Cobbler classics

Cobblers can be delicious year-round, but in summer they get an extra boost from gloriously ripe fruit.

Auntie Em’s

The chefs at this groovy neighborhood hang cook up one big pan cobbler every day during summer, taking advantage of stone fruit and berries from a farmers market. One day might bring nectarines, blackberries and raspberries; another, plums and strawberries. Each order is served warm with a dollop of vanilla-infused whipped cream.

* Cobbler, $3.50. 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd., L.A., (323) 255-0800.

Ford’s Filling Station

Rhubarb and raspberries star in the individual cobblers at this stylish gastropub. Served barely warm, each is crowned with a halved currant scone topped with crunchy sugar crystals and accompanied by a shot glass full of clotted cream.

* Cobbler, $8. 9531 Culver Blvd., Culver City, (310) 202-1470.

Uncle Darrow’s

Most food reference authorities state that cobbler has only a top crust, or biscuit, not a bottom one. But don’t tell that to owner Norwood Clark. “Southern folks, we double-crust it,” he says. So the peach cobbler -- a menu staple that, when cooking, perfumes the restaurant -- and the pear cobbler -- which makes regular appearances -- both are made like a pie and sold in pie tins.

* Peach cobbler, $5. 2560 S. Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, (310) 306-4862.

Lucky Devils

Pastry chef Molly Barnes-Carbrey uses a mix of tart and sweet berries -- right now blueberries, strawberries and loganberries -- to create balance in her mixed berry treat. Her cobbler topping, made with cornmeal for crunch, breaks from tradition. Served in individual terra cotta crocks, each cobbler is topped with vanilla frozen custard. You can also get your cobbler blended into a shake, kind of like a cobbler on ice.

* Cobbler, $5.50. 6613 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 465-8259.

Z’Tejas

The most popular dessert at this Southwestern dining room is the chili fudge pie. But the cobbler, which arrives in a hot skillet, into which the chefs also spoon ginger bourbon sauce, runs a close second. The last few days it’s been Granny Smith apples. But tonight it might be peaches and blueberries. And always, there are two scoops of vanilla ice cream perched on top.

* Cobbler, $5.95. 3333 Bristol St., Suite 1876, Costa Mesa, (714) 979-7469.