Semi Sweet Bakery and Take A Bao Open For Biz

1) Downtown: After months and months of construction, pastry chef Sharlena Fong and partner Dennis Hunter opened Semi Sweet Bakery on October 25 in the Santa Fe Lofts near 6th and Main. Unfortunately, the bakery is closed today so don't head over there right now, but pop by tomorrow through Sunday from 8AM-3PM (later hours to come). Fong, perhaps best known as the mastermind behind Nickel Diner's popular maple bacon donut, serves a bevy of more interesting and whimsical sweet and savory baked goods that sound like Prosciutto Goat Cheese Danishes, Red Velvet Ding-a-Lings, Maple Glaze Bacon Sticky Buns, and Samoa Macarons. Coffee comes by way of local roaster New Frontier. Here is the first early bird review, so far looks promising. 105 E. 6th Street

[Photo: R.E. ~]

2) Studio City: As expected, Take A Bao on Ventura opened today at 11AM. This is the second, more developed branch of the three year old Westfield Century City mall concept which focuses on the bao, a (usually) steamed bun stuffed with assorted fillings. However, there are other Asian-y salads, rice bowls, noodles, and soups on the affordable menu, and actually this new location offers an even broader selection plus beer, wine, and liquor. Who wants a Wet Cucumber (Hendrick’s Gin, cucumber, fresh lime juice, mint)? 11838 Ventura Boulevard