OK, I like so many others believe my mom makes the best (
enter item here) in the world! In this case, it's true BUT I have found someone who can easily take the 1st place and 1/2 next to mums (come on she's my mom). I had the lucky fortune of stepping into
Bricks and Scones today, lucky fortune because everywhere else was crowded and had no parking and some how I ended up down the street from them. I had been in once before but it was so brief that I didn't get a chance to fully appreciate this amazing space; but today I had time to come in, order, sit, blog and relax.
I have never seen a coffee/tea shop so well decorated, laid out, spacious and inviting. Starbucks and even Coffee bean could take a note from the Kim's; but you see that's just it, this is a family owned and operated business, daughter runs the cafe, dads in the office and mom...well like all great moms she takes care of feeding everyone. Mrs. Kim is literally up every morning @4:30 am baking all the desserts you see below.
Once they're sold that's it for the day and if you're lucky enough to come in before closing anything that's left is yours for 1/2 the price. This is their guarantee you're only being served the best and the freshest daily.
The shop decor feels more like you're in someones home, it's two levels with the top being the 'quiet area'. The 'quiet area', where I am residing as I write this, lives up to it's name aside from the sounds of nails hitting keyboards and spoons taping the sides of cups - this space is a great work spot. There are several desk equipped with it's own lamp, electrical outlet and depending on where you sit, window - as well as comfy love seats and big chairs. Everyone up here has their face buried in a book or intently watching their computer screens pretending to be productive on a Sunday.
Downstairs is where the party is, there is a large full patio in the front area with umbrellas at every table, wrought iron tables and tons of sitting. Vines and lush greens seclude you from the main street to the point that make you forget you're actually in a driveway and not in a fantasy courtyard. Past the coffee bar and ordering station is the lounge, here you'll find large sofas, chairs and a wrap around bar for those who come to work and socialize.
You can truly tell a lot of love and thought went into creating this space, this is not a cookie cutter nor a place you're bound to find on just any corner. In fact unless you know it's here you might just drive past it; there is limited signage out front and because the patio is covered you wouldn't notice people sitting outside even on a crowded day.
So, of course I had to order a variety of things and bring them home to share with my partner in crime and tasting. We shared a blueberry cream cheese croissant, chocolate chip croissant and blueberry scone with clotted cream and honey. Now the croissants were amazing, I loved the blueberry CC, mum nearly inhaled the chocolate chip but what we both were in awe over was the scone. Like I said in the beginning my mom is known across the country for a lot of things but one of them being is her scones. Unlike traditional scones (hard, dry, similar to baseballs), hers are also soft, moist and full of flavor. Many people have said that her scones were not scones because of the simple fact that they were enjoyable - tell me, how can this be a crime? Anyway, I digress Mrs. Kim's scones were excellent, they were warm, soft and packed with bursting blueberries. You could taste the salted butter, cream and to be honest adding the clotted cream and honey was almost to much. They were perfect without it. :-)
Ahh, by George I think I have found a new place to gather. It's time to assess the troops and prepare for what could be a long summer, with tea, pastries and a 'quiet area' to call my own.
FYI: B+S also caters to those with Gluten allergies - they have a very interesting bun called the Chewy Sesame Seed But - I didn't try it but as I looked around several people were diving into one, so it's bound to be good. Check out
Bricks and Scones if you're in the Larchmont area and even if you're not - still come by. They could use your support, it's places like this we need more of to bring spice and uniqueness to our communities.
Indulge!
Bricks and Scones
403 N. Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 463-0811
contact us at : info@bricksandscones.com
When I moved back to LA I have to admit that the one heart string being pulled was my craving for more waffles; where would I go now? Would there be a place in LA that could make them just as good? Or should I just buy a Liège waffle iron (a special iron exported from Belgium) and beg Jean-François for the recipe, exclaiming that it's life or death and I just can't part with them. Well, lucky for me I didn't have to, Jean-François began shipping them all over the country shortly there after, now in a matter of 2 days or less (depending on shipping) I can be enjoying my waffles in the comfort of my LA home with the wonderful LA weather that comes with it. Now if only I can predict when I'd be craving one, I could be a step ahead in the ordeing process. The one downside, you are getting them a couple of days later and even though Jean-François provides you with excellent reheating instructions, there is NOTHING like fresh Liège waffles, NOTHING. 
Of course I was skeptical, I had been spoiled in Cincinnati, Jean-François was a true Belgs and was after all the first to introduce me to these bready delights; none the less I went with an open heart, mind and empty stomach. RJ (the owner) and his wife, Jean - promptly greeted us at the door, you're instantly welcomed in and told to sit where ever you like (which at this point was only at the waffle bar), they are very chatty, excited and eager to serve you, educate you and most importantly get your feedback. I think that's what I loved the most about the place, RJ and his crew are so excited about this venture and genuinely want to teach the world (or at least LA to start) about these waffles and what makes them so special. I could already tell that few of his customers walked in knowing the difference between a Liège waffle and a Belgium waffle, he was genuinely surprised that we knew of them and had eaten them before. It totally made his day. 
Now if only all emergency drills sounded so sweet. Well my dears it's true, New York's famed Magnolia Bakery has finally made it's way to Los Angeles (it's only taken oh about, 14 years), but I have to say it might have been worth the wait. Magnolia (LA) opened July 17th and is situated on the corner of Orlando and 3rd St in West Hollywood. The location is absolutely beautiful, reminiscent of a old time french bakery or country kitchen (I realize how totally different those two comparisons are) with it's pale blues, antique cake boxes and Lazy Suzy's. The space is actually quite large, in part because of the open floor plan allowing a full view of the kitchen including ovens, work space and it's sugar and flour coated workers.
So, of course I had to order a variety of things and bring them home to share with my partner in crime and tasting. We shared a blueberry cream cheese croissant, chocolate chip croissant and blueberry scone with clotted cream and honey. Now the croissants were amazing, I loved the blueberry CC, mum nearly inhaled the chocolate chip but what we both were in awe over was the scone. Like I said in the beginning my mom is known across the country for a lot of things but one of them being is her scones. Unlike traditional scones (hard, dry, similar to baseballs), hers are also soft, moist and full of flavor. Many people have said that her scones were not scones because of the simple fact that they were enjoyable - tell me, how can this be a crime? Anyway, I digress Mrs. Kim's scones were excellent, they were warm, soft and packed with bursting blueberries. You could taste the salted butter, cream and to be honest adding the clotted cream and honey was almost to much. They were perfect without it. :-)
I walked in knowing that I wanted chicken teriyaki but by the time I made it through the eight page menu I was unsure and confused. I couldn't decide between a baked sushi roll, an order of dumplings or still the chicken teriyaki. Fortunately it was the eighth page that answered my question; I've been curious about Bentos for a while now, I've seen pictures of them and people eating them at various Japanese restaurant but aside from that I just hadn't paid much attention. 
Ordering a Bento box ended up being exactly what I wanted, I was able to get everything that I had fussed over earlier. I chose the spicy chicken teriyaki, with the chicken gyozas (dumplings), the spicy tuna roll and an order of miso soup and side salad came with it. This was more food than I realized but at $11.95 not a bad deal. Mum and I could have easily shared one of these (they're that large) and perhaps now we know for next time. Mum ended up ordering pretty much the same thing except she optioned for the Baked Crunchy Shrimp roll (my new favorite). 
We rounded the evening with Fried Green Tea Ice Cream and Strawberry and Coffee Mochi. One word, complete. The fried ice cream is actually green tea ice cream inside a deep fried tempura coated shell (I don't know how they do it), the ice cream was fantastic, sweet and just a subtle hint of green tea. The coating was my favorite, I'm not one of those die-hards that feels everything is better fried, (I believe everything is better with butter) but in this case, fried was a great choice. Mochi is a very traditional Japanese rice cake; made of glutinous rice pounded into paste and then molded into a shape around a scoop of ice cream. Think petits fours and marzipan, but gummy. The mochi were cute and bite size, the coffee was my favorite. 
