los angeles: the sycamore kitchen

tommy lunches at the sycamore kitchen...

grilled short rib sandwich; charred broccolini, chili flake, reggiano 

double b-lta: crispy and braised pork belly, butter lettuce, balsamic, tomatoes, avocado, mayo, country bread; butternut squash soup

salted caramel pecan babka roll; butttercup

flourless lemon custard cake; chewy molasses cookie; chocolate hazelnut fudge cookie

tommy says: fantastic sweets, so-so savory sandwiches.  the grilled short rib sandwich was a bit greasy and a bit bland.  it really could've used some salt and an acidic component.  the double b-lta was fine, but nothing particularly special.  the soup was very tasty.  the best things here are the baked goods! salted caramel pecan babka roll, buttercup, and flourless lemon custard cake were all delicious!  the buttercup is like a sweetened buttery, flakey, croissant. salted caramel roll is the most amazing sticky bun.  cookies were good, just not as good as the other sweets.

the sycamore kitchen
143 s la brea ave
los angeles, ca 90036
(323) 939-0151
http://thesycamorekitchen.com/

los angeles - atwater village: proof bakery

tommy discovers that the proof is in the dough (not the pudding)...

oatmeal raisin cookie, paris brest, almond croissant, empanada, tea cake with cherry, savory gallette

tommy says: a really fantastic bakery!  the croissant had a nice crisp and flaky exterior with a buttery slight chew and more flaky goodness on the interior. the cookie was super oatmealy, so a bit different from a typical oatmeal cookie.  the hazelnut cream in the paris brest was so delicious, but the shell itself was a bit dry.  the empanada was really good - the dough and the veggie and cheese filling were excellent!  the tea cake was a bit denser than anticipated, and was a bit reminiscent of cornbread, but much, much better (and cornbread already gets high marks in my book).  it is a stretch to say that the tea cake has a filling, it was just one tiny half cherry - a delicious half cherry, but still not enough to say it is filled. the savory gallette was also quite good.  proof really knows their dough/crust/pastries/shells.

proof bakery
3156 glendale blvd
los angeles, ca 90039
(323) 664-8633
http://www.proofbakeryla.com/

los angeles: scoops

tommy enjoys a sweet treat at scoops...

brown bread in a cup; strawberry balsamic on a sugar cone

tommy says:  scoops  is known for their unique flavors.  brown bread is a classic here and so good, but strawberry balsamic just might be my new favorite!  westside location tends to have fewer (and some different) flavor options, but just as tasty.

scoops
712 n heliotrope dr
los angeles, ca 90029
(323) 906-2649

scoops westside
3400 overland ave 
los angeles, ca 90034
(323) 405-7055
http://www.scoopswestside.com/

oahu - kahuku: kahuku land farms fruit stand

tommy stumbles onto kahuku land farms fruit stand...

banana lumpia

tommy says: if you find yourself on this side of the island make a stop and get some banana lumpia!!  crunchy and sweet, the sugars caramelized nicely.  perhaps a little greasy once it cools, but still a very addicting and tasty snack!

kahuku land farms fruit stand
56-781 kamehameha hwy
kahuku, hi 96731
(808) 232-2202

oahu - honolulu: ailana shave ice

tommy discovers his favorite shave ice at ailana shave ice...

strawberry milk shave ice

tommy says: the absolute best shave ice on the island! they have a select number of syrups that are homemade and the strawberry milk is one of them.  made with fresh strawberries, you can even see some seeds.

ailana shave ice

1430 kona st #102 honolulu, hi 96814 (808) 955-8881 http://ailanashaveice.com/

oahu - haleiwa: matsumoto shave ice

tommy tries matsumoto shave ice...

strawberry cream

tommy says: hmmm... not really understanding all the hype for matsumoto.  yes, it is an acceptable version of shave ice, but the ice isn't particularly soft, and the flavors don't taste better than others.  mediocre hawaiian shave ice... but that is better than no shave ice.

matsumoto shave ice

66-087 kamehameha hwy haleiwa, hi 96712 (808) 637-4827 http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/

oahu - honolulu: waiola shave ice

tommy chills out at waiola shave ice...

strawberry cream with condensed milk, thai tea and orange creamsicle

tommy says: this place has the the softest textured ice on the island!  the syrup flavors are good and numerous, but nothing particularly special.  what is special though is their magical soft snow!

waiola shave ice

2135 waiola st 

honolulu, hi 96826

(808) 949-2269

https://www.facebook.com/WaiolaShaveIce

burbank: porto's bakery

tommy hearts porto's potato balls and sweets...


meat-filled potato balls





pan con lechon (roasted pork sandwich): slow roasted pork, mojo garlic sauce, and grilled onions, on a grilled cuban bread


tres leches
strawberry shortcake

tommy says: yummmm... potato balls! sandwiches were ok. desserts were really good. have had breakfast sandwiches in the past which were yummy. also, bonus: pretty cheap! they've also got another location in glendale.

porto's bakery
3614 w magnolia blvd
burbank, ca 91504
(818) 846-9100

www.portosbakery.com

santa monica: cafe paradiso

tommy checks out the grub at cafe paradiso in santa monica...


salad with burrata, tomatoes and olives


butternut squash soup


boscaiola: farfalle with mushroom, sausage, and peas in a creamy tomato sauce


vecchio roma: farfalle with chicken, sun dried tomato, artichoke in a creamy tomato sauce


macerated berries (berries in balsamic vinegar) with vanilla ice cream

tommy says: the macerated berries were the best part of the meal, the berries were so sweet and the vinegar enhanced the flavor - so yummy! the soup was quite tasty as well and had a touch of indian spice to it. pastas were so-so, chicken in the vecchio roma was on the dry and bland side.

cafe paradiso
2408 wilshire blvd
santa monica, ca 90401
(310) 828-0218

culver city: yogiyo

tommy becomes a fan of yogiyo in culver city...


plain frozen yogurt with captain crunch, strawberries, and blackberries

tommy says: hits the spot! the right amount of tart and the right amount of creaminess. plain is $0.50 cheaper than flavored yogurt (pink grapefruit, raspberry, mango, blackberry). medium plain was $3.50 plus $1.45 for the 3 toppings (individual toppings are $0.95 if you don't get 3). a worthy competitor in the yogurt wars.

yogiyo
8985 venice blvd
los angeles, ca 90034
(310) 559-3889
http://www.helloyogiyo.com

west la: jamaica's cakes

tommy digs jamaica's cakes in west la...


cookies-n-cream: cookies baked into vanilla pound cake, layered with chocolate mousse and whipped cream, frosted in rich chocolate ganache
vanilla bavarian: vanilla pound cake filled with vanilla bavarian cream, frosted with white chocolate buttercream
raspberry champagne: champagne sponge cake filled with raspberry mousse and topped with raspberry puree

tommy says: tasty cakes. the raspberry was the favorite of the three, but all were good. cakes were slightly on the dry side, but were still pretty good. buttercreams were smooth and not too sweet! a nice option to take care of a cake craving.

jamaica's cakes
11511 w. pico blvd
los angeles, ca 90064
(310) 478-1971
http://www.jamaicascakes.com

west la: susiecakes

tommy samples susiecakes in west la...


sour cream cheesecake
classic marble cake: chocolate, chocolate chip cake swirled with vanilla cake filled with chocolate and vanilla buttercreams

tommy says: so-so... the cheesecake is neither light nor dense, but somewhere in between. it was not bad, and the better of the two cakes. the marble cake tasted like it was made from a cake mix.

susiecakes
11708 san vicente blvd
los angeles, ca 90049
(310) 442-2253
http://www.susiecakesla.com

west la: amandine

tommy gets some satisfaction at amandine in west la...


delice au chocolat: chocolate cake with a graham cracker and walnut crust
gateau fraise: sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream
cheesecake

tommy says: yummm. the gateau fraise was light and tasty. the delice au chocolat was rich, and the cheesecake is quite light and airy, so may not appease those who like dense cheesecake. the gateau chocolat (not photographed, chocolate cake with ganache, raspberries, and chocolate shavings) is also really good. a tasty spot to satisfy your sweet tooth!

amandine
12225 wilshire blvd
los angeles, ca 90025
(310) 979-3211
http://www.amandinecafe.com/

west la: pink orchid

tommy spells disappointment p-i-n-k-o-r-c-h-i-d...


chocolate cake, orange walnut cake, cherry cake, and pistachio cake

tommy says: super cheap, but sickeningly sweet. cakes were all pretty bad. will not be returning.

pink orchid
1927 westwood blvd
los angeles, ca 90025

santa monica: caprice pastries

tommy satisfies his sweet tooth at caprice pastries...


various pastries

tommy says: the most amazing customer service! jean louis is extremely helpful and friendly, and bakes up some mean pastries! be sure to try some of the cookies, the almond cookies with orange marmalade filling are fantastic!!

caprice fine french pastries
3213 pico blvd
santa monica, ca 90405
(310) 453-1932

west la: volcano tea

tommy tries the shaved ice at volcano tea


shaved ice with lychee, coconut jelly, almond jello, syrup, and condensed milk

tommy says: not quite simbala, but this is the place to get your taiwanese shaved ice fix on the west side. toppings are limited (they really need to add flan), but at least they have the basics.

volcano tea

2111 sawtelle blvd

los angeles, ca 90025

(310) 445-5326

santa monica: josie restaurant

tommy indugles his fancy side at josie in santa monica...


gruyere and mushroom quiche


tomato soup with goat cheese-stuffed poached tomato


bacon-wrapped grilled quail: crisp polenta croutons, frisée, pickled onions, golden raisins, pomegranate, and toasted pine nuts


heirloom tomato salad with arugula, burrata cheese, and bacon


buffalo burger: ground buffalo sirloin stuffed with gruyère, caramelized onions and mushrooms, and topped with foie gras
truffle fries


mesquite-grilled prime rib-eye medallion with pop’s peppercorn sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, and a gorgonzola-candied garlic-watercress salad


lemon sabayon cake: summer berries, brûléed lemon sabayon

tommy says: everything was tasty, and the complimentary quiche was a nice touch! the rib eye was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were quite tasty! standouts were the quail and dessert. the burger was tasty but a bit on the rich and heavy side. overall, a decadent meal!

josie restaurant
2424 pico blvd

santa monica, ca 90405

(310) 581-9888

http://www.josierestaurant.com

los angeles - west hollywood: milk

tommy satisfies his sweet tooth at milk...


buttercrunch cone
berry, mint, and coffee bon bons

tommy says: ice creams are homemade! the buttercrunch cone had a generous amount of crushed butterfingers encrusting the ice cream. and who doesn't love bon bons? creative and yummy sweet treats!

milk
7290 beverly blvd

los angeles, ca 90046

(323) 939-6455

http://www.themilkshop.com

los angeles - koreatown: haus dessert boutique

tommy goes for something hot and cold at haus in ktown...


drip coffee


shaved ice with fruit and red bean

tommy says: pricey. drip coffee was $8 (though it was quite a presentation -- they come a pour the water over the filter and it drips down into the pot, and did make 3 cups) and shaved ice with fruit (and red bean and rice cakes) was $10. the decor was modern and fun, but honestly, not really worth the price.

haus dessert boutique
3826 w 6th st

los angeles, ca 90020

(213) 288-5311

san gabriel valley - arcadia: phoenix food boutique

tommy finds fantastic sweets at phoenix in arcadia...


fresh mango and soy custard


deep fried mini sweet buns

tommy says: absolutely heavenly!! the custard dish ($3.75) is absolutely amazing! fresh mango with tiny tapioca pearls and soy custard makes for an incredible combination! the deep fried buns ($4.25) are not too sweet and the inside is chewy. they come with sweetened condensed milk to dip the buns, so good!

phoenix food boutique
1108 s baldwin ave
arcadia, ca 91007
(626) 446-7668
http://www.phoenixfoodboutique.com/