Coconut Macaroon Reinvented

Coconut Macaroon Brownie

Before Embrace Sweets became a Artisan Brownie Boutique - we specialized in just about well........everything!  Cookies, Cakes, Pies, Scones, Pastries, Buckeyes and my fav Coconut Macaroons!

Mum used to make these huge, decadent chocolate dipped coconut macaroons that were to die for. Crunchy, sweet, soft in the center and of course drizzled and dipped in chocolate. You can't get more decadent than that, or so i thought; Embrace Sweets Master baker and brownie architect, Sandra brings to you the, Coconut Macaroon reinvented.

This delectable treat is part Coconut macaroon part fudgey brownie -  trust me it's worth the cheat!

Try one or a dozen today! This weekend only enjoy 10% off a half dozen or full dozen brownies on our website. Coupon code: Coconut (offer expires Sunday at Midnight)

Stay tuned for more decadence coming your way soon; and as always Eat More Chocolate!

B + S

Embrace the Unique

We're so excited to be joining the Unique LA family this year. Embrace Sweets will be participating in the Unique LA show December 11 - 12th held at the California Mart Downtown LA.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us and the community to come together and support local business, local producers and just all the cool people out there doing good.



Tickets are $10 at the door and the shopping is unlimited. If you don't already know what you're getting those on your Xmas list this year, this is the perfect spot for you to make it happen.

Stay tuned for more information. Put us down in your book!

December 11th and 12th 11am - 6pm - California Mart, Downtown Los Angeles Unique LA!!

See you there!

Brandi

Smoke This Joint

Baby Backs w/Mac 'n' Chez and Loaded Baked Potato

(2) sauces

Now, I don't necessarily pride myself on having a knack for barbecuing or even being a BBQ aficionado, but I do believe that like most of us I know good BBQ when I come across it. Mom on the other hand is hands down the BBQ queen and if she says it's the best well then you know you have a winner. 

Catfish (Appetizer)

The Best Baked Beans!

Next in line for our weekend food challenge is The Smokin Joint on West 3rd St in West Hollywood.  So, off the bat I was a little concerned, they call themselves a "Fine California BBQ" restaurant, now doesn't that seem to be an oxymoron? I mean Fine + BBQ I can't imagine the two going together. Isn't BBQ supposed to be sticky, messy and fun? Since when do you eat BBQ with a knife and fork with delicate white napkins on your lap? Well, I am happy to report that Smokin may be 'Fine' but they are still firmly rooted in the BBQ tradition. We ordered the Catfish (appetizer) 15 hour brisket, baby backs, mac 'n' chez, loaded baked potato and of course baked beans, the baked beans by the way were boasted as being The Best in LA, obviously they haven't tasted mine. Their sauces were superb, you actually get three to choose from (vinegar based, Carolina style and a special made in house) and they come out separately so you can add as much or as little to your dish. The meats were tender and well flavored, my brisket was cooked for over 15 hours and as it literally melted in my mouth I agree it was worth the effort. Nothing ruins a good meal (especially BBQ) faster than feeling like you're fighting with your meat - the constant pull and tug when even a knife seems to dull and give up over the effort is a sure fire deal breaker. 

15hour Brisket w/Baked Beans

What was also a great, unexpected treat were the pickles they accompany every dish. At first I just over looked them and pushed them to the side, but the owner actually bought them to my attention and insisted I try them. Shockingly they were fantastic. They are sweet, firm, crisp and best of all made in house. They finish off the meal perfectly and could also be great sides on their own.

Elton John on the Big Screen

Autographed Guitars

Smokin's location is ideal, located walking distance from the Beverly Center there is tons of parking and steady foot traffic, it's also a welcomed addition to the same ole food places that have been in the area for years. It was time the area got 'spiced' up a bit. :-)

The owner (a former musician) also keeps true to tradition with the number of autographed guitars hanging on the walls, pictures of musicians and the large television wall display featuring concerts such as Live8, Coachella , and many others.

You're guaranteed great food, great music and great service - could you really ask for more?  

So the next time you're in the mood for BBQ, head over to 3rd Street and give Smokin a try, I promise you won't be disappointed.. :-) Dig in.

The Smokin' Joint | Fine California BBQ

8486 W. 3rd St. Los Angeles

   

Not Your Average Flour

Attention! Attention! Attention Los Angeleons, Magnolia Bakery has finally opened - please calmly take your place in line and wait patiently for your banana pudding, home style cakes, delicate cupcakes and sinfully rich cheesecakes. There will be more than enough to go around. Thank you.

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.

You walk in and you can't help but smile, there's something about walking into a room filled with sugar, chocolate, puddings and sprinkles that make you get all giddy and childlike. Magnolia and places like it have become the new 'sweets shop' but for adults.

Magnolia Bakery

So, to get to the goods. Mum and I ordered a plethora of goods, we started with the famous caramel cupcake, ventured to the white chocolate macadamia cheesecake and ended with the famed banana pudding. A sugar coma would definitely have been in our sights had everything been as fabulous as I had hoped. I must say I was a little disappointed by the cupcake- the cupcake itself was dry and very dense, the frosting was more like whipped frosting (very light and a little bland), what saved it was the caramel sauce which I actually wish there was more of to add to the flavoring the cake lacked.   Jumping ahead the banana pudding was absolutely to die for, we ordered the small (about an 8 oz container) and mum and I were fighting over it to the last spoonful. The pudding was firm yet smooth, sweet, bananany (that's a new word) and of course had my favorite vanilla wafer cookies. It immediately brought back memories of my grandmothers banana pudding which I haven't had in over 20 years. The smell, the taste, the texture were a definite reincarnate of hers.

Banana Pudding

White Chocolate Macadamia Cheesecake

 Lastly, the White Chocolate Macadamia Cheesecake - talk about rich! It was delicious and perfect for sharing, in fact three to four people could easily share this 4'' size decadent dessert and probably still have some left over. Their cheesecake is exactly the way a cheesecake should be; dense, creamy and thick. Not only is the flavor excellent but it's topped high with white chocolate chunks and whole macadamias.  Oddly enough we didn't try the brownies but I figure that gives us one more reason to return and of course provide you with an update.

I have to say I am so proud of LA, we have really become a foodies paradise and thankfully more restaurants, desserteries and cool concept themed places are popping up everywhere. If I were getting paid for all the blogging and eating I could do, I'd be well on my way to some serious dough (no pun intended). OK that was cheesy but I couldn't resist.

So to wrap up this sweet rant, Magnolia's is wonderful; they've got some interesting things in the works, one being curbside pickup - so you can call ahead and someone will bring out your order to your car.  This is a great service idea especially in LA where parking in non existent (especially where they are located). 

I definitely intend on revisiting if for no other reason than just to see how everything is when they're not so 'new' and have settled into a routine. :-) That to me is when you can really gauge how good a place is. Throw in some raunchy, demanding customers, a dash of long hours in front of a hot oven six days a week, a pinch of sarcasm from the boss on why you're not working hard enough and you've got a recipe for either disaster or some damn good pastries!

On to my next craving. :-)

Magnolia Bakery
8389 West 3rd St., Los Angeles, 90048
(323) 951-0636

Check out these great articles about Magnolia Bakery
Laist.com
NYMag