la.foodblogging

Euro Pane Bakery

950 E. Colorado Blvd. (at Mentor)
(626) 577-1828
Under $10 per person

Having spent the better part of the previous 24 hours locked up in transit, trying to make the short connection in Taipei, being searched by suspicious Chinese security officers, the last thing this weary traveler wanted to realize after waking in a jet-lagged stupor at 4 am is that his fridge is empty because he’s been gone for two weeks.

“This doesn’t have my breakfast! Is it even time for breakfast? It feels like it’s 8 pm.” Wide awake yet inexplicably exhausted, I turn to the television to provide pleasant company until the sun comes up. Finally, a new day had arrived; yet there was one thing that still had to be done before I could function in it.

I threw on some clothes and a jacket, and headed due North. The morning light was crisp, blue, and fresh as I marched, with a purpose, to Euro Pane. To my surprise, the regulars were already there, chatting away over a cup of coffee and the rustling of the LA Times in their laps — this was much better than the previous company.

“Croissant with jam, and a hot chocolate, please.”

I bring them to a table by the window so I can watch the sun rise as the city runs through its morning routine. Layers of buttery pastry crackle as I take my first bite into the croissant (wow, they are quite fresh); the rest of it practically dissolves in my mouth. I wrap my hands around the oversized mug and bring it up to my lips to take a sip. As the warmth and flavor of chocolate envelop my palate, I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

“Welcome home.”

sneakypeteiii is a doctoral student in Chemistry at Caltech. He has been eating since he was a child, and reckons himself quite good at it. (see more of his posts).