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

Sunday Funday included a trip to Manhattan Beach Creamery, one of my all time favorite ice cream shops. Located in the heart of Manhattan Beach, you can't go wrong with anything you get here. If you've never had a cream'wich ($4) before, make that your first treat! It's two of the creamery's signature cookies (I like the chocolate chip) stuffed with artisan (small batch) ice cream. My next favorite is the frozen banana.($3.50) I always thought that Disneyland had the best frozen bananas until I had one at MBC. The dark chocolate is so thick and creamy, and it just melts in your mouth. The banana is frozen, but not to the point where it breaks your teeth and you need extensive dental work. It's sheer perfection on a stick! Twenty-eight ice cream flavors are showcased daily and are available in both cups ($3.50-$5.95) and cones (waffle $.75/chocolate $.75), pints ($5.99) , and quarts ($9.99). Choose from such lovelies as Bananas Foster, Sticky Bun Crunch, and Maple Bacon Crunch to traditionals vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, and be sure to ask about the six rotating flavors. If it's bakery goods you're looking for, you're in the right place! Cupcakes and cookies are handcrafted. Try the Glitz & Glamour ($3.50) if you like a simple vanilla bean cake with vanilla bean frosting) or a Caramel Apple cupcake ($3.50) for something more complex. Petite cupcakes are $1.25. French macaroons come in a gorgeous array of colors and are $1.50 each or $15 per dozen. Candy is nostalgic here and there's plenty of it. Grab a lollipop or a bag of Swedish fish to complete your sugar high! Manhattan Beach Creamery 1120 Manhattan Beach Avenue, Manhattan Beach (310) 372-1155 Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri & Sat: 10 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Recommended: Frozen Bananas, Cream'wich with chocolate chip cookies, Glamour & Glitz cupcake, ice cream.

Every once in a while we discover hidden gems, and because we're nice, we decide to share them! Quenelle, in Burbank is one of these treasures, and we're going to share it. This tiny artisanal ice cream store may be cash only, but don't let that stop you from making the trek to try some of the finest ice cream we've tried! Service is friendly and quick and you'll go ape over the magnificent flavors. Two scoops (a small) is $3.50/$5.50 for large, but you can ask for one scoop for a buck seventy-five. Ice cream bars and popsicles are also available if you're not in the mood for a scoop. Flavors that stand out are Strawberry Shortcake, Vanilla Marscapone, Coffee, Black Sesame, Blueberry Pie, Cookies and Creme Fraiche, and Basil Chocolate Chip! Ice cream on a stick ($3) choices  include a Thin Mint bar (which tastes just like the real thing), a Hibiscus Watermelon pop, and a Peach Arnold Palmer pop, plus an ever changing menu of others. Don't forget the ice cream toppings either. At $1, the graham cracker streusel wins the Blue Ribbon in my book. It's rich buttery, crunchy taste perfectly complements any of the ice cream flavors.Pastries are wonderfu too and start at $2.50. Try the Palm Sugar Blondie ($2.75) for something unique! Quenelle 2214 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank (818) 843-1035 Hours: Sun/Mon: closed Tues-Thurs: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

 Recommended: Bars, pops, baked goods, ice cream (flavors change frequently) tasting recommended.

Any place that's been around since 1924 and that was good enough for my grandparents and great grandparents is a superstar to me! I've been enjoying chocolate and caramel goodness from Littlejohn's in the Farmer's Market since I was about three years old. While most people love the world famous English Toffee (butter crunch covered with milk chocolate and topped with fresh roasted almonds $23.95/lb.), my favorite candy is the dark chocolate honeycomb. ($22.95/lb.) My dad, the dentist, and I have shared this obsession for decades. This candy boasts a light, airy crunch, a molasses flavor, if you will, covered in dark (milk is also available) chocolate. Sometimes honeycomb is referred to as "seafoam," but not in this household, ever! This candy literally melts in your mouth. Chocolate Covered Caramels ($23.95 lb.) come in plain vanilla covered with either milk or dark chocolate. We love the milk chocolate with caramel for this treat. You can't say I didn't warn you about Marshmallow Delights! ($ 11.48 for 1/2 lb.) These babies are available in Vanilla Caramel, Salted Vanilla Caramel, or Chocolate Caramel. Stick with vanilla. Finally, Classic Caramel Squares ($19.95) are the best caramels in the city. The pure buttery taste alone will drive you to eating half the box before you get it home! If it's high quality confections you're after Littlejohn's is where you'll find it.  Each batch of candy is hand made using only top notch fresh ingredients. The price tag may be high, but the taste is sweet! Littlejohn's Candy 6333 W. 3rd Street In the orld Famous Farmer's Market Stall 432 Los Angeles (323) 936-5379. Hours: M-F: 9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. Sat: 9:00-8:00 p.m., Sun: 9:30 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Recommended: Dark Chocolate Honeycomb, Caramels, Chocolate Covered Caramels, Marshmallows. 

So what's the story, morning glory? Who doesn't love a crunchy buttery brittle? Available in 9 different flavors, Morning Glory has something for everyone! The classic Fleu de Sel & Peanut Brittle is my all time favorite but don't let that stop you from trying more exotic flavors like Indian Curry or Pistachio. Other exotic flavors include Chai Tea & Cashew, Cocoa Nib, Coffee Bean & Pecan, New Mexico Chili & Pumpkin Seed, Thai Curry & Peanut, Chocolate Alderwood Smoked Salt & Peanut, Chocolate, Bourbon, & Pecan, Chocolate, and Herbes de Provence & Almond. The crunchy, buttery brittle, created by former private chef Max Lesser, in 2008, is sure to make you smile!  A 2oz bag of Fleu De Sel & Peanut Brittle will set you back $5 while a 5oz bag is $10. I'm telling you, that French sea salt makes one helluva difference. You can buy it online at www.morninggloryconfections.com or at Clementine in Westwood, the Cheese Store of Silver Lake, Farm Shop in Santa Monica, or Wally's in West LA.

I've loved the Santa Monica Pier, especially Playland forever and ever. My husband said that maybe, just maybe, if I'm on my deathbed, he will go with me and let me play the games that cost between $3 and $5 a pop so that I might win one of those hideous stuffed animals. Sorry I'm not sorry, but I still get a thrill out of winning that crap and beating a 5 year-old or two at the water shooting game. Anyway, my mom and I finished a late lunch at The Lobster today, and my mom, unlike some people I know, voluntarily walked to the pier with me. I didn't play any games, but you can bet I cheered on those kids who came in first! We took a little stroll into the carousel, which is another one of my lame obsessions. Because The Lobster does not do it for me in the dessert department, I suggested that we have something sweet while we watched the carousel go round and round. My mom said that maybe I should just ride on it if I was that crazy about it, but I opted for an ice cream sundae from Soda Jerk instead. This is a really unique old style soda fountain offering ice cream, floats, splits,  freezes, and shakes. And no, you don't have to be a "jerk" to work there, for all of you wiseacres. In the "olden days" guys who made sodas in "malt" shops pulled down a lever on the soda machine and it made a "jerking" action, hence the name. Owner Kevin Mc Cafferty followed his grandfather's footsteps when he opened this place in 2010 and buisness has been booming ever since. Soda Jerk features Fosselman's ice cream which is handmade, delicious, and rich. Try one of the fabulous Santa Monica Pier Sundaes like the Toboggan Carousel ($5.75) with one scoop of stellar vanilla topped with hot fudge and one scoop of chocolate topped with caramel. For little ones the Munchkin ($2.95) is perfect. It's one kid's scoop of your favorite flavor, one topping, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. It's just the right amount for a kid (and for some adults.) The Route 66 Banana Split ($7.95) is to die for! One scoop of chocolate ice cream is topped with marshmallow, one scoop of strawberry's topped with strawberry sauce, and one scoop of vanilla's topped with pineapple sauce and served in a split boat. Prices are pretty reasonable for the taste and quality of the ice cream. Hand-Scooped Shakes ($5.75), Two Cents Plain (two cents), and real Egg Creams ($2.50-$3.50) are also available. Enjoy, enjoy, it's probably the cheapest thing on the pier and remember the Soda Jerk motto, "life is uncertain, eat dessert first!" Soda Jerks Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Mon/Wed/Thu 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Fri-Sun 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Recommended: Sundaes