Laderach took over the Godiva in the Brea Mall. I think they have outlets in South coast plaza and Glendale. They are a Swiss outfit. The chocolate is fantastic. Milk chocolate with hazelnuts pictured. Reminds me how much better chocolate is outside of the US.
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The basque cake is one of the best desserts in town.
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Heâs not the only one. But I hardly taste it. I 
that bowl.
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Yes! And I love that it isnât overly sweet.
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You should give yourself a badge for that one. 
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Mins Bistro in Yorba Linda is such a gem for this side of town. Everything is very well made and seasoned. Lots of garlic, onion, scallions and wok hei. The fried dishes are well cooked and not greasy. They do a very brisk amount of takeout business. Saw at least 8-10 pick ups in the 45 mins we were there and almost every table was occupied on Saturday night at 5:15.
The owner is very nice and recommended the shrimp and garlic noodle dish to us. It was an off menu item but everybody absolutely loved it. They did not skimp on the garlic and these are full head on fried shrimp in Yorba Linda. Amazing.
Beef noodle soup was good. Not as vibrant as other versions but lot of meat.
Mongolian beef for the kids. Shhh adults liked it too.
Salt and pepper fried pork chops. We love this dish from one of those seafood named restaurants in Torrance. I forget if it was the OG or the offshoot.
A choy. A little bit salty but still good. Our favorite vegetable on the menu is the garlic spicy eggplant.
Shanghai rice cakes. Savory and delicious. If I blind folded you, you wouldnât know this wasnât DTF.
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Oliboli is still slanging the goods. Must eat the yeast donuts warm on site. These do not travel well. The glaze is just fantastic. Do not sleep on the Apple fritter. Itâs my favorite item here. So light and love those pieces of crunchy apples. The maple bacon was for my friends. We got here at 10 and they were sold out of the banofee and coffee crunch. Boo hoo.
The best cake donut weâve had here is the cacao nib. Ordered it for my little girl. Reminded me of the hostess cupcake minus the cream. So fluffy, moist and chocolatey. She said next time we have to order 2 so I donât steal some of hers.
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Smart kid. 
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Had a chance to try some new to me places this weekend.
Nicaraguan food from Sabor Nicaraguense
Yelp Link
Their site, mainly in spanish
Got their mixed meats plate with chorizo, carne asada and fried pork. Came with the rice and black beans, fried cheese and plantains. They also give you a small side of pickled onions and a cabbage salad.
The pork was a little dry, the beef and chorizo were juicy. Liked the flavors of everything.
On the way home from the Nicaraguan food, I stopped by Ribtown bbq since it was only a few miles away and good timing to catch them right when they opened. They had been on my radar ever since @TheCookie had mentioned them and I started following their IG.
Got the pork ribs, beef links and rib tips
Thought it was good not great. I like the sauce it came with but I thought the ribs were on the overcooked side and bark chewier than I personally prefer. I understand their style is that way though. The rib tips worked better with this style of cooking. The beef links were good and paired with their sauce really well. I generally prefer my bbq with minimal sauce, but Ribtownâs style and their sauce worked well for me.
While I was in the area, thanks to a tip by @Mattapoisett_in_LA , I walked across the street and went to El Valle Oaxaquenoâs bakery for their bolillo con queso. Apparently they run out quick and I was lucky to find they still had four left. I grabbed two for the road.
No pics since I was too busy stuffing my face. But theyâre about six inch long bolilloâs stuffed generously with cheese. Theyâre kept in a refrigerated case up front and they will ask if you want it warmed up.
Good day of trying out food I havenât had before.
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Yep, last time we didnât have a great meal either. Theyâre hit-and-miss unfortunately.
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I had a delightful Sunday morning with Bakerâs Bench and Endorffeine coffee.
Bakers Bench purchased and consumed:
vegan
Cinnamon knot - delicious and this is the second or third time Iâve gotten it.
Chocolate croissant - choc was still warm. Iâm not a filled croissant person usually but thought Iâd get it to âshare.â Dear Reader, I did not share.
Savory danish - with shallots, sesame seeds and daikon radish. first time purchase and I think it was an experiment for them. Highly recommend
box of almond cookies for lunar new year - best in show, best Iâve ever had my whole life. [only item that was not vegan, and all staff kept mentioning it]
Endorffeine coffee - this was a surprise bang/bang as my previous coffee on the go plans didnât pan out. For context, I drink black coffee every day and usually make my own with a MoccaMaster/TechniVurm.
Endorffeine coffee is worth it. Itâs worth the trip, the âhey I thought I heard this place was goodâ itâs worth it. I had their $4.50 standard coffee. The kind woman who I gave the order asked if I would be able to sit and drink from a glass mug - no as I had a dog with me and I was trying to eat my Bakers Bench and stay out of immediate breathing area from anyone. Regardless, this delicious, delightful coffee was exquisite in the soul crushing paper cup.
My palate is not sophisticated, I didnât ask about roasters and beans. I like to leave my money with small businesses and this was a bang bang of convenience. I fell in love.
Bakers bench is active on their IG and is consistent with their weekend hours.
Looks like endorffeine is also weekends only.
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Northern cafe mpk- hand pulled lamb cumin noodles, big plate chicken, and cold plates
Lamb noodles probably my fav. The big plate chicken was also good but too similar in flavor which is a user
error. Didnât want to get soup noodles because it was to go.
Dos chignomes chilaquiles and carnitas breakfast burrito. I would say good not amazing. I like it because basically any burrito with good salsa tastes good. Eggs were fluffy, Chips were noticeably stale (was covered up by the sauce and cheese) and I think since I arrived late it was slim pickings on the carnitas (really only the shredded pork butt, no cuero or other cuts)def not as good as el momo.
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Far East plaza was meant for Bang Bangs. I love Endorffeine and Bakers Bench , itâs usually a part of my Saturday routine.
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I forgot to add - I also got the Bakers Bench solo offering of a muffin. It had candied citrus, poppyseeds and a glaze. Definitely a morning muffin and one I would repeat.
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I believe that the lamb noodle and the big plate chicken are exactly the same dish (other then the protein). I like them both but, unlike you, I prefer the bird.
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They arenât there was def more cumin and spice in the lamb and the chicken had a sweeter/bean pasty flavor that wasnât present in the lamb dish. But yes overall quite similar.
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Ălephante - Santa Monica
Small Time (bourbon, bruto americano, honey, orange oil) & Aperol Spritz (aperol, prosecco, orange)
Bigeye Tuna Tartare w/Calabrian AĂŻoli, Tangerine, Carta di Musica (crackers) & Caesar Salad w/Gem Lettuce, Caesar Dressing, Pistachio Nuts, Toasted Seeds
Meatballs - Pork & Beef, Spicy Tomato Sauce, Parmigiano, Chopped Parsley
Yep, Ălephante qualifies as young & scene-y. Reservations are advisable even for lunch. Space is open, patio view, decent cocktails, good food. Tuna tartare w/spicy aĂŻoli was very good but needed a little acid, caesar salad was also good but required cutting and more of the yummy dressing. Hubs really liked his meatballs - moist w/a nice kicky tomatoey sauce. No bread service, free or otherwise. I liked my Aperol Spritz but hubs said the Small Time was mostly ice. QPR wasnât very good, but we both said weâd go back if friends or our kids want to go. 
Thanks @PorkyBelly for the spur of the moment SM rec!
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