The build-out of the La Brea Bakery Cafe on the corner of La Brea and Sixth St  in the old Rita Flora location is well underway – but the brown papered windows show little of  what’s in the works. The new eatery is expected to open by the end of the year combining the temporary mid-block space that has operated at 460 S. La Brea with the renovated corner site.
Inside they’ll still have the La Brea Bakery “Fresh Bread Market” showcasing breads made in the on-site wood stone oven, but this time the bakers will be rolling and pounding dough where customers can see the process first-hand. They also hope to offer classes for the public to learn how to bake the perfect baguette in the newly designed, open countertop baker’s area.
“We want to put our flag in the ground on La Brea, and let people know we’re here to stay and still baking bread by hand,” a representative from La Brea Bakery told the GWNC Land Use Committee several months ago when they revealed their plans for the new cafe. The now internationally-distributed La Brea Bakery had its once-humble roots grow from a small storefront at 624 S La Brea, just a block south of the new location. The bakery was founded by Nancy Silverton in 1989.
The La Brea Bakery Cafe expects to offer a dinner menu and to be open from 7 am – 12 midnight, and has requested a beer and wine license for the dinner crowd. The new cafe also hopes for outdoor patio dining, and the main entrance from the rear alley parking area. Residents in the neighborhood behind the location are opposing some of these plans due to noise, traffic and access issues.
Until it’s open and ready for business the bakery won’t let their die-hard fans go hungry. The La Brea Bakery Truck is now operating Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 3 pm (8 am start on Saturdays and Sundays) from a parking spot behind the new location at La Brea and 6th. On the menu? Pastries and breads, sandwiches and salads, and hot coffee – all ‘to go’ or to enjoy at a table next to the truck. The bakery is also taking orders for Thanksgiving from the truck in the back lot.
