Pillsbury Doesn't Do it Best

We cannot ever make a trip to Santa Barbara without a stop at Recipies. Since we discovered it a few months ago, I have become obsessed with the freshly baked goods and the lovely owner, Meichelle Arntz. She always takes time to chat with us and takes pride in every item in her store. This is one business owner who puts 110 % into her products. Step into this Hansel and Gretel-like 100 year-old house and you'll find the smells simply irresistible Make sure to try a "hot out of the oven" Cinnamon Roll" ($3.50) which only gets baked after you order it. The 10 minute wait is worth it! Topped with a powdered sugar glaze, it melts in your mouth. Cookies ($2.50/$3) are outstanding. We wish we had these in our lunch boxes every day. We love the Chocolate Chip, and Oatmeal Butterscotch. Gluten-free varieties are available too. Quick Breads ($3/slice or available by mini $7/large $15)) in flavors like Pumpkin or Banana are yummy and make the perfect afternoon snack. Our favorite treat is the scones.($3.50) All of them! The Lemon are bursting with flavor. Blueberry are filled with fresh fruit and Bacon Cheddar with chunks of bacon. Try them with fresh cream and jam, or butter for an explosion in your mouth! Muffins ($3.50) are moist with a great homemade taste. Pies ($4.50/slice or $27 for a whole pie) come in delicious flavors like Lemon Meringue, Coconut Cream, and Apple. Don't forget to try the coffee drinks either! We usually have a Short Macchiato ($3) or a hot tea ($3). Gift baskets are gorgeous and so are the unique items sold in the gift shop. Recipes Organic Bakery, 604 Santa Barbara Street. Santa Barbara. (805) 965-3335. Open Tuesday-Friday 7:30 am- 3 pm, Saturday 7:30 am- 2 pm 

Sinners & Saints is such a cute little bakery. The treats are so small that you don't even feel that guilty for eating two or three of them. Okay, maybe four or five. Okay, I couln't help myself. They give you samples and they are so nice! Don't go on Monday because they are closed. Hours are M-W from 12-6 and Th-Su from 12-8. Go early to make sure to get what you want! Everything is super fresh and made daily. Try the sampling of Petit Bites ($5) for 4. The Mini Chocolate Cupcakes, Lemon Tarts, Chocolate Caramel Tarts, and gluten-free brownies are delish! For you sinners, the Chocolate Eclairs, Berry Cream Puffs, and Chocolate Peanut Marshmallow Caramel Pies are fantastic. What's more, they're mini! Other favorite sinners are Brown Butter Financier Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Chocolate Cake. Saints will love Honey Raspberry Financier Cakes, Lemon Poppyseed Biscotti, and Fresh Fruit Tarts. Sinners & Saints Desserts 2547 Lincoln Blvd. Venice. (310) 970-2332.

Who doesn't love an urban bakery right in the middle of bustling La Brea Avenue? The Sycamore Kitchen is the brainchild of Hatfield's owners Karen and Quinn Hatfield. The bakery side boasts luscious goods such as breads and pastries while the savory side offers sandwiches, salads, and soup. Decor is modern industrial and the patio is inviting. Enjoy Stumptown coffee ($3 .50) or a Stumptown Cold-brewed Bottled Coffee ($4.50) while you wait for your food. Don't leave without trying the Buttercup ($3) a morning pastry (similar to a croissant, but more buttery!),  the Salted Caramel Pecan Caramel Babka Roll ($4) which is the most popular bakery item, Oatmeal Brown Butter Scone ($3), Old Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake ($2) and the Flourless Chocolate Brownie ($4). Onto the savory! The roasted turkey ($11), cherry mostarda (cherry/mustard preserves), camembert, arugula, and mayo on country white bread is one of our favorite sandwiches. All poultry is free-range, hormone, and anti-biotic free. We also have to admit that we can't pass up the Double B-LTA. ($11.75) Crispy and braised pork belly, butter lettuce, balsamic tomatoes, avocado, and mayo are sandwiched between two slices of thick country white bread. This sandwich is not for the faint-hearted. It's very different, but delicious all the same. Toasts ($9-$11) are thin, crispy open-faced sandwiches served with mixed greens and range from chicken salad to salmon. Salads include the Sycamore Caesar ($10.75) plus $3 for chicken, Mediterranean Chicken ($12), Chinois ($12), and a Farmhouse Chop ($10.75). Salads are not traditional. Caesar has marinated fennel and a parmesan vinaigrette. Mediterranean plays host to dates and hazelnuts. Chinois mixes apples and puffed rice while the Farmhouse Chop marries fingerling potatoes and grapefruit. Sit outside enjoy the people watching. Don't forget to stop into Steven Alan and pick up a great shirt after lunch or brunch! The Sycamore Kitchen 143 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 939-0151

Recommended Dishes: Double B-LTA, Roasted Turkey, Salads, Baked Goods.

I love all things New York. I love the dirty subway, I love the crowded streets, I love New Yorkers, and of course, the bakeries. So yes, I was thrilled when Magnolia opened on 3rd and Orlando. Now I can feed my cupcake craving without making a trip to the Big Apple! Walk into this charming shop and you'll feel like you're in a scene  straight out a storybook. Gorgeous cakes, cupcakes, and cookies line the glass cases and shelves. Pace yourself, because it's hard to say no here. We love the Classic cupcakes ($3.25). The Vanilla is our favorite with its rich, buttery taste and vanilla buttercream icing. It comes in a variety of beautiful pastel-colored icings, perfect for a party, with hand-colored pastel sprinkles. The classic dark chocolate cupcake is very moist and velvety and is available with chocolate or vanilla buttercream. Specialty cupcakes ($3.50) vary in flavor from traditional Red Velvet with whipped vanilla or cream cheese icing  to Caramel meringue buttercream with caramel drizzle. When we're feeling especially sugar deprived, we get a serving of the World Famous Banana Pudding ($5) Layers and layers of vanilla wafers, fresh bananas, and creamy vanilla pudding make the creamiest, crunchiest dessert that you will devour then want to take home. And you can! For $35 you can serve it to 10 of your closest friends in the privacy of your own kitchen! For your birthday, or just because, have a slice ($4.50) or a whole cake (prices vary $36 and up). Cakes come in about 14 different flavors including classic chocolate and vanilla, in two or three layers, decorated or undecorated. You won't find desserts like the Classic Icebox Cake ($5) just anywhere. Homemade chocolate wafers are layered with fresh whipped sweet cream. Cookies ($1) are chewy and taste just like the ones mom baked. We adore the Cracked Sugar, Brown Sugar, and Chocolate Chunk. If Magnolia Bakery doesn't bring you back to your childhood I don't know what will! Magnolia Bakery 8389 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles. (323) 951-0636.

Recommended Dishes: Classic Vanilla Cupcake, Classic Icebox Cake, Cracked Sugar Cookie, Vanilla Birthday Cake, Chocolate Birthday Cake, Banana Pudding.

Santa Barbara is our second home and we get there at least once or twice a month. Time after time we have bought baked goods at Renaud's but have only dined here a handful of times. It's a good thing that there is a lot of walking to be done near the Downtown location because we want to order the whole menu. Be prepared, be very prepared to buy everything in sight. French pasteries are absolutely works of art. Chef Renaud Gonthier, executive pastry chef at Renaud's, has over 20 years of experience creating magic in the kitchen. Almond Croissants ($3.30) are sweet, crunchy, flaky, and buttery, all at the same time. I am more of a butter ($2.25) or chocolate ($2.80) croissant lover. These are equally devine. Macaroons ($1.75) look like jewels in the glass case. It's hard to make a decision about which of the eleven choices to try. I try to take home a few each time. Favorites include vanilla, caramel sea salt, raspberry, coffee, chocolate, and passion fruit. Bring some to your next dinner party and you'll definitely be the hit of the evening. ($17.50 for 10 beautifully wrapped gems). For breakfast try Renaud's 100% organic coffee. Have a Cafe au Lait, Latte, or Macchiato for a special treat. The European Breakfast ($8) is a light way to start your day. A toasted baguette, croissant and fresh homemade jam and butter are served with a choice of coffee or tea. French Toast ($8.75) is made with fresh homemade brioche bread served with maple syrup, homemade jam and butter. Eggs are tasty too. All eggs are cage-free and grain fed. Egg dishes are served with a side of organic greens, fruit salad, or potatoes. The Fried Egg Sandwich ($10) is outstanding with sauteed mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, and swiss, on homemade pain de mie (loaf bread). The Three Egg Omelet ($11.50) comes with a choice of four fillings. Aged Gruyere, fresh spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes is our top choice. Served with a choice of toast, this dish is filling and delicious. Lunch is my favorite time at Renaud's. The Beef Sandwich ($11.50) is so mouth-watering that you might go back for another one. Tri-tip is seared with garlic, parsley, and shallots then topped with melted aged Gruyere and served on a homemade soft roll. I don't think  this sandwich could ever be duplicated. Quiche Lorraine ($9) is filled with ham and swiss and is another show-stopper. On my list for my next visit: Raclette Cheese Tartine. ($11) If you've never had a Raclette sandwich before, you have really missed out. Melted Raclette cheese is served over buttery Yukon potatoes, caramelized onions, and bacon. Enjoy it all on some fresh multi-grain toast. All sandwiches are served with a side of organic mixed greens with Dijon mustard dressing. Wow...that's all I have to say, Wow! Renaud's Patisserie & Bakery Downtown 1324 State Street Suite N (Arlington Plaza) Santa Barbara. (805) 892-2800 and Uptown at 3315 State Street (Loreno Plaza), (805) 569-2400 Breakfast 7 a.m.-11 a.m, Lunch 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Recommended Dishes: Macaroons, croissants, French Toast, Beef Sandwich.