These Bakeries Let You Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too

Cookies and cakes and breads ... oh my.

In this weather, there's nothing like something fresh from the oven to warm your insides. Don't like to bake? No problem. 

Here are the top five bakeries in Brentwood.

, 11625 Barrington Ct, 310-471-6855
Hours: Mon - Fri, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sat, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Parking: Meters, Validated in the Brentwood Village lot during the day.
Most popular: Everyone likes everything, especially "the apple, apricot and lemon tarts, and everything chocoalte," said baker John Tran, who gave me a sample of the double chocolate eclair and a cup of coffee to go with it. Yum!
Insider favorites: Manager Charlie Huynh loves the ham and cheese croissant. "When it comes out of the oven, it melts in your mouth," he added.
What makes Belwood special: Loyal customers and outstanding customer service. Everything is baked fresh daily.
Plus: Family owned, and the service and the baked goods are consistent. Nothing has changed since 1995.

, 11708 San Vicente Blvd, 310-442-2253     
Hours: Mon - Sat, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Parking: Free lot in the back.
Most popular: Susie Cake's signature frosting filled cupcakes: chocolate, vanilla, mocha, peanut butter and red velvet are just some of the flavors.
Insider favorites: General manager Holly Gunderson loves the fluffy coconut frosting filled cupcakes.
What makes Susie Cakes special: Most of their desserts remind people of their childhood. Susie Cakes only uses ingredients you would find in your own home ... or in your mom or grandma's kitchen.
Plus: The store has all the extras you would need for a party: invitations, candles, decorations and more.

, at , 12027 San Vicente Blvd, 310-476-3200
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Parking: Free lot.
Most popular: The Alligator (pecan pastry) is their signature item, but the cookies, strudel, torts, chocolate Parisian cake, chocolate fudge cake and challah are also beloved.
Insider favorites: "I love the chocolate," said Giuliana Romano, who manages both the Brentwood and Paicifc Palisades locations. "chocolate chip muffins, chocolate chip croissants, chocolate chip t-ring with chocolate shavings on top."
What makes Viktor Benes special: The product is very, very good. Everything is fresh, nothing is frozen, and they do not use anything artificial.
Plus: Viktor Benes Bakery has been in business for more than 50 years, and has been at Vicente Foods since their doors opened.

Farm Shop, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St 310-566-2400
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Parking: Free lot.
Most popular: The butter croissant: It's crispy and tender.
Insider favorites: The most popular item is also pastry chef Brittainy Turnquist's favorite: the butter croissant.
What makes Farm Shop special: According to restaurant director Michel Darmon, the pasteries are "delightful to the eye and delightful to the palate."
Plus: Breakfast is available 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The bakery is open all day.

, 2 Brentwood Locations:

13050 San Vicente Blvd, 310-393-8909     
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Parking: In the lot under the building.

11702 Barrington Ave, 310-476-0969
Hours: Daily, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Parking: Meters, validated in the lot during the day.
 
Most popular: The name means Daily Bread—their breads are the foundation of the restaurants.
Insider favorites: Riley Sanders, assistant manager of the Brentwood Village location, recommended the Belgum brownie, made with dark chocolate.
What makes Le Pain Quotidien special: A European rustic atmosphere and high quality, organic ingredients. Focus on conviviality: establishing and maintaining relationships with "guests" (regulars customers) who come in on a daily basis.
Plus: Owner Alain Coumont has restaurants in 18 different countries—the 12 locations in Los Angeles share a central bakery. Coumont stops by each location at least once/year.