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Archive for Pudding

Strawberry, Chocolate, and Apple Desserts at Ink by Michael Voltaggio

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Sunday, April 1st, 2012

This weekend a group of us dined at Michael Voltaggio’s Ink on Melrose Ave. Despite the rave reviews from adventurous male diners who got “boners” over the exotic menu, I was personally grossed out by every other dish. I mean if brussel sprouts with pig ears are your sort of thing, good’on’you. I’ll pass- Dessert Please!

So good news first- these desserts were distinctly better than those at Red Medicine, another chi chi, avant-garde restaurant that crafts such terrible desserts I was literally Angry after eating them. So hooray- these were better. The best, most edible, and actually delicious dessert was the Greek Yogurt, Strawberry, Rhubarb, Coconut, as named on the menu.

The consistency and flavor of the yogurt was much like a a Panna Cotta, topped with sweet sauce, berries, shaved ice, and a few granola crisps. The coconut flavor barely existed amidst the other bright and citrusy flavors.

The next two desserts were not nearly as pleasant as the Greek Yogurt. This Chocolate, Ice Cream, Spiced Tofu, Sesame Cake plate featured rancid tasting chocolate ice cream and moss like Sesame Cake that I actually spit out. The only edible items on this dish were the plain cylinders of chocolate ganache and the thin, crispy wafers on top.

Finally, we also had the Apple, Caramel Burnt Wood Ice Cream dessert that had weird gelatinous cubes, a bacon-like flavor, and was just an overall blend of mystery and cacaphony. It probably didn’t help that the savory dishes featured so many weird items that I was afraid an eyeball would pop up at anytime and stare back at me, even in a dessert dish.

I always took pride in my abilities to eat pretty much any and everything..until Ink. Guess I’m more traditional than I thought! While many people love this restaurant on Yelp, I’m happy to never revisit this place again.. unless, I’m in a diet!

For more info on Ink by Michael Voltaggio click here.

Comments (1)

Chocolate Mousse Cup at the Coral Tree Cafe- Yes Please

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Friday, March 16th, 2012

Yesterday I shared an unflattering review of Coral Tree Cafe’s Gluten Free Desserts (review here). However, not all was lost because I also got this delicious Chocolate Mousse Cup to share with the one and only, Linzluvs. Mmmm, we couldn’t stop from dipping our spoons back in for more, even though we were both trying to be “good” (always a sign of a stellar dessert!). Because they had clearly refrigerated the mousse, the consistency was a little too firm and cold, but the flavor was heavenly in cookie-dough kind of way. This mousse wasn’t quite as good as as the dreamy rendition by Maison Richard (review here) but it still warrants 4.5-cherries for using all natural, organic ingredients and pleasing our tastebuds so.

For more information on Coral Tree Cafe, click here.

Check out LinzLuvs YouTube travel channel here!

Comments (1)

Desserts at the Ritz-Carlton in Northstar, Lake Tahoe

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

YeeeHa! If there’s something I love more than the desserts, it’s got to be skiing. I mean, what on earth is greater than riding a flying chair in sparkling, pristine nature,only to then whiz down a mountain at full speed ahead?! And on top of that, it burns calories too?! MAGIC (my husband’s word of the year, btw). So yea, I went skiing over President’s weekend and consumed more calories than all the NFL football teams combined (watch out scale!). One lovely lunch stop we made was at the Ritz Carlton. The pasta there was freaking DIVINE. But we’re here to discuss desserts. SO, without further ado, this Apple Huckleberry Crisp with Maldon Caramel Ice Cream and Persimmon Wafer was pretty awesome. The Caramel ice cream was too salty, but when combined with the sweet crisp and a voracious appetite, it didn’t stand a chance. I licked the plate clean (literally).

The Chocolate Mousse with raspberry sauce was also well executed, but not anything extraordinary.

While I’m totally wiped out from an adventure packed February, I can’t wait to make my way back to the mountains again! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow~

For more info on the Ritz-Carlton in Northstar, Lake Tahoe, click here.

 

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Kozy Shack Pudding

By Dessert Darling · Comments (2)
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012


Compared to bold and popular ice cream, pudding is an overlooked and unassuming treat. That said, it can be equally soothing and delightful when done right. For store bought varieties, Kozy Shack does pudding best. With all natural ingredients, they dominate in every arena, covering rice, tapioca, flan, chocolate, and even soy and sugar-free options. I especially enjoy getting the single serving sizes to help with portion control.

Mmmm, 5 Cherries to Kozy Shack for all around excellence!

 

Kozy_pudding

For more info on Kozy Shack, click here.

XOXO

Comments (2)

The 2011 GOLDEN CHERRY AWARDS!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (5)
Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Another great year of sumptuous desserts has come to a conclusion. While these new-comers stood out as clear and worthy winners, some honorees from years past had no competition to knock them off their Golden Cherry standing (old winners not shown). Without further ado and a little drumroll please……….

BEST CAKE BALL:  95th Street Bakery

With high quality dark chocolate shells, creative flavors, and rich centers, 95th Street Bakery wins this year’s Golden Cherry for best cake ball! Unfortunately, these treats are only available in the S. California region and don’t have a Golden Cherry shelf-life (they drop to 4 cherries after refrigeration) so get them fresh!

BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE :  Baking Betty’s.

These dainty chocolate chip cookies with sweet mini marshmallows just beat out the much heartier Cookies By Joey for the Golden Cherry. When nearly every wedding guest raved about these cookies that we stuffed into our Welcome Bags, I knew they were a sure a crowd-pleaser and this year’s winner.

BEST MACARON:  ‘Lette Macarons 

Formally known as Paulette Macarons, these colorful confections just beat out Mad Mac NY Macarons for two reasons: 1) greater variety with prettier design and 2) the Mad Mac pastry chef is a total snoot on Cupcake Wars. Lette’s haut couture macarons boast unique flavors like violet cassis and caramel, melt in your mouth, and got my husbands enthusiastic thumbs up (he never likes sweets). These naturally low-fat cookies make the perfect gift or personal indulgence for any time of year.


BEST BROWNIE SUNDAE:  The Farm of Beverly Hills  

With a freshly baked and piping hot brownie under a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream, this decadent dessert is a party on a plate. I recommend celebrating this masterpiece with a friend!

BEST BREAD PUDDING:  Huckleberry 

The heavenly Caramel Chocolate Bread Pudding at Huckleberry Cafe in Santa Monica is an ooey gooey bowl of buttery sin that I want to swim laps in. For those who prefer more dry and traditional bread puddings though, this custardy option isn’t for you (try the muffin version at the Larchmont Bungalow instead).

BEST BAKLAVA: Bakluvit 

While I’m not normally a Baklava fan, Bakluvit makes sweet and flakey bars that revolutionized the treat for me. With original, chocolate, butterscotch, and seasonal flavors, these perfectly balanced Baklava squares make a surprisingly wonderful alternative to more traditional party treats.

BEST CHOCOLATE:  Christopher Elbow Chocolates

These gorgeous, chocolate gems melt in your mouth with outstanding textures, intriguing flavors, and the finest ingredients, making the steep price-tag of $2 a piece worth the indulgence.

BEST CAKE:  Cake and Art

While these cakes might not be as polished for weddings (like NancyKay’s Confections or Hansen’s) they are incredibly tasty, affordable, and can be made into any creation that you could possibly imagine. From a life-sized car made of cake to Rob Pattinson’s head, Cake and Art has done it all! Including my birthday cake last year. :)
Mmmmmm! I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for me! Thank you so much for an incredible year!!!!
XOXO
Comments (5)

Nutella Creme Brulée at the LA Farm in Santa Monica

By Dessert Darling · Comments (2)
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

I recently checked out the swanky LA Farm, which is actaully in Santa Monica and not to be confused with the Beverly Hills Farm. I know, confusing. Anyway, I saw a lot of men in suits (rare in LA!) and learned quickly that this spot is where the movers and shakers dine (I probably shouldn’t have worn sweats!). My lunch was tasty, but pricy and not organic, which is meaning more and more to me as I read about the problems with our “food” in America. Anyway, you came here for the desserts! So let’s discuss the Nutella Creme Brulée.

Once I cracked through the burnt sugared layer on top, this dish reminded me of Chocolate pudding with a strong hazelnut presence. There was nothing wrong with this Creme Brulée, per se. Indeed, if you really want a Nutella Creme Brulée, this is probably the perfect rendition for you. That said, I’m not sure I’ll ever find myself daydreaming about it or coming back for more.~

For more info on the LA Farm, click here here.

XOXO

 

Comments (2)

Turkish Delight! My Sweet Adventures in Istanbul

By Dessert Darling · Comments (2)
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

I just returned from the awesome city of Istanbul, Turkey, where I sampled many unique and delicious treats. First off, if you’ve never been to Turkey or have even considered visiting, you must. Istanbul, in particular, is an incredible, ancient city on the water and has the loveliest people.


Above I’m displaying a Turkish Crepe that this lady made for me by rolling out a ball of dough and heating on the black surface to her right. I had Strawberries and Honey in my crepe while my friend had one with Chocolate syrup. It was a very warm, thin, and light dessert that allowed us to eat more goodies throughout the day! I have a video of this experience coming soon, so stay tuned!

Wow-wee! Look at his beautiful array of Turkish Delight below!

For those of you unfamiliar, Turkish Delight is a nutty, gelatinous treat that is dusted in powdered sugar, or coconut bits, and comes in distinctly exotic flavors like rose water, pistachio, and bitter orange. While the consistency of Turkish Delight may vary, the best pieces have the same resistance as a generic gummy bear (versus a Haribo bear, which is a bit tougher).

Above, I am holding another distinctly Turkish dessert called Asure, or “Noah’s Pudding.” This wheat pudding is about as tasty as it sounds (not really at all). With ingredients that include wheat kernels and chick peas, the story has it that when Noah and his animals were running out of food on the arc, they combined their remaining ingredients to created this dish.

But look at those amazing hunks of Torrone in the window!  These very sweet and nut-packed nougat bars are also a staple in Italy (and one of my Dad’s favorite treats).

Finally, a glimpse into the bustling Spice Market of Istanbul above. Overall, I loved the Turkish Delight, but in general, I was not floored by the food in Turkey. I think I ate more puff pastry type carbs and Chicken in one week there than I have in one year here. But food aside, this incredible country is still a must-visit!

XOXO

 

Comments (2)

In Search of the Best Desserts in Chiang Mai, Thailand- a Vlog!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (5)
Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Hi all! As you may know, I recently got back from my honeymoon in Thailand and Bali. While I was away, I made certain to not neglect you, my fellow Dessert Darlings!  I kept my eyes and ears open for any and every delicious treat that I could find.  Without further ado,  here’s a Video Blog of me finding some goodies. That ROTI at the end is TO. DIE FOR!!!

 

Ps: There have been terrible floods in Thailand that have left the beautiful people of this magical country with absolutely nothing.  If you have anything to spare, please donate to the Red Cross here. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

XOXO

Comments (5)

Kanom Krok, One of my Favorite Treats in Thailand!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (2)
Thursday, October 13th, 2011

One of our favorite treats in Thailand was Kanom Krok, a coconut milk and sugar mixture that’s poured into dimpled pans, topped with a yummy seasoning, and cooked into delicious little hot cakes that are crispy on the outside, and goopy on the inside. Ohlord do I miss these!!!  Our favorite ones were topped with a banana slice or coconut bits, but they also had savory options like spring onion and sesame seeds.  I just came across this video recipe on the web if anyone is interested in making them! 

XOXO

Comments (2)

Butterscotch Pot de Creme at Gjelina in Venice

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

I literally heard legends about the Butterscotch Pot de Creme at Gjelina, so when they served platters of these pudding cups at a friend’s birthday, I all but did a happy dance. Finally! I would try Gjelina’s rendition of a Butterscotch pudding and see how it compares to MOZZA’s Golden Cherry winner, the Butterscotch Budino (review here). Hmmm, YES. It was delicious. And yes, people do dream about this dessert, BUT no ifs, ands, or buts about it, this Pot de Creme is not nearly as dynamic as MOZZA’S harmonious tour de force. Gjelina’s dessert has two prominent notes, super Sweet and extra Salty: addictive elements indeed. MOZZA, in contrast, has a more gentle handling of sea salt, a cooler lick of whipped Créme Fraiche, and an added hint of burnt bitter for a sensational experience on your palette.  Additionally, MOZZA gives you a Rosemary Pinenut Cookie to create a crescendo of mellifluous flavors and consistencies. Mozza’s pudding is a symphony, while Gjelina’s is Pop Rock… on the Disney station. MMMBop~

For more information on Gjelina, click here.

XOXO

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