M Cafe de Chaya
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Eating well and healthy is very easy in this town, especially with the opening of M Cafe, the latest offshoot of hotspot Chaya. Shigefumi Tachibe has created a menu rooted in macrobiotics but flavored with everybody's favorites, and caught my eye as a perfect place to catch up and grab a bite with a friend before heading out for the evening.
It was so nice being able to pull up into a parking lot instead of valeting or circling the block dizzily only to get ticketed in a resident zone later. Unassuming and modest at first, this little cafe surprised us with its wide selection of sandwiches like the vegan muffelata (can you believe it?), sushi (both fish and vegetarian), rice bowls, hearty salads, and savory soups. I had the Lotus Root and Sweet Corn Chowder and Madras Tempeh (pressed soybeans) wrap, and washed it down with some organic chardonnay.
We sat at a sweet little table outside, feeling peaceful and filled thanks to our excellent cuisine and feng shui balanced surroundings, but couldn't help but stare back in past the glass at the multitude of desserts they had on display. Truffle varietals, cookies, cakes, pies--they had it all, and all free of refined flours and sugars. We figured we owed it to our bodies, really, healthy desserts are hard to come by. Convinced by the friendly and welcoming staff and the little chocolate balls in the window, we ended an amazing meal with a sweet finish.
M Cafe de Chaya
Open 8am to 8pm
7119 Melrose Avenue
Hollywood
323-525-0588