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Tag Archive: Cupcakes

April 18, 2011

Real Chicks Drink Great Beers: Deschutes Brewery Beauty Night

Beer Chicks Meet Deschutes Chicks by Caroline on Crack

Beer Chicks Christina & Halle Meet Deschutes Chicks Veronica & Angela

Guess what? Women enjoy drinking great beers! Last week Deschutes Brewery from Bend, Oregon, teamed up with the Beer Chicks Christina Perozzi and Halle Beaune to throw an intimate beer and beauty party for local women bloggers as part of the brewery’s Base Camp Week promotion. Food, lifestyle and drink bloggers were lured to the Benefit store in Santa Monica with the promise of beer cupcakes, beauty treatments, goody bags and Deschutes beer, which included the limited Jubel 2010.

Perozzi wanted to introduce dark beers like the Jubel 2010 and Black Butte Porter to women to clear up misconceptions that specifically American women have about it, thinking that they’re heavy and bitter. “[They] don’t get that dark beers can be very light, crisp and clean. Like this Black Butte Porter is so balanced,” said Perozzi.

As for the Jubel 2010, it’s the “super” once-in-decade version of Deschutes winter seasonal Jubelale. “It’s a much more concentrated, bigger, stronger version of Jubelale. Usually it’s just on tap but this is the second year ever and the first time in a decade that it’s been in bottles so you can get it at specialty stores.” The Super Jubel was aged in Pinot Noir barrels for 13 months and tastes of chocolate and toffee, pairing perfectly with the moist and delicious Hotcakes Bakes Black Butte Porter cupcakes served at the party.

In addition to the beer and cupcakes, party goers indulged in brow tinting, lash tinting and makeup application by the Benefit makeup artists. Even Deschutes’ only female brewer Veronica Vega was on hand to join in on the fun by getting her makeup done.

So was a beauty, beer and cupcake party an effective way to introduce beer to women? Definitely better than Coors’ “And Twins” campaign. “I wanted to help [Deschutes] reach out to a different crowd because beer brewers go, ‘This is how you do it. You go to the sports bars, get a couple of boobie girls bouncing around,” Perozzi said. “If you were an intelligent, modern woman would you want to be associated with those kinds of images?”

More photos of Deschutes Beauty Night after the jump…

Posted on LAist.

Categories: Beauty & Fashion, Beer, Cupcakes, Los Angeles, Sweets

3 Comments

October 20, 2010

Magnolia Bakery LA’s Cupcake & Prosecco Party Debuts New Fall Flavors

Magnolia Bakery's Fall Cupcakes

Last night, I, along with several bloggers and media types, converged on Magnolia Bakery in Mid-City for a cupcake and prosecco party which previewed the new fall flavors. It was the dessert party to end all diets as we were told that we could ask for whatever we wanted: cookie bars, mini cheesecakes, icebox cakes, specialty cakes and of course cupcakes. “Pace yourself,” the publicists warned me right before they released me to the counter. And honestly, I tried to�OK, not really, but how could I help myself? I was literally a kid in a cupcake shop.

I immediately started off with the cup of the “famous” banana pudding, made with vanilla wafers, bananas and vanilla pudding. So creamy and delicious, but I had to restrict myself to only a couple of spoonfuls, especially with the general manager, Marianne Bonner, coming at me with two plates featuring the new fall flavors. See video.

Now, I wasn’t all that enthused by the S’mores cupcake, the cupcake of the month, with honey graham cake, chocolate center and meringue icing. That honey graham cake was a bit too dry for my taste. Waah. However, I did enjoy the pumpkin spice cupcake which is a lovely autumn treat; and the orange with orange cream cupcake, a nice bit of citrus on the gloomy day, seemed to be a crowd favorite.

Surprisingly the caramel cake made me shudder. I mean, caramel is one of my favorite flavors ever. But yeah, wayyy too sweet for me in that I felt like my teeth would fall out after the first bite. Then again I had just polished off a couple of cupcakes and some banana pudding, so take that for what it’s worth

No, actually my fave flavors are still the plain jane standards, the red velvet and the chocolate. But if you’re looking for cupcakes to delight the costumed crowd at that upcoming Halloween party, I highly recommend the pumpkin spice one with its maple cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans. And you can’t go wrong with the red velvet cupcakes and the Devil’s Food cupcakes with caramel cream cheese icing either.

The specialty cupcakes are $3.25 each, while “Classics” vanilla and chocolate are $2.75 each. It’s a minimum of a dozen for advance orders. You can also get an assortment of the classic flavors in mini form for $18 in a clear container or $20 in an egg carton.

For your consideration, here’s a list of some of their other fall treats:

Pumpkin spice cake: pumpkin, dried cranberries and caramel cream cheese icing
Pumpkin spice whoopee pie: mini pumpkin spice cakes sandwiched with maple cream cheese icing
Mini pumpkin pecan cheesecake with a ginger snap crust
Pies: double crust apple, apple crumb, black bottom pecan pies

Also, keep an eye on their cupcake calendar for the featured flavors of the day.

Magnolia Bakery
8389 W. 3rd Street
Los Angeles, California 90048 (map)
(323) 951-0636
Facebook: Magnolia Bakery
Twitter: @MagnoliaBakery

Categories: Cupcakes, Dining, Featured, Los Angeles, Sweets

1 Comment

June 9, 2010

Eat My Blog Summer 2010 Charity Bake Sale Plus 3 Recipes

Cathy Dahn of Eat My Blog by Caroline on Crack

Cathy Danh of Eat My Blog.

Last year’s blogger charity bake sale, Eat My Blog, was such a huge success that it just makes sense to make it a biannual thing. Not only is it for a good cause, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, but I can only go so long without such yummy fare. This summer’s bake sale will feature over 2,000 baked goods, priced between $1 to $4, from over 70 bakers which include some of your favorite bloggers like Lindsay from LAist, Jo of My Last Bite, and Evelina of Two Hungry Pandas as well as KCRW’s Good Food host Evan Kleiman, Drago Centro and Scoops Ice Cream. This must-do event will take place next Saturday, June 19 on Tender Greens West Hollywood‘s outdoor patio.

There are SO many goodies to look forward to but I have to say that of the many making their brief appearance on the table (as I’m sure all will quickly sell out) my instant faves are Eating LA‘s chocolate Guinness cupcakes with maple syrup frosting, Domestic Divas‘ bacon brownies with bourbon caramel sauce and the Ube cupcakes of Let Me Eat Cake blogger/Manila Machine food truck mastermind Nastassia Johnson. Fortunately, the blogger bakers were good enough to share their recipes so if they sell out at the event I can at least go home and try to make ‘em myself. Hee! Hit the jump for the recipes.

Hope you can make it! I’ll be volunteering at the sale so come by and say hi. I’ll be the girl stuffing her face.

EVENT: SATURDAY, JUNE 19 from 10am to 4PM

Tender Greens West Hollywood
8759 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069 (map)
(310) 358-1919

Categories: Dining, Los Angeles, Recipes, Sweets

16 Comments

March 31, 2010

Easter Roundup: Brunch, Sweets and Cocktails

Chocolate-dipped Peeps from Compartes Chocolatier

Seems like everyone is eggcited (sorry) about Easter this year what with all the Easter brunches around town. But I thought I’d narrow things down to Easter brunches with a twist, with something other than the usual holiday fare. And I’ve also included cocktail and sweet treat options.

Big Deal: Henry’s Hat in Studio City — Give your server the password “bunny hop” and you will score half off your food order! Also, it’s bottomless mimosas and sangrias and 2-for-1 Bloody Marys and mojitos every weekend brunch.

Henry’s Hat, 3413 Cahuenga Boulevard, Studio City (map). (323) 512-2500.

High Tea and Easter Activities: Royal/T Cafe in Culver City — A la carte menu or $25 high tea. A la carte menu with $9 Sunday scramble, $7 brioche French toast and $8 breakfast sandwiches and more. Plus a special Easter high tea set for $25 that includes Easter-themed treats and a carrot cupcake. Kiddies can be busied with three free different workshops: bunny ears-making, yarn flowers and egg-decorating. LA artist Lyman Sebastian Tillinger will also be on hand from 12 to 3pm to create Ukrainian-inspired Easter egg art.

10am-5pm. Royal/T Cafe, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City (map). (310) 559-6300.

South of the Border: Fuego at the Maya in Long Beach — $26.95/person; $12/child. Enjoy a caliente brunch on the sunny patio of this Long Beach hotel restaurant. Fill up your plates from the salad bar, taquito station, ceviche bar and dessert tables. And choose from entrees like the Chilaquiles Divorciados, Cerveza-Braised Pork Carnitas and Baja Lobster Platter. Menu.

10am-2pm. Fuego at the Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach (map). Reservations: (562) 481-3910.

Old Hollywood: Hollywood Roosevelt’s Dakota Chop House — $39/person. An elegant buffet brunch at Marilyn Monroe’s old haunt. Here, you get access to an all-you-can-eat continental buffet as well as an entree like Eggs Benedict, Huevos Rancheros, lemon ricotta pancakes or Colorado lamb rack. For an additional $12, it’s bottomless Bloody Marys and bubbly cocktails, including the “Some Like It Hot” Mary with poblano-infused tequila and Marilyn’s Favorite Mimosa of champagne, peach puree and sauternes. Free parking and Sunday papers.

11am-3pm. Dakota Chop House, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map). Reservations: Click here or call (323) 785-3037.

Poolside: The Backyard at W Los Angeles in Westwood — $42/person; $19/Child. So LA, Easter brunch by the pool. Executive Chef Monique King crafted a fresh menu of watermelon and pink grapefruit salad, brioche French toast and a basket of scones. There will also be an Easter egg hunt at noon.

10am-4pm. The Backyard at W Los Angeles � Westwood, 930 Hilgard Avenue, Westwood (map). Reservations: (310) 443-8211.

En Italiano: Locando del Lago in Santa Monica — 3-course menu $49-$55; 4-course menu $69; or a la carte.� The Italian wine pairing is an additional $24/person. This Santa Monica restaurant features an Easter menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Northern Italian dishes include lamb sirloin, Alaskan halibut and vegetable roulades. For dessert, you can order Easter chocolate chunk sweet bread with bitter almond sauce.

Locando del Lago, 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica (map).�Reservations: (310) 451-3525.

In the Garden: Descanso Gardens in La Canada — $50/person; $20/child. Brunch in the gardens, make sure to take your Claritin first. Here, you get seasonal Ratatouille, a build-your-own waffle bar and for dessert a chocolate croissant bread pudding.�Menu.

Seatings at 9am, 10:30am, noon, and 1:30pm. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada Flintridge (map). Reservations: (818) 790-3663.

LA View: Gordon Ramsay at The�London�West Hollywood — $85/person. Take in the views of Sunset Strip while visiting the sushi bar, risotto station, omelette station and a carving station with wild salmon and beef tenderloin. Best part has gotta be the free-flowing champagne, mimosas and Bloody Marys. Menu.

11:30am-3pm. Gordon Ramsay at The London, 1020 N. San Vicente, West Hollywood (map). Reservations: (310) 358-7788.

Organic: Akasha in Culver City. No prix-fixe here but lots of yummy specials like goat cheese gnocchi with fava beans ($12), herb-crusted leg of lamb with creamy polenta ($25) or sea bass with English pea and green garlic puree ($25). For booze there’s no corkage for wine or you can toast the holiday with a local sour orange mojito or blood orange and tangelo margarita.

4-9pm. Akasha, 9543 Culver Boulevard, Culver City (map). Reservations: (310) 845-1700.

COCKTAILS:

Cabo Cantina on Sunset Boulevard has bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys for $9.95 til 3pm.

Hungry Cat in Hollywood boasts half-priced specialty cocktails, draft beer and bottles of wine all day on Easter Sunday. Reservations: (323) 462-2155

Napa Valley Grille in Westwood may have a fab Easter brunch buffet ($49/person; $19/child) but I’m liking its tableside, made-to-order Mojitos or Bloody Mary cocktails ($12) with a choice of Grey Goose or Ketel One vodka, fresh juices, savory ingredients, and garnish options. Reservations: (310) 824-3322.

SWEETS:

Buttercake Bakery has a selection of holiday desserts, like flower cupcakes and daisy petit fours for Easter and Matzah toffee brownies and flourless chocolate cake for Passover.

Compartes Chocolatier offers special treats to make your Easter basket extra chic: chocolate dipped peeps and hand-painted chocolate bunnies.

Crumbs Bake Shop has pretty pastel Easter chocolate and vanilla cupcakes decorated with sprinkles, bunny sugar cookies or jelly beans. Or for Passover enjoy the Raspberry Red Sea nut cupcake, Holy Moses chocolate cupcake or Chocolate and Vanilla Commandments. (FYI, none are kosher for Passover.)

Simon LA in West Hollywood has a brunch that stands out because of its dedicated dessert buffet, under a tree no less, which features chocolate eggs, carrot cupcakes, coconut macaroons, house made marshmallows, assortment of cookies and more.

Sprinkles is featuring brown sugar praline and carrot cake cupcakes through April 4 as well as Passover chocolate cupcake through April 6. Or you can impress the hostess of your Easter brunch with a HOP box of the spring selection of dark chocolate, red velvet, brown sugar praline and carrot cupcakes decorated with pink and green bunnies.

Categories: Cocktails, Cupcakes, Dining, Lists, Los Angeles, Sweets

2 Comments

March 16, 2010

St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Roundup

Crumbs Bake Shop's Lucky One cupcake.

I found the perfect way to make it through St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow: go on a bakery hop! Fortunately a ton of L.A. bakeries have created Irish-inspired goodies for the holiday and I rounded them up in a post for LA Weekly‘s Squid Ink. There’s Kiss My Bundt‘s Bailey’s Irish Cream cake with Irish cream butter cream and Yummy Cupcakes‘ Guinness cupcakes. And you know Sprinkles‘ Irish chocolate cupcake with Belgian dark chocolate and Baileys Irish cream cheese frosting is not to be missed.

For foodies who’d rather bake than crowd the bars tomorrow, Kiss My Bundt is also teaching a baking class where you will learn to make baked treats from scratch as well as tipple a complimentary beverage of Baileys, Guinness or Irish whiskey.

See my Squid Ink post here.

On a boozier note, if you’re a discerning drinker on the hunt for good St. Paddy’s Day cocktails, take a look at this.

Categories: Cupcakes, Los Angeles, Sweets

This Weekend: Free Cupcakes, Walking in LA, Sake & Scotch Tastings

Aaah! The weekend before blogger prom. While I’ll be shopping for the finishing touches on my prom dress, you’ll probably be having fun doing the following.

Thursday, July 16

Japanology I: How to Order Sake and Impress People
Learn how to order sake and enjoy sake flights at everyone’s favorite Japanese maid tea house, Royal/T. A Mutual Trading sake expert will teach you what to say and when you purchase a flight you get a free Japanese lesson from the cafe’s Japanese language coach, Yuu Asakura. Premium sake flights include 2-ounce samples of three different sakes and cost $12-$18. RSVP at RSVP [at] royal-t.org.

7-9pm. Royal/T, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City (map). (310) 559-6300

Friday, July 17

Scotch Stimulus Tasting at Daily Pint
Enjoy some tasty single malts at Santa Monica dive, Daily Pint. It’s $25 for four pours or nine for $50. And when you wear a kilt, you’ll get 25% off your fave Scotch. There will be Glenkinchie 12 year, Caol Ila 12 year, Dalwhinnie 15 year and others that you shouldn’t try pronouncing when you’re sloppy drunk

9pm. The Daily Pint, 2310 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica (map). (310) 450-7631.

Saturday, July 18

Big Parade LA: 40-Mile LA Walk
This is so ambitious and yet I wish I could walk the whole thing — stairs, hills and all. Writer Dan Koeppel will lead the willing on a two-day, 40-mile trek through our beautiful city. Either go the whole way or meet up with the parade at various points on the route as specified on the site’s time table or follow along on Twitter. And no, it’s not an actual parade but if you play an instrument, they’d welcome the entertainment.

7am. Free. Meet at Angel’s Flight, 351 South Hill Street, Downtown (map).

SusieCakes Golden Ticket Giveaway
Who’s got the golden ticket? Who’s got the goldent ticket?! If you are one of the 10 people who finds a golden ticket in your SusieCakes cupcake this Saturday, you’ll win prizes like a spot in one of their baking or cake decorating classes, a 6-inch or 9-inch layer cake, 5 dozen mini-cupcakes or a dozen cupcakes. And all winners will also be entered in a grand prize drawing to be part of the Cake-of-the-Month Club. That’s right, a layer cake every month!

At Brentwood, Calabasas and Newport Beach locations.

Monday, July 20

Free Cupcakes at Blue Cupcake and Lot 44 Grand Opening
Downtown will finally have its own cupcake store! Lot 44 Coffee has partnered up with Blue Cupcake to sell specialty cupcakes baked daily; six to nine flavors. To celebrate they will be offering free cupcakes to all cupcake lovers.

11am-2pm. Lot 44, 257 South Spring Street, Suite 115, Downtown (map). (213) 626-4646.

Winemakers Dinner at Dominick’s
This winemakers dinner at upscale WeHo Italian restaurant, Dominick’s, which hosts renowned winemaker Sandy Garber of Topanga Vineyards, sounds like a great deal. You get to enjoy a special six-course dinner by Chef Brandon Boudet. And paired with wine from Edna Valley, Clarksburg and the NapaValley. Think oven-roasted Eastern Black Cod with Black and White Cabernet as well as grilled prime NY steak with a Topanga Syrah.

7pm. $65. Dominick’s, 8715 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood (map). (310) 652-2335.

Categories: Cupcakes, Dining, Los Angeles, Nightlife, Recreation, Sweets

2 Comments