Food: M Café de Chaya

On my way back from a Beverly Hills meeting today, I was taking Melrose back to my office and passed M Cafe de Chaya and decided to turn around and grab a quick lunch.

I’ve been wanting to try this place forever. Their specialty lies in the fact that no eggs, dairy, red meat or refined sugars are ever used in any of their food or baked items. This follows the teachings of “Macrobiotics”, hence “M” Café. Visually vibrant and very exciting dishes adorn the big glass deli showcase, which immediately catch your eye as you enter. All the dishes are prepared fresh daily by a Chef who not only have been certified to serving Macrobiotic cuisine but have also been a personal chef to some notable celebrities in the Hollywood scene prior to taking on this gig.

I read a thing from Pat on Eating L.A. about Chaya and have been craving it ever since. Although I was totally in a hurry and totally forgot what to order. But this is one of those places that I’m sure just about everything is good.

From LA.com:

The contemporary setting feels more like a European cafe than a den of sprouts and wheat germ; a feng-shui master helped bring balance to the chic space filled with staff in James Perse-designed uniforms. A deli case full of grab-and-go sandwiches takes care of the lunch rushers, but those who have time sit outside under bright yellow awnings and sip organic libations. Healthy eating: It isn’t just for vegetarians and vegans anymore. Chef Lee Gross, who prepared Paltrow’s personal meals for three years, serves up a menu based on macrobiotic principles (no dairy, eggs, refined sugars or processed foods).

Salads often mix flavors, like the house chopped, which combines fresh greens, cucumber, chickpeas, herb-baked tofu, pickled radishes, tempeh “bacon,” tamari-roasted almonds and a tofu-peppercorn ranch dressing. Hearty sandwiches are offered in whole or half portions (to pair with a bowl of soup), sushi is made with organic heirloom whole-grain brown rice, and are there really even fries? (Organic, of course.) Pastry chef Eric Lechasseur works magic with pound cakes, pies, creme brulee and mousse. —Lesley Balla

Pressed for time, I ordered a Hummus & Falafel Wrap with a side of wasabi sweet potato salad. Both were great. I could totally become a vegetarian if I ate here three meals a day.

Oh and they have sushi.. Fresh juices, healthy deserts, soups, hot and cold sandwiches… and even a grab and go type case. The only bad thing about this place is the lack of seating. The one on Melrose is pretty small, but if you’re lucky enough to grab a table, you just take your number to your table and someone brings you your food after you’ve ordered it from the counter.

California Club Sandwich

It’s a lot like Urth Cafe, another favorite of mine, but instead of just being organic, it’s also macrobiotic.

This is the little sister to Chaya Brasserie and Chaya Venice. I’ve never been to Brasserie but Chaya Venice is nice and they have a great sushi happy hour everyday from 5-7 with most sushi rolls going for a cool $3-$4. It’s always very crowded. I used to go there a lot when I lived on the beach in Santa Monica.

M Cafe de Chaya
7119 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, 90046
(323) 525-0588
http://www.mcafedechaya.com/

And don’t forget about Guerrilla Gay Bar Friday night at 10PM! Go to the website to sign up for the e-mail that will say where it is. They e-mail everyone with the location Friday night. Also, they have a Myspace page.