Bhan Kanom Thai Sticky rice with taro: Wrapped in a banana leaf, this steamed dessert consists of long grain glutinous rice with a taro filling at the center. The quality of the rice is superb and quite possibly the best sticky rice I’ve had. It’s chewy but still has just enough bite. Perfumed with coconut water, the rice has a very faint sweet tropical flavor, while the taro adds additional richness and a contrasting soft and creamy texture. As far as classic desserts go, this traditional sticky rice was a revelation and at $1.5... (read more) 4.5/5.0
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Dominique Ansel Bakery Gingerbread Pinecone: I still haven't tried a cronut, but I have tried some of Dominique Ansel's desserts in the past, mostly through special events held at his New York West Village Kitchen location. While some were exceptional, namely a pea and carrot dessert modeled after a baby's first word, others have actually been quite bad (like the pie night a few years ago). There is a relatively short line at his first bakery and restaurant in Los Angeles at The Grove, so I opted for a seasonal treat: the gingerbread... (read more) 4.5/5.0
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by CHLOE cranberry ginger lemonade: This housemade lemonade from Veggie favorite by CHLOE perfectly captures Thanksgiving in a cup. The cranberry was tart and vividly colored, and the ginger was satisfyingly potent, and the lemonade flavor is acidic but not overpowering. The drink had a bit of pulp, making it feel almost like a smoothie. Among the best of the drinks I've had this year. 4.0/5.0
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Saffron & Rose Faloodeh and pistachio Turkish ice cream: Returning to this small ice cream shop after 3 years, I found Saffron & Rose has all grown up. Gone are the glass walls, replaced by an orange red drywall, and the generic white cups have been styled with their logo printed on the side. Also missing was the kind owner, who relentlessly handed me every flavor in the shop to sample (without me even asking). Luckily, the offerings remain true, with elastic ice cream in traditional flavors, many flavored with rosewater. The pistachio was creamy ... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Quenelle Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet: Three years ago, you took a detour to Burbank to check out a humble ice cream shop opened by a former pastry chef with a Michelin-starred pedigree. There, your palate was expanded, with singular flavors like ras el hanout. You were stunned that ice cream could be so good: so creamy and well balanced, yet challenging and complex. You gave it a rare 5.0, and even after consuming ice cream from many respectable places since then, that one scoop stands out in your memory. Fast forward three year... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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Ring Baked Tofu Donuts Adzuki Donut: Ring is a donut shop in Los Angeles I've been wanting to try for a long time but haven't until now because it's a bit out of the way in Canoga Park. Their vegan donuts are made from tofu from Meiji Tofu (previously reviewed on Tasty Snacking) along with other high quality local ingredients. Located in an office park, it has a small storefront with a variety of Japanese flavored donuts as well as a selection of house-made beverages. I tried three different donuts which I'll write reviews o... (read more) 4.0/5.0
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