Brunch at Alcove (see old entry). Cobb Omelette (bacon, avacado, blue cheese) was huge and heavy. The Spinach Egg Puff with Cheese was so-so, the puff too soggy and cheese layer a bit too rubbery texture for my liking. Unlike that red velvet cake last time, the St. Honore cake was fantastic! It was marron & egg custard. They’re redeemed in their pastry department in my eyes ^^;;
July 24, 2005
3
Alcove (Los Feliz)
//// By Freda in 04: Los Feliz
July 23, 2005
5
New Concept (Monterey Park)
//// By Freda in 01: San GabrielA fairly new and popular dim-sum place to try! It is crowded and long waiting lines as usual.
The Curry Squid was very bad (the fishballs are really ghetto HK street venders quality). And most disappointing of all, they didn’t have the pan-fried radish cake as regular menu (only the steam kind). That is my MUST-have.
It is Abalone inside the lotus leaf sticky rice.
Overall the dim sum dishes are quite unique, and generally taste pretty good, but a bit too oily. In comparison, Mission 261‘s dim sum quality are finer and more delicate.
July 22, 2005
2
Mauro’s Cafe (Melrose)
//// By Freda in 09: Weho
Gave up on two overtly crowded cafes on Melrose after failing to find parking, we ended up at Fred Segal as last resort (at that point we were dying of thirst and hunger). Bolognese and Salmon Cream pastas. Not too bad. But the place was crowded with the Hollywood crowd (err).
Tags: Pasta
July 19, 2005
2
Le Marmiton (Montana Ave.)
//// By Freda in 16: Santa Monica
Quite far from my office but meet up with Yan for lunch here anyway :p I was shocked to find that Le Marmiton‘s space was chopped in half. Now there’s only the bakery area with far less tables. Their pate is always good. I had the Grilled Foie Gras, a bit dry outside and small but still delicious. Their Creme Brulee is very different from most places, very heavy egg flavor, very nice~ (see old entries here and here).
July 14, 2005
5
Sweet Lady Jane (Melrose)
//// By Joan in 09: Weho
Gosh Sweet Lady Jane has such ugly lighting that’s not good for picture ^^;; Possibly the only cake shop that opens till 11:30 pm at night, we went there for a friend’s bday after dinner. The interior is pretty cute like an old style tea room. There aren’t that much cakes left since we went there at 10:00 pm or so, one of their best ones “triple barries shortcake” is gone already. Italian Rum Wedding cake, only the thin brown layer has rum flavor, the rest of large sponge area is rather normal tasting. hot chocolate, kinda too sweet to eat with cakes….
Chocolate Mocha Praline, good but normal. Passion Fruit w/apricot?? Not too sure, I don’t think I tasted it! 
Choc. Mousse Tacos, there are chocolate mousse inside the chocolate caramel shell. This one is the best tasting out of all of them. Overall I’m not so crazy about their cakes, though they’re better than most American cakeshops. They’re very famous (in a hyped by celebrities way). I still much prefer delicate French/cuban cakes. Like the ones in Jin Patisserie or Porto’s.
Tags: Cake
