Ralphs Ditches 'Van de Kamp's' Name, Rebrands Its Store-Brand Bread Under 'Kroger'

Van de Kamp's Holland Dutch Bakeries was once a staple of Southern California, particularly thanks to the bakery/restaurant chain's trademark blue windmills. Founded in 1915, Van de Kamp's evolved into a chain of more than 300 bakeries and restaurants up and down the west coast. A grand headquarters was even built in Glassell Park. The building still stands (today it's the LA City College's Innovation Center, and also home to a charter school) — but Van de Kamp's went out of business in 1990.

The name has lived on via local grocer Ralphs, which holds the license to sell its in-house bakery items under the Van de Kamp's name. But that may now be changing.

Eagle-eyed Friend of Franklin Avenue Jim Ellwanger posted on his Twitter feed that it looks like Ralphs is ditching the Van de Kamp's brand in favor of its parent company, Kroger. That would bring items like bread, buns, and pastries, in line with its other Kroger-branded in-house store items. Here's what he found:

"Van de Kamp's bread has a new look. Same Great Taste! Now... KROGER." I guess chalk it up to another end of an era.

Rate-A-Restaurant #320: La Brea Bakery

Restaurant: La Brea Bakery

Location: 468 South La Brea Avenue (Mid-City)

Type of restaurant: Bakery/Coffee Shop/American

We stipulated: After picking up Maria from the airport on a Sunday morning, we wanted to celebrate her return with brunch. Driving up La Cienega and then La Brea, we realized we hadn't tried La Brea Bakery in its new location (once the home of Rita Flora).



They stipulated: "When the original La Brea Bakery in Los Angeles opened its doors in 1989, no one knew that the small bakery would spark an artisan bread renaissance and eventually lead to La Brea Bakery breads being sold at the finest grocery stores and restaurants across the country."



What we ordered: WOOD OVEN TURKEY SAUSAGE FRITTATA 12.75 (grilled scallions, shredded potato, white cheddar); EGGS ANY STYLE 11.95 (three eggs served with breakfast potatoes, toast, & applewood smoked bacon); BREAKFAST BREADS 5.50 (a daily selection of fresh breads, toasted & served with jam, honey, butter & cinnamon-sugar); KIDS' PIZZA



High point:  They smartly told us to order the smaller basket of breakfast breads -- combined with the bread that came with our plates, it was more than enough.

Low point: Poor service. Our orders were wrong, so our food came late. We were promised things (like coffee refills) that never came.



Overall impression: We should have kept to the Baked Golden Rule: At a bakery, stick with the baked goods. The breakfast was just OK. For one thing, my frittata was too greasy (I had to remove the cheese).

Will we return: I might stop by to pick up a baked item to go one day. But I don't think we'll be back to the restaurant.

Rate-A-Restaurant #252: Proof Bakery

Restaurant: Proof Bakery

Location: 3156 Glendale Blvd (Atwater Village)

Type of restaurant: Bakery/Coffee



We stipulated: Since the sad demise of Butter Tart in Glassell Park, we've been looking for another bakery close to Franklin Avenue HQ. The Village, on Los Feliz Blvd., has won out so far. But Proof Bakery is even closer -- and on our commute. We had to check it out.

They stipulated: From their blog: "As we approach our 6 month anniversary, we are happy to say that we have stuck to our mission statement; we utilize farmer's market produce, organic butter and a traditional old world approach to production to supply hand crafted French-style pastries to our neighbors. Locavores & Foodies abound on Glendale Blvd these days. Rumors are swirling throughout the neighborhood about fresh markets & new restaurants opening this year, and Atwater Village is slowly but surely gaining a solid foothold in a beautiful movement."



What we ordered: Flourless Valrhona Chocolate Cake; Banana tea cake; Cognoscenti Coffee. Total: $9.88

High point: The chocolate cake is rich and dense but not too sweet. Also, the Cognoscenti coffee.

Low point: The selection is limited -- and although there will still be plenty of amazing selections to choose from, we haven't had a chance to try all of their specialties yet.

Overall impression: Proof Bakery, Alias Books and Jacknife Records are just three of the stores giving Glendale Blvd. an upscale upgrade in Atwater Village. I worry that Proof may be a bit too upscale to stay in business on this strip -- but am glad they are there.

Chance we'll go back:  Absolutely. Can't wait to try more of their gourmet goodies, including the savory sandwiches.

For a complete list of our more than 250 restaurant reviews, check out Franklin Avenue's companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #244: The Village

Restaurant: The Village Bakery and Cafe

Location: 3119 Los Feliz Blvd. (Atwater Village)

Type of restaurant: Bakery/Cafe



We stipulated: We were looking for a new, close-by spot for brunch. And we'd heard good things about The Village, located in nearby Atwater Village.

They stipulated: "The Village Bakery and Cafe is a neighborhood place helmed by Barbara Monderine, who as a small child learned to bake and cook at her mother’s side. In the summer of 2009, Barbara acquired LA Bread in Atwater Village--which came complete with a huge commercial kitchen and a four deck French Pavillier oven.

"Combining the best elements of Villa Rosa: top quality sweets made from natural ingredients – and LA Bread: artisanal bread baked fresh daily, Barbara revamped the new location’s cafe menu, expanded her line of pastries and opened up as The Village Bakery and Cafe in October of 2009."



What we ordered: Pastries: Lemon-rosemary-almond-olive oil cake; Corn muffin with raspberry jam

ATWATER SPECIAL -- $9.50 (a grilled potato leek cake topped with parmesan, scrambled eggs, spinach, tomato and crumbed Niman Ranch bacon)



High point: Maria enjoyed the Atwater Special, while the olive oil cake tasted as good as it sounds. (Hey, it sounded good to me.) Also, the self-serve coffee is a winner.

Low point: Also got a discounted day-old scone, which turned out to be stale. (Beware of day-old baked goods, we've learned.)

Overall impression: Great kid-friendly breakfast place with some interesting entrees and baked goods. Pay attention to the specials.

Chance we'll go back: Definitely.

For our complete list of 250 restaurant reviews, go to our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.