Where can I get a good loaf of ciabatta bread?

[Meals]

I just moved to LA, and I have had the hardest time finding a good loaf. Any suggestions?

[lilygirl]

Costco

[notmartha]

If there's a Fresh & Easy near you, try their ciabatta. They are good - chewy outside, softer within. Think they are underbaked so you crisp it up at home. TJ's pretty decent too.

[DMojoD]

La Brea Bakery! On La Brea near Wilshire. Or, you can find their breads at many supermarkets such as Whole Foods, some Trader Joe's, some Ralphs, some Gelson's, and even Costco.

[Rachel529]

I've never tasted it myself but I know Whole Foods bakes ciabatta breads loafs every morning. I know their sourdough breads taste delicious.

[yogagals]

have you been to Panera? They're located all over the place and have fresh baked bread every day. You can find a location near you: http://www.panerabread.com/

[Das Ubergeek]

Panera only seem to make ciabatta rolls, not full-size ciabatte, and while they're OK they're certainly nothing special.

[PayOrPlay]

In terms of price to quality, I tend to think best deal I've found so far is the Gelson's house brand ciabatta--a rather large loaf for about $2.50. It's good enough that it's become our "regular" fresh bread (although we do splurge on other breads as well.) If possible, buy one right out of the oven, with a nice crunchy crust and soft tasty interior; get it right at the cheese/bread counter rather than one that's been sitting on the shelf for a while. (And plase note I'm talking about the Gelson's house brand, not Victor Benes or any of the other branded breads at Gelson's.)

[Diana]

Not all Gelson's have a Cheee/Bread counter. I think the Century City or Marina Del Mar one, and maybe Pasadena.

[Jase]

Mar Vista Sunday Farmer's market has a French bakery which has pretty decent breads. We like their ciabbata rolls, haven't tried the loaf.

[Oh Robin]

Ralph's carries an artisan line, "Grace" or something like that, great ciabatta.

[Das Ubergeek]

Monte Carlo Delicatessen in Burbank. Any branch of Claro's. Cortina's in Anaheim.

[RicRios]

Drago's Dolce Forno: http://www.dolcefornobakery.com

[Foodandwine]

I like the Ciabatta bread from Il Fornaio, the have a bread shop in the Manhattan Beach location, not sure about the others. Pop it in the oven for a few minutes and ready to go..

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Il Fornaio
1800 Rosecrans Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Il Fornaio
1551 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Il Fornaio
301 N.Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[ebethsdad]

Trader Joes carries parbaked ciabatta. I believe it is from Il Fornaio - at least it used to be. While it isn't going to blow you away it is more than adequate, and very reasonably priced.