Paulette Macarons

Paulette Beverly Hills, on Charleville Boulevard right near the Pinkberry and Color Me Mine on S. Beverly Drive, bakes one of my favorite treats. This shop is devoted to macarons! The Paulette Koumetz and Christophe Michalak collaboration produces amazing macarons in vibrant colors and amazing exotic and traditional flavors. Their ganache-filled almond cookies come in more than 10 different flavors including wedding almond, Sicilian pistachio, Madagascar vanilla, and chocolate coconut. Compared to Boule macarons, Paulette's have stronger flavor which I prefer. My favorite is the raspberry rose flavored macaron. I have only fallen more in love with these delicious French cookies!

Paulette Macaron
9466 Charleville Boulevard at Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
http://www.paulettemacarons.com/
Hours:
Mon- Sat 10 am to 6 pm

Vanilla Bakeshop Cupcake Babies

Miniatures of Vanilla Bakeshop's original cupcakes, the cupcake babies are cute bite-sized treats for the tastebuds. Just the right size to enjoy more than one without guilt, they are for people tempted to try all the different flavors. Vanilla Bakeshop offers a set of 6 flavors baked daily (Red Velvet, Vanilla Bean, Mom's Birthday Cake, Chocolate Vanilla Bean, Black & White, and Bittersweet Dark Chocolate) and also a set of cupcakes rotated by day. The changing menu includes flavors like Spicy Carrot, Pumpkin, Toasted Coconut, Strawberries and Cream, and Chocolate Raspberry.
The cake texture is firm yet fluffy and the frosting is not so unbearably sweet . My personal favorite is the Southern Red Velvet with its sweet cream cheese frosting.Yum! I think these cupcakes taste better than the more popular and hip Sprinkles cupcakes.Vanilla Bakeshop
512 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-6644
www.vanillabakeshop.com
Hours
9am - 7pm Monday thru Saturday
10am - 6pm Sunday

Sno:la Yogurt

Sno:la, what I thought was another fakeberry, is a new twist to the growing frozen yogurt trend. Their catch? Five seasonally changing flavors made from organic dairy and all natural ingredients. Unlike Pinkberry which only serves original tart and green tea, Sno:la offers fig/date, pomegranate, chocolate, Italian, sour cherry and pumpkin embellished with over 40 toppings.

They have also joined a greater cause beyond frozen yogurt. Sno:la aims at being eco-friendly with their recycled material bowls and wooden spoons. They also have countertops made of re-used microchips.

I tried the original tart and the pomegranate. The tart was far from what is offered at the frozen yogurt places these days. It was not sweet and more on the watery/icy side. The sherbet like qualities matched better with the pomegranate. The tart and not too sweet flavor was a tasty mix with the strawberry and pineapple toppings.

So if your in the Beverly Hills area, go try Sno:la. I think its definitely special enough to give a try atleast once. The interesting variety of toppings, including aloe, the many flavors and the all-natural eco-friendly appeal make for a cool visit.

Sno:La
244 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, 90210
310-274-2435
http://www.snolayogurt.com/
Hours (Winter)
12pm-7pm Sun-Thurs
12pm-10pm Fri-Sat

Spitz in Eagle Rock

Not far from the Eagle Rock Shopping Center, Spitz: Doner Kebab serves kebab, veggies, and tzatziki and chili sauce wrapped in lavash or sandwiched between focccacia. Their classic is half lamb and half beef thin doner meat shaved off the spit. They also serve chicken, falafel or veggie wraps. Spitz's simple menu is complete with a variety of sides including lightly fried pita chips with hummus, sweet potato fries, regular fries or a side salad. They also offer gelato to finish off your meal with a dessert.

This little shack is a great place for a inexpensive and hearty meal. The wraps are made to order and the fillings are very fresh. I enjoyed not only the wraps themselves but the sides especially the bright orange sweet potato fries which were crisp and lightly salted. Definitely try the wrap meal, so you get to try both the wrap itself and the sides. The only con to Spitz: Doner Kebab is that the service isnt the fastest. Because they make the wraps to order, don't plan on stopping by and leaving quick like a drive through. Try it out!

Spitz

2506 Colorado Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90041

323-257-5600

http://www.eatatspitz.com/

Hours
10am-11pm 7 days a week

Boule Atelier

While looking through Eater LA yesterday, I found out about the special preview event for Boule Atelier's opening. To my luck, I had just enough to time to RSVP to the tasting. So, on a school night, my sister and I dressed up in our cutest casual dresses and drove to La Cienega Blvd. As we circled to find parking, I caught a glimpse of the new store. Candlelit high tables were surrounded by people who were talking and enjoying the treats circulating the store. I was definitely excited.
This event was not only for PR and press coverage, but also to give Boule's fans a sneak peek at the new store. The champagne was flowing and shop was bustling with photographers, magazine writers, fellow foodies excitedly discussing the tasty treats. My sister and I were taken by the many pastries in the display case and the artisan breads lining the wall. But we weren't confined to the storefront. Everyone had access to the inside of the kitchen, where the magic actually happens. We munched on flaky croissants by the ovens and work tables.

Lucky for me, I had the chance to talk to David Myers, chef of Sona Restaurant and also the husband of Boule's creator, Michelle Myers. Myers says Boule Atelier will provide us with a more interactive experience. The windows into the kitchen allow visitors to clearly see patissiers and bakers create each delicacy. With three times the space of Boule up the street, customers can enjoy a broader selection of baked goods. Along with a pâtisserie, glâcerie, confiserie, and chocolaterie, the Atelier will also introduce a viennoiserie and boulangerie. The high tables, lighting and full window storefront really achieves the 20s-inspired Parisian vibe Boule was aiming for.The Atelier is the fresher, livelier version of the original Boule. I already know that I will be a frequent visitor!




some of the treats I tasted last night:
-korova sable cookies
-olive foccacia
-mini macarons in matcha green tea, rose raspberry and meyer lemon
-pâte de fruit
-cheese breadsticks
-croissant

All the atendees also received gift bags. yum.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the samples and this great event.
I was a very lucky foodie last night! :]

Boule Atelier
430 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (310) 289-9977

more photos...

Boule Macarons

At Boule, a pâtisserie on La Cienega, they sell gourmet chocolates, candies and confections, their own gelato and coffee with sandwiches and various baked goods. I've been to this store numerous times because I can't get enough of their delicious macarons. The macaron, not to be confused with the coconut-coated macaroon, is a traditional french pastry from northeastern France. It is made of egg whites, almond flour, icing sugar and sugar. Boule bakes them in many different flavors including meyer lemon, matcha green tea, vanilla, dulce de leche, passionfruit with chocolate, venezuelan chocolate, lavendar, pistachio, rose petal raspberry and other seasonal flavors. The macarons have a delicately crunchy outer shell covering the moist and chewy insides. The two merigue-like cookies sandwich a sweet center filling. Although I have yet to try macarons from another store and compare, these treats definitely satisfy my sweet tooth.

Look forward to a Boule review once I try the other yummies!

Boule Pâtisserie
420 N. La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
310-289-9977
http://www.boulela.com

Hours
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm - 6:00pm

Santa Monica Farmers' Market on Main St.

Every Sunday from 9:30 to 1:00 the city of Santa Monica holds a farmers' market on Main st. Since the January of 1995, this weekly event brings businesses and shoppers from all over LA. You can hear the band playing on the patio of the Victorian while browsing through the numerous stalls. They sell everything from fresh produce, homemade sweets and sauces, clothes to artisan cheeses. I've seen some rare veggies and tasted the sweetest fruits. One of my favorite stalls was Basiltops Pesto. Their pestos would make a fantastic pasta dish.

Even after munching on the samples the vendors offer, you won't be able to resist the omelettes, crepes, quesadillas and roasted corn that are cooked fresh to order. Once you have your newly bought produce in one hand and steaming tamale in the other, enjoy the people, atmosphere, music and the outdoors on the grass and the kids can get their face painted and ride the ponies.

go check it out on Sunday!
http://www.smgov.net/farmers_market/sunday.htm