Mani's Bakery on Fairfax

I spend a lot of time at Mani's Bakery on Fairfax. I live around the corner, so I think I am lucky to have such a find very close to me. Other smart people like Mani's too. For instance, my co-worker and friend Michael. He goes there with his wife and I see them there all the time, talking about their cats or something.

Mani's is a very healthy restaurant. On the surface it seems like one of those dippy L.A. places, because they're whole thing is that they don't use white sugar or white flour, which seems insufferable and full of Hollywood lame-os. But Mani's, is, happily more of a lesbian book club and screenwriter hangout, which are two groups of people I think are super cute.

And surprisingly, the pastries actually taste better because there's not a lot of preservatives in it, which is a huge endorsement from me because I fucking love preservativey sweets and stuff (although that was an acquired, maturing of my palate).

Mani's also has a 400 calorie menu that is awesome. There are 400 calories dinners that are delicious and fill you up and don't make you feel like you just had Thanksgiving dinner. They're all under 10 bucks and I have one of them about 3 times a week. My favorites are the Foutain of Youth (Tuna salad made with apple, celery, green onion, non-fat yogurt & lemon juice, wrapped in a soy multigrain wrap and a leaf of romaine lettuce) and then maybe a cup of their turkey chili, also a Mani's must.

Today I saw my boss and his wife there, so I can safely say, if you want to run into someone who works on the writing staff of The Office, go to Mani's!

Price: $10-12 dollars (for a 400 calorie menu item.)
$4 (over-sized cookie, good for splitting)
$6 (a large pint of soup, good for splitting, or eating later during L&O)

Mani's Bakery
519 South Fairfax
Los Angeles, California 90036
323.938.8800