Video: The best table bread in L.A. may be at Craig’s in West Hollywood

Table bread is generally overlooked. Sometimes it’s a basket of stale ciabatta. In most cases, it comes in the form of a plate of sliced French bread, served with those tiny squares of foil-wrapped butter. It is not something bakers like Chad Robertson or Peter Reinhart would write home about.

Rather, it’s just the precursor to the main event, meant to keep you from throwing a hangry (hungry + angry) tantrum before the real food comes; the stuff you can politely nibble, on a blind date, to make it slightly less awkward.

If you’re at Craig’s, the celeb-frequented (Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and Chelsea Handler, at one table, because you wanted to know) upscale American restaurant in West Hollywood, the table bread is far from an afterthought. It’s also a reason to press the pause button on your paleo/low-carb diet.

The table bread is a house-made flatbread smothered in butter, honey, cheese and fresh herbs, eliminating the need for a dipping sauce, any additional butter — or really even a dinner companion.

It arrives at your table hot, slightly crisp around the edges, with the butter and cheese melted together on each piece. You will most likely finish an entire basket, or two, before your entree arrives. That’s OK, because your server will bring you more.

Want to know why it tastes so good? Check out the video above to watch Craig’s chef Kursten Kizer discuss the bread. Over a couple martinis, of course.

8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (310) 276-1900, www.craigs.la.

Have a favorite spot for table bread? Let us know in the comments below, so we can go try it.

I heart carbs. Follow me on Twitter @Jenn_Harris_

ALSO:

How to pair craft beer with all that avocado toast

Breakfast congee, gangsta rap and Chinese doughnuts at Little Sister DTLA

Now you can have your weekend brunch at Animal -- more loco moco for you