Touring the best bakeries in Los Angeles

[LAmonkeygirl]

So I am doing some research on bakeries in Los Angeles and would like to put together a list of some "must-visit" bakeries. What I am looking for are places that have an exceptional or enjoyable atmosphere, places that are charming or unique, as well as providing some terrific baked goods. Ideally, I'd like to stay out of the Valley, but if anyone can think of a bakery therein that must be visited, I'd make the schlep. If there is a cafe or restaurant as part of the bakery, that's fine, but even better is someplace that offers just baked goods, sundry sweet treats and even bread.

Some of the bakeries I have been thinking of visiting: Susina, Boule, Jin Patisserie. Your Houndish insight is greatly appreciated.

[Dommy!]

You might wanna do some older or ethnic bakeries too...

Artesia Bakery in Artesia (Dutch Bakery smack dab in the middle of Little India. One of the oldest bakeries in the city!)

La Mascota Bakery in ELA (ALso makes wonderful Tamales, a true L.A. insitution!)

Pheonix Bakery in China Town (You couldn't have grown up in L.A. without a birthday cake from Pheonix! :)

--Dommy!

[Funwithfood]

What is best at the Artesia Bakery?

[Dommy!]

I LOVE their cookies, they have them packaged and ready to go at the counter, lots of different types, but my favorite the ones made with puff pastry (Perfect to go with tea!)

They also do other dutch baked goods including yummy almond paste filled turn overs... Mmmmm...

--Dommy!

[Jerome]

almond paste rings.

[WaterIsGood]

Where is Phoenix exactly? And what is good there? I remember I had a slice of cake from there a few years ago that a co-worker brought to work and it was so yummy. Other than how moist and light it tasted and where it was from, I can't remember anything else about it.

[Dommy!]

Location is right in Chinatown on Broadway...

http://www.phoenixbakeryinc.com/conta...

Again, it's a birthday/celebration cake thing, i grew up in L.A. proper (near USC) and I remember fondly that pink cake box, light as air frosting, those wonderful strawberries and the slivered almond edges! :) I've since tried their pastries and tarts and withouth a doubt, the winner continues to be the cake...

--Dommy!

[WaterIsGood]

Thanks for the website - couldn't find it on my own yahoo search. These cakes sound like cakes from Korean bakeries and also similar to the cakes at King's Hawaiian. It's been a few years since I had Phoenix and I remember the texture (light and fluffy) being really good but not being better than either Korean cakes or the King's Hawaiian cakes - can anyone who's tasted all 3 help?

[RicRios]

Monastery of the Angels.

Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[David Kahn]

The buttery, slightly sweet, warm eggbread rolls at El Gallo Bakery (4546 E Cesar E Chavez Ave., [phone]) are wonderful. Good pan dulce and other stuff too.

Your preference regarding the Valley notwithstanding, I think you should pay a visit to Leda's Bake Shop (13722 Ventura Blvd., at Woodman, [phone]). Hands down the best cupcakes in the city right now, imho. The carrot cake, passion fruit, lemon, and blood orange (when they have it) flavors are simply exceptional. And their chocolate chip cookies and ginger scones are pretty damn good too.

Clemintine (1751 Ensley Ave., [phone]) can be quite good, but it's not really a bakery in the pure sense (if you care). I mostly like their sandwiches and other prepared foods more than their baked goods.

It's been a while, but I've always found the French pastries at Michael Richard (310 S Robertson Blvd., [phone]) to be very good (and my German mil swears by their chocolate hazelnut tort).

Lastly, agree with Dommy! about La Mascota and Pheonix bakeries.

[Adsvino]

Being the waspy, snobbish francophile that I am, I prefer Boule on La Cienega and Amandine in Santa Monica.

[WLA]

I have taken to getting an egg white omlete at Amandine with tomatoes, avocado and onion, (just a block from my office) now and then. It's very good and they do a potato gratin instead of home fries or whatever, that is really good and so totally different than any other breakfast potato dish. They also give you a good amount of fruit with your omlete and toast, (although they give you dry toast!?!). I need to ask them if they would mind buttering the toast or giving me some butter to take with me.

[Like-Go-Eat?]

Many times the name “Amandine” is mentioned on the L.A. Chowhound Board. The name has been related to having the “Best Cheesecake,” “Best Croissants,” “Best Tarts”, “Best Mousse,” and now you mention omelettes w/potato gratin. Is this all the same place? Near Bundy Drive, West of Westwood / South of Brentwood?

Amandine Patissiere
12225 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1105
[phone]

[WLA]

That's the place. They also do a really good croque madame sandwich with a perfectly cooked sunny side egg on top.

[Like-Go-Eat?]

"Sunny-side-up-on-top." That is how I always order eggs -- even on a chilli size w/ extra onion, or just a burger. Now you top off the list of reasons to go to Amandine Patissiere with a croque madame sandwich with a egg on top. OK, I will go this weekend. On second thought, I am going today.


Amandine Patissiere (Cheesecake, Croissants, Tarts, Omelettes w/potato gratin, Croque Sandwiches w/ egg)
12225 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1105
[phone]

[Like-Go-Eat?]

I visited Amandine yesterday around 1:00 in the afternoon. My first time to the place. I had to go to the Westside for an appointment anyway and thought I would pickup dessert for after dinner. I decided to stay for lunch when I saw the chalkboard, “Spinach & Tomato Quiche.” I had some and was more than pleased. The slice of quiche was just the right size. A generous amount of spinach and tomato and a perfect amount of purple onion. The crust was, “broke da mouth” good.

I also ordered some Cheese Cake, a Berries tart and six Croissants to bring home. My family shared one of each after dinner. The Cheese Cake was everything Chowhonds said it would be. Creamy and smooth with a great taste. The bottom “crust” really was not a crust but more a bed of nuts. Very good. The berries tart was, well to make it short – “I am going to have another some day very soon.” The only disappointment was with half of the Croissants. Three of them were burnt (Black) on the bottom. I noticed that some of the Croissants looked dark brown in the display while others looked golden-brown. At home I discovered that the ones that were dark brown on top were black on the bottom. My concern here is that this is a quality control problem. The baker who baked them, the person who placed them in the display case and finally the person who placed them in the box for me to take home must have never looked at the bottom to check for quality. They all assumed that all the Croissants were perfect. There were three that were perfect and I am sure that is the way most customers have them. I just had one this morning with my coffee and it was great. However, I gave my dogs two of them after my family discovered the burnt bottoms when sharing one last night. I take fault for this as well because I should have been more pickey and pointed at the ones I wanted (golden brown) like I do most of the time. I will go back and have breakfast sometime.



Amandine Patissiere (Cheesecake, Croissants, Tarts, Omelettes w/potato gratin, Sandwiches)
12225 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1105
[phone]
(Cross St. Bundy, 10 Frwy exit Bundy go N., 405 Frwy exit Wilshire go W.)

[ks]

I've been curious to try Dolce Forno bakery - if you're visiting other bakeries on the westside you might give it a try. They were at the LA Supports LA fundraiser a couple weeks back and the lemon bar was one of the best I've had in LA. They had some cute looking mini-cupcakes at the beginning, but had run out by the time I got to that side of the room.

If anyone has been to their Culver City location, I'd be interested to hear what you think.

Dolce Forno Bakery
3828 Willat Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
310.280.6004

Link: http://www.dolcefornobakery.com

[ks]

Hmmm, until I discover more I'll retract this recommendation!

I stopped by the Willat address after work and there's no retail at this location now. Maybe they'll open a storefront somewhere else.

[Dommy!]

DRAT! Thanks for the retraction! I was going down there myself soon (I am a HUGE lemon bar fiend!!!)

Please let us know what you find out or which bakeries they do supply! :)

--Dommy!

[woofer]

another vote for amandine in santa monica

[Funwithfood]

Amandine has the *best* croissants. (Worth the drive from OC!)

[Samo]

Pain du Jour on Pico just east of Lincoln. Very good.

Why has no one mentioned La Brea Bakery?

[Adsvino]

La Brea Bakery was discussed the other day---
as having gone completely downhill since Nancy S left...

[sweet]

I agree. The bakery no longer has that alluring abundance of simple (but you know labour intensive) pastries and that clean, well ordered feeling of everything being carefully managed. i'm so sad! i hope mark peel finds someone more capable than whoever's running the place now to replace his wife.

[JudiAU]

The bakery is run and owned by the LBB owners. Neither Peel or Silverton have a connection in the day to operations. They still make a couple things well including the viennese and the sour cherry brioche but neither live up to the "old days."

[Like-Go-Eat?]

I am making a list of bakeries mention. Please list what you like or what is a "Must Have" at,

Le Pain du Jour
828 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
[phone]
Cross Street:Near intersection of Lincoln Blvd and Pico Blvd

[Samo]

My comment of three years ago:

The so-called three seasons bread, a soft loaf with hazelnuts and raisins, is lovely. The baguettes are light and airy, with a chewy rather than a crunchy crust.

I have not been since.

[Mike Z.]

Delice on Pico, just west of La Cienega. Kosher French. Very good croissants and pain au chocolat. The apple turnovers vary in quality for reasons beyond my ken, but when good, they are REALLY good. Closed Saturdays. They also have a wide bread selection, of which I've had only a couple - Liked the baguette, didn't love the multigrain, but it was good, just not my style.

[PoetKitty]

Absolutely must give a shout out to Sweet Lady Jane bakery - on Melrose near Orlando, south side of the street. Crazy good pies and other goodies, and a very charming little spot.

And as Dommy mentioned - Phoenix Bakery in Chinatown for old school charm and THE best light/fluffy heavenly yellow cake with fresh strawberries. Ohmagod so amazing!

poetkitty

[Diana]

Sweet LAdy jane Sucks, in terms of food and attitude.

[WaterIsGood]

King's Hawaiian - for their cakes (esp the Paradise and Dobash). Amazingly light and fluffy, perfect frosting!

[Food Good]

Porto's in Glendale is worth the trip. Susina is wonderful.

[Jerome]

I have simple tastes.
B & L bakery
I like the sacher torte, pariser torte, gourmet szelet/slice, tosca torte (when they have it), pressburger crescents with either poppy seed or walnut (pozsonyi kifli), and the various small cakes/petits fours and meringues. Central european style.
B & L GOURMET PASTRIES
8556 W 3RD ST
90048
LOS ANGELES
link - see below
note, pages 3 4 and 9 are the most interesting. page 6 has a printout coupon.

Around the corner at Michel richard, I love their bread, yes a real boule which I haven't yet seen at Boule (which if you divide quality by price I find sorely lacking although beyond lovely) - and for pastries try the opera, the auteuil and the montmartre.
MICHEL RICHARD
310 S ROBERTSON BLVD
90048
LOS ANGELES
weblink
http://www.maisonrichard.com/bakery_cakes_pastries.html

Also, frances in Little Tokyo. Just go and try the small pastries and have a coffee. Western style, no mochi.

FRANCES BAKERY & COFFEE
404 E 2ND ST
90012
LOS ANGELES

Link: http://www.cakes.la/page3.html

[DanaB]

I can't believe nobody's mentioned Europane in Pasadena! Perhaps b/c of the original poster's stated valley aversion?

Small and cozy, but serving up the best pastries in all of the S.G. Valley and arguably the best sandwiches anywhere in town. I love the egg salad (made with soft-cooked eggs, which appears to turn some people off). I usually don't get to the pastries, but a good friend loves their blueberry brioche and pretty much everything else they serve. They have really good "sweet" breads, like pumpkin bread, too.

Europane
950 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
626-577-1828

[downrightt]

This probably doesn't qualify as a *best* (I'd choose Susina or Jin Patisserie first), but I was super excited to discover Normandie Bakery while driving to Target on Jefferson Ave the other day.

They are located in a bizarre non-retail warehouse district, but that makes it all the better because it doesn't seem to be too crowded. They have a comfortable, simple set-up of tables on the front sidewalk, and a small interior retail space with lots of baked goods. The location is mainly their warehous/factory, with the retail seciton only being a small part of the larger building.

I had a turkey and brie sandwich on fresh baguette, and for dessert a palmier cookie and coffee. Took home some pate (which is what they are known for, I take it) and french bread. Delicious!

It's not necessarily worth a special trip, but if you're ever in the neighborhood, check it out!

Link: http://www.normandieusa.com/

[Like-Go-Eat?]

Thanks LAmonkeygirl, you ask a good question. I have been reading and taking notes from the response. I began the list with two other recent post. Here is the list so far. Have I missed anything?

Susina Bakery (French pastries, Croissants, prosciutto panini sandwich w/ mozzarella)
7122 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
[phone]
Cross Street: La Brea Boulevard

Dolce Forno Bakery (Lemon Bars, Cupcakes)
3828 Willat Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
[phone]

The Pig (Pecan Pie)
612 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
[phone]
Cross Street: Clinton Street / Melrose

Josie Restaurant (Pumpkin Pie)
2424 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica
[phone]
http://www.josierestaurant.com/

The Filling Station (Pumpkin and Apple Pie
)195 Center Street Promenade
Anaheim, CA 92805-3959
[phone]
http://www.fillingstationcafe.com/

The Filling Station (Pumpkin and Apple Pie
)201 N. Glassell St.
Old Towne Orange, CA 92866-1408
[phone]
http://www.fillingstationcafe.com/

La Mascota Bakery ((Mexican sweet breads, Tamales & Home made masa
)2715 Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90023-1469
[phone]
Near Soto

Artesia Bakery (Danish bakery, Birthday cake, try almond paste rings)
18627 Pioneer BlvdArtesia, CA 90701-5629
[phone]
(So. of 91 rwy, East of 605 exit at South go East)

Phoenix Bakery (Birthday / Sponge Cake w/ whipped cream and strawberries, cookies)
969 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012-1728
[phone]
China Town, Near Pasadena Frwy

Jin Patisserie (Desserts, chocolates infused with jasmine, lavender and ginger, miniature cakes)
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
[phone]
Cross Street: California Ave.

Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch (Pecan Pie, fried chicken, smothered steak, chicken and dumplings )
4325 Glencoe Ave
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292-6444
[phone]

EuroPane Bakery (Pumpkin Pies, Cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, cookies, lemon bars, Sandwiches)
950 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
[phone]

Le Pain du Jour
828 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
[phone]
Cross Street:Near intersection of Lincoln Blvd and Pico Blvd

Dennis Park Bakery (Anything, The doughnuts are a Must)
15431 Devonshire St
Mission Hills, CA 91345-2618
[phone]

Sweet Jill's (Cinnamon Rolls)
5224 E. 2nd St.,
Long Beach, CA
[phone]

Sweet Jill's (Cinnamon Rolls)
123 1/2 Main St.
Seal Beach, CA
[phone].

Amandine Patissiere (Cheesecake, Croissants, Tarts, Omelettes w/potato gratin, Sandwiches)
12225 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025-1105
[phone]
(Cross St. Bundy, 10 Frwy exit Bundy go N., 405 Frwy exit Wilshire go W.)

Joe's (Wedding Cake - chocolate and raspberry, & Cal-French cuisine at a good price)
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291-3386 [phone]

Susina Bakery (Wedding Cake - Strawberry Shortcake)
7122 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
[phone]
Cross Street: La Brea Boulevard
http://www.susinabakery.com/wedding_cakes.shtml#

Cake Divas (Wedding Cakes
)9626 Venice Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 287- 2609
http://www.cakedivas.com/

Leda’s Bake Shop (Wedding Cakes
)13722 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA
[phone]
http://www.ledasbakeshop.com/

Helena Wirth Decorated Cakes (Wedding Cakes
)14042 Burbank Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401-5030
[phone]

Normandie Bakery & Coffee Incorporated (Wedding Cakes, Sandwiches, Bread)
5277 Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
(Entrance on Cochran)
[phone]
http://www.normandieusa.com/

Normandie Bakery & Coffee Incorporated (Wedding Cakes, Sandwiches, Bread)
9201 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90069
[phone]

Sweet Lady Jane (Wedding Cakes, 70 layer cakes, cheesecakes, pies and tarts
)8360 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90069-6501
[phone]
Cross, Kings Rd. Near La Cienega

[JudiAU]

Boule

[jack]

I vote for AMANDINE!

[bhaddock]

If you get past Los Angeles and head south there are some excellent bakeries in Little Saigon - most of them are on Brookhurst street.

[Das Ubergeek]

This is an old post, but since it's being resurrected -- I will have to search for the list I've posted of ethnic bakeries in the Valley, including my favourite bakery in the entire region, Berolina. (OK, so it's in the Foothills. Whatever. They still make astoundingly good bread and fantastic pastry, including sublime cardamom rolls that go perfectly with very strong coffee with not-quite-enough sugar.)

[justagthing]

Yes, really old since Artesia Bakery mentioned at the top no longer exist. Maybe starting a new post would be more appropriate.

[Diana]

Don't forget Porto's (did someone get Porto's?)
Nadja's
I second Leda's
Baklava Factory
Victor Benes' at Gelson's
Bea's
Edie's