Best Croissants in Town, Courtesy of Laurent

The is a second home for the crew of Laurent Bistro and Cafe Laurent, who serves up delicious breakfasts each week.  They should feel at home, since Laurent was one of the 15 original vendors when the farmer's market was established in August 2006.     

I happened to catch Laurent at the market recently and asked him about the history of Cafe Laurent. He said the restaurant has been in business for 13 years in Culver City, and he recently opened Bistro Laurent on Sepulveda Boulevard to offer another great opportunity to dine locally. 

Laurent was at the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market in person every week in the early days, and he and his crew were committed to bringing joy and good food to the neighborhood from the outset. I remember when they all dressed up in drag for Halloween one year—fishnets, blond wigs and all.  They continue to bring smiles to the faces of community members each week.

Locals may come to the market for the produce, but they stay for the pastries. Laurent’s booth offers a mouthwatering assortment of sweet and savory items from the bakery in Culver City. Have a fresh ham and cheese or spinach and cheese croissant, or choose a sweet treat like the almond and chocolate croissant or the pain au chocolat pastry. There’s even a fruit pastry called Escargot a l’orange. Don’t worry, there are no snails on the menu.

The booth also sells freshly made mixed berry muffins and a variety of quiches to go. Of course, Bistro Laurent wouldn’t be French if didn’t offer baguettes. Each week you can grab your baton of bread for just $2. Imagine yourself riding home on a bicycle with a baguette or two sticking out of the basket. While you’re at it, throw one more item into that basket: Laurent’s classic plain croissant. We’ve done our homework testing croissants around town (hard work, I know) and theirs can’t be beat.  They're buttery, flaky, and 3 for $5.

The real attraction at Laurent’s booth is the selection of omelets, waffles and French toast, where you can watch the crew fashion your breakfast out of fresh ingredients right before your eyes. The menu features four types of omelets and the irresistible Half-Croissant Scrambled Eggs. Omelets come with a mixed green side salad and a choice of dressing. 

A posted sign says “Laurent’s grandma’s French toast. Try it, you’ll love it… $7.” Laurent calls it its Famous French Toast and clearly many have tried it and loved it. 

What Mar Vistans might not know is that our farmers' market is the only place outside of the restaurants where people can get these delights. 

“You are very lucky," Laurent says with a smile.

Cafe Laurent is at 4243 Overland Ave. and Bistro Laurent is at 3936 Sepulveda Blvd., both in Culver City.

Christy Wilhelmi is well known to many local Mar Vistans as The Gardenerd. Her website and blog at  www.gardenerd.com offers  information on classes, consulting and food-garden design.