A Nice Welcome, Crème Caramel LA

Recently my family of food moved to a new place and lucky for me, I ours is not the only new family in the neighborhood.  As of the day I walked into Crème Caramel LA they had only been open 102 days.  This boutique bakeshop specializes in a creamy flan-like crème caramel custards.  The friendly face in the picture is Mike, who upon my entering the shop, evangelized these desserts and converted me from a casual passerby, to a true believer.  It was the tasting that did it.  He let me try flavor after flavor until I couldn't find any one I liked better than the ube pie.  The purple yam vegetable pie was something I had never tried before, but had I let my preconceptions stop me, I would have missed the best dish of all.

Before I checked out, I met the effervescent owner, Kristine, who told me a bit more about her cooking and the Filipino influenced sweets she serves.  I was impressed with her vision and am excited to have this innovative entrepreneur in this part of the San Fernando Valley.  I walked in expecting to pick up a small cookie, and left with an ube upside down pie, a baguette, and a box of "Unicorn Poop", a dolloped meringue rolled in multi-colored sugar, for the kids. 

Crème Caramel LA

Custard Dessert Bakery [coffee] [eats] [sweets] 

Hours: Tues.-Sun. 8a.m. – 4p.m. | Closed Mon. 

14849 Burbank Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411 

(818) 949-8352

If You Grill it, They Will Come.

Today I stumbled upon the pre-grand opening of The Melt on San Fernando in Burbank.  Grilled Cheese on a sunny day, sounded great.  I texted a friend down the street and she met me to grab some grub.  There was a line out the door of this modern, clean shop, managed by a friendly hostess.   The line seemed to him smoothly along mostly because they distracted us with samples of soft serve as we waited.  When we got to the front, our excellent cashier explained that the menu was limited today and that it was all FREE!  I got the classic, Aged Cheddar cheese on Artisan White Bread with a Bacon "Middle" accompanied by two tomato basil soup.  Add to that a mixed Boylan Natural Cane Soda fountain Drink and I was set. It hit the spot!

From environmentally friendly packaging, to the hi-tech order board, to the extremely friendly staff, This place has it all going on.  Check it out when you are in Downtown Burbank.

Official grand opening is Sunday.