70698 Sat Jun 25 17:55:03 -0700 2005 7 2 Los Angeles Area 0 386699 First, special thanks to PayorPlay for this tip some months ago. I ain't much of a sweets person myself. Nothing against them---it's just that when dessert time arrives, I usually only want more bacon. Given this fact, I've always ignored Littlejohns, happily ensconsed in the Fairfax Farmer's Market. However, yesterday, I found myself scrambling for a last minute trinket for the precious ms. rabo (to those interested, the flower shop at The Grove is now closed). So it was off to Littlejohns. Many different types of fudge. Some peanut brittle, a few assorted chocolates. But here, it's all about the English Toffee. Sold in one pound or half pound bricks, the stuff ain't cheap ($8.50 for the half pound). I nervously hand the wrapped box to ms. rabo. She looks it over hawkishly, opens, gasps "Yum!". Breaks off a hunk, chomps, look of rapture quickly spreads over her face. Thank you, Limeys. She is kind enough to let me sample. This stuff is damned delicious, folks. Each brick is coated in crushed peanuts. Each bite, after the intital explosive crunch, spreads out in your mouth, big notes of caramel and butter unfolding like a Bette Midler ballad. Particularly gratifying is the salty-sweet tag team: first sweet, then salty, then sweet again. A perfectly balanced, spinning carousel of flavor. Littlejohn's is located on the North side of the Market, between Magee's and Pampas, the Churrascaria place. When the sweet tooth hits, a worthy panacea. Sat Jun 25 17:55:03 -0700 2005 0 rabo encendido 1 386705 Peanuts?? Sat Jun 25 18:43:13 -0700 2005 386699 0 Dorothy 2 386715 Further research has revealed they are, in fact, crushed walnuts. vs. peanuts. I apologize for the error. Sat Jun 25 19:34:31 -0700 2005 386705 0 rabo encendido 3 386719 I would have thought almonds. Very interesting. I must check it out. I think a reason I like English toffee is that the bitterness of the "burnt" sugar offsets the sweetness to some extent. Sat Jun 25 21:08:39 -0700 2005 386715 0 Dorothy 1 386726 Almonds I am sure. I have been eating that stuff for 60 years...my daughter is the 5th generation to enjoy it. My mother at 92 gets several boxes for Christmas and any time some one wants to be nice. Sat Jun 25 22:46:59 -0700 2005 386699 0 Palisadesman 2 386728 *Sigh* After Dorothy's rebuttal, I went back and scarfed another chunk. This time looking closely before consuming. Almonds. Not walnuts, peanuts, or corn nuts. ALMONDS. I do apologize. And your family has excellent taste, Palisadesman. Sat Jun 25 22:57:36 -0700 2005 386726 0 rabo encendido 3 386736 Thanks, rabo! Your reviews are always great! And if you say this stuff is worth eating, I will check it out next time I'm in FM. Sat Jun 25 23:52:00 -0700 2005 386728 0 Dorothy 2 386850 If you spend any time at Farmer's Market, it's fun to watch them make candy at Littlejohns. They have a big picture window in the back kitchen where you can watch the process from start to delicious finish. Makes you appreciate the care that goes into their hand made goodies. Mon Jun 27 01:33:22 -0700 2005 386726 0 LBQT