"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."
