LA's Sweet Side: 5 Spots For A Sugar Rush
When you hear of new additions to L.A.'s eateries, you get lists of health food, raw food, everything the dieter could ever dream of. After all, this is the city where we walk among the rich and famous, and everyone is trying to be a size 2. But every so often, Los Angeles loves to tempt the palate with delicious sweet treats that just make you want to put on pants a waistband, and worry about your figure later. Much later. Here are five of the greatest decadent delights to enchant the City of Angels.
Sweet! Hollywood
Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 809-4380
sweetlosangeles.com
There are candy stores, and then there are candy stores. The 30,000-square-foot Willy Wonka-themed Sweet! is just what you would imagine any store bearing the name of Wonka to be. Sweet! not only has 12 unique candy boutiques within, but it also has a gumball machine powered by a bright red Ferrari, an extensive collection of licorice from all over the world, and a WONKA Inventing Room where you can craft your own candy bar. Yes, Charlie, your very own candy bar.
The WONKA Inventing Room Collection is available exclusively at Sweet! Hollywood. The special assortments bring to life the never-before-told-story of Wonka's amazing travels around the globe and across the galaxies. Inspired by the world's most fantastic extraordinary wonders, Wonka stirred the sights, sounds, flavors and colors culled from his adventures into four new, handmade chocolate truffle collections. But, don't let your imagination be the only way you get to try this collection. Head down to the store itself, and don't be surprised if you are greeted by little orange men in overalls that burst into song. You are, after all, in a land that Wonka built.
Sweet! Hollywood is now open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Georgetown Cupcake
143 S. Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 893-2866
www.georgetowncupcake.com
Cupcakes and Television...it was only a matter of time before the stars of TLC's DC Cupcakes made their way to Tinseltown. We're just thankful they brought their cupcakes with them! Sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne are the stars of the hit show, and they have recently opened a location near West Hollywood on Robertson.
Boasting a selection of more than 100 cupcake flavors, and serving about 18 of those on any given day, the beautiful store displays their treats not only in a display on the counter, but all around the store. With the clear glass windows that section off the store, you can see the birth of a cupcake right before your eyes.
Prices start at around $2.75 for one cupcake, $15 for a half dozen, and $29 for a dozen. You can pre-order special seasonal flavors in advance. This town needs some sugar...Georgetown Cupcakes, I think you found home.
Make sure you check out their extensive menu online and then visit the store to enjoy one of the scrumptious treats. The stopr is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Galco's Soda Pop Stop
5702 York Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 255-7115
www.sodapopstop.com
Remember what life was like when enjoying a cool soda didn't make your Spidey senses tingle? Galco's will take you back to that time. A large variety of retro soda drinks make this Highland Park store the one-stop pop shop. People come here from all over Los Angeles for the chance to grab that old school taste of a soda in a glass bottle made with real cane sugar, or if you like a Canadian Blend, some delicious Maple Syrup.
Don't come in here looking for a Coke you can buy at any store -- come here and get advice from the owner himself, John Nese. Nese is often seen on the hit show "Storage Wars," appraising vintage Coca-Cola items and has a wide knowledge of anything having to do with soda. Besides carrying more than 400 different sodas, Galco's also carries a small line of vintage and retros candies, just in case you didn't get enough sugar.
Galco's is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can buy most sodas and candies online also via their website.
Fugetsu-Do
315 E 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 625-8595
www.fugetsu-do.com
Fugetsu-Do first opened its doors in 1903, making this the oldest candy shop in Los Angeles. This Little Tokyo store carries several Japanese candies, even offering shaved ice in the summer, but its specialty lies in its mochi.
This isn't your Trader Joe's Mochi that we are talking about either. This mochi is handmade and "found usually in the shape of a small, round rice cake which can be eaten with condiments such as kinako (roasted soy bean flour), manju (sweet red bean paste), soy sauce dip, and seaweed." So what you are getting is a real Japanese treat.
Don't be fooled by Fugetsu-Do's older look. While the owner, Brian Kito, has contemplated remodeling the store several times, customers insist on not changing a thing as it brings back fond memories of their childhood and ties to the generations past. One thing is for certain, the mochi will always be as delicious as you remember it.
Fugetsu-Do is open Monday through Thursday, and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Their mochi is also available for purchase online via their website.
John Kelly Chocolates
1506 N Sierra Bonita Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-3269
www.johnkellychocolates.com
Not everything in Hollywood is tofu and low-cal and thank goodness for that! John Kelly Chocolates is a small store tucked away in a quieter location in the middle of Hollywood. Known for its delicious, although slightly higher priced chocolates, John Kelly is worth every penny. Offering unique varieties of chocolates such as chocolate-covered peanut butter with Himalayan sea salt or their signature truffle fudge, each bite of John Kelly's chocolates will have you aching for just one more bite.
Each chocolate is handmade and a Hollywood original, even those purchased in its Santa Monica location. It's a dream come true for chocolate connoisseurs and aficionados alike.
The Hollywood Location is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Chocolates are also available for purchase online.
