Sweets in Faraway Places

As anyone who knows me knows, my love of NYC runs deep – when it comes to the debate between the coasts, I’m an East Coaster and a New York City girl through and through. I’m sure California is absolutely lovely and I know the weather is amazing, but I’ve just never felt much of a pull towards the West Coast. That is, until I became aware of a few amazingly charming spots for sweets that happen to be (inconveniently for me) located on the opposite side of the country. If anything could encourage me to take a trip to the West Coast, of course it wouldn’t be the sunny weather, the beaches, or anything like that – nope, for me it’s all about the sweets! Here are a few places that I’m dying to visit (or dying to have open up NYC outposts!)

Miette: San Francisco 

Miette (French for “crumb”) has been serving up delightfully charming cakes, pastries, and candies since opening in 2001. Founder Meg Ray says in this lovely video that she starts each day at the bakery with a cup of coffee and a slice of cake…now that’s a woman and a philosophy that I can get behind! They have several locations (including two in San Francisco), and each one appears to be more charming than the last. I’m obsessed with their wallpaper, their pastel color scheme, their candy-colored cake stands…I’m honestly head over heels in love with everything about the place! Even more so than sampling the sweets, I would die just to be able to photograph a pretty interior like this. For now I’ll probably have to settle for adding their adorable book to my collection. 

Bottega Louie: Los Angeles

Bottega Louie is a restaurant, cafe, patisserie, and gourmet market all in one, and everything about it appears to be perfect beyond words. The opulent, Versailles-esque decor, the high ceilings, the colorful sweets, the gorgeous pastel boxes…I think I would seriously enjoy spending an afternoon in this lovely eatery. Again: would DIE to photograph this prettiness! 

Compartes Chocolate: Los Angeles

Talk about pretty packaging! I would love to taste some of the chocolate wrapped up inside the colorful, artistic wrappers at Compartes Chocolate in LA. In this case, you can judge a book by its cover: all of the chocolates at this shop (founded in 1950) are handmade from scratch daily and composed of the highest-quality ingredients, with no preservatives and nothing artificial. As you can see, the chocolates themselves are little works of art – a treat for the eyes and the taste buds. What more could you ask for?

Go Get ‘Em Tiger: Los Angeles

While not strictly a sweets shop, Go Get ‘Em Tiger has been on my radar ever since I read this article in The New York Times extolling the virtues of their almond-macadamia nut iced latte (which they called “the best iced latte in America”). Since I’m an iced coffee addict, and I love coffee shops, this spot is definitely on my wish-to-visit-list. 

Sugarfina: Beverly Hills

I’ve already posted about Sugarfina several times (here and here), but I’d be remiss not mention them here as they are #1 on my list of want-to-visit, want-to-photograph places. Everything about the store and their decor is so unique, bright, and modern, which is to say nothing of their delicious, unusual candies and super cute packaging. And speaking of gorgeous, how amazingly beautiful are these images shot by Mary Costa for Sugar and Charm? Stunning. Talk about photography inspiration! 
Have any of you visited these fabulous places in person? If so, I am jealous of you. 

Leave a Comment

  1. Oh my goodness! I have never had much desire to travel out west minus a few trips to Vegas, but this post makes me want to plan a visit. These shops are so adorable!

    XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

    Published 1.16.15 · Reply
  2. Holly wrote:

    Mmmm… I could use a few sugary goodies!

    Published 1.18.15 · Reply