515870 Sun May 04 20:24:04 -0700 2008 13 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3656439 I have several birthdays coming up that will require beautiful and delicious cakes to serve 10-12. I've gone to Takes the Cake the last few times and I just don't think the final product has been very sophisticated. I want these cakes to be a "wow." Can anyone help me find a new bakery? I want something more than plain frosting w/fresh flowers on top. I've used Portos & Federico's for cakes for office parties but I want something more inventive. People have recommended Gelson's but am not sure if I'd be working w/a baker rather than choosing from a book. I love EuroPane for b'fast and I'm sure their cakes are yummy but would the designs be of a SLJ or Rosebud caliber? I'd love to find something in the Pasadena area (Altadena, Sierra Madre, Glendale ok) as I'll be pressed for time and would love not to drive far. Thanks so much. Sun May 04 20:24:06 -0700 2008 79573 mocro 1 3658164 Patticakes? http://www.patticakesdesserts.com/home.html Mon May 05 11:33:30 -0700 2008 3656439 24294 misseatalot 1 3658348 Vanille in San Marino (corner of Huntington Drive & San Gabriel Blvd.) may fit the bill. Their stuff is pretty artsy and are generally delicious, albeit a bit on the pricey end for cakes. ~H.C. http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com Mon May 05 12:13:33 -0700 2008 3656439 11949 AquaW 1 3658520 The cakes at EuroPane are in fact tremendous - world-class, actually, with the kind of complex inner textures you'd expect at a Parisan patissiere rather than at a neighborhood baker, many of them with a with deep, deep ganache. Sumi Chang is a student of the art. You do have to order in advance, but it sounds like that's what you're looking for anyway. Mon May 05 12:49:28 -0700 2008 3656439 10702 condiment 1 3658533 Try Europane or Violet's Cakes in Old Pas. Mon May 05 12:52:52 -0700 2008 3656439 51764 mbh65 1 3659174 We've liked cakes (wedding and b-day) from Cakery Bakery in LCF. Mon May 05 15:33:07 -0700 2008 3656439 11553 Jack Flash 2 3661589 Thanks so much for your advice. I'm having b'fast at EuroPane tomorrow so will check them out and also try Violet's. I looked at Patticakes website and they seem to lean heavily toward fresh flowers on cakes and I'm looking for more detailed decoration. I used Vanille for creme brulee for a party once and that's a good idea. I got the new Martha Stewart wedding cakes book at the library yesterday so there's lots of inspiration in there. Thanks for everyone's help. Tue May 06 10:33:13 -0700 2008 3659174 79573 mocro 3 3661699 I love Euro Pane. I have never tried their cakes though. I would also suggest Pastries by Nancy at Lake/Altadena and Aux Delices http://www.auxdelicespasadena.com/ on Colorado Blvd in Old Town. I love the taste of the cakes at Aux Delices. I have used them a number of times, including for my wedding. Tue May 06 10:56:35 -0700 2008 3661589 98631 Fru 1 3663354 There is a bakery next to The Kitchen for Exploring Foods that would knock anyone's socks off--on Colorado just past the bridge, towards Glendale (Pasadena). Can't think of the name. The Kitchen can make anything and everything too. Puts EuroPane to shame. Tue May 06 19:04:23 -0700 2008 3656439 24465 DFD 2 3663414 i believe the place was called bee's knees but unfortunately, they are no longer in business. i think the flower candy shop went it's place. Tue May 06 19:28:51 -0700 2008 3663354 17438 trolley 3 3663725 The shop that replaced The Bee's Knees is Little Flower Candy Company http://www.littleflowercandyco.com. I don't know what happened to Bee's Knees but maybe they just closed their store front because they still have a website http://www.beeskneesbakery.com. Tue May 06 21:54:28 -0700 2008 3663414 98631 Fru 4 3665840 I love the Little Flower Candy Company. have you had their addictive Sea Salt Caramels? Wed May 07 13:55:48 -0700 2008 3663725 79573 mocro 1 3670695 I second the rec for VIolet's Cakes. Check out their website, lots of pictures. Had the awesome cupcakes last week... http://www.violetscakes.com/ Thu May 08 20:58:33 -0700 2008 3656439 138553 stevenclaire 2 3670854 I am going to check out Violets. Their website is beautiful but I think their style is (I hope this makes sense) somewhat "thicker" frosting decoration while I'm looking for more delicate flowers and decoration. I'm probably talking piped-on vs hand-molded. But I'll bring them some pictures. I've got some beautiful Sylvia Weinstock and Martha Stewart books so maybe I'm aiming too high. I was at Europane for b'fast yesterday and asked to see their sample book which they don't have - they want you to bring pictures. But this has all been very helpful. I watched Ace of Cakes tonight and that was inspiring too. Thu May 08 22:35:16 -0700 2008 3670695 79573 mocro