I love hearing about other people’s favorite places, and then exploring them myself. It’s a great shortcut to discovering the hidden gems in each city and town you find yourself in.

It was kind of weird when my own son took me to his favorite L.A. bakery. He knows things now! I absolutely love where he took me. It was hot and humid outside. The sun was really burning. We parked, then walked along West Third Street, three blocks east of the Beverly Center to find a fresh, cool, old-fashioned oasis.

Magnolia Bakery is not a new discovery for many people. It first opened it’s doors almost twenty years ago in New York’s West Village, and in the last eight years has opened in another six locations across New York, and Chicago, plus the L.A. store, and fourteen overseas.

Credited with starting the nineties cupcake craze, the dessert haven has been featured on “Sex and the City” as well as the film “The Devil Wears Prada.”

It’s a special place to go to avoid the heat and hustle of Los Angeles’ busy Westside. The old P & O style art deco building has kept or been refurbished with all of the right fixtures and fittings. It’s cool mint walls and wonderfully worn black and white painted wood floors takes you someplace else. It’s pretty, and gentle and time slows down when you’re there.

My son loves their Banana Pudding. He had just had braces fitted and was feeling uncomfortable and a bit unhappy. Magnolia Bakery and it’s Banana Pudding were just what he needed. This is where you’ll find me next time I need to head to the Westside!