Best Birthday Cakes

I'm looking to get a really good birthday cake for a friend. Where would the chowhounds recommend for the best birthday cake? I live in the San Gabriel valley but am willing to travel a bit to get it. Thanks.

Definitely agree with Sweet Lady Jane's on Melrose. Expensive but worth the cost.

Too bad you don't live near the South Bay because the cakes at King's Hawaiian in Torrance have the most delicious icings...passionfruit, guava, etc...yummy!

Hansen's on Fairfax is an LA institution. And the Phoenix Bakery does make a decent Bday cake, but I've OD on it in past b-days.

I picked up a Victor Benes selection at Gelson's last week. It was larger than than the regular shape, the size of a regular 8 x 10, all chocolate, $36. Received praise all around and it was much better than I expected. fed a crowd.

Purchased small cake at Sweet Lady Jane, fruit and cream, also popular and tasty. $36. Fed 12.

Best I've had is at Viktor Benes at Gelson's. It was a white cake with raspberry and chocolate filling.
King's Hawaiian Bakery also turns out some wonderful guava cakes with jelly and fruit filling. Not too heavy or filling and quite delicious.

I'm about to pick up a birthday cake for my son's party today. Believe it or not, the best value for a great whipped cream frosting cake is the Bicycle Club Casino in Bell (710 x Florence). It's $20 for a 1/4 sheet, they only use whipped cream frosting, you can choose the themed decorations, you choose the seasonal fruit, the filling and the cake.

Goldilocks is just as good, but about twice the price.

Link: http://www.thebicyclecasino.com/

Costco's bakery does fantastic custom cakes.

Good price.

Best regards to the hounds.

Wes

if you want the BEST birthday cake, you absolutely have to go to Layers in Sherman Oaks. I am telling you, I've gone EVERYWHERE and have tasted a LOT of cake, and Layers uses the best ingredients to the best effect possible. and they are always beautiful and creative.

I cannot recommend Layers highly enough, I honestly try to think of occasions when I can use their cakes.

LAYERS
13944 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks
Contact: Janelle Paige
[phone]

Porto's Bakery has wonderful cakes...check it out at
www.portosbakery.com. They're in downtown Glendale...order a cake in advance and arrange for an early pick up. It gets very very busy on the weekends.

Concur. My SIL bought an absolutely beautiful carrot cake at Porto's for my MIL's bday. Delicious; gorgeously and elegantly decorated with fresh flowers. As for price, sorry don't know.

I know, I know.... they're over priced. But Sweet Lady Jane's triple berry cake.... mmmmmmmmmmmm.

Um...Half of the places mentioned so far are in the parts of town where the health board closures are every month.
Sweet Lady Jane is a good idea for a great cake.
Hansen Cakes in Beverly Hills is good if overrated.
They are solid and dependable.
There are a number of other good outfits on the Westside. I would not risk some rinky-dink cheap place downtown, etc.

I like the cakes that Goldilocks (Filipino bakery) makes. There is a location on South Street near the Cerritos Mall. Their cakes are never too sweet, just right...

Check out the link below:

Link: http://www.goldilocks-usa.com/

Good choice. I'd take Goldilocks over the overpriced Westside stuff any day. Gimme a purple ube cake topped with screaming army men spilling from a jeep, or a chocolate cake with the Power Puff Girls!

Image: http://www.goldilocks.com.ph/prodimg/...

patty cakes on new york drive in altadena.

Friends have said very good things about about birthday cakes at Phoenix Bakery on Broadway in Chinatown. Also, beautiful stuff at Emmas Patisserie, which is in a strip mall on California Blvd. west of Fair Oaks in Pasadena (that may be closer to you.) Excellent cake there, but I haven't had the birthday variety.

Their B-day cakes are fantastic also. My wife and I by each other a cake every year as part of our "birthday gift."

Highly recommended. I happen to know the check/baker's (?) instructor--she had nothing but praise for Kevin's abilities and ingredients.

I love Phoenix Bakery -- their specialty is strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream frosting. They're available in a wide variety of sizes, always ready to go.

the I Fu Tang Bakery is really good. its in the same plaza as Din Tai Fung and there are others of this bakery around as well - one in san gabriel i believe. I all of a sudden forgot the name.

Costco

I like Angel Maid on Centinela on the West side. It is like Gelson's Victor Benes but cheaper. Good selection sometimes beyond Benes' usual offerings.