This week, for our Sunday 'Beat' meeting, we went to the new Los Angeles location of
Babycakes NYC Vegan Bakery. It was much-anticipated, opened January 3, and has been getting a lot of
press, so we thought we'd give it a try. It's teeny-tiny (just to the left of
Cole's) and smells of pure deliciousness from the moment you enter the vegan paradise. The three of us (sans Lauren, who's started her Chilean adventure) all chose different items, and we were all relatively pleased.
I intended to get a red velvet cupcake, but ended up with vanilla with pink frosting (the one in the Chinese take-out container, pictured) ... Chau had a baked donut and a slice of the banana chocolate chip loaf (in the pink donut box), and Heather had a chocolate chip cookie and a chocolate chip with vanilla frosting cupcake (on the dainty plate). My cupcake was made with
spelt, which I now know is an ancient "healthy grain" often used to feed livestock. It was introduced in the United States in the 1890s and is becoming a popular wheat alternative. I found it to be quite coarse for cupcake use--it was almost like a cornbread muffin. That may sound bad, but it wasn't ... just, different. One of those things you may later have a random craving for.
Heather really liked the chocolate chip cookie, but was unimpressed with her cupcake, and Chau liked her pretty baked donut but I didn't hear much about the loaf. The overall consensus was: we wouldn't not go back.
We found it funny--as you might too from the photo evidence above--that they gave us all different forms of containers for our respective desserts. The girls working at Babycakes were sweet (pun intended, ha) and had cute uniforms, which were all uniquely well-accessorized.
T-Shirts and diner-style mugs with their appealing cursive logo are sold in the shop. It's all very retro, girly, and fun. Whether it's the new-to-L.A. hype, or cravings for more (return customers?), the small spot was consistently busy for the hour or so we were holding court at the one outside table.
Babycakes is located at 130 East 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Closed Mondays.
-- Leslie Anne Wiggins
The Scenesters is being screened this afternoon at the Director's Guild of America, for free! Very nice theater for a free screening. The L.A.-based comedy has been a favorite on the festival circuit, and with eastside funnyman Jeff Grace involved, I'm not surprised.
This Sunday night, January 31, Breadbar Century City is holding a Haiti Benefit Dinner. They'll donate 50% of all sales between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to the American Red Cross. This is a substantial commitment they're making, making it an appealing event to take part in if you're looking to help Haiti (or if you're just looking to get a gourmet grilled cheese for 1/2 off).
"If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody." 
Looking for a new pair of shades for spring? This is your lucky weekend. Iconic Los Angeles optical shop l.a. Eyeworks is having their famed annual sale January 28 - 31. I'm really looking for some new reading glasses, but will check out the sunglass department if the prices are right. Their frames are l.a. Eyeworks-designed and hand made ... and they are quite expensive ($300 range), but the sale can be up to 70% off! This is the real deal: Los Angeles Magazine's Style Editor Laurie Pike vouches for the bargains on the magazine's Chic Leak blog.
This week, for our Sunday 'Beat' meeting, we went to the new Los Angeles location of Babycakes NYC Vegan Bakery. It was much-anticipated, opened January 3, and has been getting a lot of press, so we thought we'd give it a try. It's teeny-tiny (just to the left of Cole's) and smells of pure deliciousness from the moment you enter the vegan paradise. The three of us (sans Lauren, who's started her Chilean adventure) all chose different items, and we were all relatively pleased. 
Pitfire Pizza has become a reliably delicious lunch spot in downtown L.A. Affectionately known to us as "Pitfire", we're especially fond of their soups, salads, and more recently, a new addition to the menu--the House Mac & Cheese (crispy baked pasta, five cheeses, buttery bread crumbs). 
If you didn't catch this cute comedy in the theater, it's out on DVD today. Continuing with the Ricky Gervais theme, The Invention of Lying is a simple yet thought-provoking film (starring Gervais) about the man who invented the lie. The lovely Jennifer Garner co-stars, and Rob Lowe plays the very handsome guy who's his competition. 
We'd like to thank our readers for all the support in 2009. We wish you all an excellent 2010!
