Heidi G.
Yelp
Gather at my knee, children, so that I may tell you of the great deeds performed and floral intoxicating cakes devised and obstacles vanquished by Kim and her wonderful staff at K bakery. Brace yourselves, this really happened...!
Three or four years ago my husband and I were in the palisades on a visit and stopped in at this odd little bakery on Sunset to get some food. In the cooler was a single slice of lavender cake. Lavender frosting, intensely vanilla cake infused with lavender, more lavender frosting between the layers. Lavender!!! Of course I claimed it for my own and was gobsmacked. Maybe the most delicious cake I'd ever eaten. I vowed that I would have more!
Three or four years pass without that happening. (Life, eh? Oh Fortuna, you capricious minx!)
A week ago, we returned, but alas, the odd little bakery was gone. Or was it? No it wasn't! We were told that it had moved. After researching by address, I found K bakery and called to ask if they still made that unbelievable lavender cake. Katherine, who took the call, went to go ask Kim herself about it, because she "thought she remembered it." I grew apprehensive.
Turns out they haven't made lavender cake for a few years (uh-oh...) but Kim remembered that they had experimented with several different recipes (they had??), and that while the chef who had specialized in lavender cake had left for the day (what??), she was going to contact this chef (whaaaat????) and together they would go through all the old discontinued recipes (??!!??whaaaaaat???!!) and try to find my cake.
Which they would then make for me.
When did I want to pick it up?
Yes, that happened. But wait. It gets better.
Next day, I get two voicemails from Kim herself. She has found several lavender cake recipes and wants me to call her and describe to her the cake I had so that she can get it juuuust right. I did not get back to her until after 5:00... but she answered anyway. And we talked about cake. She wanted to know exactly what I liked: almond or vanilla? Frosting on the whole cake or just part? Did I want writing? And yes, absolutely they could still make the cake for me.
Well.... I could tell you about the breakfast my husband and I decided to stay for (not cheap but so very worth it) when we walked into K Bakery. I could tell you about the enormous ottoman-sized lavender buttercream work of art we saw being hoisted into a box for us. I could tell you all that, but instead, I will post some pictures. Behold the gloriousness.
Re the cake itself: no words. Just... no words. The whole thing, buttercream frosting and vanilla based cake, is infused with heavenly delicious aromatic lavender. There are tiny lavender bud bits throughout. And the final bit of genius: threads of candied lemon zest on top. Not orange, as most people would do, but lemon. It is just too-too. This is a very rich cake, lots of body, and I cut myself a slice that was really much too large. And then I finished said slice. I apologize for nothing. In fact I'm going to go do it again once I finish this review.
Kim, you're a goddess and please bring back this world-conquering cake. (My husband suggested doing it in cupcake form, but me, I like layers. Can cupcakes have layers?) Readers, you must try it. Let's all beseech Kim to bring back her lavender cake so we can share the experience.
Oh, one other thing. As we left, Kim and the entire staff were racing around loading up a car trunk with pastries. They had a big event that they had been baking for. And they STILL hunted for a discontinued recipe and made me my cake!
Kim has got our business for as long as she chooses to make food. And if she decides to retire, we intend to hang around her kitchen and bug her about it until she makes food again.
So um, yeah, would recommend.