Best Summertime Desserts In OC
Any time is a good time for dessert, but in the summer, you want a dessert that's not too heavy. Luckily, it's easy to come by desserts that are delectably sweet but light enough that you don't feel weighed down. From a lemon pie to an avocado sorbet, here are some of the best and most interesting summer desserts in Orange County.
Nieuport 17
13051 Newport Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-5130
www.nieuport17.com
When you think about summer desserts, cream pies are probably not the first thing that come to mind. However, at Nieuport 17, you can get a lemon sour cream pie that is light and refreshing. The pie is made on site and is topped with whipped cream that is also made on site. It is tart, creamy and surprisingly light. The sliced almonds on top of the whipped cream add a nice crunch to the pie. Try this with a pinot grigio.
85 C Bakery
Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center
2700 Alton Parkway, Suite 123
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 553-8585
www.85cafe.us
One of the great things about summer is that strawberries are readily available. 85 C takes those strawberries and puts them into a tiramisu that is amazing. It is so moist, it almost dissolves as soon as you put it in your mouth. It's also very light so you can indulge in it without feeling like you've overindulged. You can buy an entire tiramisu or you can buy it by the slice for less than $3.
Bruno's Trattoria
210 W. Birch St.
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 257-1000
www.brunosbrea.com
The blood orange is one of those things that you have to enjoy when you get the chance. The fruit is sweet, but has just the right amount of bitterness, and it is only available for a short time every year. At Bruno's, blood oranges are put into a torte with almonds and topped with vanilla gelato. With the unique color of the blood oranges, this dessert is just as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.
Cafe Mimosa
243 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 481-6780
www.cafemimosasc.com
A great lesson for your kids is that fruit can be dessert. Cafe Mimosa knows this and has a seasonal fruit platter available. Getting fresh fruit at a restaurant can be a dodgy proposition because it can be under ripe and flavorless. That is not the case at Cafe Mimosa. The fruit is perfectly ripe and sweet and served with a delicious honey-cinnamon yogurt for dipping. It is the perfect light dessert for summer. This platter has a lot of fruit, so bring someone to share it with you.
Tabu Grill
2892 S. Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-7743
www.tabugrill.com
Avocado season is a big deal in Southern California and if you are someone who likes avocado so much you want it in dessert, Tabu Grill is the place for you. The chef here does something completely unexpected and serves an avocado sorbet. This dessert is served with lemon curd pudding, pistachio white chocolate and pomegranate seeds. This is the perfect celebration of a fruit that is a staple in southern California.
Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
