Coconut Desserts
Coconut--rich, moist and exotic.
* Zen Grill: After a meal of fusion food, try the smooth, subtle coconut creme bru^lee, a thick custard full of fresh coconut shavings in the classic browned sugar crust. With it come two buttery Chinese almond cookies. (Coconut creme bru^lee, $3.50.) Zen Grill, 8432 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 655-9991; 14543 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 461-8444.
* Porto’s Bakery: Three Cuban coconut pastries are baked here: a classic golden macaroon, a flaky strudel with a gooey coconut filling and coquito en almibar, a white coconut ball mixed with honey and sealed in a dome of caramelized sugar. (Coconut macaroon, 45 cents; coconut strudel, 55 cents; coquito en almibar, 50 cents.) Porto’s Bakery, 315 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, (818) 956-5996.
* Babalu: The tall (nearly 3-inch) three-layer Italian wedding cake at this eclectic place is so good it’ll make you weep. It’s a moist white cake made with plenty of walnuts and coconut covered with a smooth cream cheese icing. (Italian wedding cake, slice, $5; whole cake, $30.) Babalu, 1002 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 395-2500.
* Pshaw’s Bistro: At this fine French/soul food restaurant, chef Philip Shaw makes a coconut pie with a flaky, buttery crust, filled with creamy custard and lots of crushed pineapple and shredded coconut. It’s served with fresh whipped cream and sauteed cinnamon pineapple slices. (Pineapple coconut pie, slice, $5.) Pshaw’s Bistro, 6099 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 871-2546.
* Mustard Seed Cafe: At this quaint neighborhood spot, you’ll find an old-fashioned three-layer coconut cake just like Grandma used to make. It’s a luscious white cake with a sweet coconut cream filling. (Three-layered coconut cake, slice, $3.50; whole cake, $35.) Mustard Seed Cafe, 1948 N. Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 660-0670.
* Ciudad: Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken serve a creamy, nutty coconut cake at their popular downtown spot. The cake is made with coconut and macadamia nuts layered with coconut custard and topped with fresh whipped cream and toasted coconut. It’s served with a pineapple and white rum batido (shaved ice). (Coconut macadamia nut cream cake, slice, $5.50 at lunch, $6.50 at dinner; whole cake, $32.) Ciudad, Union Bank Plaza, 445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, (213) 486-5171.