California: Brentwood Country Mart
One of the gems of Santa Monica is the Brentwood Country Mart. Its a collection of shops, most are specialty and local in nature, with an upscale farmer’s market vibe. We first visited the Farm Shop, a restaurant slash artisan market with a fabulous bakery making a plethora of delicious pastries and baked goods. I tried a number of yummy items but the bacon cheddar scone was especially memorable, moist with chunks of bacon and chives. On another day we went to Caffe Luxxe for a pick me up. Something new for me, I ordered the Shakerato – like a shakened sweetened latte lined with a chocolate sauce, so good. Finally on my last day in California, we made a final stop before saying our byes to friends at Sweet Rose Creamery. An organic ice cream shop making unique flavours from scratch and in small batches. I had two scoops, one scoop each of earl grey and Rasputin stout. Both were subtle flavours but completely identifiable. My friend MA got fresh mint with homemade chocolate chips and to be honest, it was the most refreshing mint ice cream I have ever eaten! It really was bursting with fresh mint – I’d definitely go back again.
The Farm Shop in Santa Monica.
The Brentwood Country Mart collection of shops including the Farm Shop.
My breakfast before the drive to Joshua Tree National Park – Iced drip coffee and Bacon Cheddar scone.
Homemade granola bar.
Strawberry streusel croissant.
The bakery in the Farm Shop.
Delicious cinnamon bun from the Farm Shop bakery.
A slice of coffee cake.
Caffe Luxxe at the Farm Shop.
The Shakerato from Caffe Luxxe.
Inside Caffe Luxxe.
Sweet Rose Creamery at the Brentwood Country Mart.
Inside Sweet Rose Creamery.
My double scoop of organic ice cream – one scoop of Old Rasputin Stout and one scoop of Earl Grey tea ice cream.
Next time you go to Brentwood country mart, you must try Reddi chick. I never crave rotisserie chicken except for this one! You have to get the chicken basket with fries and BBQ sauce on the side is essential!