Candy Is Dandy...But so Is Ice Cream!

Who doesn't love a good caramel? Hand-crafted by artisan caramel makers in Montana, Bequet caramels are one of the best I've had. They are certified gluten-free and made in small batches. Founded in 2001 by Robin Bequet, these caramels have won 7 national food aswards! Caramels come in 12 different varieties. My two favorites are the Soft Vanilla Butter and the Chewy Vanilla Butter. Celtic Sea Salt is not far behind. Chocolate Butterscotch, Chipotle, and Cinnamon Swirl are great too! These caramels are melt-in-your-mouth good. A 24oz bag will run you $26.75 but start out small with a 4oz gift bag for $6.50 (10 caramels). I promise, you will thank me! Bequet Caramel available at bequetconfections.com or at gourmet grocers. For more store locations call 877-423-7838. 

Do better ingredients equal better candy? They do at A Real Treat. I love Main Street and all of the new stores that pop up. A Real Treat is about six months old and features pure candy. Many of the candies here are for the allergy sensitive, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and lover of natural sweets. Much of the candy is free of corn syrup, dye, and produced in dedicated facilities free of nuts and allergens. Candies get their colorful look from fruit and vegetable extracts as well as some spices. The store is not, however a 100% allergen-free environment. All allergen-free products are labeled, so it's easy to find something for everyone. The old fashioned caramels ($41.99 for 50) are the most amazing carmels I've tasted. They are buttery, creamy, sweet and salty. My favorite is the Butterscotch Sea Salt. Caramel Chocolate Swirls ($8.99/8 oz.) are a yummy swirl of chocolate added to chewy caramels that are gluten free, soy free, kosher, and non-GMO. They are also mouth-wateringly delicious. A Real Treat Candy Boutique 2724 Main Street, Santa Monica (424) 272-5416 Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.  

Recommended: Caramels

Sugar high, sugar rush, sugar fix. Hmmm? Which one do I like best? Well, when I do my 3 and a half mile (each way) walk from the Marina to Santa Monica and back, I think I'll have to go with number two, the rush. From my house I walk down Washington Blvd. to the Venice Boardwalk. Once I get there I can't help but look into the brightly colored windows of It's Sugar, the Boardwalk's only immaculately clean authentic candy store. Right now it's decorated for Easter and bunnies abound. Though I don't celebrate, I've often had the urge to bite off a chocolate ear or two. If you say you haven't, I'm not sure I'll believe you. Anyway, here's a little about the retailer...with over 70 stores including hot spots Las Vegas, New York, Palm Beach, and London, It's Sugar is a trendy sweet shop that sells super-sized candy, candy gifts and novelty items. There is also lots of fun memoribilia. I can't pass by with out getting a bag full of the cherry fruit sours ($14.99 lb). My daughter is a big fan of the strawberry sour belts ($14.99 lb). If you are craving old fashioned candy bars like Vanilla Turkish Taffy ($1.99) or a Sky Bar ($1.99), here's where you'll find them. Right beside them you can take your pick from Chunky, Charleston Chew Bars, Chuckles, Clark Bars, Oh, Henry! and Abba Zaba (Have dentist on stand-by for Abba Zaba). Walk on over to the bulk candy and stock up on everything from hard candy to any chocolate delight you can imagine. If you're like me you can buy a giant Kit Kat ($19.99) or a one pound Snickers Bar ($19.99) and eat it all by yourself. It's Sugar 2017 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. (310) 822-7640 and  1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica (310) 393-2051. 

Sugar high, sugar rush, sugar fix. Hmmm? Which one do I like best? Well, when I do my 3 and a half mile (each way) walk from the Marina to Santa Monica and back, I think I'll have to go with number two, the rush. From my house I walk down Washington Blvd. to the Venice Boardwalk. Once I get there I can't help but look into the brightly colored windows of It's Sugar, the Boardwalk's only immaculately clean authentic candy store. Right now it's decorated for Easter and bunnies abound. Though I don't celebrate, I've often had the urge to bite off a chocolate ear or two. If you say you haven't, I'm not sure I'll believe you. Anyway, here's a little about the retailer...with over 70 stores including hot spots Las Vegas, New York, Palm Beach, and London, It's Sugar is a trendy sweet shop that sells super-sized candy, candy gifts and novelty items. There is also lots of fun memoribilia. I can't pass by with out getting a bag full of the cherry fruit sours ($14.99 lb). My daughter is a big fan of the strawberry sour belts ($14.99 lb). If you are craving old fashioned candy bars like Vanilla Turkish Taffy ($1.99) or a Sky Bar ($1.99), here's where you'll find them. Right beside them you can take your pick from Chunky, Charleston Chew Bars, Chuckles, Clark Bars, Oh, Henry! and Abba Zaba (Have dentist on stand-by for Abba Zaba). Walk on over to the bulk candy and stock up on everything from hard candy to any chocolate delight you can imagine. If you're like me you can buy a giant Kit Kat ($19.99) or a one pound Snickers Bar ($19.99) and eat it all by yourself. It's Sugar 2017 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. (310) 822-7640 and  1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica (310) 393-2051. 

Once you step into the magical world of Farmer's Market at 3rd and Fairfax, it's hard to step out. I'm offering you a reason, right here...Carmela Ice Cream! Carmela got its start selling ice cream at local farmers markets way back in 2007 and continues to use market- fresh produce and organic dairy in its small batch artisan ice cream shop right on 3rd Street. Seasonal flavors include Rose Petal, Earl Grey Tea, Strawberry Buttermilk, Cucumber Sorbet, Raspberry Rose Sorbet, Peaches 'N' Cream, Lemon Verbena Vanilla Bean, Intelligentsia Espresso, and Blackberry Vanilla Bean Sorbet. Signature flavors such as Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate Cacao Nib, Lavender Honey and Mint Cacao Nib are always available. But the flavor that takes my breath away is the signature Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean!  ($3.75). Just one scoop of this sweet, creamy, rich, perfect confection sends me over the moon! The store itself is tiny, with a French country theme. Ice cream comes in a small cup, waffle cup, or waffle cone. Gorgeous scalloped edged cookies encase ice cream to make sandwiches ($5) or are sold separately. Try everything, but you'll never get the Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean off your mind! Carmela Ice Cream 7920 West 3rd Street Beverly Grove (323) 944-0232. Hours: Sun-Thurs: 12:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 12:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m.

Recommended: Brown Sugar Vanilla