Donut Friend
Apple Pie – Cake Donut Stuffed with Caramelized Apples, Cheddar, topped w/ caramel glaze and toasted peanut
GG Almond – Yeasted Donut Stuffed with Gruyere and honey, topped with glaze and almonds
Caramel on Parade – Chocolate Cake Donut topped with caramel, toasted pecans, chocolate sauce
Nutellavision – Yeasted Donut with Nutella, Olive Oil, Glaze, Kosher Salt
Apple Fritter – Baked Apples in Yeasted Dough
Minus the Bear Claw – Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam, Toasted Almonds
Considered by many to be the best doughnut scene in the United States, seemingly an independent mom ‘n pop shop turning out glazed rings on every corner, my first stop on a weekend trip to Los Angeles started at trendy Northeast newcomer, “Donut Friend.” Certainly not the classic doughnuttery, instead opting for a few traditional styles sliced and filled and/or topped with designer ingredients it was with a wide diversity of options that I found myself presented and setting aside slightly exorbitant prices I opted for a half dozen inclusive of cake, chocolate cake, yeasted, fritter, and bearclaw; the results thankfully justifying the $22 tab at almost every turn. Featuring friendly, educated service happy to discuss owner Mark Trombino’s culinary concept, interesting back story (available here – http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/this-sweetness-will-not-be-concerned-with-me-a-day-at-music-producer-mark-trombinos-rock-doughnut-shop,) and clever titles at length it would be difficult to say which of my selections was “best,” but with each fork-and-knife amalgamation featuring elements both sweet and savory I particularly loved the complex flavor profile of the warm Apple Pie and rich, smooth finish of Nutellavision – each on par with many plated restaurant delicacies – while the Apple Fritter was reference standard, a greaseless golden crunch overlying freshly mashed cinnamon apples and a downy-soft crumb. Taken best as a ‘dessert shop’ rather than a simple doughnut vendor Donut Friend is without a doubt worth the cost, calories, and perhaps even the traffic…and not just from Los Angeles, but possibly even Las Vegas.
