Fraiche - Opening April 26th

I have been very eagerly awaiting the opening of Fraiche in downtown CC. I walked past today and snapped these shots of the huge patio area. There was a full staff in the kitchen prepping for Thursday's opening...I was all prepared to be the first blogger on the scene when they opened - but I am leaving for Italy that day! Oh well (I am not complaining). Stay tuned for plenty of fabulous photos and stories of Sicily and the Amalfi Coast.


Fraiche Restaurant
9411 Culver Blvd.

Leda's Bake Shop - The Best of the Cupcakes!

Leda's has the best cupcakes. The highest quality, richly flavored, cutest cupcakes in all the land. Well, all of the Los Angeles area, at least. The kitchen takes up most of the shop, open for all to see. You can watch them bake and decorate these intricate little cakes. Most of her cupcakes are the mini size. When I first learned this I was disappointed - why would one want a teeny little cupcake? Isn't a cupcake already miniature? Well, the upshot is you may try several flavors without getting sick. They are frosted with real French buttercream frosting - silky, light, and buttery.



Most of the cupcakes have a dollop of filling underneath the frosting. A little glob of chocolate, lemon curd, or dulce de leche for example. She offers a couple of flavors in full-size cupcakes, like chocolate and vanilla. She also makes several cookies (yes, little ones), including a most delectible chocolate chip cookie. If you do not live in the valley, it is worth a trip.



Leda's Bake Shop
13722 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA
818-386-9644