Extraordinary Desserts - San Diego

On our way to Mexico last week we stopped at Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego. I first heard about it on Food Network's "The Best Thing I've Ever Ate" with Marcela Villadolid, in which she raves about a  "Dulce de Leche Chocolate Cake" that left my mouth watering for days. It had been a while since we had a good sugar induced bliss and as soon as we started to plan our trip I knew we were not going to miss the opportunity to check it out.

We went to the location at the historic Little Italy neighborhood. The place is quite nice with a modern feel to it, the service is friendly but a bit on the slow side, we had to wait more than we should for our food even though the place wasn't busy at all. Another thing is they don't have a menu for the desserts, we were instructed to go where the desserts stand is at the front and look for the dessert we wanted, come back to the table and then place the order. How... interesting?!

We shared a "Imported Italian Tuna Panini" and it was quite delicious. Also delicious was the Sparkling Rose Lemonade, tart and sweet, just perfect. Then dessert time! We knew for sure that we wanted the Dulce de Leche Cake, the rich chocolate cake covered with caramel, and to balance the richness we chose the light Passion Fruit Ricotta. They were both really good, but if we had to pick a favorite it would be the Passion Fruit cake, the perfect cake for a summer day, light, creamy and fresh, and not overly sweet.

Dulce de Leche Cake: A crunch milk chocolate hazelnut confection hidden between layers of dark chocolate cake and creamy chocolate mousse

Passion Fruit Ricotta: Tropical and light this torte is made of ricotta cake layers, soaked with passion fruit juice and layered with passion fruit whipped cream, kiwis, strawberries and bananas.

YUM!!! This raspberry and passion fruit sauce is divine.
We really loved everything about this cake!

We hope to come back to try more extraordinary desserts!

Paulette Macarons in Beverly Hills

Fact: I am officially crazy about french macarons. I haven't given up my love for cupcakes, but these little elegant almond cookies have taken my heart (and sweet taste-buds) by storm. I can't have enough of them and am now a determined french macaron chaser.

On our trip to Los Angeles I could not miss the chance to try Paulette Macarons in Beverly Hills. My first visit there on Wednesday turned out to be a big disappointment as they were sold out for the day (at 4pm!), I felt like throwing a fit right there in the middle of posh Beverly Hills, but gathered myself promising to come back the day after Thanksgiving. And that is what I did, this time with sister-in-law Carolyn, who endured a sugar overdose on my account (I took her to Sprinkles Cupcakes on the same day).

So far, these are the best macarons I have ever had. The cookie is just right (crunch to the bite and chewy inside) but it is the filling that is absolutely superb. I tried the Sicilian Pistachio, Coconut, Caribbean Chocolate, Passion Fruit, Sweet Wedding Almond and Madagascar Vanilla. Pistachio and Coconut were my favorites and I seriously wonder if I ever will taste something as good... well, maybe in Paris. We took some home to share with family. Mark's favorite was Passion Fruit, sweet and tart, a bit like me, he said.



Left Column (from top):
 Sweet Wedding Almond, Sicilian Pistachio and Passion Fruit
Right Column (from top):
Coconut, Caribbean Chocolate and Madagascar Vanilla



Sprinkles Cupcakes



Red Velvet and Milk Chocolate. YUM!



the bald man knows best

We hit a sweet spot in Vegas today: Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man. A friend of mine, Karol,  introduced me to this amazing place years ago in NYC, where I had the best chocolate truffle cake ever.  I was thrilled when I heard of their restaurant opening at the Caesar's Forum Shops in Las Vegas. I told Mark about it and normally he dislikes going to the Strip but since the word "chocolate" was mentioned that was no longer a problem for him. 

You can't help but think of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory as you walk in, chocolate is everywhere, all around, including in the air. Sweet! We deliberately ignored their brunch and lunch menu and did not pay any attention to the waitress's high recommendation of a savory BLT sandwich: bacon who? Give us chocolate! And chocolate we got: the sampler plate named 'Sharing, for two', a bit of almost everything: banana split waffle, crispy chocolate eggroll, white and milk chocolate bark, chocolate sponge cake and fondue.  Oh, scrumptiousness! It is impossible to make chocolate taste better!

We brought home a fondue set for two, it comes with the chocolate. We are looking forward to try it soon!

sweet 'me' time

I took the day off today for some light shopping in Vegas. It is always a treat for me to leave the raw desert and see real civilization along with its pretty things.
I had been wanting to try the Bouchon Bakery at the Venetian for quite sometime now and today seemed the right day to visit it since I was just across the street at the Fashion Show Mall and also craving some good sweets. Was I impressed? Yes and No. The bakery does not have a seating area and the pastries selections are limited. BUT, Bouchon is famous for its french macarons and rightfully so, they are perfection!!! Crusty, chewy, creamy, they were worth the price, the time and the walk. Deliciousness!!!

 

The Bouchon Bakery is located near the Phantom of the Opera Theater  at the Venetian Casino.



These Artisan Beignets are filled with raspberry. I bought a pair, one for me, one for Mark... but then changed my mind and ate them both... too delicious! They actually remind me of Brazilian "Sonhos", the difference is that the Brazilian ones are filled with trés leches cream.

  


I brought the french macarons home to share with Mark

(I am a good wife, after all!). 

 


Pretty Fall Decorations at the Pallazzo