48291 Fri Aug 24 16:51:44 -0700 2001 6 2 Los Angeles Area 0 240684 I just tried The Sweet Life on 3rd near Crescent Heights because I heard that it was opened by the owner of Magnolia Bakery in New York (one of my favorites when I lived back East). I gather it's been around for about 6 months. Sure enough, they had many of the Magnolia stand bys - red velvet cake, icebox cake and cupcakes. I tried the red velvet cake (one of my favorites at Magnolia) and the chocolate layer cake, and I must say I was disappointed. The cake was dry and flavorless; the frosting was uninspired. I haven't had Magnolia cakes in three years so it got me wondering if they were really so much better or if I was just nostalgic for NY (though I would guess the former; I just can't believe my memory would be that far off). Any other bi-coastal folks care to chime in? Other food: I also had a salmon club, which was fine and an arugala/ridicchio/blue cheese salad which was good, though the dressing was a little sweet for my taste. Fri Aug 24 16:51:44 -0700 2001 0 SKU 1 240688 Well, my girlfriend and I are really looking forward to when Bond St. sushi from NYC opens inside the new W hotel downtown. Hopefully its not a similar disappointment. Fri Aug 24 19:24:30 -0700 2001 240684 0 More of Everything 1 240706 Do they sell Magnolia's banana pudding? I had this last time I was in NY. Fantastic! And it wouldn't get dry and flavorless unless it was really really old...(not a pleasant thought.) Sat Aug 25 14:12:22 -0700 2001 240684 0 Rafi 2 240707 Yeah, they had the banana pudding. You're right - it's probably a better bet. Sat Aug 25 15:36:48 -0700 2001 240706 0 SKU 3 240712 Do they serve the banana pudding in cups? Magnolia Bakery also made a wonderful coconut layer cake, and great cupcakes too. Sun Aug 26 00:51:40 -0700 2001 240707 0 Deborah 4 240741 The cupcakes, banana pudding with chocolate cookies and coconut layer cake are all there. The approach seems to be akin to that of Doughboys, videlicet, make it sweet and big and as harmless as liebfraumilch. The coconut cake I had suffered from a syrupy icing, but I am a pushover and would not have minded a second and third slice. But this is no Cocolat. Ah, Cocolat, how I miss thee! Mon Aug 27 11:40:29 -0700 2001 240712 0 Samo 1 242982 I know there is supposed to be connection but I can't taste. The cupcake was dry and only chocolate in colour. They don't frost them to order, either. (FYI- for a real cupcake go to Clementine) The menu is weird. *Gripe* no bacon only bacos (alright, I know it is seitan) or something. That is fine as an option but when I want bacon I do not want bacos. Thu Oct 25 22:50:55 -0700 2001 240684 0 JudiU