(This thread is kinda local to LA…der)
For a long time I thought I might be imagining things, but I’m not. And it’s a crime. Nancy Silverton might be the greatest breadmaker who ever lived; her bread was genuine perfection when she started out. Extraordinary stuff. If you’ve had it, you know, and if you haven’t - well, be glad. That means you don’t have to be aware of the downfall.
It’s been slipping for a long time following her selling it, but it’s now gotten to the point where I not only think it’s not worth the money it costs, it’s not worth ANY money. Maybe if I have to choose between Wonder bread and La Brea, but absent such a stark and narrow choice, I’ll pass on the LBB, and it used to be the only bread I’d eat.
The specialty breads that can only be had from the bakery itself are still good. The White Table bread is still amazing, as are the sourdough sandwich and brioche loaves. But any flavor that can be purchased outside those four walls has been ruined.
If you are local and want to know where to find some good bread, try Jons market for Golden Wheat Bakery’s sliced ciabatta, which is almost as good as LBB’s white table, or Fairy Tale bakery’s french, multigrain or sourdough, all excellent.
And the price is great, too: $2.19-$2.79.