Expert Picks: L.A.'s Pastry Pros
By Jenn Rubin, Citysearch Contributor
They spend their days whipping up cupcakes, cannolis and more for hungry customers. Yet which restaurants and bakeries have the treats that hit the sweet spot on the palates of L.A.'s pastry professionals? At Dessert Decadence 2008 in Hollywood, local chefs, chocolatiers and caterers dished about where to go and what to order for a satisfying sugar high.
"Jin's chocolates are fantastic"
Small yet sophisticated cookies and cakes tantalize taste buds inside Jin Patisserie, but it's the Venice shop's tiniest treats that get the biggest praise from ONE Sunset chef Katrina Zai. "Jin's chocolates are fantastic!" she raves of the candy created in gourmet flavors like lavender, espresso and mango. "[Owner] Kristy Choo puts a lot of care into her work." Boxes of the artistically-decorated chocolates cost between $8.50 to $60.50.
Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd,
Venice,
CA
"I try to stay away, but Beard Papa's cream puffs are amazing!"
Cafe La Boheme chef Christine Banta thinks "Papa" really does know best when it comes to pastries. "I try to stay away, but Beard Papa's cream puffs are amazing!" she confesses of the $1.95 desserts. A worldwide franchise that started in Japan, local stores typically offer cream puff fillings ranging from traditional vanilla and chocolate to more peculiar options like pumpkin and Earl Grey tea. For those not in the mood to get creamed, mango ice and molten chocolate lava cake are also on the counter-order menu.
Beard Papa Sweets Cafe
2130 Sawtelle Blvd Ste 110,
Los Angeles,
CA
"Joan's was one of the innovators before the cupcake craze in L.A."
Where does the Cannoli King prefer to go when he gets a cupcake craving? "I love the coconut at Joan's on Third," says Italian caterer Michael Parise. "Joan's was one of the innovators way before the cupcake craze in L.A. They do it right and don't skimp on ingredients. Joan's understands food comes first and has an authenticity you don't find too often." The cupcakes, which cost $3 individually, also come in varieties like vanilla, chocolate, carrot and peanut butter.
Joan's on Third
8350 W Third St,
Los Angeles,
CA
"The bread pudding at Angeli Caffe is just the right mix of creamy and chocolate"
The chocolate chunk bread pudding at Italian eatery Angeli Caffe is the ultimate comfort food for Hilary Laffer of Smile Chocolatiers. "It's like a heavenly layered challah French toast but baked in a deep dish for dessert with chocolate," she explains of the homemade $8 dessert. "The bread pudding at Angeli Caffe is just the right mix of creamy and chocolate, and it's topped with fresh real whipped cream. Every bite is so good." Authentic Italian sweet treats on Angeli's menu also include tiramisu, giant biscotti and torta di cioccolata flourless chocolate cake.
Angeli Caffe
7274 Melrose Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
"Canele's fruit and a biscuit is really simple and European"
From the menu scrawled on the chalkboard walls at trendy bistro Canele, diners can order the fruit and a biscuit dessert with creme fraiche favored by Melli Belli Desserts caterer Melissa Blanchard. "Canele's fruit and a biscuit is really simple and European," she says. "It isn't covered with heavy sauces, so you can really taste the quality and freshness. That's what I look for in a dessert." Other $7 sweet finishers include flan and flourless chocolate cake.
Canele
3219 Glendale Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
"Bigg Chill has unbelievable fro-yo!"
The range of fro-yo offerings is what impresses Lauren Harris the most about dessert stop Bigg Chill, but that doesn't mean the LuLu's Mondel Bread caterer is without a favorite flavor. "Oreo is the best!" she gushes. "Bigg Chill has unbelievable fro-yo! It is very flavorful while still being fat free." Cups of soft serve at the Westside shop start around $3. Cookies, chips and other snacks are also available.
Bigg Chill
10850 W Olympic Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
"Nobu has nice food"
The creative Japanese-inspired desserts at this upscale restaurant frequented by Hollywood's rich and famous are not to be missed, according to Shuya Miyawaki at nearby Gonpachi in Beverly Hills. "Nobu has nice food," the chef sums up. Sugary concoction options, which range from $10 to $14, often include Suntory whisky iced cappuccino, white chocolate with raspberry wasabi and dark chocolate shiso-yuzu spring rolls, as well as banana caramel soy tobanyaki with roasted pecans and malaga ice cream.
Nobu Los Angeles
903 N La Cienega Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA
"I got my birthday cake from Hansen's"
Tavi Stutz of Sweet Kenny Cakes catering had an extra special birthday this year, thanks to this popular bakery that's been in the neighborhood since the 1940s. "I got my birthday cake from Hansen's," says Stutz. "I recommend the white cake with chocolate filling and chocolate frosting." The store specializes in wedding cakes as well as themed versions--which start at around $20--in shapes like golf balls, monkeys and computers.
Hansen's Cakes
1072 S Fairfax Ave,
Los Angeles,
CA
"At Leda's, they aren't dry like a lot of other brownies are"
She took home best original cupcake honors at the 2008 Cupcake Challenge in Hollywood, but Sugar Jones caterer Precious McCall reveals it's the brownies at Leda's Bake Shop that have her sweet tooth won over. "They're really moist and have a good chocolate, fudgy flavor," says McCall of the bars, which are priced around $3.25 each. "At Leda's, they aren't dry like a lot of other brownies are." Scones, muffins, as well as a wide array of traditional and vegan cupcakes can also be found at this Valley bakery.
Leda's Bake Shop
13722 Ventura Blvd,
Sherman Oaks,
CA
