Röckenwagner Bakery, Café + Market — Restaurant in Culver City

Both the umlaut and prominently displayed pretzels hint that this is a German bakery, but Röckenwagner offers more than just that. The wide range of pastries and dishes rival what you can find elsewhere in a traditional bakery, or cafe.

Among everything I've had, the lox danish is the absolute highlight. Fresh lox, cream cheese and everything seasoning on top of a flaky kouign amann without the caramelization, beautifully garnished by dill and capers, this pastry is both delicate and delicious, and $6.5 is basically what you usually pay for half of a boring lox bagel!

Their butter croissant isn't as impressive, it's soft and on the bland aide. The pretzel version is better thanks to the unique alkaline taste. The preztel bacon and gruyere croissant plays a double twist on the traditional ham & cheese croissant: pretzel skin, bacon heart. I wish I had it warmed up a little for a crispier crust. While I'm not always amazed, I feel that this is a place that I have lots of options and won't go too wrong with any of them.

From their pretty expansive breakfast and brunch menu, I tried the pretzel burger. The beef patty is tender and juicy, but the presentation gives me an old school diner vibe. Well, maybe they are more of a diner than a hipster cafe.

Service at Röckenwagner has always been friendly and attentive. There are several big tables inside, and four smaller ones in front of the bakery where you'll get a ton of sun. There can be a short line, but it comes and goes. I wound't mind a little wait, and will definitely go back again at least for that...

Large selection of pastries and other baked goods. This spot and the Copenhagen bakery are my top spots for West LA, maybe even all of LA!

I ordered a mini egg white sandwich that comes with arugula/avocado/roasted tomato on a pretzel bun, a vanilla cro-dough, a pretzel croissant, and a raspberry scone. The must gets I would say is the Cro-dough and the pretzel croissant was tasty as well (heard even better things about the almond croissant but didn't want my whole breakfast to be sweets). I would go back to this place for their version of the Cronut for sure. Wasn't a big fan of the rasberry scone, it was meh to me and the egg sandwich is also forgettable. Tasty but would spend $4.75 on it again.

Total costs on purchased goods (as of 7/31/17): Egg white sandwich: $4.75 Crodough: $4 Pretzel Croissant: $3 Scone: $3 Not...

Wow I love this place. Went on a Friday at 10am and it wasn't crowded yet. I just grabbed a table inside and didn't have to wait long for our waiter. At the front entrance, there's a nice selection of ready-to-go meals (soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and other small sides) and a ton of artisan baked goods and desserts. They are popluar for their coffees and yes my hot vanilla latte was exceptional. They also sell groceries which is pretty cool. My pretzel croissant sandwich with a medium fried egg and a side of tater tots was so delicious. The croissant was fresh and flaky. Parking is either metered street parking or free parking in the surrounding residential streets (watch for street cleaning days). Their ready-to-go Turkey Reuben Sandwich and Cool Sesame Noodles with Chicken were also very tasty. Can't...