Chef Nary Kim, sister Mary and brother-in-law Dave Kim opened Ma Petit Bakery & Café yesterday on the ground floor of downtown’s historic Douglas Building (1898).

The Kims signed the lease three years ago. It was the only space they looked at. “The building itself had an awesome look to it,” says Dave Kim. “Our concept of the bakery fit into the historic building. It anchors the rest of the stores. LAPD and LA Times are close by. We have a lot of people who are employed by the government around here. If you look around, there aren’t many places that taste good. They put up with food around here because they have no other choice.”

Ma Petit combines a French bakery with a comfort food restaurant. Chef Nary Kim, who attended Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, makes everything from scratch, including the breads, jams and ice cream.

Dave Kim said the space was designed to “bring the outdoors inside,” complete with a stamped concrete floor. The service is strictly order at the counter. “One of our servers will bring you the food, but it’s not full service,” says Dave Kim. “It’s to keep the costs down for the person who’s dining. We don’t want people to feel obligated to tip because the economy is pretty bad.”

Here’s a selection of dishes, so you know what to expect food-wise:

Pizza & Calzone
Italian Sausage, Bell Peppers & Caramelized Onion ($8.25)
Roasted Potato & Bacon ($8.25) with sour cream and cheese

Pasta
Rolled Eggplant Lasagna ($6.75)
Pancetta Alla Carbonara ($7.50)

Appetizers
Shrimp Fritters ($5.75) with roasted red pepper mayonnaise
BBQ Meatball Sliders ($6.75)

Entrees
Maple Syrup & Mustard Pork ($8.25)
Pan-Seared Ginger-Soy Halibut ($9.25)
Fried Macadamia Nut Chicken ($8.25)

Sandwich (Breakfast)
Corn, Pepper, Bacon Quiche ($5.75)

Omelet ($5.25)
Andouille Sausage & Potato

Entrée
Brioche French Toast ($6.25) with fresh berries
Banana Bread ($5.25) with strawberry and Mascarpone cheese

Pancakes & Waffles
Pumpkin ($4.75)
Blue Corn ($5.25)

Salads
Asian Seared Tuna Salad ($4.75, $7)
Bistro Frisee ($6.75)

Soup
Corn Chowder ($5.75) in sourdough bowl
French Onion Soup ($5.25)

Cold Sandwich
Wasabi Tuna ($7.25)
Roasted Turkey & Bacon ($6.50)

Hot Sandwich / Panini
Ham, Brie, Spinach & Apple ($7.25)
Grilled Chicken & Arugula ($6.75)
Ma Petit “BIG” Burger ($7)

Related Posts

1. Marseilles Natives Open Café Massilia in Monrovia
2. Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery Opens in Santa Monica
3. Japonaise Bakery & Café – Tustin, CA – December 20, 2008
4. Longtime Highland Parkers Hope to Open Café de Leche in October
5. Heirloom Bakery & Cafe – South Pasadena, CA – Sunday, November 4, 2007

1. mattatouille, November 14, 2008:

   looks like a spot worth trying.

2. John710, July 31, 2009:

   Very nice site!

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass.