Sticky Buns

As luck would have it, a few days after posting my response, I was visiting family in the Midwest who had just flown home from Philadelphia with the real thing! Or at least my personal version of "the real thing!" Definitely a step above Panera's version. However, Panera's sticky buns are much closer to the real thing than their bagels are to good NY bagels. But I digress.....

I'm not sure whether Panera's buns are make with brioche, but your question made me curious about whether it's a requirement of good sticky buns! I'm not much of a baker, but the baker who was chosen for Bobby Flay's sticky bun throwdown uses a recipe that is based on brioche. Here's a link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/sticky-buns/index.html

However, a quick Google search reveals another school of thought -- or perhaps, just a quicker approach:

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/feb/15/craving_philly_sticky_buns_satisfied71716/

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Sticky Buns

Never knew the origin of sticky buns, but it makes sense to me that they would come from Philadelphia. Both of my parents grew up there and my entire family loves them! Some of my fondest childhood memories are of waking up to the smell of sea air and sticky buns while at my grandparents summer house on the Jersey Shore on Long Beach Island -- a favorite beach spot for Philadelphians. So since a trip to my favorite bakery on LBI is probably not an option, I have to say that the sticky buns at Panera aren't a bad substitute.

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LA's BEST desserts????

I echo uhockey's recommendation of the "bombolini with mountain hucklerry compote & vanilla gelato at Osteria Mozza" -- absolutely amazing!

I don't see it on their current menu, but I still dream of a vanilla ice cream with poached fig dessert I once had at Maison Akira.

A scoop of just about anything from Bulgarini Gelato while watching a free Italian movie in their courtyard.

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Help! Casual dinner w/ inlaws in Santa Monica/Venice!

I was just about to recommend Lilly's for breakfast/brunch/lunch. I think your inlaws will love the patio. Speaking of patios...I had not been to the Rose Cafe in years so was pleasantly surprised by their much improved patio. In my book, a nice outdoor space always makes average food taste better! While I've lived here for decades, perhaps it is my own Midwest roots that result in my inability to take our magnificent climate for granted! Go early and you won't have much of a wait.

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Non-sweet, non-baked breakfasts, NELA/Pasadena?

You might want to try Amy's Patio Cafe in Altadena (900 E Altadena Dr). I haven't been there in awhile, but enjoyed their savory breakfast options. Very small cafe with quirky parking lot, but a lovely staff.

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Patticakes in Pasadena-any good?

Here's a link to their cake specs...http://www.pastriesbynancy.com/Cakes%20Specs.html. You'll find pictures and other information on the site. The cake I brought to the party was a large sheet cake: marble cake with bavarian cream & raspberry filling topped with chocolate ganache. It really depends on what you like. I'm not much of a chocoholic so figured that the choice I made would work for those for whom it really isn't desert unless there is some chocolate included, as well as those like me who prefer fruit flavors. But I've had lots of different flavors from this bakery and have never been disappointed.

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Patticakes in Pasadena-any good?

I agree -- I brought a cake from Pastries by Nancy to a birthday dinner with over 60 guests. The dinner was very good which often means that a lot of people will skip the cake or just take a bite. Instead, everyone inhaled their first piece and asked for seconds! There wasn't a crumb left.

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