Come to Papa

L.A. just got a little sweeter: At long last, Beard Papa's has made it to our shores. The cream puff store opened Saturday at Hollywood & Highland after months of anticipation, and la.foodblogging -- which has been breathlessly covering the Japanese chain's slow move here -- reports that the line snaked down the shopping center.

Why the hype? Remember the first time you tried a Magnolia's cupcake, or a Krispy Kreme. You'll have a similar religious experience with Beard Papa's.

For starters, you've never really had a cream puff. The freshly baked choux pastry shells are light and fluffy. And because the vanilla bean-infused whipped cream custard is so fresh, Beard Papa's warns that the preservative-free puffs will spoil within 24 hours.

Maria and I first experienced Beard Papa's in New York, while there for the network TV upfronts in May 2004. A Beard Papa's is located on the Upper West Side near our friend Lisa's place. We still remember those puffs fondly... so, hoping to surprise Maria, I hit Hollywood & Highland Monday night.





After failing to find street parking, I sucked it up and parked in the H&H lot. Racing to the courtyard, I found no line at all. I amused the staff while snapping a few shots for the blog, and ordered a box of six. (At $1.50 each, it's not necessarily cheap.) As they iron out the new store, they're only serving the original vanilla bean custard (other flavors include green tea, chocolate and coffee).





Yes, we'll be back. Meanwhile, more tidbits from la.foodblogging: Apparently the same local franchisee behind many of our beloved local L&L Drive-Inn restaurants are also the new L.A. franchisees for Beard Papa's. Also, the Marukai Market in Gardena is the next Beard Papa’s store planned for Southern California. Beard Papa's owner Muginoho is also considering the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, while two locations recently opened in Hawaii.