Le Pain Quotidien: Best organic spinach soup

That which they call spinach soup never tasted so sweet. Okay -- I should've written this post when it was still cold and when everyone was still in the mood for hot soup, but seriously, the spinach soup at Le Pain Quotidien's amazingly creamy and filling.

Thos organic-friendly restaurant's soup of the day's always non-dairy (excellent for lactose intolerant people like me) and made with organic veggies whenever available. My friend Traci and I  both ordered the spinach soup for lunch at the Santa Monica branch -- and loved our yummy, organic, vegan (and possibly Popeye-powerful?) soups.

Le Pain Quotidien’s a bit of a chain, with branches in 8 or so different countries. But at least in the the L.A. area, each restaurant feels unique -- and sort of neighborly, with its communal tables -- though lonerish tables are available for people who'd rather not share.

Pain mean bread in French -- and Le Pain Quotidien's known for its amazing organic bread. The bread basket's to die for -- though I like the starch best with a bowl of soup or hummus. In fact, most ingredients are organic. The yogurt, eggs, cheeses, granola, and oatmeal all are -- as is the tasty organic black bean hummus and the salads.

The coffee's an organic single-estate Peruvian (estate coffees can't be certified as fair trade; that privilege is reserved for co-op coffees). Pretty much all the beverages -- from the soy or cow milk, juices, hot cocoa, lemonade, apple cider, and teas -- are organic, as are the major dessert ingredients -- eggs, sugar, flour, seeds, and raisins. Most of the wines and beers are organic and/or biodynamic too!

I loved my fruit crumble -- though I could've used a little less sweet. But I  could eat the spinach soup every day --

Le Pain Quotidien. Locations in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Claremont, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Studio City, Westwood, and West Hollywood.