Sumi Chang's Euro Pane Bakery is the center of civilized life in Pasadena, and you probably could set your watch by the appearance of its regulars. It's a place to find excellent to superb scones and baguettes and pains au chocolat, of course, but also the heart of a certain sort of society: the Caltech professors, theology students and writers who worship at the twin altars of caffeine and conversation, a place where you are likely to bump into a revered judge, the world's foremost authority on migraines or the star of the play you saw last night. The cinnamon rolls are gooey yet crisp-edged; the croissants are magnificent; the natural-starter sourdough is superb. Toss in the homemade granola, the epochal bread pudding, the puff-pastry tarts with pears and frangipane and the gooiest egg-salad sandwich in town, and it's no wonder that Euro Pane's regulars treat the bakery more as a permanent residence than as a café. A second Euro Pane down the street sells pretty much the same things, only made with whole-wheat flour instead of white. Think of it as an alternate universe made of bran. 950 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 577-1828. Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun., till 3 p.m. No alcohol. Street parking. MC, V for orders exceeding $10 only. California Bakery. Also at 300 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 844-8804.

99 Essential L.A. Restaurants 2011:

Jonathan Gold's Introduction
Anne Fishbein's Photos
The Google Map

The List:

A-Frame
Akasha
Alcazar
Angeli Caffe
Angelini Osteria
Animal
Antojitos Carmen
Attari
Babita
Bludso's
Border Grill
Bottega Louie
Bulgarini Gelato
Cacao
Campanile
Casa Bianca
Chang's Garden
Chego
Chichén Itzá
Chung King
Church & State
Ciro's
Comme Ça
Cut
Dae Bok
Din Tai Fung
Drago Centro
El Huarache Azteca
El Parian
Elvirita's
Euro Pane Bakery
Eva
Fab Hot Dogs
Father's Office
Fig
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Golden State
Good Girl Dinette
The Gorbals
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Huckleberry
Hungry Cat
Ink.
Jar
Jitlada
Kiriko
Kobawoo
La Casita Mexicana
Langer's
Larkin's
Lazy Ox Canteen
Le Comptoir
Little Dom's
Lou
Lucques
LudoBites
Lukshon
Mantee
Marouch
Mayura
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Mezze
Mo-Chica
Mother Dough
Mozza
Musso & Frank Grill
Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa
Newport Tan Cang Seafood Restaurant
The Nickel
Night + Market
Oinkster
101 Noodle Express
Palate Food + Wine
Park's Barbecue
Picca
Playa
Pollos a la Brasa
Providence
Ray's
Red Medicine
Rivera
Rustic Canyon
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Sea Harbour
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
Spice Table
Street
Tacos Baja Ensenada
Tasting Kitchen
Terroni
Tsujita L.A.
Vincenti
Waterloo & City

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