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Breakfast

Mmmmm-Mmmmm: M Cafe

Finally, LA is catching up to NY by having an inexpensive, healthy, casual vegan/ macrobiotic cafe!! M Cafe de Chaya is my new favorite new restaurant. A spin off of Chaya (locations in Beverly Hills, Venice & San Francisco), M Cafe is totally macrobiotic–that means no refined sugars, no eggs, no diary, no meat or poultry, but fish is ok. I can’t even describe to you how delicious their deli-style sandwiches and salads are. Let’s just say that I’ve been there 3 times in the past week, despite the fact that I just bought a house and moved last weekend, and I have no money (because of aforementioned house).

The food? A great selection of Soups (try the Lotus Root & Sweet Corn Chowder); Salads (how about the Gado Gado with golden tempeh triangles marinated with lemongrass, ginger & served with greens and veggies); Rice Bowls, with fish, tofu or seitan; Hot & Cold Sandwiches & Wraps (I heart the Madras Tempeh Wrap, the paninis, the Eggless Egg Salad with the crusts cut off!); plus sushi, and a deli case full of sides like Pink Quinoa and Roasted Veggies. Plus they have amazing looking desserts and pastries! I haven’t had the chance to try any yet, but I’m looking forward to finding out what a vegan creme brulee is like.

And they’re open from 8-8 every day, and they have brunch specials on the weekends like tofu scramble and blueberry pancakes. And they’re just great, period.

They’ve alreadystarted merchandising too–you can buy nice M Cafe candles, or organic pantry items and books while you’re waiting for your food.

Plus, they’ve got parking! Not much, but I’ve always found a spot right in front.

M Cafe de Chaya
7119 Melrose
Hollywood
323-525-0588
http://www.mcafedechaya.com

By Jonah (see more of his posts). Jonah is the founder of la.foodblogging and also created Digesty, a food blog aggregator and Cheww.com, a spam free foodblog search engine.

Discussion

  1. I’m sold! Being a soup junkie, I can’t pass it up.

    Posted by Jonah | June 30, 2005, 7:14 pm
  2. Fantastic! Another place to take visiting vegan friends!

    Posted by EarthlyDelight | July 1, 2005, 9:07 pm
  3. I just visited based on this review. Friendly staff, fresh salads and great sandwiches. Thumbs up!

    Posted by Jude | July 3, 2005, 9:38 pm
  4. My Husband and I went last night and it was AMAZING!!!!! We have to keep this place open! Everyone was so nice and the food…. The soups were mouth watering and the Paninis! Husband had Carolina BBQ sandwich! I almost had to steal it from him!

    Posted by Jana | July 7, 2005, 9:39 am
  5. Truffles were amazing.. Me and my wife went last night and found everything to be amazing. Great to see an organic wine and beer on the menu.

    Posted by Michael | July 7, 2005, 9:49 am
  6. For a place that serves dinner, why are they only open until 8:00pm? It seems like an odd time to close, or is that just the last time they let people in the door?

    Posted by Jonah | July 7, 2005, 10:32 am
  7. Currently they’re open 8-8, but I heard that they are thinking of expanding to 9pm, and are working on having delivery service. Overall, I love this place, and I hope it stays open forever.

    Posted by Raligula | July 21, 2005, 12:01 pm
  8. I think this place is awesome, the food is delicious, the staff wonderful and the ambiance comfortable. The mint tea is refreshing and the big macro burger is delectable, also the desserts are so good you wouldn’t even know that you are eating something dairy free and sweetened with maple syrup. I hope this place stays a fixture of LA.

    Posted by Amber M. | July 21, 2005, 1:15 pm
  9. kudos to Lee Gross and his wife Darleen for bringing healthy dining to LA…….now if they would only bring it to NY……..their father misses them.!

    Posted by marvin gross | August 18, 2005, 11:40 am
  10. You, Mr. Gross, are an awesome Dad!

    Posted by SoCalorie | August 18, 2005, 12:02 pm
  11. JGold weighs in on M Cafe de Chaya:

    http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/43/counter-gold.php

    Posted by SoCalorie | September 15, 2005, 12:37 pm
  12. wrong number on your posting. its 323 525 0588, not 323 252 0588.

    Posted by elle | June 5, 2006, 11:40 am
  13. Updated, thanks Elle!

    Posted by Jonah | June 5, 2006, 2:57 pm
  14. Just wanted to let everyone know that M Cafe is now open from 9 am to 10 pm Monday-Saturday and 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays. Enjoy!

    Posted by Melissa | July 30, 2007, 6:41 pm

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