M Cafe De Chaya

Went for the first time the other day because I've been meaning to eat here for a bit. I've been on a sandwich kick lately, in search of a flavorful spin on vegetarian sandwiches... and found it with the Melrose Muffaletta. The salami has good spice (not as in heat, but flavor) and the olive spread and sundried tomato accent it very well. I had the Burgundy Qunioa on the side. Pretty to look at and undoubtedly very healthy, but not much flavor to it.. oddly enough I didn't mind because of the flavors in the sandwich it was nice to have a neutral side dish that didn't clash. My friend had some of their sushi, one of which, the tofu cake, I tried. The sauce on top was good, but the tofu cake itself was a little dry. All the desserts looked delicous, but I was satisfied from the sandwich and didn't save room for it, so I guess, along with wanting to try their other main dishes, I'll have a reason to come back. ;) Pros: Friendly service, healthy and yummy food Cons: Can be too pricey to be a regular spot for the broke college crowd like myself more

This place closes at 9pm, which is kind of strange for L.A. However, perhaps that thins out the evening crowd a bit. I went there on a weeknight at about 8:30pm and there were plenty of seats. My wife and my two-year-old (and I) actually sat at one of their picnic-style tables inside. That was a plus for us in that it provided more freedom for our daughter and it was more ""communal,"" which is also strange for L.A. (but good). There wasn't a very big selection but I guess the attraction of the place is its healthiness. It's ""macrobiotic"" and I can't tell you exactly what that means but I know I feared something very bland yet healthy. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my meal was very flavorfull. I had the salmon teriyaki bowl and my wife had some sort of ""sampler,"" I believe. We did eat some vegetables that we could not identify but they all tasted good. My daughter, believe it or not, also liked the food and she would subsist solely on pancakes and ice cream if she were allowed to. Overall, I liked the vibe (unpretentious, friendly, healthy, and appetizing) and we plan to go back. Pros: tasty & healthy (not an oxymoron--wow!), communal atmosphere Cons: small, limited menu selection, probably parking (although we got lucky) more

m cafe is truly great. i go here all the time, atleast once or twice a week. all the food is so delicious and also good for you. they have amazing desserts. i love their bistro salad with red beets, pecans, and warm tofu chevre. service is good, everyone is so nice and helpful. Pros: delicous food, healthy, desserts more

After hearing the buzz about this place i was excited to give it a try. I took a friend from out of town here for lunch on a monday- the place was packed. After we ordered our food up front we had to step to the side and wait for an open table. Once we got our food (the M Chop, the tuna burger and the fries) I knew I was in heaven. The food was delicious, so fresh... Oh and the iced minty green tea is addicting. As if this wasn't enough food... we decided on a piece of banana chocolate something- and it was nothing short of amazing. LA needs more macrobiotic places. We need a cafe M on every corner, forget starbucks. Pros: yummy food, parking free, friendly service Cons: crowded, little $$$ more

I saw this place when it was being built and really never thought to give it a try until a friend of mine asked me to lunch and suggested that we eat there. I looked it up on Citysearch and saw good things about it so I said why not. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty everything was and can't wait to return. I had the Gado Gado salad and the Panino Tuscano sandwich, as they were recommended by one of the reviewers on this site, they were both delicious. I also had a sip of my friends mint ice tea, very fresh. Pros: Clean, Fresh, Delicious more

I've been there twice now. The first experience was wonderful. Fresh flavors burst off the plate. I thought it was slightly pricey, but the food was worth it. We ordered the same items upon our return the next week, and the difference was stark. The food didn't taste fresh, portions were smaller, we actually had to return the inedible tofu scramble to the kitchen (to their credit, the new dish was much better), and prices had been raised, perhaps because of its recent mention in US Weekly. It may have just been an ""off"" day, but I think it will be a while before I go back. Pros: Good vegetarian food, Extensive menu Cons: Inconsistent, Value, Service more

It's an ideal lunch joint for vegetarians. Everything they serve is vegetarian except for a few fish items. The ingredients are so fresh that make the sandwiches and salad very tasty. Rice bowls look good too but I did not have a chance to try it, maybe next time. It's not just a sandwich place but with lots of interesting varieties. Pros: fresh ingredients, good sandwiches, delicious salad Cons: limited parking more

I made a mistake in bringing a friend here who's Macrobiotic. The menu here is ""Macrobiotic-Inspired"", so there was actually stuff on the menu that she couldn't eat. That aside, the sushi is great, the salads are terrific, the lunch boxes are yummy - I loved everything except the desserts. They taste exactly what you'd imagine macrobiotic inspired desserts to taste like. Hard, rubbery crusts, dusty tasting chocolate, mousse that had the texture and consistency of fresh Play-Doh (tm). I'll recommend the lunch and dinner offerings all day long (but skip the coffee - it's not that great), but if you want 'healty' desserts, go a mile or so west to Mani's. This place gets JAM PACKED, so go early, and be prepared to not get a seat. Pros: Some good food, nice ambiance, friendly staff Cons: poor parking, crowded more

OK, why does this place currently only have a rating of 8.6? This is an excellent spot for a casual meal or pickup on your way home from work. The food is healthy, wholesome, and REALLY good. The desserts are all unique and wonderful. I never go wrong when I order something from there. The only complaint I have is the service is a bit slow, especially when I'm picking up to go... but it is a small price to pay for such delicious food. Go and enjoy! Pros: Healthy, Delicious, Easy, low-key Cons: Takeout slow more

Given that the chefs have cooked for a long roster of A-list celebs, including Gwyneth, Madonna and Leonardo, it's not surprising that the food was excellent. The ingredients are high-quality and though the prices are not cheap, the place was bustling for 4pm on a Saturday. I had the ahi tuna burger (which has a great crispy bun) with a quinoa salad, a bowl of squash soup and inari with heirloom brown rice and sliced burdock and carrots. I also sampled the miso soup, sesame soba and some desserts. Even my 9 yr old daughter loved this place. Pros: Healthy, people-watching, take-out Cons: limited parking more

There is never anything left on my plate when I eat here- everything is so good. I've tried almost all of their menu- I am a very picky eater and I LOVED everything. The food has tons of flavor, its all very fresh, and healthy! The Gao Gao salad, organic french fries, and the Panino Tuscano are my faves! more