Light, Fruit or Chocolate European-style Tortes?

[dblevitan]

There is a bakery near NYC called le Gateau Suisse that makes amazing tortes that are very light, have more mousse than cake (by which I mean the bread-like material that makes layers), and are amazingly flavored with various fruits or chocolate. When you eat a piece, you taste the various layers but its mostly the fruit/chocolate flavored mouse that provides all the taste. Its also very light and not as filling as many other cakes. To top it off, they cost $20-30 for a nice sized torte.

I've been trying to find something like this elsewhere and have been unsuccessful thus far. Most places make American cakes - carrot cake and the like, which is not what I want. Today, my girlfriend and I stopped by Phoenix Bakery and picked up their Strawberry whipped-cream cake and were very disappointed that it consisted mostly of sweet whipped cream and very dry layers with almost no strawberries.

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any bakery that produces tortes like this in the LA area. I'm in Pasadena, but have no problem driving to find something like this. If the tortes are reasonably priced, even better. I believe that the owners of the bakery I referred to are Swiss, but I'm sure that these kinds of tortes are made elsewhere in Europe as well.

Thanks for any help,
David

[dblevitan]

Thanks for all the replies - they all sound promising. I'll slowly try them all (can't eat too much cake at once) and report back if I find something I really like.

[smfoodie]

I'll second Emil's! Don't be turned off by their location in a rundown strip mall (they are moving soon). I live in Santa Monica, but all of my extended family lives in the OC. I am asked to bring a cake from Emil's for every family get together.

[gnarlex]

Porto's again. They have both "heavy" layer, and light mousse cakes. Their chocolate cakes have an excellent Belgian chocolate flavor, not overly sweet. People rave about the mango mousse cake.

[Food Good]

Susina on Beverly (near LaBrea) uses mouses and creams, instead of butter creams. They have really good fresh fruit. Their stuff is all European style with a couple of American treats to keep everyone happy.

The Berry Blossom cake probably would fit you best. And they have lovely fruit tarts.

http://www.susinabakery.com/index.shtml

[mollyomormon]

You might also try Emil's Swiss Pastry in West LA.

[glutton]

I'm not sure I can exactly picture what you're describing, but 3 Square Bakery in Venice makes pretty typical Austrian tortes, so that might be an option. Same with BreadBar in BH or Century City.

[Diana]

Try Viktor Bene's in the Pasadena Gelson's