but there's just something missing. There is just simply a lot more that could be done with the space, and especially with a name like "Grateful Bread," which by the way makes me wonder how many former Deadheads have mistaken the place for something a little more funky and nostalgic, and instead getting this Montana bakery, which isn't bad but also isn't interesting.

• Cons: Nothing Special

Breadheads, unite! This cozy organic bread shop lures hemp-wearing carb addicts with racks full of delicious loaves, as well as a spectacle of sweet treats, sandwiches, soups and salads.

by Contributor

In Short
Attracted from blocks away, sworn "breadheads" are drawn to the lingering smell of warm, fresh dough being baked in the oven at this earthy-toned bakery. From walnut apricot to parmesan pesto, the hearty loaves are sliced and ready to be eaten plain or made into delectable sandwiches at home. For a quick morning stop, the store offers customers a choice of oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, fruit bowls or egg sandwich, while lunch opens the menu to a myriad of hot and cold choices like grilled paninis, build-it-yourself sandwiches, salads and housemade soups. Favorites include the panini with cornichons, caramelized onions and horseradish cream spread, the Granny Smith apple and gorgonzola salad and the pureed cauliflower soup. Pastries like the pain au chocolat, almond croissant, brioche, "the brownie of all brownies," cinnamon coffee cake and assorted muffins are sweet endings.

Hits: With a guaranteed organic menu, the bakery is conscientious of vegans. Vegan-friendly options include all the breads except for the challah and all the drinks. Picky eaters and those with allergies can also pick and choose special ingredients.

Misses: Prices can get kind of steep; a sandwich and a drink for lunch can reach more than $10. With a large bread oven and no air conditioning, cozy can become too cozy, especially when summer rolls around.

12/28/07

Potential - but not there yet

by piersonle

Okay, now I read the other two reviews - and they're both clearly written by the owners or their friends. Which is fine. But I still think this place has to iron out a few kinks, esp. with the folks behind the counter, who are sweet and utterly amateurish. My favorite moment was being handed piping hot soup in a flimsy paper bowl. Or getting a smoothie that was more like a melted snowball - impossible to drink. Also, their hours of operation are dodgey - for instance, they were closed at 4pm on a Sunday. You kidding me? I like the decor. I like the design. But the staff is too green, and I think more attention should be paid to service methods. Great potential. But not there yet (notwithstanding planted reviews). Sending good wishes.

12/16/07

AMAZING LUNCH MENU, GREAT FOOD, FRIENDLY STAFF, COZY, AFORDABLE

by sashareiko

So I've worked on Montana for a few years now and have gotten so incredibly sick of the expensive food there! Then one day I stumbled upon this adorable new bakery/cafe next to Cafe Montana on 16th. First of all, they have free parking in the back...so great. Second, you can smell the bakery within a one block radius, fresh breads and pastries.

I got lunch there the first time, a portobello mushroom sandwich on homemade ciabatta with a fresh endive pomegranate gorgonzola salad, and a cafe latte...FOR $8.00!!! On Montana!!!

If that's not enough to go back every day, then I don't know what is.

So I got my whole office to go there and now we call in our 20 person lunch order every day and swing through and pick it up. The staff there is really friendly, I've met the owner a couple times, and the head chef is always coming out and talking to the customers.

Great new place. Finally.

09/06/07

Best Pastries in Los Angeles! AMAZING Croissants...

by phillip25

I think this might be the best new thing to open on Montana Avenue in a long time. I live really nearby in Santa Monica. this place has only been open a few weeks, so they're still working otu the kinks with service, but that's to be expected. BUT... the good news is that FINALLY Montana and Los Angeles has a good bakery to write home about. So many people go to Panera or Porto Bakery, but those places are junk compared to this. The small time feel of it. It feels Mom and Pop, but as a cool industrial vibe to the design. There was an adorable 12 year old girl (maybe the owner's daughter or neice?) taking my order. Smiling from ear to ear. I had an amazing portobello mushroom sandwich, (with some kind of mustard/mayo sauce on it - whatever it was they should bottle it and sell it), a cup of soup (too hot, but I'm patient), a fruit smoothie (which was really good - not too sweet), and I got a couple of cookies and an almond croissant to take home to my wife. She loved all of it.

Anyway, you should definitely try it for yourself. I'm going back every weekend now. It has a clever design and name, that made me smile. I saw Brooke Shields and Reese Witherspoon there, and I was only there for 30 minutes or so, so apparently celebrities are starting to go there. Fun people watching!

I am grateful for Grateful Bread. Simple, but effective website too.

• Pros: Food, Sweets, Sandwiches, Vibe, Colors, Name, People
• Cons: Cost, Too Quiet, Parking