M Cafe de Chaya
Restaurant, Grocery/Bakery/Deli
$ - inexpensive
Deli
Macrobiotic fare from Gwyneth Paltrow's former personal chef, Lee Gross
M Cafe does not serve any dishes prepared with refined sugars, eggs, dairy, red meat or poultry, and all of their desserts are vegan. They do serve fish, so the menu is not entirely vegan.
They offer a standard menu, and also a wide selection of deli items that are freshly prepared and change daily.
Melrose and La Brea
- Macrobiotic
- Outdoor Seating
Added by VegGuide.Org on Nov 20 05 (updated Jul 24 07)
Reviews
Went here for dinner on a Monday night. It was busy, but tables cleared up fast because orders are placed (and paid for) deli-style at the counter. There is only one big table though, so our group of 7 was not able to sit together.
The food is delicious and fresh, and even though most of the entrees are on the expensive side, I was able to get a plate with two different salads (Sesame Soba Noodles and Chickpeas with Dandelions and Red Rice) for $7 that was filling and delicious. I also got the Shitake-Avocado sushi roll, which was also very good.
I couldn't fit dessert in at the restaurant, but the Banana Chocolate MilleFeuille cake that I got to go was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth! All of their desserts are vegan and contain no refined sugar; I honestly don't know how they did it! I would go back here just for that cake!
I am flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles this weekend just so I can eat there again. Seriously! I plan to come home with a week's worth of food. Enough said!
A definite '10' for M Cafe.
Everything is very imaginative and fresh, but not to chichi to eat. The atmosphere is not pretentious, despite the fact that it is prime star-gazing territory. It is clean, open, and inviting.
Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of dishes. -They do not serve micro-portioned macrobiotic.
Everything is delicious (though I had one bad bento-box experience, the other meals that I have had there make up for it). Try the Carolina BBQ or one of the panini sandwiches (the fact that they have those menu items is impressive to me. I had never had a panini before going there...).
I have not been there for brunch, but I have indulged in the sweets from their Patisserie...they are amazing. Beautifully presented and delicious.
Their one downfall is extremely limited parking and huge popularity. Be patient finding a spot, or plan on walking some distance (and be kind -do not double park!).
They really need to open a second location...
I would rate M. Cafe 4 1/2 stars. I've eaten at both the Melrose and Culver City locations, and found the food to be consistent and equally tasty in both locations.
Probably my favorite thing to eat at M. Cafe is dessert -- the chocolate sacher torte to be specific. It's very chocolatey and has a fresh raspberry filling. Other foods I have enjoyed at M. Cafe include all three of the paninis, the melorse avenue muffaletta, the wasabi sweet potato salad, the sesame soba noodles, and the shiitake-avocado sushi roll. I was less keen on the squash soup and the banana millefeuille, but even these were not bad. For LA, the place isn't too expensive, so I recommend it pretty highly.