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

Now I'm not gonna lie, this is probably the most expensive gelaterie in Los Angeles, but it's Malibu folks, so expect it. Grom gelato starts with the best raw materials from around the world. All gelato is 100% natural with no thickening agents added. Expect peaches from Mura Mura, coffee from Guatemala, and hazelnuts from the Langhe region of Piedmont. Yeah, that's why it's so expensive. Due to the lack of thickening agents, this gelato melts faster than most, so eat it quickly! Vanilla is possibly one of the richest we have tasted and easily one of the best! Dark Chocolate is also good, but a little too sweet, even for me. Milk and Mint definitely has a minty kick to it. Try the sorbets for a very different taste. The Pear is outstanding and tastes like you are eating a piece of fresh fruit. Mango is refreshing too and is one of the seasonal sorbets, so get it while you can!. Top your frozen treat off with some Panna montata (whipped cream $1)-it's insanely good! Flavors change monthly. April flavors include favorites such as Caramel and Almonds, Pistacchio, and Tiramis. Prices start at $5.25 for a small cup, $6.25 for a medium. Grom 3886 Cross Creek Road Malibu (310) 456-9797 Hours: M-Sun 11 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.

Recommended: Gelato, sorbet, hot chocolate drinks.

It's not that often that my beautiful sister and niece come to visit and that all of us plus my mom actually get to sit down to lunch together. Today after said relaxing lakeside lunch, we stopped at Tifa for a gelato. If you haven't been to Tifa before, just know, that this is five star gelato, ($3.50 up) and I'm warning you now; it's addicting. You'll be able to tell that every flavor is made with quality, passion, and love. My favorite is the Dark Chocolate Gelato, followed by  Grapefruit, Peanut Butter and Pretzel, Vanilla, Cookie Butter, and Stracciatella. Everything in between is fabulous as well, and flavors do change. What's more, the staff is incredibly friendly and will let you taste to your heart's content. Grab a table and sit down to enjoy your tasty treat. Drinking chocolate is not hot chocolate, but instead a thick and sweet hot liquid that flows soothingly down your throat. Gourmet chocolates are exquisite and make great gifts!  All baked goods by Candace are fantastic. We had the chocolate brownie ($3) today. All of us agree, that this is one of the best brownies we have eaten in a very long time!  Amongst us were an expert baker, wine sommelier, dessert lover, and me, the blogger; who under the best circumstances, are a tough crowd to please. Tifa Chocolate 28888 Roadside Drive (Whizin Market Square) Agoura Hills. (818) 879-0685. Hours: Mon: 10am-7pm, Tue., Wed., Thur.: 10am-10pm, Fri.-Sat: 10am-Midnight, Sun: 10am-10pm.

Recommended Dishes: Gelato, Baked Goods, Drinking Chocolate, Handmade Chocolates.

I'm pretty sure by now everyone is aware  that I am obsessed with finding the  perfect frozen custard. Freddy's is great, Short Order is awesome, but Rita's in Santa Monica takes custard to a whole new level. An east coast franchise, Rita's began it's successful run in the early 1980's in Philly by serving Italian fruit ices. Since then Rita's has expanded its menu and serves up some of the best custard west of the Jersey Shore.  Sure, you can still get the original "water ices" (soft ice with real fresh fruit like cherry and mango) in traditional red and white striped Rita's cups. Try the blueberry or passion fruit, watermelon, Swedish fish, or rootbeer for a nice change. ($3.50) Vanilla and chocolate custards are thick and smooth, rich and creamy. ($3.50). Gelati ($4.75) are yummy layers of Italian ice and custard. Pick your favorite flavors for a delicious frozen treat. For a Blendini  ($5.25), you'll get Italian ice custard, and candy or cookie bits. Try a Misto Shake that includes custard and your favorite Italian ice. You can custom blend it to your heart's desire. Indulge in a waffle cone sundae too! Come on; you know you want to! There are three tiny tables inside, but we always take a stroll down Main Street. It's a chance to work off the calories while you're still consuming them. Rita's Italian Ice 2307 Main Street, Santa Monica. (310) 450-5042 

Recommended Dishes: Blendini, Misto Shake, Vanilla Custard. 

Oprah and Martha Stewart love Sugarfina and you will too! Co-founders, and real-life sweethearts Rosie O'Neill and Josh Resnick have found sweet bliss in this Beverly Hills confectionary. With over 150 sweet treats from all over the world, this gorgeous shop is home to all kinds of sweets from Parisian hard candy to Belgian chocolates, and everything in between. Sugarfina definitely caters to the adult sweet tooth. Champagne Gummy Bears, Martini Olive Almonds, and Single Malt Scotch Cordials are just a few of the candy cocktail combinations that comprise the  8 oz Cocktail Hour Tasting Box ($25). Each piece of candy is individually wrapped and labeled and each box includes a tasting menu! We also love the Will You Be My Bridesmaid? box ($25). A bride-to-be gives these to her bridesmaids to ask them to be in her wedding party. These boxes include Champagne Bears, Champagne Bubbles, and Sugarfina Pearls (our favorites). The Love Bites box ($25) is a great gift for Valentine's Day. Swedish Fish, Gummy Piglets, and Apple Frogs definitely say "I love you!" Try and resist Tahitian Vanilla Caramels. ($7 for 2.95 oz). Fresh dairy cream, sugar, and a drop of artisan honey are coated in fine dark chocolate then dipped in white chocolate that's been infused with Tahitian vanilla bean. The small acrylic cubes make cute gifts. Sugarfina's top seller is the Dark Chocolate Mint Chip Malt Ball. ($7 for 2.3 oz). After you sample one, you'll know why. Malt centers are rolled in dark chocolate and mint cookie crumbs. The 5 pound box will be calling your name! Samples abound here, so don't be shy. Be sure to get your gorgeous gifts wrapped because this place is the Tiffany of candy shops! Sugarfina Beverly Hills 9495 Santa Monica Blvd. Beverly Hills. 855-SUGARFINA

Recommended Selections: Dark Chocolate Mint Chip Malt Balls, Sugarfina Pearls, Tahitian Vanilla Caramels, Champagne Bears, Cocktail Hour Tasting Box.