Jun 2013

ICDC (Ice Cream, Doughnuts and Coffee) National Doughnut Day Preview at BLD – Los Angeles

ICDC (Ice Cream, Doughnuts and Coffee) - Los Angeles

Los Angeles played host to numerous National Doughnut Day celebrations last Friday, but the only ticket in town that really caught my eye was the ICDC (Ice Cream, Doughnuts and Coffee) preview at BLD. Slated to open later this summer or early fall, ICDC was inspired by the Wednesday night Doughnut Shoppe that Pastry Chef Mariah Swan has hosted for years at Grace and BLD restaurants.

ICDC (Ice Cream, Doughnuts and Coffee) - Los Angeles

ICDC, which is currently in the midst of construction, will be housed next door to BLD. Once the shop is up and running, the menu will feature eight doughnut flavors daily. Unlike traditional doughnut shops where wares are left to sit all day, ICDC’s creations will be fried to order and decked out with gourmet glazes and ice creams.

Joining me for the 5-course doughnut tasting ($15) were my friends and fellow sweet seekers Alice, Stassi, and Diana. According to Mariah, the doughnuts served this evening won’t appear again until ICDC opens its doors for business.

ICDC (Ice Cream, Doughnuts and Coffee) - Los Angeles

The first doughnut served was the Cereal Milk Glazed, a warm, airy, yeast-risen ring iced with a sugary syrup steeped in Honey Nut Cheerios. Garnished atop were bits of Rice Krispies treats made from house-made cinnamon marshmallows. Good morning, Sunshine!

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Jun 2013

Jonathan Gold’s Scouting Report #1: AltaEats

Altaeats - Altadena

Chef Paul Ragan’s cookin’ up a little somethin’ somethin’ in the foothills of Altadena and it’s got a whole lotta soul. Filing my first Scouting Report, “At AltaEats, seafood paella and a duck egg for your duck hash,” on the Los Angeles Times‘ Daily Dish. Bon appetit.

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Jun 2013

National Doughnut Day 2013: The 10 Best Doughnuts Ever

TOP POT DOUGHNUTS

Back in December of 2010, Eater LA asked a slew of the city’s food writers to predict a dining world headline for 2011. My prediction—”Gourmet Doughnuts Overtake Cupcakes and Macarons!”—wasn’t based on anything substantial, just a secret hope that I had been harboring since being introduced to the genre at New York’s Doughnut Plant and at Seattle’s Top Pot Doughnuts and Frost Doughnuts.

Top Pot Doughnuts - Seattle

Needless to say, doughnuts did not dominate Los Angeles in 2011, or the year after that. We’re six months into 2013, and things are finally heating up on the  local doughnut front. Hallelujah!

In honor of National Doughnut Day, and the exciting happenings in the L.A. doughnut scene, I present to you the 10 Best Deep-Fried Delights that I’ve encountered so far on my search for the ever-elusive doughnut high…

Banh Cam

Bánh cam from a street vendor in Saigon, Vietnam

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