Cheese-lovers might tell you that nothing comes close to a really good gouda. Wine connoisseurs might tell you that no meal is complete without a glass of Chianti Superiore. For me, the most satisfying part of any meal is a decadent dessert, so much so that I’ve decided to compile a list of my five favorite desserts and dessert stops throughout California. Sink your pearly whites into this…It’s actually a cheesecake soufflé, and it’s so smooth and light, you’ll feel like you’re eating a delicious cloud. I’ve harassed the chef for the recipe but she refuses to budge. What I can tell you is that there’s sugar and some sort of cheese involved. She insists that it’s not mascarpone, but I suspect she’s lying to throw me off course. Don’t worry, I’m onto her.
Best Mango-Passionfruit Cake: Jin Patisserie (Venice, LA County)
I realize that this is a very specific category with relatively few contenders, but I have had a couple of variations of mango-passionfruit cake. Usually these are in the form of a cream-cheese-based cheesecake, so they end up being a bit on the heavy, overly-decadent side. Jin Patisserie’s unique take on this dessert, however, is a simple but amazing concoction made primarily of mascarpone, mango, and passionfruit. With a rainbow of beautiful flavors packed into every bite, this dessert is one you will savor long after it’s gone.
Best Chocolate Cake: Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion (several locations)
There really isn’t much to say about this one. There are probably thousands of chocolate cake recipes out there, but once you’ve had the chocolate lava cake at Roy’s, the others will all pale in comparison. Just take care not to mash the cake with your spoon in your eagerness to eat the dessert, though. It’s pretty delicate and once it caves in, all the chocolate lava comes pouring out and that’s no fun. Not that I speak from experience.
Best Budino: Yanni’s Bistro (Poway, San Diego County)
“Budino” is the Italian word for pudding, and budinos come in a variety of flavors and can even contain cheese, fruits, and nuts. Yanni’s take on this Italian pudding dish is a chocolate budino consisting of a thick layer of rich, chocolate mousse, followed up with a layer of delicious crème fraîche, and topped with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh strawberries. The dessert is outstanding (and their entrees are excellent too).
Best Cupcakes: Love at First Bite (Berkeley, Alameda County)
Unfortunately, there are no Love at First Bite bakeries here in Southern California, and even the one in Berkeley is tucked away and can be hard to find, but I must admit, their cupcakes are worth the trip. They have an impressive selection, ranging from a traditional (but very scrumptious) chocolate cupcake with chocolate buttercream frosting, to a rather extraordinary green tea cupcake. But of all the delectable treats that Love at First Bite has to offer, my favorite is one they call “Pretty in Pink.” It’s a strawberry cupcake with strawberry frosting, and if you ask me, it’s one of Berkeley’s best-kept secrets.
