Proof Bakery

I love this bakers cooperative in Atwater Village. The pastries are amazing and very creative. I love the sesame grape one so much. They have the best sandwiches that sell out decently quickly. The salami one with onion jam is the best!

This popular worker-owned cooperative in Atwater Village knows how to make pastries. Their croissants get pretty good marks on my scoreboard: flaky outside, moist inside, with a nice buttery taste. A little bit on the light and soft side, but that's all I can nitpick. Other items I've tried are on point too, including za'atar croissant, ham and cheese croissant, savory scone, and canelé.

That said, I got bored after a few weeks going to Proof. However nice the staff seems, the vibe of the bakery is that of a business, not of a neighbor. There is always one staff member behind the counter to prepare the order, and another person at the cashier for the payment. The streamline process inadvertently makes it harder to initiate a meaningful, personal interaction and makes the experience more transactional. At the end of the day, when the pastry is long gone, there is little left to remember.

Went here to try the Chocolate Espresso Cake as seen on Worth it. Was delicious and met my expectations. The bakery itself has a cute chill vibe, despite no seating indoors. Lots of other breakfast and lunch items which looked good!