September 22, 2012
September 21, 2012
Best Cupcakes in Los Angeles
I Love Cupcakes!! Who doesn't?!?
L.A. has no shortage of great bakeries and cupcakeries - even the biggies - Magnolia Bakery, made famous with help from Sex & the City, and Sprinkles Cupcakes. We (I'm not the only one who loves cupcakes) have been stopping by these sweet shops while out exploring and decided to rate them and see who comes out on top.
According to my calculations i.e. looking through iphone pics we have been to six so far. There will undoubtedly be more taste tests, but here is our running list and reviews for Best Cupcake in L.A.
1. Sprinkles Cupcakes
Our favorite so far! Right in Beverly Hills and they have a cupcake ATM!!! You can get cupcakes 24/7. So cool! fyi: the cakes out of the ATM do cost 50 cents more, but its worth it to see and then go inside and order the others, like we did. These cakes were just about perfect. Soft, moist, and not-too-sweet icing. The have different colored "buttons" for each flavor. They also just opened Sprinkles Ice Cream next door and we are planning to try it next time.
2. Vanilla Bake Shop
A close second. It is also the closest to our house, which could be dangerous. The cupcakes were light, moist and the icing was not too sweet. Big bonuses are that you can get all their cupcakes in mini versions, so you can try a few at a time and not get sugar sick. The Blackberry Passion Fruit cupcake that was amazing! Yum!
4. Joan's on Third
We had lunch here one day and took a cupcake to-go for our test. I would compare the interior of Joan's on Third to Dean and Deluca. I liked it but it was crowded at lunch and that isn't great with kids. The cupcake itself was a bit on the heavy side but the icing seemed like it could be good, not too sweet. I couldn't decide since it was coated (way too many) sprinkles, which made it taste chalky, but the kids wouldn't let me scrape them off. I am going to give Joan's another try when we are in the area for the cupcakes and to get a better photo.
5. Yummy Cupcakes
This shop is near the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica so there is a lot of foot traffic. I think these are just ok. Cake is heavy and the icing, while not overly sweet, just wasn't great. These seemed like they had been sitting awhile and possibly leftover from the day before??? They were rated #1 on Citysearch for LA in 2011, but I think there are better cupcakes in this town.
6. Crumbs Bake Shop
These cupcakes are big. The biggest of any we've had. And they are $2.95, the cheapest of the cakes. This should have been a clue. They were heavy, more like a muffin, which I didn't like. The icing tasted like it was from a jar. Juliet loved that the icing was pink and had sprinkles. There you go...its sad to say, but we won't be returning for any more Crumbs.
I have heard about cupcake food trucks and I would like to see what those are like. And if there are any other great cupcakes we find, we'll let you know.
Love,
us
L.A. has no shortage of great bakeries and cupcakeries - even the biggies - Magnolia Bakery, made famous with help from Sex & the City, and Sprinkles Cupcakes. We (I'm not the only one who loves cupcakes) have been stopping by these sweet shops while out exploring and decided to rate them and see who comes out on top.
According to my calculations i.e. looking through iphone pics we have been to six so far. There will undoubtedly be more taste tests, but here is our running list and reviews for Best Cupcake in L.A.
1. Sprinkles Cupcakes
Our favorite so far! Right in Beverly Hills and they have a cupcake ATM!!! You can get cupcakes 24/7. So cool! fyi: the cakes out of the ATM do cost 50 cents more, but its worth it to see and then go inside and order the others, like we did. These cakes were just about perfect. Soft, moist, and not-too-sweet icing. The have different colored "buttons" for each flavor. They also just opened Sprinkles Ice Cream next door and we are planning to try it next time.
A close second. It is also the closest to our house, which could be dangerous. The cupcakes were light, moist and the icing was not too sweet. Big bonuses are that you can get all their cupcakes in mini versions, so you can try a few at a time and not get sugar sick. The Blackberry Passion Fruit cupcake that was amazing! Yum!
3. Magnolia Bakery
If we were rating these on decor of the shop itself, Magnolia would win. The entire place is pastel and vintage inspired. The bakers are decorating cakes right in front of you and there are so many too-beautiful-to-eat desserts to choose from. I hear the Banana Pudding is the best, hands down. We will have to go back and try it. I'll get back to you on that!
The cupcakes were light, but a tad dry. The icing was too sweet for me and maybe too much icing??? Shocking to say, I know! Kids wouldn't agree. Never is there too much icing!
If we were rating these on decor of the shop itself, Magnolia would win. The entire place is pastel and vintage inspired. The bakers are decorating cakes right in front of you and there are so many too-beautiful-to-eat desserts to choose from. I hear the Banana Pudding is the best, hands down. We will have to go back and try it. I'll get back to you on that!
The cupcakes were light, but a tad dry. The icing was too sweet for me and maybe too much icing??? Shocking to say, I know! Kids wouldn't agree. Never is there too much icing!
4. Joan's on Third
This shop is near the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica so there is a lot of foot traffic. I think these are just ok. Cake is heavy and the icing, while not overly sweet, just wasn't great. These seemed like they had been sitting awhile and possibly leftover from the day before??? They were rated #1 on Citysearch for LA in 2011, but I think there are better cupcakes in this town.
These cupcakes are big. The biggest of any we've had. And they are $2.95, the cheapest of the cakes. This should have been a clue. They were heavy, more like a muffin, which I didn't like. The icing tasted like it was from a jar. Juliet loved that the icing was pink and had sprinkles. There you go...its sad to say, but we won't be returning for any more Crumbs.
I have heard about cupcake food trucks and I would like to see what those are like. And if there are any other great cupcakes we find, we'll let you know.
Love,
us
September 14, 2012
Happy Weekend
We have lots of activities planned for the weekend. Ballet started Thursday, Swim Lessons begin Saturday
and the Malibu kid Olympics are on Sunday. Tons of fun! Happy Weekend everyone.
and the Malibu kid Olympics are on Sunday. Tons of fun! Happy Weekend everyone.
September 8, 2012
Lately
We have been laying low this week and getting into our routine. The kids got new wheels and we have been breaking them in all over the neighborhood and taking them to every park.
This weekend will be more of the same... long walks. riding in the park. sunsets on the beach.
This weekend will be more of the same... long walks. riding in the park. sunsets on the beach.
August 31, 2012
Disney Day
We did it! It was a fun day at Disney with great friends...thanks for meeting us there you guys!
We were on the move so much, and getting the kids to sit still was nearly impossible, so pictures are few and a little fuzzy, but there are a few keepers...
We were on the move so much, and getting the kids to sit still was nearly impossible, so pictures are few and a little fuzzy, but there are a few keepers...
August 27, 2012
Fun in Photos
Its been an amazing week discovering our neighborhood and the surrounding area. I think our location is pretty ideal! There are so many hidden parks and trails we have been to. Only one park close to our house we have hit more than once. Pool days and beach walks are nearly every day... it's a tough place to like :)
We visited a popular shopping area - The Grove - and saw Kyle ?? from Dancing with the Stars. I'm not sure what else he is on, but they were wearing shirts and throwing them out, so I snapped a photo.
Its been a fun week and this week is even bigger! We are going to Disneyland with friends - So Fun!!!
 |
| Dylan's Candy Bar |
We visited a popular shopping area - The Grove - and saw Kyle ?? from Dancing with the Stars. I'm not sure what else he is on, but they were wearing shirts and throwing them out, so I snapped a photo.
Its been a fun week and this week is even bigger! We are going to Disneyland with friends - So Fun!!!
August 21, 2012
The first 48 hours...
We have made it to our first destination and overall had a very smooth trip. Flights on time, children behaved and all luggage accounted for. The kids are thrilled to be here - giggling, singing and playing the piano in the new house.
Its an easy place to like. We were at the beach just hours after we arrived and spent the evening there again today. The weather is perfect and the scenery is gorgeous.
Some things I learned on this trip
1. Always book a private car or shuttle to and from the airport. I thought I had done this on both departure and arrival, but apparently I did not confirm this for LA. Although the trip wasn't too long, the extra 20 minutes in a van with other people, and children that have been on an airplane for several hours, is not ideal.
2. Curb check is your friend. Its worth the tip to pull up to the curb, point to the mound of luggage that is falling out of the car and let them take care of it. They tag your bags, print your boarding passes and you're done! No lines. Easy.
3. On the same note, let the guy at the baggage claim with the giant cart take your luggage to the car when he offers. Again, the tip is well worth it and probably the same if we had paid for the redi carts to push ourselves.
4. Southwest Airlines. Ugh is an understatement. Unfortunately we have flown them several times lately because of their increased # of direct flights, but I dread it. God forbid you don't pay for early check in and try to get seats with your travel companions (the poor young couple who got on last). I just don't get it. GIVE ME AN ASSIGNED SEAT.
5. $54 for breakfast is just too much - lets not go there again :)
6. Always drive up the hill when going out and about - even if Google maps tells you otherwise. If you go down the hill to the PCH, you can only turn right (and needed to go left) and it takes 20 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic at 11am to get turned around and back to your starting point.
Lesson learned.
Its an easy place to like. We were at the beach just hours after we arrived and spent the evening there again today. The weather is perfect and the scenery is gorgeous.
Some things I learned on this trip
1. Always book a private car or shuttle to and from the airport. I thought I had done this on both departure and arrival, but apparently I did not confirm this for LA. Although the trip wasn't too long, the extra 20 minutes in a van with other people, and children that have been on an airplane for several hours, is not ideal.
2. Curb check is your friend. Its worth the tip to pull up to the curb, point to the mound of luggage that is falling out of the car and let them take care of it. They tag your bags, print your boarding passes and you're done! No lines. Easy.
3. On the same note, let the guy at the baggage claim with the giant cart take your luggage to the car when he offers. Again, the tip is well worth it and probably the same if we had paid for the redi carts to push ourselves.
4. Southwest Airlines. Ugh is an understatement. Unfortunately we have flown them several times lately because of their increased # of direct flights, but I dread it. God forbid you don't pay for early check in and try to get seats with your travel companions (the poor young couple who got on last). I just don't get it. GIVE ME AN ASSIGNED SEAT.
5. $54 for breakfast is just too much - lets not go there again :)
6. Always drive up the hill when going out and about - even if Google maps tells you otherwise. If you go down the hill to the PCH, you can only turn right (and needed to go left) and it takes 20 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic at 11am to get turned around and back to your starting point.
Lesson learned.
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