la.foodblogging

Just looking at Max’s spoils from Leda’s has me in a twist. I have to post something to spare myself the sight of those beautiful cupcakes as soon as the page opens. However, my topic is pretty thin, so I’ll make it quick.

I have two new preferred drink destinations in Los Angeles… besides Peet’s in Larchmont. I’m not a fan of fish egg foam on my coffee; that loose, holey steamed milk that looks like it would be better off gestating on the edge of a pond or under a wet, insect-bitten leaf. Rather, the thicker and more luscious my steamed milk, the better. I love a velvety cream on top. But Pasdena’s Europane Bakery goes one step further. On their steamed milk drinks they serve foam not unlike pre-cooked meringue. Look at the tower of light and fluffy foam! —-> Almost makes me want to whip up an Angel Food Cake or a vanilla souffle.

When it comes to my Arnold Palmers (a.k.a., 50/50s), I prefer tart lemonade mixed with a strong black brewed tea. There are many inspired takes on the AP theme, but I think that locally, Le Pain Quotidien may serve my favorite version of the drink. The lemonade is tart and the iced tea has a nice kick. LPQ also provides individual decanters so you don’t have to go waving your arms for refills.

As Anthony Bourdain might say: If a coffee house can’t steam milk right and a restaurant can’t serve fresh-squeezed lemonade with freshly brewed tea, “that’s really a huge turd in the punch bowl.”

Europane Bakery
950 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
Tel. 626-577-1828

Le Pain Quotidien
West Hollywood
8607, Melrose Avenue
(3 blocks west of La Cienega)
LA, CA 90069
Tel. 310-854-3700