Photo credit: Katie Ray McKillop

A man works at the counter at The Bread Lounge. Loaves of bread lined the shelves at this bakery that prides itself on its bountiful offerings.

The sweet smell of bread and pastries wafted through my nose as I entered the red brick building covered in ivy, nestled right by the LA River. This establishment houses the Bread Lounge, a small cafe and bakery. 

The space was a casual and friendly environment — perfect for a lunch date with friends or a quick mid-morning bite. I ordered a matcha lemonade, a matcha scone — you may be able to sense a theme — a ricotta danish and a vegan morning glory muffin.

While I was waiting for my food, I sat down at a table and watched the chefs working in the kitchen through big glass windows that created an open atmosphere.

My lemonade was ready right away, and my initial impressions were positive. It tasted fresh and not overly sweet. The sourness of the lemonade was perfect for me because I love an acidic kick, though the one downside was that the matcha flavor didn’t really come out. But overall, I loved the drink.

After I had a few sips of my lemonade, I delved into my bag of pastries. The first baked good I tried was the date ginger matcha scone. When I go to a bakery, I don’t typically reach for scones because they can be dense and dry, but this scone? It was the perfect balance between thick and light and absolutely scrumptious. The sugary matcha glaze paired well with the flavor of the scone, making it a lovely confection for a delicious afternoon snack. However, for me, it was a bit too sweet for breakfast.

The second pastry I sampled was the ricotta danish, a treat I don’t typically reach for. Let me tell you, it wasn’t love at first bite, but once I got to the center, I knew this would be what I’d come back for. The flakiness of the pastry, the addition of tangy dried fruit that cut through the thickness of the filling and the light dusting of powdered sugar made this pastry a terrific tasty treat.

Next, I tried the vegan morning glory muffin. It had the delicious density of a morning glory muffin without all of the oiliness. With a perfect balance of mix-ins, such as raisins and apple chunks, this muffin was delightful. I loved its sweet caramelized sugar and pumpkin seed coating, as it added a tasty crunch that coupled well with the muffin. It would make the perfect sweet breakfast on a cold, rainy morning.

The last baked good I tried was Bread Lounge’s bread, which came with my mom’s salad. It wasn’t my favorite food I tried there, but it was certainly still good. The bread’s crust was thick and chewy, and the flavor was both salty and savory.

As I was leaving the cafe, I stopped and admired the art adorning the walls. My personal favorite was a painting of a “Call Jacob” billboard, a familiar LA sight for me. The artwork made the cafe feel personal and unique, unlike many of the big conglomerates I see today.

If you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, swing by the Bread Lounge in downtown LA for a casual bite to eat. The bread is absolutely to die for, and after trying a pastry, you’ll find yourself in heaven.