Decent fresh baked bread on the westside?

[stvjennings]

I can't take anymore grocery store bread....any suggestions for fresh baked bread on the westside? A Panera opened up near me and I am not very impressed.....any help much appreciated.

[glutton]

I'm a bit afraid it will get lost in the shuffle, but BreadBar bakes outstanding bread in a wide variety of styles. I find that this is consistently the best option on the westside.

The 3 Square or Rockenwagner recommendation is excellent, as well. Though, the variety is a bit more limited. Their best breads tend to be the dense, hearty German-style loaves. They had a whole wheat rye bread that was wonderful a week or so ago. And the pretzel rolls kick ass.

[chow_singa]

La Maison Du Pain - Croissants to die for....so buttery and goood...just like those in France...

[bulavinaka]

3 Square Bakery usually offers various breads of very good quality - these can also be had at their other big "R" Bakery on Washington in Mar Vista. They offer a Schwarzenegger-sized rustic baguette that has a somewhat thick crisp crust and is of medium body inside. They offer loaves, boules, various batons, and of course pretzel breads as well.

Great baguettes can be had at French Market Cafe on Abbot Kinney. If you like the bread from their sandwiches, it's the same fantastic stuff. As a good portion of their diners are French expats, the baguettes can go fast.

A half a block up and across the street from French Market is Market Gourmet. They have carried breads from La Maison du Pain as well as a couple of other bakeries. The markup can be steep and bread choices somewhat limited albeit very good as well.

The Sunday farmers market on Grandview in Mar Vista has a stand that offers some European breads and pastries. I really like the individual-sized parbaked chiabatta that comes six to a bag. They freeze extremely well, so pick up a bag or two, and take them out as needed.

[maudies5]

Belwood Bakery in Brentwood bakes good bread. I really love their Ciabatta.

[sel]

Although there is NOTHING that I have found within the scope of this board that comes close to the wonderful variety of fantastic loaves produced by Acme Bread up north, tell me why guys, I would humbly suggest La Maison du Pain on Pico Blvd.

[westsidegal]

i second la Maison du Pain.

[Servorg]

Sunday's from 9 am to 2 pm you will find Great Harvest Bread at the Brentwood Farmer's Market on Gretna Green (just a half block west of Bundy running between San Vicente and Montana along the west side of Brentwood Magnate School).

http://www.conejobread.com/

[Servorg]

Also www.breadbar.net

[mollyomormon]

Thank you, Servorg! I had no idea they had Great Harvest at the Brentwood farmer's market -- I love their bread and always have to wait to eat it until I'm visiting family in Utah.

[RicRios]

http://www.champagnebakery.com/

They bake on premises very decent baguettes, $2.50 ea.

[RicRios]

Oops! I forgot Celestino's: http://www.dolcefornobakery.com/

[Ogawak]

Not sure what the bread is for, but Bay Cities sells great fresh baked bread you will find in their great sandwiches. I buy a loaf whenever we have spaghetti at home.

[soccerandlost]

Bay Cities nearly always seems to have just-out-of-the-oven-warm bread. And it's delicious. Highly recommended for good Italian bread. For French-style breads, I still think La Brea Bakery takes the cake.

[a_and_w]

I've noticed the warm bread at Bay Cities, too, and now always pick up a loaf when I get sandwiches there.

[Foodandwine]

I must confess.. I ate 1/2 a loaf just walking around bay cities..