Archive for Los Angeles, So. Cal

Slim Star at UVA Sun: A Thinny Thursday Miracle!!!!!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Ohmygosh guys- I’ve always been a firm believer that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That’s why, every time I heard about the SlimStar Infra-Wrap System at UVA Sun, I totally rolled my eyes. SUUURE you could burn 1,200 calories in 50 minutes just sitting there! And what of all those results people were seeing? Dropping a full dress size in 4 session? Um, clearly that was water-weight.. right?!

You guys, I tried it. It works. I’m a little dumbfounded… but after 6 months of not shedding those annoying 5-post-wedding pounds, I finally caved and decided to invest in some Slim Star sessions. First, you smother this stinky gel on your thighs and torso.

Then you come fully clothed in sweats and lie down on this bed, where you will relax for an hour, watch a movie, TV, read a book, or play Words With Friends (my current addiction ;) )

Here I am, wrapped up and ready to go! The infrared heat penetrates twice as deep as other heat sources to target toxins and cellulite trapped in pockets below the surface of the skin (though, I only noticed a change in weight-loss, not cellulite). These wraps get very Hot!

They had one plus size model who lost twenty pounds using Slim Star!!!! Holy smokes, I want to sing it from the mountain tops, this machine is insane!! Click here to see more about the science of Slim Star and how it works.

Normally it’s $345.00 for 3 sessions, but if you mention that the DD sent you, you can buy 3- get 3 sessions FREE! Hot-damn.

To book an appointment with UVA Sun (on 3rd Street between the Grove and the Beverly Center), click here.

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Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

(Sigh) I’ll be honest, I’ve been avoiding this review for a while. That’s what happens when you meet the owners of an establishment and they’re nice to you! Alas, the truth had to come out eventually…. Magnolia Cupcakes… are not good. There- I said it. The frosting is both extraordinarily sweet and bland while the cake is often times dry.

Furthermore, horror of all horrors, they don’t even use cream cheese frosting on their (hyper) Red Velvet cupcakes! Instead, it’s a marshmallowy whipped vanilla icing. My friend’s birthday had both Hansen’s Cakes Cupcakes (on the left below) and Magnolia Cupcakes (on the right).

Look how artificially red the Magnolia’s cupcake is!

Everyone agreed that Hansen’s made a way better red velvet (I mean, it’s really no competition when you don’t even have cream cheese frosting!)

On a positive note, I love Magnolia’s slightly smaller size and wonderful frosting to cake ratio. They also make a phenomenal Banana Pudding!

For more information on Magnolia Bakery, click here.

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Susina Bakery- Charming Atmosphere and Delicious Selections!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (3)
Monday, May 7th, 2012


Su Su Su-Yeah! Woh-Oh!

What’s that song from the ’80s? Anyway, everytime I think Susina, that song comes to mind.

Susina is a super charming bakery & cafe on Beverly Blvd and La Brea that serves one of the best berry cream cakes I’ve had. Indeed, their Berry Blossom vanilla sponge cake layered with white chocolate mousse, fresh berries, and touches of orange liqueur, meringue, and white chocolate shavings, would make Sweet’s Lady Jane’s bland rendition cry.

Susina’s pastries are also quite delectable.

The Red Velvet Cake let my friend and me down a bit with it’s thick and mild frosting, and the iced Frog Cookie, while darling, was hard, firm, and tasted liked it came from a box in a grocery store.

Overall, I recommend convening with friends at Susina Bakery or stopping by to try some of their many tempting treats yourself!

Susina Selections

Homeimages

For more information on Susina Bakery & Cafe, click here.

ps: Pass on a Tarot reading from the in-house Tarot reader, Jackie. She gets half a cherry for her rubbish~

xo

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Trader Joe’s Almondictive Bits- Caramelized Almond Morsles covered in Dark Chocolate

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Friday, May 4th, 2012

At one of the birthdays I attended this weekend I encountered Trader Joe’s Almondictive Bits, a TJ’s treat that I had strategically been avoiding. I mean, come on! They tell you right there on the tub that you are going to eat the whole thing at once and wallow in misery over your lack of self control and growing love handles! Or something like that. So alas, there they were, right in front of me.. and since they’re Almonds (healthy) and Dark Chocolate (healthy too!), I dove right into these tempting treats. One thing I applaud TJ’s for- they don’t have false advertising. These delicious, caramelized almond morsels covered in chocolate were indeed, addicting.

However, these Cookies & Cream Almonds that were also at the party were sweet, chalky rubbish.. even if they were made in California.

For more info on Trader Joe’s, click here.

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Hansen’s Cakes Cupcakes- Best Deal in Town!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Yum!

My first few bites of a Hansen’s cupcake had me swooning! Truly, these are Fun cupcakes to eat. While they have as much icing as actual cake, they are manageably sized to fit in your mouth for a whole bite. Furthermore, the delightful toppings enhance the cupcakes with playful color and texture.

While delicious, the icing has a taste that’s reminiscent of cakes from a grocery store bakery, which is a bad thing, I know, but I swear, those first few bites were completely divine.

Now. I must say. These cupcakes are to be enjoyed just one at at time.. maybe even half at a time, because if you overindulge, they’ll turn on you. What tasted like heaven one minute ago starts to taste like toxic wax the next, and you’ll buzz with a crazy sugar rush. Over all, I round these cupcakes up to 4.5 cherries, because for the money (only $1 buck each!!) and initial experience, they’re great.

For more info on Hansen’s Cakes, click here.

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Hansen’s Cookies.. they should stick to their day job… CAKES!

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

When I stopped by Hansen’s Cakes to buy cupcakes for a friend’s birthday, I couldn’t resist getting some of their cookies. I’d never before seen cookies at the famous cake bakery and thought it my duty to try them, even if they looked unappealing in plastic wrap. Thankfully, the cookies didn’t smell of plastic the way some wrapped goods do, but that’s where the good news ends. I got a White Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Cookie which were both nearly too firm to break. The rubbery crumbles in my mouth tasted stale, despite the fact that the sale’s lady swore otherwise. I call bluff. Cookies aside, Hansen’s makes the most delightful cupcakes, and at only $1 buck a pop, you can’t go wrong them. Stay tuned for Hansen’s cupcake review tomorrow.

For more info on Hansen’s Cakes, click here.

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Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano’s Little Italy

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Sunday, April 29th, 2012

This weekend I ate enough desserts to sustain me for two weeks worth of posts! Yowza- it was a Serious sugar-showdown. Let’s start with this Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano’s. If you’re wondering what the heck a Zuccotto is, it’s basically a chilled cake with alcohol (traditionally brandy), mousse or ice cream layers, and is made into the shape of Florence’s famous dome, the “duomo”.

I couldn’t wait to slice into this impressive mound of a dessert!

Just look at those heavenly layers- so much cake to consume!

This Zuccotto had a rich chocolate flavor deepened by the distinctly licorice liquor, Sambuca. I enjoyed the fun and playful consistencies of the cake and mousse, but the thick and slightly rubbery chocolate encapsulating the cake didn’t harmonize with the soft and bouncy layers inside. If you’re a chocolate fanatic though, you’ll surely love this dessert.

For more info on Maggiano’s Little Italy, click here.

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Simplethings Pies, Trader Joe’s Chocolate, Ice Cream, Dessert Wine & Champagne

By Dessert Darling · Comments (1)
Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Oh what a night! My fabulous friend Mia is always the hostess with the most-est! The other night she & her guy had Tyler and me over for a home cooked meal. I knew that the evening would end Happily Ever After when I saw these delicious pies by Simplethings on the console next to a bottle of Veuve Cliquot (pie review here).

But first, I took down a bowl of these addictive, Trader Joe’s Salted Dark Chocolate Almonds, perhaps one of my favorite items at TJ’s. Once I start, I can’t stop eating them! Naturally, this was before dinner was served (roasted chicken, succulent salmon, and amazing sides, btw).

Then Mia whipped out some homemade ice cream that she made with the best Vanilla Bean Paste and a touch of heaven.

I had the “genius” idea to make a Dessert Wine Float by adding ice cream to my flute of sweet wine.

And by “genius,” I mean I was was very ill the next day….(eeeg)

But ultimately it was a great night and well worth it!

And Mia got the Golden Cherry for her fabulous cooking!

 

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Chocolate Croissant from The Black Cat Bakery

By Dessert Darling · Comments (4)
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

For 21 years Mani’s Bakery reigned supreme on Fairfax & 6th St. with its healthy baked goods. Then Mani’s tried to expand to a larger space in a sleepy part of Beverly Hills, and is consequently out of business (sad). In its old Fairfax location though, a new bakery has popped up. Introducing Black Cat Bakery, a sleeker and more appealing neighborhood spot, if I may say so myself.

The breakfast and savory food at Black Cat is totally delicious, and the decor feels fresh, compared to the ’70s vibe that Mani’s gave off. However, the bakery selection looked pretty minimal and not totally exciting. I opted for a this Chocolate Croissant.

The chocolate inside it was super delish.

If I were to be super picky, the croissant could have been slightly more buttery and flaky. But really, I’m docking half a cherry here for the lackluster dessert display upfront. I mean, they call themselves a bakery… show me the goods!

Ultimately, I’m delighted by this new little joint and I look forward to brunch there again. But if they want to make me a regular, they need to up the ante on the desserts!

For more info on Black Cat Bakery, click here.

BTW- very interesting that The Little Next Door and Black Cat Bakery, only blocks away from each other, both feature black cats!

 

XOXO

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Wonderful Pastries from the Little Next Door on 3rd Street

By Dessert Darling · Comments (0)
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

For years I have lived down the street from a darling French bistro that had the most lamentable French pastries. I mean, really- how can a Parisan cafe go wrong with the desserts?! Thankfully, The Little Next Door has hired a new pastry chef and wow, what a difference! These sweet coffee and pistachio eclairs literally had my eyes rolling back into my head.

Just look at that creamy, pistachio filling!

And while this flaky Napoleon was a little hard to eat, it’s gentle hand on the sugar made for a lovely and mild alternative to the eclairs.

Even the macarons, for which I wrote this unfavorable review in 2010, are significantly better.

I’m so delighted that The Little Next Door has stepped it up with their desserts! Now I can officialy call it one of my favorite neighborhood joints.

For more info on The Little Next Door, click here.

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