"Named after a sweet custard-filled pastry, Cream Pan is a French/Japanese bakery that understands the power of whipped dairy. The long glass cases inside their massive Lomita bakeshop are lined with things like melon buns, custard cups, and shortcakes covered in homemade icing. No trip here is complete with one of their strawberry croissants, too—it tastes like a cross between puff pastry and profiterole, with sweet cream and strawberry slices oozing from flaky dough. Cream Pan also carries house-baked milk bread wrapped and ready to go, plus there’s a solid cafe menu with everything from onigiri to curry buns to egg sandwiches. We’re partial to the pork katsu plate—it usually takes about 15 mins to fry up an order, but the tender, golden-brown cutlet is worth every second. " - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore