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Los Angeles isn’t often recognized as being a bagel town. Truth is most of us eat our bagels along with our coffee at Starbucks or with a smoothie from a neighborhood shop and go about our day never realizing that there is something better out there.

Of course east coast transplants with discerning taste buds will instantly recognize that the bagels out west pale in comparison to what they might find, in say, New York city. Some say it’s the quality and/or the alkaline level of the water, but whatever the reason, bagels in Los Angeles don’t have the reputation of measuring up.

That said, not all L.A. bagel makers are created equal, and some truly stand out from the pack.

[RELATED: 17 Spots To Get the Best Donuts in Los Angeles]

So with that in mind, we’ve sought to find the absolute best bagels in Los Angeles, whether at bagel shops, delis, cafes, or pretty much anywhere a bagel might be served. And some might even be good enough to meet the discriminating tastes of our east coast friends…. maybe.

Here’s what we came up with.

Credit: Brooklyn Bagel Company on Facebook

New York Bagel Company

The walls here are lined with photographs taken by Richard E. Aaron, a photographer whose images have made front cover of at least 20 thousand magazines. Because of its Brentwood location the prices tend to be a bit higher, but the location offers a space for a more sophisticated bagel feasting experience. Their ring shaped concoctions are perfectly crunchy on the outside while maintaining a soft center. With 15 varieties to selectively nosh on and some good coffee, this is the place to be in Brentwood for a delish bagel.

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Sam’s Bagel

Many in Los Angeles will concur that these are some of the tastiest bagels outside of New York. The pleasant no nonsense attitude of its staff is another asset that will make East Coast transplants at home on the West Coast. All bagels here have a welcome chewy texture and the flavors are impeccable no matter what type you order.

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Western Bagel

Western Bagel holds true to tradition while being bold with new flavors. The number of ways you can order a bagel here are almost endless and they even have options for people who usually cut bread products out of their diets. For instance, order their bagelettes on days when you can’t justify going all out with a bagel loaded with tons of baked in flavors and added toppings.

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Photo Credit: Western Bagel via Facebook

Bagel Broker

For nearly 28 years, the Bagel Broker have been attracting bread-lovers to Los Angeles’ Fairfax District. The doughnut shaped rolls here come in an assortment of flavors, but they also offer seven flavors of whipped cream cheese. Sometimes I think cream cheese is the perfect bagel topping, so it’s quite wonderful that you can lather a strawberry or cheddar jalapeno cream cheese to the top. But, the fact that these firm textured rolls have been handmade since 1987 is enough to land them a spot on our list.

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Brooklyn Bagel Company

Family owned and operated since 1953, the Friedman clan boils their bagels before they’re backed as they are in New York. This traditional method may be more time consuming, but it gives a bagel its classic shine and chewy crust. Over 30 varieties are baked fresh every day of the week including their tasty onion cheddar bagel that combines the right amount of onion with a slice of mild cheddar cheese.

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[RELATED: 10 Spots for the Best Brunch in Los Angeles]

Bagelworks Cafe

The prices here are really affordable considering you can order a single for 95 cents or a half dozen for $5.25. A portion of the menu is even dedicated to bagel sandwiches where you can order a delicious, crispy BLT or an albacore tuna with the works- lettuce, tomato, onion, sprouts and cheese.

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The Bagel Factory

Three locations serve New York style kosher bagels to the Angeleno population. The name of this business might be plain, but its name supports its no to-do atmosphere that promotes a laid-back cafe experience. These bagels are perfectly soft with a well-textured circumference, giving eaters the perfect bite.

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Bueller’s Bagels

This bite-sized bakery stays true to most hole in the wall characteristics by running out of their bagel products early and accepting only cash. If you arrive early enough you’ll be able to try a bagel that’s lightly coated and small, yet with plenty flavorful. If you’re not used to carrying cash, an ATM is conveniently located next door.

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The Shack in the Back

This little gem could be missed if you blink, but it’s there right near the Chevron gas station on Sepulveda. There seem to be lots of rave reviews about their menu items, coffee and especially their bagels. There’s just something about a restaurant with a convenient location and especially one that serves all sorts of bagels and bagels with enough add-ons to be considered a meal.

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Marie’s Deli & Cafe

If you’re only going to try one veggie bagel in the entire city, Marie’s might be the one. Also of note: the ample size of their breakfast sandwiches means you never have to worry about getting under-portioned. Keep in mind because they’re a downtown business they’re closed on Sundays.

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Where do you find the best bagels in Los Angeles? Let us know your picks in the comments below!

The origin of the margarita has never been pinpointed, but whoever thought to combine tequila, cointreau, lime juice and salt and should be given a hearty slap on the back.

For me, margaritas always offer a reason to escape from the grind of everyday life. Many nights of memories have been formed on margarita Monday’s, hanging out with the girls, sipping on drinks, and ending it all with a round of sing-your-heart-out karaoke. But that’s another story.

Let’s be honest though, margarita lovers could have one of these delicious drinks every day of the week and still be craving more. And thankfully, in recent years the trend towards custom margaritas with fresh juice blends and high quality ingredients has been on the rise in Los Angeles. That said, here’s 10 of the best spots in L.A.  to check out next time you’re feeling maniacal for a margarita.

Enjoy!

Credit: Casa Vega on Facebook

El Cholo Downtown

I love dining at El Cholo and I make sure I visit this restaurant in my hometown every time I’m back for a visit. I prepare myself to gain at least three pounds because I’ll eat a ton of chips and salsa, order a two-item combination plate and order a margarita, of course. The classic El Cholo Margarita is always a hit, but so are all the others, so it makes it a little hard to decide on just one. Times like this are when you designate a driver so you can have a couple; I’m much of a lightweight now.

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Mercado

With several locations proudly serving Los Angeles’ need for a salt rimmed drink, Mercado indulges us one margarita glass at a time. I like what they’ve done with the New Fashioned, which is a twist on the bourbon cocktail. I don’t have a bourbon based drink each time I go out, maybe it’s because they think the drink is for my husband, but probably because margaritas are so darn tasty, so this won is a winner.

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Gracias Madre

Did you know that the team behind Cafe Gratitude opened a south-of-the-border style restaurant right here in Los Angeles off Melrose? And guess what, they make killer Margaritas. Of special note, try the “Purista Margarita” made with organic reposado tequila, fresh-pressed lime juice and organic agave nectar. You can “thank us” later. 😉

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Credit: Gracias Madre on Facebook

El Cid

For those whose ideal margarita-drinking occasion would include flamenco dancers, El Cid is where you want to be. If I had to choose only one of their margaritas it would be the Strawberry Vanilla Bean Margarita because artisanal preserves mixed with lime and agave nectar sounds like a sweet alcoholic treat, with salt.

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Border Grill

You know those old lyrics that sing, “I was country when country wasn’t cool?” Well, some might argue that Border Grill was crafting superior margaritas before Los Angeles entered the “mixology” scene. I don’t think you could be let down by their margaritas especially when four of them are between $5 and $7 during happy hour.

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Ortega 120

In years best, LA Weekly has proclaimed Ortega 120 as having the best classic margarita in Los Angeles, and it’s no wonder. You won’t find any generic sweet and sour mix here, as all blends are made from scratch with fresh juices. For value your best bet is getting a pitcher of their classic house margaritas.

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Las Perlas

A best of margarita list would be incomplete without the inclusion of Las Perlas. This bar sources mezcal only from family distilleries because of their ability to produce small-batch artisan-crafted mezcals. Between $9 and $11, margarita seekers can order a mezcal based drink with a super cool name and an even better taste.

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Credit: Las Perlas on Facebook

Red O

The man from PBS’ Mexico: One Plate At A Time made noise when he debuted the $100 margarita. I would never pay that much for a margarita, but we should commend Rick Bayless for such a daring move. The more affordable option would be the $14 Champagne Margarita that incorporates cabo wabo silver tequila and homemade limonada. All other margaritas range from $15-100, so while the drinks here are great, this might be the place you splurge after a bigger paycheck.

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Casa Vega

This San Fernando Valley family-owned Mexican restaurant serves all their margaritas in pint-sized glasses. Their margaritas pack a punch so one Casa Vega Cadillac Margarita or Margaritade Naranja should do the trick.

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El Carmen

This cantina serves a handful of margaritas including fresh fruit margaritas where you can choose from one of six fruits. For a flavorful kick I would suggest ordering their Spicy Margarita, which is their El Carmen Classic Margarita, but with fresh jalapenos mixed in. For a $5 El Carmen Classic Margarita, come in Monday through Friday between 5pm-7pm to have your fill.

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Honorable Mentions

Bludso’s
Petty Cash
Yxta Cocina Mexicana
Velvet Margarita

Where do you get the best margarita’s in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!

For such a small and delicate creation, the macaron cookie sure does generate its share of confusion. Of course the one thing that most have in common is this: they’re really, really tasty! And we’re fortunate to live in a city such as Los Angeles that offers a vast array of options for macaron lovers to choose from.

But before we get to locations, let’s talk some history.

Although there are some conflicting stories of the origin of macarons, the most popular version is that the cookies were first honed in Italy back sometime around the Renaissance,  then got imported into France when Catherine de’ Medici married Henry II in 1533.

[RELATED: 13 Spots for the Best Pancakes in Los Angeles]

The first macarons were simple creations, made of the basics of almond powder, sugar and egg whites, but have evolved over time into multiple forms. One of these variations  is the  ‘macacroon’ cookie, which is a close cousin of the French style one we focus on in this article. The macaroon was purportedly developed in Europe by Jewish bakers who used coconut in their recipe and served these guys as a special goody around Passover.

However, the double-decker sandwich style that we know as a macaron today was created by Pierre Desfontaines Ladurée  in the early 20^th century. Here we find two delicious meringues joined in sweet artisan matrimony and then filled with a ganache. The cookies are characterized by being light in density, but never light in flavor.

Ok, so now that the history lesson is over and you’re all ready to eat, let’s answer the question: Where can you find the best macarons in Los Angeles?

List starts below (in no particular order).

Credit: ‘Lette Macarons on Facebook

Bouchon Bakery

This Beverly Hills bakery serves vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, caramel and other seasonal flavored macarons. Pastry chef Thomas Keller creates a memorable macaron and he may be even more memorable now by the Gingerbread House tribute a man named Oliver Bernardino created in his honor.

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‘Lette Macarons

Collaboration often gives birth to great concepts and businesses. That’s exactly what happened in 2007 when owner Paulette Koumet and French pastry chef Christophe Michalak decided to collaborate. Since 2007 they’ve grown seven locations strong and serve 13 macarons. Try the Columbian coffee or the earl grey tea macaron for an extremely sweet treat.

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Bottega Louie

The raspberry macaron made with a dark chocolate ganache and raspberry jam and the strawberry macaron infused with a strawberry buttercream sound just a tad decadent, which makes them all the more appetizing. You can get a selection of four for $10 or a selection of eight for $20 if you feel compelled to share.

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Credit: Bottega Louie on Facebook

The Little Next Door

If nothing else, the name of this tri-location restaurant and bar is nothing short of amazing, to me at least. The Little Next Door Brasserie and Wine Bar feature seasonal fare and wine from around the world, but macaron lovers probably know them for their $1.75 French macarons. Flavors include but are not limited to passion fruit, pistachio and hazelnut and truffle.

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The Larder at Tavern

This Brentwood establishment has been named for having some of the best macarons around the city by many Los Angeles media. Taste the vanilla, lemon or pistachio and tell us what you think.

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DoLy’s Delectables

After Julie Do and Son Ly (hence, Do-Ly’s) opened their cafe some 5 years ago, they quickly established themselves as a local Long Beach gem serving up some of the best dessert bakery items in the area. French macarons are a speciality  and are prepared fresh each morning with tons of flavors to choose from. Highly recommended if you’re in the DTLB area.

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Credit: DoLys Delectables on Facebook

Caffe Concerto

This family-owned restaurant has 30 matchless macaron flavors. All flavors are made in-house and great care is exercised to ensure the macarons are not too sweet or dense. Pastry Chef Keith Lee, who has since moved on to other ventures, developed Caffe Concerto’s macarons, but each new staff member adds his or her contribution to this dessert.

[RELATED: 17 Spots to Get the Best Donuts in Los Angeles]

Their offerings include classic flavors such as rose, salted caramel, pistachio, chocolate, and espresso, as well as more experimental ones such as black sesame, lemon yuzu, matcha, mango and ginseng.

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La Provence Patisserie & Café

Los Angeles’ first French pastry restaurant to carry French macarons has been in operation for over 17 years. You’ll find their artisan bakery in Beverly Hills and American Airlines at LAX is lucky to have had the City Council in 2011 select La Provence to be the primary sweet treats provider in Terminal 4. This artisan bakery by Farshid Hakim offers 11 French Macarons, but the Patisserie suggests trying the Caramel Fleur de sel.

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Napoleon’s Macarons

Razmig Tchoboian, a self-taught baker, perfected his macaron recipe before selling his confections online in 2010. Razmig has numerous locations across California where French macarons filled with buttercream or a rich ganache beautifully line display cases. These gluten-free, organically made cookies are sold in flavors such as champagne strawberry, lemon meringue pie, rose water and blueberry lavender.

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Euro Pane Bakery

This bakery is an elusive little gem, let’s say it’s a special treat for anyone lucky enough to stumble upon it, because the macarons here are absolutely massive!. For a larger than usual macaron, try either of the Euro Pane Bakery locations on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. Bigger sometimes is better!

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Are you a macaron lover with a favorite spot in Los Angeles? Let us know which you think is the best in the comments below!

It’s almost lunchtime on yet another Monday and you don’t know what to eat. You need to grab some grub before going bar hopping in Hollywood. It’s around midnight and you’ve just gotten out from a show at The Echo and you’re absolutely starving…

What do each of these dilemmas have in common? They can all be solved by finding a delicious L.A. food truck.

Food trucks are a fantastic way to find great food on the fly, satisfy cravings, or maybe just indulge in something totally unique and unexpected that would normally be completely out of your comfort zone.

Whatever your aim, we decided to inspire your curiosity with a list of 10 of the finest and most unique food trucks around Los Angeles including options that vary from comfort food to healthy eats, sweet indulgences to dishes with more of an exotic flair.

Regardless of your disposition I promise only one thing after reading (and seeing photos of) this list: prepare to be hungry!

Rundown starts after the jump, in no particular order.

Credit: Carb & Nation on Facebook

Carb & Nation

Artisan sandwiches and craft sodas are created within Carb & Nation by former sous chefs from Church & State in downtown LA. Fata Wijaya, one of the two chefs from this truck suggests trying their Pork Belly Bun, made with Mizo glazed pork belly, Yuzu pickle, homemade aioli and crispy pork skins. For a refreshing sip in between bites try the Ginger Lemon Thyme Soda.

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The Pudding Truck

If you’re going to order from The Pudding Truck you’ve got to order their classic: Chocolate Pudding. While the name sounds familiar their version is anything but, filled with a rich and creamy goodness with flavors that blend a lovely balance of milk and dark chocolate. Should chocolate simply not be your thing, try their Southern-Style Banana Pudding. This pudding uses their Vanilla Bean Pudding and they layer it with homemade brown butter vanilla wafers, banana slices and whipped cream.

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Credit: The Pudding Truck on Facebook

Border Grill Truck

I really don’t know what gets any better than a margarita and mojito bus on wheels. Food wise, the people behind this truck suggest trying their sustainable seasonal ceviche cones. Made with shrimp, lime marinated seasonal sustainable fish, tomato, and jalapeno aioli in a corn tortilla cone, this cone is much more fulfilling and tasty than any snow cone.

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The Grilled Cheese Truck

The team behind The Grilled Cheese Truck introduced the city of Los Angeles to its wondrous cheesy melts in 2009. Not only do they produce tasty sandwiches, they’ve committed their first 100 trucks to be run by qualified Veterans.

Two favorites you may want to try: the southern mac and cheese, pulled BBQ pork (smoked in house), with caramelized onions and sharp cheddar on buttery French bread, or the fried chicken and waffle melt, which features spicy fried chicken with sharp cheddar melted between two waffles and served with maple syrup or country sausage gravy on the side.

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The Southern Mac and Cheese. Credit: The Grilled Cheese Truck on Facebook

The Gastrobus

The menu here changes weekly and is influenced by the seasons. Almost all menu items include some sort of vegetable that’s paired with meat and appropriate seasonings. You’re sure not to strike out with any of their sandwiches.

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Rico’s Mar Azul Mariscos Truck

Hands down some of the freshest, most delicious seafood tostadas you’ll find anywhere on wheels. And they’re easy on the wallet too, making them one of the best value food trucks in the entire city.

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Kogi

This dual County (LA and Orange) Korean Mexican Taco Truck rolled onto the scene Thanksgiving of 2008. Kogi sells Korean barbecue tacos from four trucks: Roja, Naranja, Verde and Rosita. The first three service different cities/areas and Rosita caters to special occasions. The signature taco is made with two crisply griddled tortillas, double caramelized Korean barbecue short rib, Kogi secret salsa roja, cilantro onion lime relish and a special Napa romaine and green onion slaw tossed in a chili soy vinaigrette.

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Up close and personal with a Kogi taco. Credit: Eric Shin

Seoul Sausage Company

The winners of season three’s The Great Food Truck Race now have a retail store in Little Osaka in West LA in addition to their famed food truck. Rumor is their food truck might make an appearance at this year’s Super Bowl in Arizona, but until that rumor is proven true try their Man Salad brought back by popular demand. Just imagine Korean nachos characterized by Kimchi cheese sauce and pickled jalapenos.

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Komodo

This Asian fusion food company has a restaurant on Pico, one in Venice and a food truck that weekly visits El Segundo, Santa Monica and Miracle Mile. You can get a flavorful taste of Asian fusion food in a taco, burrito or rice bowl. Think of Chipotle in terms of how you want it prepared, but with a more inventive flair and taste.

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Cousins Maine Lobster Truck

This “delivered fresh shore to door” food truck has a truck in Phoenix and yours truly and has eight coming soon to other states. The lobster you eat is pulled from the sea in Maine a day before it reaches your mouth somewhere in Los Angeles. This food truck is great for New Englanders who can’t make it home every year.

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Bonus: The Buttermilk Truck

Have you wondered what happened to the Buttermilk Truck? Gigi Pascual from Buttermilk Inc told us that November was their last month operating the truck so they could focus on their Red Velvet Pancake Mix and Ube or Purple Yam baking mix product line. However, they’re still serving some of their most popular menu items at Willie Jane in Venice for Brunch Saturdays and Sundays. You’ll still be able to eat their Red Velvet Pancakes, Fried Chicken and Chorizo Gravy Sandwich with Rosemary Garlic Hashbrowns and their Hawaiian Bread French Toast Sticks at 1031 Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice.

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Obviously there dozens and dozens of food trucks to choose from in Los Angeles, and these are some of our favorites. But which ones do you like? Let us know in the comments below!

There’s a common misconception floating around that there’s no such thing as a bad pancake. I think most people order pancakes off the menu for breakfast because they believe there’s no way you can mess it up. This is especially true if someone has enough syrup to drown the cake in a flood of sweetness.

There are so many ways a pancake can be mixed, embellished and served (thin, fluffy, crisp around the edges,) butI think aficionados appreciate a pancake for its quality, texture and its overall taste without the need for drenching each piece in rivers of syrup.

Some of the places mentioned below serve pancakes that are simple yet classic with recipes that should never be tampered with, others are a tribute to experimentation with resulting masterpieces you never would’ve expected.

[RELATED: 13 Spots For The Best Waffles in Los Angeles Every L.A. Foodie Ought to Try Once]

As always it’s hard to please everyone with a list like this, so if you have some input on where you think someone can get the best pancakes in Los Angeles, let us know in the comments section at the end.

Rundown starts after the jump!

Credit: Blu Jam Cafe on Facebook

Blu Jam Café

This cafe started out in Hollywood and has now expanded to include three locations. Breakfast is served all day and you get an easy choice of Blueberry Pancakes or Three Pancakes topped with powdered sugar. The rest of the menu is excellent as well, and we’ve heartilly endorsed them before as one of the best brunches in Los Angeles.

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Aloha Food Factory

If you’ll be dining at this mom and pop inspired Hawaiian restaurant you’ll have to try their namesake macadamia nut crème pancakes. If you do order the macadamia nut crème pancakes the kitchen in this little brick building will whip up a fluffy pancake and top it with a vanilla cream sauce and a dusting of macadamia nuts. Don’t come here expecting frills, but do expect a great meal. Aloha!

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John O’Groats

Opened in 1982, John O’Groats offers eight varieties of hotcakes. Try the O’Groats Lemon Pancakes or O’Groats Applesauce Pancakes with a side of fresh fruit and a piping hot cup of coffee. This eatery gives off a friendly homey vibe and has been named Best Breakfast by many in the media.

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Uncle Bill’s Pancake House

If you live in Manhattan Beach or need a reason to go to Manhattan Beach, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House is motivation enough. The restaurant building was originally constructed as a home and went through a number of owners before Uncle Bill McElroy moved in and started serving pancakes in 1961. Uncle Bill offers 12 varieties of pancakes and the Cake & Eggs, two buttermilk pancakes with two eggs any style. The Strawberry sounds really great right now with its fresh strawberries and whipped cream or maybe you can try something more season like the pumpkin spice.

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Credit: Uncle Bill’s Pancake House on Facebook

The Original Pantry

Serving Los Angeles since 1924 and open all day and night, every single day of the year. This restaurant draws an eclectic crowd and serves an unpretentious menu. This is the place to go when you don’t feel like getting especially dressed up in the early morning to get a quality pancake.

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Pacific Dining Car

Open all morning and all night you’ll be eating your pancakes in a 1920s railcar. Have your choice of fluffy blueberry, buttermilk, or banana-pecan pancakes with either New Hampshire maple or boysenberry syrup.

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Rae’s

Rae’s in Santa Monica is an old-school diner almost reminiscent of the diner in Seinfeld. The pancakes here are light and the prices are easy on the pockets.

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Square One Dining

Organic ingredients are prominent in Fountain Valley at Square One Dining. Order your pancakes with a bacon-enriched caramel sauce or a bourbon-pecan topping with vanilla whipped cream. Diners should take advantage of the bourbon-pecan topping before restaurants catch wind of the supposed bourbon drought.

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Du-par’s

Being open for over 70 years, Du-par’s has woven itself into the Los Angeles coffee shop tradition. This is the place to dine if you like thick and fluffy pancakes. You won’t get anything fancy here, just a choice of the Stack (5 hot cakes) or Short Stack (3 hot cakes). However, simple often equates to the fact that these pancakes stand well enough on their own to not need to be topped with powdered sugar or infused with any fruit under the sun.

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The Griddle

This Los Angeles hipster cafe draws huge crowds and serves eccentric pancakes. The Hear Me Roar combines Frosted Flakes and strawberries while Saturday Morning Fever swirls Bailey’s and Kahlua into the buttermilk batter. The pancake menu is extensive, so maybe try a new one each visit unless you find one you’re absolutely in love with.

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Credit: The Griddle on Facebook

More Than Waffles

This family owned restaurant in Encino stays true to its name by offering scrumptious pancakes for order in a full stack of three or a short stack for smaller appetites. If the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin pancakes are available when dining in I suggest taking a fork to that or the Ultima garnished with strawberries, blueberries, kiwi and nuts for a finishing crunch.

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Jacks N Joe

Breakfast is served all day at the South Figueroa restaurant that places a strong emphasis on pancakes. Jacks N Joes is conveniently located just a few blocks from the University of Southern California; perfect for students on a break between classes. The owners wanted this restaurant to have an “at home” feel, which is great for students away from home for the first time. They also work with a student budget with five pancakes for $4.75 and seven pancakes for $6.75. Try their Totally L.A. pancakes for those of us on a diet- three thin pancakes served with fresh fruit and sweet lemon butter.

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CiCi’s

This Tarzana staple is renowned for their green tea pancakes, and they never disappoint (try the Tiramisu version as well!). For about $12 you can get a triple stack big enough to fill even the biggest pancake appetite. If you happen to be If you happen to be in the Valley near the 101, make sure to stop by!

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Did we miss your favorite pancake spot in L.A.? Let us know where you get the best pancakes in the comments section below!

What’s the difference between a bartender and a mixologist?

Well, the former just serves you drinks, while the latter is a craft artist who innovates, refines, and perfects their techniques to make the best potables possible.

It takes something special to be a called a true mixologist, but we’ve found 15 establishments in Los Angeles where the cocktail drinking experience is elevated to a truly exceptional level, combining elite levels of skill, ingredients and creativity.

So check out below our picks (in no particular order) for where to get the best cocktails in L.A. made by some of the city’s finest bartenders mixologists.

And of course most importantly after you read the list, go try ’em! 🙂

Credit: Thirsty Crow on Facebook

Blue Collar

Vinny Laresca recently opened a bar on Fairfax that’s an ode to the “Golden Age” of cocktail programs. You won’t find a cocktail list here; instead the cocktail program that’s run by Aaron Stepka is based on memory and personalization. The bartenders here will remember your favorite drink just like a restaurant will remember your favorite order.

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The Thirsty Crow

Head bartender Cooper Gillespie’s cocktail program includes homemade shrubs, sherbets, jams and in-house fusions. Check out the cocktail menu on their website and pick a drink based on your favorite bartender from The Thirsty Crow. Try the Ernesto Hemingway by Geoffrey Smyser or the Grapescape courtesy of Rahad Coulter-Stevenson.

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The Exhibition Room

The best-kept secret in Long Beach is connected to Roxanne’s Lounge through a 1940s-era phone booth. David Valiante, Bar Director of The Exhibition Room and owner of Elevated Mixology, brings 20 years of industry experience to the bar’s cocktail program. Stay turned to their social feed for updates on Liquid Lessons from experts in the field.

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Credit: The Exhibition Room on Facebook

Black Market Liquor Bar

The Black Market Liquor Bar opening in 2011 gives people an escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The Valley’s premier destination for cocktails has a menu that changes weekly and a group of the area’s top mixologists to create creative change.

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1886 Bar

Mixologists showcase their creativity in a cool space behind a South Pasadena restaurant. A 100-year-old house holds the Raymond restaurant in the front and 1886 Bar in the rear. Head barman Brady Wiese brings expertise from his time bartending in the Bay Area and Tangier in Los Feliz. Only open since 2010, expect the cocktail list to change with the seasons. And in celebration of their four year anniversary they’ve introduced a Greatest Hits cocktail list that includes 13 of the tastiest cocktails ever created on Fair Oaks Ave.

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The Edison

This underground architects dream sets the stage for artisanal cocktails and a new drought-friendly cocktail list. They’re also in their 5^th year of partnering with The Midnight Mission’s toy drive. The scoop- bring a toy and receive a complimentary cocktail between now and the 20^th of this month.

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Credit: The Edison on Facebook

Bar Centro

Located inside Beverly Hills’ SLS hotel is a lounge that was the first in Los Angeles to offer liquid nitrogen. The open lounge is a forum for superb mixologists to craft exceptional modern creations. Expect a playground of cocktails, all molecular-inspired and the appearance of cotton candy.

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Harvard and Stone

Come in for Asian-flavored cocktails at the cocktail bar that was a finalist in the Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail, the world’s most well known cocktail conference. Jill Webster, Harvard and Stone’s current bar manager, has won two Speed Rack regional competitions in San Diego and San Francisco. This is the place to visit for speed cocktails.

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The Roger Room

Matt Wise from the bar on La Cienega told me it’s “a collaborative effort at the Roger Room.” The Roger Room’s three main creative mixologists Jason Porter, Tai Bennett, and Bruce Hood create a “very well balanced menu that appeals to a variety of palates,” Matt adds. From the recently released Winter Menu Matt suggests trying the Straw Man and The Long Goodbye:

Straw Man

Twelve Five Overproof Rye, Pumpkin & Spice, Old Fashioned Bitters, Rosemary, Orange Peel, rocks

 The Long Goodbye

Vida Mezcal Rinse, Herradura Blanco, Ancho Reyes Liqueur, Fresh Carrot Juice, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, Lime Zest, up

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Photo Credit: The Roger Room

Library Bar

Not to be confused with the book-lined indoor lounge at The Redbury or the one at the Roosevelt Hotel, mixologists from the Library Bar in Downtown Los Angeles craft their own bitters, foam and garnishes.

Having just celebrated their 8^th year anniversary, Library Bar still provides a beautifully lit ambiance with a genuine bookcase that customers just adore.

The cocktail menu was developed by Andrew All, Makeda Teachout and Dylan Synder. If Dylan Synder rings a bell it’s because he’s the Beverage Director for Acme Hospitality. Andrew All suggests trying the Big Bad Wolf, a cocktail developed by Makeda Rose. “It is a raspberry tequila sour with a stenciled paw print sprayed on with bitters,” Andrew All explains.

Says Andrew:

“We have an elevated cocktail program and still get our cocktails out fast, we have an excellent cocktail hour from 3-7p.m. Monday through Friday that brings in a lot of business men and women from all over the Financial District.”

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The Varnish

There’s a lot to be expected from one of Los Angeles’ original cocktail bars and The Varnish consistently puts out classic cocktails with loads of style. Eric Alperin, lead bartender and owner of The Varnish is kind of a big deal and he places a strong emphasis on historical accuracy. One might call their rotating cocktail list a boutique list since it includes about five or six drinks. If you’d like to be daring, go with the bartender’s choice cocktail, after all they did earn the title of Best American Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail in 2012.

Insider seasonal tip: The Varnish offers an off-menu (request only) Warm Milk Punch- prepared with dark rum, a full-bodied cognac, oleo-saccharum, whole milk, simple syrup and lemon juice-throughout the winter months.

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Caña Rum Bar

To become a member of the Caña Rum Society you’ll need to pay a $20 membership fee, but it’s worth it. Caña’s mixologist Allan Katz doubles as general manager and cleverly calls himself “The Hank Moody of Mixology.”

On style:

“I’m an expatriated lifelong New Yorker. I got lucky to start out when there was such a wealth of talent behind the town’s cocktail bars. It informed how I work, and as a result there isn’t anything I do that doesn’t share DNA with a tried and true classic. Respect for your roots is a very NY thing,” Allan shares.

On a perfect cocktail:

“I have many colleagues that will make a drink 30-100 times before it’s just right. I think that’s ridiculous. Imagine having sex with someone 100 times before it’s worth an orgasm. Exactly,” Allan tells me. I don’t think anymore could have put it more eloquently than that.”

Allan believes a cocktail should be the result of harmony and arithmetic: “If the flavors involved aren’t off the bat delicious, then it’s a pointless exercise. If they are, it only takes a little math to ensure they’re optimally balanced.”

On a seasonal note:

“Danielle Crouch [my partner and acting GM at Caña while I await neurosurgery] is a big fan of old cookbooks when we’re seeking some seasonal inspiration. If it works in a pie then it’ll make a great cocktail. That’s where the Joy Ride came from. When she highlighted pears and granny smith apples with rosemary in a tart recipe it made me think of Karen Grill’s [Sassafras GM] Granita Applebum cocktail that paired Tequila & green apple soda at Bestia. Since we knew everything would sing together, the Joy Ride was raring to go in one take:”

Here’s the recipe:

1.5oz Blanco Tequila

.5 pear puree

.5 fresh granny smith juice (it’ll brown quickly, but still awesome taste)

.5 rosemary syrup

.75 lemon j.

Shake all ingredients w/ a few pellets of crushed ice or a cracked cube until ice is dissolved. Then pour over crushed ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

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Credit: Cana Rum Bar on Facebook

Copa D’ Oro

Lead by Head Barman Vincenzo Marianella, guests are encouraged to create their own cocktails from premium ingredients and are reminded to “keep it simple and keep it fresh.” Vincenzo tailors his cocktail list to what’s fresh at the Farmer’s Market.

You’ll get your choice of spirit, herbs, fruits, organic juices and nectars, vegetables and jams and marmalades. If you’re feeling especially daring and most importantly if your pockets are lined with cash, try a cocktail from the “Because You Can” menu. For $85 you can sip the Gold Plated Sidecar, made with Hennessey XO Cognac, Grand Marnier Cinquantenarie and fresh lemon juice.

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Providence

Providence may be one of the area’s premier dining spots, but they’re also known for their amazing cocktail program. This is place to be to for a superb cocktail drinking experience that doesn’t attract the typical bar crowd. Recommendation: try the Angry Angeleno, a a combination of blanco tequila, Fernet Branca, ginger, lime and jalapeño bitters.

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Where do you get your favorite cocktails in Los Angeles? Let us know in the comments below!

Not all of us are blessed enough to be that gal or guy everyone asks to bring their specialty carrot/chocolate/pound/layer cake to every family gathering, potluck, work function, bake sale or fundraiser. You know, it’s that that one person who playfully complains to their friend or spouse that they were asked to make yet another cake, but happily puts on that apron and mixes the batter with a grin?

Well not everyone has the energy or skill to double as Betty Crocker in the kitchen. We’re still too busy putting effort into home cooked meals to worry about what’s for dessert, let alone a superb, moist cake.

So for those of us who need to provide a cake for a family gathering, potluck, work function, bake sale or fundraiser we’ve rounded up some unique bake and cake shops in the Los Angeles area for your viewing pleasure. And just a fair warning, you may not want to read this on an empty stomach.

That said, listed below (in no particular order) are 12 Los Angeles cake shops you absolutely need to know about.

Rundown starts after the jump!

Ports Bakery. Credit: Marco Antonio Torres via flickr

Sweet Lady Jane

Open since 1988, the woman behind Sweet Lady Jane’s began her baking career by selling her desserts to Los Angeles area restaurants. Jane has been widely recognized by the media including Oprah, Country Home, Entertainment Weekly and Bon Apetit. We love that Sweet Lady Jane’s always uses the freshest ingredients and produces a moist and just the right amount of sweet cake every time.

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Porto’s Bakery

Porto’s Bakery & Café might be the best place in Los Angeles for Cuban-style family baked goods and cakes. A small family business that has grown so that it now employs hundreds in their Glendale, Burbank and Downey stores. Their cakes are incredibly festive and look just as festively fun to eat. If you’re in the market for a cake that will blow the minds of everyone at your next holiday gathering I would suggest picking up either a Christmas Log or Christmas Mango Mousse Cake. The Christmas Log looks like a neatly lobbed off thick tree branch, but with a frosted pine cone, peppermints, poinsettia flower, cranberries and sprinkles of snow. The Christmas Mango Mousse with two layers of white sponge cake and fresh mango mousse, might just make up for not putting up your Christmas tree village this year. With a small snow covered house, Christmas trees, cranberries and snow frosting the cake’s top, I’ll say it’s better than any seasonal decoration.

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Phoenix Bakery

The largest and oldest bakery in Chinatown is a family operation ran by the Chan’s, made famous by churning out “not so Chinese” cakes. If you try only one cake from Phoenix Bakery, the Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake is it: it’s delicately created with layers of sponge cake, fresh whipped cream, sliced berries encased in more fresh whipped cream and rounded off with an almond slice circumference.

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Sycamore Kitchen

A culinary couple operation just south of Beverly Blvd, Sycamore Kitchen has given a new definition to the urban-bakery eatery. With a wide assortment of baked goods and loaves and cakes, it’s really hard to choose just one. Any one of their cakes would be fitting for a holiday office party or an in-house lunch with some bubbly or suds. The size of the cakes are not over the top, how are we going to finish this huge, so you could call this cake eating experience a guilt free one as well.

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Credit: Lark Cake Shop on Facebook

Susina Bakery & Cafe

Steps away from the corner of La Brea is a bakery and café that just might have the most decadently prepared cakes in the city. I would love to share the entire cake menu on this page, but I’m afraid that if I do my fingers will be too covered in frosting to continue writing this piece. With that out of the way let me recommend either the Chocolate Raspberry Cake or the Raspberry Lemon Dream. The Chocolate Raspberry cake includes layers of chocolate devil’s food cake glazed with berry liqueur, infused with chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries and topped off with dark chocolate curls. The Raspberry Lemon Dream truly is a dream for our senses with its layers of vanilla sponge cake, lemon curd and fresh seedless raspberry jam.

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Susie Cakes

Chicago native Susan Sarich moved to the West Coast with 4×6 cards of her grandmothers’ prized baking recipes. Susan takes her dedication to family baking traditions and infuses that passion into each cake her and her in-house bakers create. Order a specialty layer cake such as the Old-Fashioned 6-Layer Chocolate Cake or the Tropical Coconut Cake or get creative by designing your own custom layer cake. Choose a chocolate, vanilla or confetti vanilla base, throw in your favorite buttercream frosting and then ask for a special decoration if you’re in the mood. Also keep in mind that for the month of November Susie Cakes will be featuring their Cranberry-Orange Layer Cake, made with moist vanilla cake, cranberries and a fresh orange zest buttercream.

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Magnolia Bakery

What should be called the passport of all bakeries, Magnolia Bakery can be found in Chicago, Moscow City, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Kuwait City and yours truly Los Angeles. Any of Magnolia’s specialty cakes can be ordered by the slice or in 6 or 9” for kindly sharing with others. Holiday gatherings seem to be a time when calories don’t count so why not let everyone splurge with a German Chocolate cake made with a rich and sweet German chocolate cake and a layer of coconut caramel pecan icing. But if your friends are health nuts, order the Hummingbird and tell them it has lots of fresh fruit including bananas and pineapples.

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Doughboys Cafe & Bakery

Beloved for it’s Red Velvet Cake, Dough Boys has earned its five minutes of fame on Oprah, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and other Los Angeles media. Since its Red Velvet has experienced so much fame, the folks at Dough Boys have introduced the white velvet and the black velvet. These two sister cakes have the same sweet cream cheese frosting and white chocolate drizzle, but with a different velvet base depending on your mood.

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Valerie Confections

Los Angeles Magazine named Valerie’s Confections Best Chocolatier in a blind taste test; I think that’s real good for the city of Los Angeles. This chocolatier leader has several chocolate-based cakes to satisfy the sweetest of tooth in the area. Who loves white chocolate? I certainly do. If you’re like me and crave all things white chocolate, try their White Chocolate Coconut Cake, made with an interior layer of passion fruit buttercream and balanced out with a white chocolate buttercream exterior and of course made complete with coconut.

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Credit: Valerie Confections on Facebook

Jamaica’s Cakes

Let’s first clear any possible confusion, this is a not a Jamaican-style bakery in any shape or form. Its owner who was named after a song entitled “Oh Jamaica” has been featured on TLC’s Ultimate Cake Off, Ultimate Cake Boss and the hysterically funny Curb Your Enthusiasm. Try Jamaica’s Raspberry Champagne Cake for an extra does of champagne or Cookies-n-Cream Cake where cookies are baked into the vanilla butter cake. Anyone have a bachelor or bachelorette party coming up? This cake shop doubles as a great place to order the perfect gag cake and you can make it as clean or dirty as you’d like.

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Lark Cake Shop

Opening in 2007, Lark Cake Shop took stake on Sunset Blvd with hopes of providing Angelenos with stylized, yet simple baked goods. All their cakes are aesthetically pleasing by being decorated with the less is more attitude. The Banana Cake, made with a vanilla cake base, layered with whipped cream and bananas, iced with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate is a moist, light and flavorsome cake perfect for any occasion. Or let’s let caramel lovers unite with Colleen’s Caramel Cake that is splendidly topped and filled with caramel icing.

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The Butter End Cakery

The cake shop that was asked to create a cake in celebration of the 200^th episode of CBS’s How I Met Your Mother is laced with an inspiring story of perseverance and creativity. Kimberly Bailey, owner of The Butter End Cakery, moved to Los Angeles for a change of pace and a year later found out she had cancer. She ended up using the kitchen as a creative outlet and well, now her cake shop produces some of the most sought after cakes in Los Angeles. Baily creates many delectable Dessert Bars with fabulous presentation including Wine Country Mini Cakes, Painted Black and White Mini Cakes and the Harry Winston.

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