365 Places to Eat

From the buzz about Huckleberry, knew that the place gets crowded fast on weekends. One Saturday when we were all up early, we decided to take a chance and walk down for gourmet brunch.

Even getting to Huckleberry before 9:00, the line was to the back door. Credit to Huckleberry, though, their line management is pretty effective. No table sitting until you place your order and the food comes out pretty quick. Plus, truth be told, the pre-10am crowd is usually the family set that is on a tight schedule to get in and out before the kiddies have a meltdown. The post 10:30 hangover set tends to linger as they nurse their cafes…

I couldn’t avoid ordering the signature Green Eggs and Ham: La Quercia prosciutto on
house made English muffin topped with eggs (poached in my case) and then covered with a fresh arugula salad and drizzled with a mild pesto oil. For $12, it seems expensive, but the ingredients and the combination of flavors make it a worthwhile treat.

Being a specialty bakery, the home made English muffin is a gem. Flavor, texture and depth kicks Mr. Thomas’s buns. We also tasted a couple of the sweet breakfast items. The fresh strawberry crostada was so delightful that we practically giggled while eating it. How could something taste so fresh and light and buttery at the same time?

With an expertly concocted Americano on the side, brunch at Huckleberry is a real treat. It’s true that the prices are high and that it’s crowded. The crowds are manageable and the prices are worth the quality and creativity of the menu. Also, most dishes are rich enough to be shared. I would split the Green Eggs and Ham along with a pastry between two people and you can get out of there for a comparable cost as most other local breakfast spots.

Huckleberry
1014 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-2311

Some people would say that I’m not a dessert person. Those people would be wrong. It’s more that I’m not the kind of person who likes an overwhelmingly sweet dessert. Especially cupcakes. I don’t like a cupcake that tastes like it has all of the sugar, butter and frosting of a full size cake, squeezed down into a smaller package. For these reasons, Hot Cakes Bakes on Centinela near Mar Vista and Marina del Rey is my kind of bakery.

Their cupcakes are light and airy with just the right amount of frosting on them. Their coconut cupcake is subtly flavored and not too sweet. Also, the cupcakes are the right size and priced a little lower then some other shops at $3 a piece. They also have some mini versions for $1.50.

The real star of Hot Cakes Bakes is the Black and White cookie. Out of this world and something that even a New Yorker (which I am not) could love.

When you drive past Hot Cakes, you might think twice about stopping in. The sign is very hand made looking and parking is tight. There are a couple spots in the back. The main benefit of parking back there is that you get to walk through the kitchen and take in the amazing aromas of the bakery in action.

Hot Cakes now serves lunch, mostly just sandwiches, but I haven’t tried them yet. I’ll stick with the dessert.

Hot Cakes Bakes
4119 South Centinela Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(Just South of Washington Boulevard)
Phone: (310) 397-2324

Beard Papa

Three years later, many more locations have opened around LA and Frozen Yogurt has taken much of the thunder away from cream puffs. All the better though, because now you can pick up a Beard Papa without too much trouble.

If you haven’t been to a shop yet, it’s a fun treat. The hot baked puffs come out of the oven and are filled to order with the cream, which is actually a mixture of whipped cream and custard. Depending on the day, you can get filling flavors other then the original, such as strawberry or green tea. You can also choose to get an eclair style puff, which is dipped in chocolate - my favorite.

I’m not a custard fan, so Beard Papa hits my spot, because I do like whipped cream.

The Cream Puffs don’t save too well, because of their freshness and lack of preservatives. It’s best to consume them right away, especially if you get them warm.

When you have the chance, you really should check out the Beard Papa story, in all of it’s animated silliness.

Beard Papa’s
Various Locations