Doughboys Red Velvet Cake - Does it live up to the hype?

"If you don't think this is the BEST red velvet cake ever, you're probably mentally challenged. "

-Yelp reviewer 6/2009

Ummmm. No, maybe if you don't think this is the BEST red velvet cake ever... it isn't! I have tried many versions of red velvet cake throughout the country, and even internationally - so far, the best red velvet cake I have ever eaten is in Truckee, Lake Tahoe at the Wagon Train Coffee Shop. But even within LA - I prefer Sprinkles over Doughboys.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But this is my take on red velvet cake (RVC). I love red velvet cake and consider myself a RVC expert! I can't remember exactly what sparked my fascination (and obsession) with red velvet cake, but a few years ago I decided that I was on a quest to find the BEST red velvet cake. It is a challenge, because RVC it is a tricky cake to get right. Over the years, I learned that I prefer a cream cheese frosting over buttercream, a moist yet medium density cake over a light and fluffy vs dry. I like my RVC to taste distinct and not just a red colored yellow cake or chocolate cake. I can appreciate the buttermilk and vinegar twang,

Whenever I travel to a new city, I seek out the RVC. This is usually not an easy task as RVC is a rare treat in most parts of this country. However, LA is the hotbed for RVC - there are probably over a dozen options! So, on my recent trip to LA, I researched and learned that Doughboys was a legend in LA for their RVC. To my good fortune, they just reopened! I convinced my best friend visiting from New Zealand to go with me to try it out.

The verdict:

1. The "cake" size is so odd. Way too big to be a cupcake, too small to be an individual cake. It is a good size for sharing but even so it was too much for two and not tasty even to finish.

2. The cream cheese frosting was subtle. Not the best I've had, and not the worst either.

3. The red color was accurate - Brownish/Red

4. The cake? It was moist and okay. flavor was kind of blah.

After a few bites, I decided that was enough of this RVC. That's my take though! I now plenty of people who seem to love it, so give it a try for yourself!

Doughboys - Los Angeles

www.doughboyscafe.com

8136 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 852-1020

The Perfect Donut

While in NYC, we also had to wait in line for ramen at Momofuku Noodle Bar (though Ippudo is still my favorite east village ramen spot!) ... so we went next door to wait. It happened to be a bakery (score!) and there I found, and ate, the "perfect donut".

It is perfect looking, and near perfect tasting. It was doughy and light, but the lost points was for its filling. In my opinion, there was not enough chocolate cream inside. For this reason, I think the donuts in Maine (see earlier post), still reign supreme.

Unfortunately, we can't remember the name of this coffee/pastryshop but if you are facing momofuku noodle bar, it is on the same block to the left. First Ave, NYC.

Clinton Street Baking Co -Worth the Wait!

In December, Jason and I went to NYC for the weekend to meet up with his brother, Kevin. One of our foodie feasts was brunch at the Clinton Street Baking Co! Despite waking up early on Sunday and getting there at 9:30am, there was a 30 minute wait! But the pancakes were well worth the wait!

Banana Walnut Pancakes with Caramel Sauce

Fried Green Tomatoes! Sooooo Delicious!

Clinton Street Baking Co.

4 Clinton Street (btw. East Houston & Stanton), New York, NY 10002 / Phone: 646-602-6263

Red Velvet - Los Angeles!

For those of you who haven't heard the news yet - we're moving to LA in July 2010! I am so excited! Not only does this mean no more snow in the winter (unless we choose to go skiing or something!) it also means I'm closer to many more red velvet cupcakes. While I was out in LA interviewing for fellowship in Sept, I tried to do a quick sampling of the local treats. I compared Sprinkles with Susiecakes.

Sprinkles was delicious as usual. It may not be the "BEST" red velvet cake that I've had, but it is always solid and consistent. The baking mix is available at Williams and Sonoma. Susiecakes gets good reviews but I wasn't all that impressed. I can't remember what it was like but I think it was moist and had a buttercream frosting.

Long Overdue RVC update

So, things have been busy and I haven't been posting. But, I haven't stopped eating and trying Red Velvet Cupcakes so I have a few updates for you all! I will first post the BEST RVC in New England - picked for me for my 30th Birthday by my wonderful husband Jason from the North End (what used to be LuLu's bakeshop) in Boston.

The cake was dense and rich with a luscious cream cheese frosting! Divine! It is a toss up between this red velvet and the one from Truckee, CA.

Ramen as Art

This weekend, I tried out Ippudo - NYC at the recommendation of my friend Rebecca. J and I usually love to eat ramen at Momofuku in the East Village, but Ippudo was amazing, if not even better! I have so much food to post on but had to share this secret to anyone who is lucky enough to be in NYC soon! This young man made a great introductory video - it's a bit dark but check it out!

http://www.ippudo.com/ny/

Red Velvet is Everywhere?

Recently, J and I crashed (we happened to be in the mall shopping for new cookware) the renovated Crate and Barrel opening in Natick - and they had cookies and beverages to celebrate. Look what I found! :) A red velvet mini whoopie pie. The flavor was so-so, but isn't it cute?!