The Shamrock Shake is Back for 2021

Forget the McRib. The McDonald's menu item I look forward to reappearing is that pastel green-colored, minty Shamrock Shake. Earlier today I walked a mile to the closest McDonald's -- with the idea that I'd burn calories and get one as a reward — only to find that it wasn't yet available, despite BEING ON THE MENU. Later, I called other nearby McDonald's and found a location to grab the treat. Worth it.

Rate-A-Restaurant #385: B Sweet Dessert Bar (Sawtelle)

Restaurant: B Sweet Dessert Bar

Location: 2005 Sawtelle Blvd. (Sawtelle)

Type of restaurant: Dessert

We stipulated: My parents were in town, and we took them to Santa Monica to visit the Museum of Flying at the Santa Monica airport. Afterward, we wanted to grab dessert, and it seemed like the perfect time to finally try B Sweet — I've been dying to try their ube bread pudding forever.

They stipulated: "B Sweet was created to bring back the homemade taste in cakes, cookies, pies and many other pastries. This young company has an unmatched level of quality in its products, and it clearly shows not only through its presentation but also in its taste. Individual handwork and attention to detail enables B Sweet to produce fresher and more authentic flavors then pastries produced in larger corporate kitchens. Using the highest quality ingredients such as fresh fruits purchased from the local farmer’s market make up its 'yummy factor.'"

What we ordered: Banana chocolate bread pudding ($5); ube/buko pandan cake ($6); root beer float ($4)

High point:  The kids were happy, the parents were happy, and much dessert was consumed. Plus it was National Coffee Day, and B Sweet was offering free samples of its Nitro Coffee.

Low point: Turns out the ube bread pudding — my entire reason for wanting to visit B Sweet — isn't always on the menu. And it wasn't when we visited! To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I got the ube/buko pandan cake, which was mighty tasty. But it wasn't the ube bread pudding I craved.

Overall impression: Love the selection of desserts — something for everyone.

Will we return:  Well yes, I need to get back to B Sweet to try the ube bread pudding — but I will call ahead and make sure that it's on the menu before I visit. And we also need to sample B Sweet's halo halo. Before I start another diet, we need to return.

Rate-A-Restaurant #373: Magpies Softserve (Silver Lake)

Restaurant: Magpies Softserve

Location: 2660 Griffith Park Boulevard (Silver Lake)



Type of restaurant: Dessert (Ice Cream)



We stipulated: I love soft serve more than anything. I still dream almost daily of the "Salty Bea Arthur," as served at New York's Big Gay Ice Cream shop (which sadly still hasn't opened a Los Angeles outpost, despite promising so). But I also love adventurous flavors, which is why Scoops is my fave ice cream scoop in LA. Magpies promised to marry the two, and I was in.



They stipulated: "Magpies Softserve is a scratch recipe soft serve dessert shop. We make our soft serve mix and all toppings in house. We wanted to expand the flavors of typical soft serve ice cream from the traditional vanilla and chocolate by creating flavors of soft serve that bring us back to our childhood, flavors that inspired us to become chefs. From a Horchata (non dairy), to a Cortadito, a sweetened Cuban espresso to Yuzu Honey, a traditional Korean tea that is unique to the American palate. We had a lot of fun creating flavors that are authentic to us."



What we ordered: Mike: Toasted marshmallow and Corn Almond; Maria: Thai Tea and Sweet Cream; Evan: Toasted marshmallow with caramel and cookie crumble; Nathan: Toasted marshmallow. All junior size at $3.95; the two toppings were 95 cents more.


High point:  Loved the corn almond, which reminded me of the "cereal milk" flavor found at New York's Milk Bar. Plus: The fact that you could split your order and get *two* flavors was well appreciated!

Low point:  It's a small store, so there aren't many places to sit and enjoy your treat. (But that's a common refrain at spots like Scoops too.)



Overall impression: The junior size is more than enough; it's the perfect amount of ice cream. Also loved the free samples as we tested out what we wanted. And the diversity of flavor choices means there's something for everyone.



Will we return: Oh yes. Magpies rotates its flavors, which means there will be always new flavors to try. Not good for my diet, but fantastic news for my tastebuds.

Rate-A-Restaurant #372: Stickhouse (Santa Monica)

Restaurant: Stickhouse

Location: 223 Broadway (Santa Monica)

Type of restaurant: Dessert (Gelato)



We stipulated: After taking a journey on the Metro Expo line to Santa Monica, we wanted an ice cream treat. We walked by Stickhouse -- and the concept was intriguing enough (unique gelato flavors on a stick!) that we walked in.



They stipulated: "A carefully considerated but simple idea: what about putting freshly made artisan gelato on a stick? Such a goal was finally achieved in 2006 with patented automatic machine which produces a high quality artisan gelato on a stick according to the best Italian tradition: daily made with genuine ingredients. A great tradition has been reinvented thanks to Italian creativity and technology, and in 2009 a new franchising project was born: Stickhouse."



What we ordered: Mike: Banana gelato with white chocolate; Maria: mint gelato with chocolate; Evan: Banana gelato with chocolate; Nathan: Mint chocolate gelato with chocolate. All $4.50 each.


High point:  The gelato was indeed tasty -- rich, but not too rich -- and we loved the variety of flavor choices.

Low point:  A lot of menu items weren't available -- including the "Cupido" (sorbetto on the outside, gelato on the inside), which I would have bought.



Overall impression: In hindsight, I wouldn't have dipped my gelato in chocolate. It was fine, but it took away from the gelato flavor. (Plus, it was unnecessary extra calories.) But they didn't even give the option.

Will we return: Quite possibly. Stickhouse's Santa Monica location is the only one so far in the United States (it's mostly overseas), but another is opening soon in Hollywood.

Pumpkin Palooza Is Back

As a follow-up to my Flavor Explosion post: Here's our pumpkin haul from this Sunday morning's Trader Joe's visit. This is just a fraction of all the pumpkin-flavor offerings at TJ's this year. Meanwhile, a public service announcement: The best thing Trader Joe's sells all year, its Pumpkin Bread Pudding, is back in the frozen section. Buy a box or four. Hoard it throughout the year. You're welcome.

Rate-A-Restaurant #322: Blockheads Shavery (Alhambra)

Restaurant: Blockheads Shavery

Location: 12 W. Main Street (Alhambra)

Type of restaurant: Dessert

We stipulated: After a hot afternoon walking around the Citadel outlet mall, I couldn't shake the idea of indluging in a cool treat. Maria recommended Blockheads Shavery in nearby Alhambra.



They stipulated: "Blockheads Shavery combines the fine texture of Hawaiian shave ice with the creamy goodness of ice cream to create a unique treat we're proud to call Snow Cream. Made in-store by our certified Snow Cream gurus, we blend the freshest ingredients and shave each block only when it reaches the optimal temperature, ensuring every serving meets the highest of standards."



What we ordered: Black sesame snow cream with mochi and coconut puree drizzle; original flavor with boba and strawberry drizzle. (Both were $3.95 plus 60 cents for the topping)



High point:  It's a unique texture -- not quite shave ice, not quite ice cream. The regular size is also big enough to share with a friend.



Overall impression: I liked the black sesame, but yet it could use a bit more flavor. The drizzle adds that, but not enough. Still, it's a unique dessert in a sea of likeminded yogurt, ice cream and shave ice shops, and for that I was happy to check it out.



Will we return: Sure, I've been told the rice cake is a must, and something we'll have to try with our next Blockheads.

Rate-A-Restaurant #312: Donut Friend

Restaurant: Donut Friend



Location: 5107 York Blvd. (Highland Park)



Type of restaurant: Donuts



We stipulated: The kids were having a sleepover at their cousins' house, so it was just Maria and I on Sunday morning. We decided to finally do some recon on Donut Friend sans kids.



They stipulated: "Donut Friend is a new take on the old donut. Rather than trying to guess what our customers want, we let them tell us what they want, and we make it for them, right before their eyes. Using the freshest ingredients we can find, locally sourced when possible, Donut Friend wants to redefine what a donut can be. At Donut Friend, we don't just do donuts. We Do Donuts Differently."



What we ordered: Maria -- Bacon 182 (Maple glaze and regular or vegan bacon on top of our traditional donut; $3.50) Mike -- Chocolate from the Crypt (A chocolate cake donut topped with chocolate glaze, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and chocolate shavings; $2.50)



High point:  Not only were the donuts mighty tasty, but the coffee was great too.

Low point: I was really excited to try "Jimmy Eat Swirl" donut, but alas, it wasn't available.





Overall impression: The idea behind Donut Friend sounds intimidating. And for donut purists like myself, the idea of piling toppings on top, yogurt bar style, is a bit off-putting. But the Donut Friend folks have come up with some fascinating flavors, and there are ways to still keep it deliciously simple.









Will we return: OFTEN. (And next time with kids.) Must try every flavor! I will get fat.

Trader Joe's Bonanza of Holiday Items

Oh, Trader Joe's, you know exactly how to fatten us up every holiday season. Besides the usual favorites, like the Mini Gingerbread Men (with white fudge icing) and the Pfeffernusse cookies (now in new packaging!), here are a few more items in stores right now. I'm assuming most of these items will be gone soon. Stock up, just like I did with the Pumpkin Bread Pudding (now gone!)

Trader Joe's Egg Nog Ice Cream ($3.99)
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels ($4.99)
Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe's ($3.99)
Mini Panettone ($1.79)
Cranberry, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad Dressing ($3.49)
English Toffee with Nuts ($8.99)
Peppermint Pretzel Slims ($2.99)
Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Cremes ($2.99)
Gingerbread House Kit ($7.99)
Dark Chocolate Collection ($6.99)
Taste Test of Caramels ($5.99)
Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Stars ($2.99)
10 Petits Four ($5.99)
Chocolate Peppermint Loaf Mix ($3.99)
Butterscotch Cupcakes ($3.99)
Egg Nog and Light Egg Nog ($2.69)
Salted Caramel Chai Latte Mix ($3.99)
Joyful Trek Mix ($4.99)
Cranberry & Chocolate Rolls ($3.49)
Gingerbread Cake & Baking Mix ($2.49)
Fig Butter ($2.29)

Rate-A-Restaurant #288: Paradis

Restaurant: Paradis Ice Cream

Location: 2323 Honolulu Ave (Montrose)



Type of restaurant: Ice Cream



We stipulated: Saturday afternoon in Montrose, with the kids in tow, and ice cream just made sense.



They stipulated: "Creamy Paradis ice cream tastes rich and natural and is made without unnecessary preservatives. We are proud of our ice cream which is made with respect by each individual ice cream manufacturer. Our ice cream is manufactured from Thrane Dairy milk, and our sorbets are water-based. Our ice cream has a natural fresh taste because we use fresh ingredients – there are strawberries in our strawberry ice cream and blueberries in our blueberry ice cream – and our ice cream is freshly made every day."



What we ordered: one scoop ice cream each ($3.50)



High point: The flavor choices are fantastic -- such as salted caramel or banana chocolate chip. The day we went there was even a "beer sorbet." Also, even if you order one scoop, you can split it between two flavors.

Low point: No water, at least the day we were there.



Overall impression: An extension of a small Denmark chain, Paradis promises "Scandinavian ice cream made fresh daily." It looks and tastes a but like gelato, and is extremely smooth and creamy.

Chance we'll go back: Scoops is now close by and will forever be our fave ice cream haunt, so Paradis will have to settle for being No. 2. But yes, I'm pretty sure we'll be back.