Five Ridiculously Ethereal Ethnic Cakes – and Where to Find Them

(Gerry Furth-Sides) These ridiculously ethereal must-try cakes seem to have won over even the most die-hard, “no dessert diner.” You can include me, and a host of others in that statement because when you have a perfectly balanced meal, you don’t want to mar that perfect last bite.

Berry Chantilly Cake

This Whole Foods Market exclusive southern belle of a treat features layers of delicate vanilla cake, fluffy Chantilly cream frosting and fresh berries. It’s so irresistible, in fact, that people have been known to stand in line for it through power outages and impending natural disasters. Curious what the hype is all about? Read on for more delicious details about Berry Chantilly Cake.

This cake first made its debut 13 years ago at the Arabella Station store in New Orleans, where one of our talented Bakery team members formulated a recipe based on her grandmother’s original creation. It was an instant hit, and other stores picked up the recipe.

The cake is available in two sizes at Whole Foods Market for six or eight people. Slives are available if the cakes aren’t spoken for already. This rarely happens. I know. I tried the month of December.

//www.wholefoodsmarket.com/departments/bakery/berry-chantilly-cake

The Restaurant at Mr.C’s Merengue Cake

Restaurant Manager, Miguel Morales and server Derek made the lunch special. Service is attended to with old-school charm and aplomb.  This makes the food and the dessert we came for taste even better.

We had spotted the Vanilla Meringue Layer Cake on a tray prepared for guests at a spirited 21st birthday party outside earlier in the year. Restaurant Manager, Morales, told us it is the “signature cake” of the hotel worldwide. We had come back and try it.

Instagram – //www.instagram.com/mrchotels/

Facebook – //www.facebook.com/mrcbeverlyhills

Website – //www.mrchotels.com/hotels/beverly-hills-los-angeles-ca/dining/ 

Mr. C’s Beverly Hills, Rest1224 Beverwil Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90035, (310) 277-2800

Tres Leches Cake

Light, richer than rich Tres leches (three milks) is one of the most popular Mexican desserts, let alone cake.

On the ARO-LATIN menu is a light, most moist, tres leches cake, created by Candy Garcia Raina, co-owner of with husband, Karan.

AROLATIN, 1019 Mission Street, S. Pasadena, CA  91030 (626) 799-9400. (//arolatin.com/). Order online for pickup or delivery below.

Tres Leches Cheesecake

The description, “Tres Leches Cheesecake,”  at Chalio Mexican Restaurant , accurately describes this signature dessert there. The tall, round supremely moist tres leche cake made with three kinds of milk has stripes layers of sponge with cheesecake.  Perfection.

www. ChalioMexicanRestaurant. com, Chalio Restaurant, 760 S Atlantic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90022

Gulab Jamun and Ras Malai Cake

Gulab Jamun is a classic, tried and true dessert at every Indian Restaurant. Banana Leaf is no exception. The elevated presentation here, however, adds to the intensity of its individual components . Here it is in a little black bowl on a banana leaf embellished by one single drop of cardamum

The desserts require a special flour and a deft touch.

Banana Leaf, 10408 Venice Blvd Suite: B, Culver City, CA  90232, (SW corner of Venice & Motor),(310) 838-2130 (www.bananaleafla.com)

                                             

Lemon Hazelnut Torte

My heart belongs to this Lemon Hazelnut Torte that was once served at the Rose Cafe as a slice and then as a little round cake on its own. The baker once worked for the brilliant Amy Pressman in Pasadena.

Back on the Beach //www.backonthebeachcafe.com

Il Forno 2901 Ocean Park Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405. (310) 450-1241. //www.ilfornocaffe.com/