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April 29, 2008
Great French Bakeries in Los Angeles
Filed under: Best Of, Westside, Downtown, Midtown, Eat — StyleGuide @ 7:15 pm
If I had to guess, I’d venture that my love of bakeries came from my mother. Her idea of lunch out was splitting a sandwich five ways so we could main-line Napoleons, cream puffs, pain au chocolate and cinnamon rolls.
I’ve spent a good part of my life ever since searching for great pastries. For rich, inexpensive breakfasts, afternoon treats, or part of a healthy lunch (according to my mother), here are some of my favorite local French bakeries:
1. Hotcakes Bakes: When I visited the Mar Vista shop, there were actual French people running the shop. Seems authentic to me. Try the delightful canele.
2. Frances Bakery: Head downtown for artful French baked goods, Little Tokyo style. The sweet almond croissant will make your eyes glaze over — they’re that good.
3. Delice Fine French Kosher Pastry & Bread: On Pico west of La Cienega, a Kosher bakery with light buttery flaky croissants. Mmmmm….
4. La Maison Du Pain: Two sisters living the dream — dumping corporate jobs to open a French bakery on Pico in Mid-Wilshire. Croissants, tarts, bread – this is the kind of place where you’ll want to eat your way through the line-up.
Where else can I find great French baked goods? Share, share, share!
Related links | More sweets:
April 23, 2008
Four Dining Splurges in Midtown Los Angeles
Filed under: Best Of, Midtown, Eat — StyleGuide @ 8:21 pm
There are occasions when a bucket of fried chicken just won’t do (even if it is as good as Golden Bird). Maybe it is that all-important second date. Maybe it’s just that someone else is paying.
When I want to go out, without going “all out,” I hit these four stylish supper splurges in Midtown L.A.:
1. Osteria La Buca: The owners built a neighborhood Italian trattoria on Melrose – and brought Mamma back from Italy to cook. Carbonara on tagliatelle is like a fat boat straight to heaven — worth every creamy mouthful. $$$
2. Meals by Genet: A study in contrasts in Little Ethiopia: Hands-on communal dining … set on white tablecloths. Fresh local ingredients … with spices imported from Africa. Family-style dining can keep costs down, and the vibe makes any occasion feel like a celebration. $$-$$$
3. Lou: A place famous for smoky, spicy, super-sweet bacon pieces called pig candy? A reason to celebrate in and of itself. You’d never guess that a super mod interior and artisanal cheese and sausage hides in this strip mall on Vine. $$$
4. El Cholo on Western: Five simple words will set you up: Cadillac margarita. Green corn tamales. $$-$$$
Related links | More Midtown eats:
April 9, 2008
Mateo’s: Smoothies, Ice Cream and Juice to make you forget Jamba Juice
Filed under: San Gabriel Valley, Westside, Midtown, Eat — StyleGuide @ 8:19 pm
This stuff is so addicting they should be selling it in little packets on the corner.
Instead, the smoothies that will hook you like a junkie are sold out of bright, clean shops in dingy neighborhood strip malls.
The local Mateo’s mini-chain serves up smoothies, juices, ice cream and popsicles in the Oaxacan tradition — rich, creamy, and chock-a-block with fresh ingredients.
The best way to get started? Choose a smoothie — something fun like orange/papaya/mango. Consider it a gateway to their 100 percent vegetable and orange juices. Called Vampiros, a single sip will make you feel like you’ve added a year to your life. Beets — the not-so-secret ingredient — give them their blood-red hue and a slight sweetness (think sugar beets). I personally know of people who would pawn grandma’s pearl necklace for carrot/beet/celery/strawberry Vampiros.
You can get your pleasure to-go with Mateo’s rich, fruity popsicles, $1.50 apiece. Scoops of ice cream or sorbet in flavors ranging from the familiar (strawberry, cookies and cream), to the interesting (watermelon, walnut) to the exotic (smoked milk, soursop), are stimulating choices as well.
Just don’t come crying to me when you blow your paycheck on a wild, fruit-crammed weekend, and your pants get a little snug.
Price: $
Where: Four locations:
1250 S. Vermont Avenue #105, Los Angeles, Ca, 213.738.7288
4222 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca, 323.931.5500
4929 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, Ca, 310.313.7625
522-B E. Vine Avenue, West Covina, Ca, 626.919.2090