Los Angeles - February 08, 2006

A Tale of Two Cities

City Bakery Opens

For East Coast transplants to thrive in the Wild West, they must come prepared.

They’ll need wheels, sunscreen, and a sweet little reminder of home — hopefully in the form of a pretzel croissant from NYC’s legendary City Bakery.

Unfortunately, securing CB’s fresh-baked goods has been next to impossible. Until today. They’ve finally (yes, for real this time) opened their first L.A. outpost in the Brentwood Country Mart.

The new branch serves the same goodies as its East Coast sibling: cold hot chocolate, giant chocolate chip cookies, tasty twists on old-fashioned gourmet deli faves, and nouvelle nibbles. Order from the menu of five-item meals at the counter or hit the epic salad bar for organic, seasonal dishes (crunchy green pea chicken, halibut in coconut water, classic mac and cheese). You can grab a seat in the cozy cabin-like dining room or get it to go.

And then there’s The Chocolate Room, a jewel box that’s a cross between a phone booth and a starlet’s boudoir. Definitely a decadent afternoon escape.

Perfect for everyone. Even us natives.

The City Bakery in the Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th Street at San Vicente Boulevard, Santa Monica (310-656-3040).