Kat's 9 Lives

The best thing about the DoubleTree Hotels are the free cookies!!!! They are best when they are nice and warm, but that is not always the case.  There is no resort fee charge as that is very important these days since most Las Vegas hotels have a hefty fee.  Let's all be honest, who spends time in their hotels and let alone enjoy the amenities?!  It's Las Vegas and it only makes sense to live it up!
Of course you will need a car in order to stay at the DoubleTree as it is a little ways off The Strip.  Once you are off the freeway, the hotel is very close and easy to get back on the 15.  The parking lot is never too crazy busy and a simple lot.
The rooms are comfy and the beds are solid.  I always steal a pillow or two from my bunk mate as I love sleeping on a pillow fortress.
Make sure that you sign up for their rewards points if you travel a lot as it never hurts.  Not sure if it is because of the Hilton Honors status, but we normally get room upgrades and free bottles of water.  Here they are very generous with their waters and often give extra bottles.
If you check in too late to your room, which we often do... they may run out of cookies! =*( One time they only had 3 cookies left and I had to work it to get those 3 cookies! lol  Ironically, someone else checked in later than we did.  I proudly ate my cookies! O=D
 There is your Coffee Bean single serve machine for those who like a cup of Joe in the morning.
 The amenities are from Crabtree & Evelyn, which are only so-so.  At least they smell nice.  As usual, a table for people to work on and use for their laptop if they would like and a TV for entertainment.
The bathroom is small but there is some leg room.  Plenty of space for personal items if you want to lay them out on the counter.  Simple shower area and so-so water pressure.  Nothing too special about the shower/bathtub.
All in all I love staying at the DoubleTree purely for the yummy cookies! So they better keep offering me those tasty treats to tempt me to stay.  It's a decent hotel and the location is not too much out of the way, but like I said earlier... you must have a car to stay here to get around.
DoubleTree By Hilton
7250 Pollock Dr, 
Las Vegas, NV, 89119
(702) 948-4000

I have never been to Hawaii but I sure love the butter macadamia nut cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company.  Even for Xmas, my friend special ordered the cookies from Hawaii for me.
During that time, we realized there is a store in Las Vegas at the Venetian.  We debated if the location was real or not and called to check if they had the flavors I wanted.  Unfortunately when we called, no one answered so we just ordered the gift online.
Since I was going to Las Vegas for New Years, then why not go down to check it out for myself.  They actually offered all the seasonal flavors and had many samples to try.  You can purchase the individually or pre-made gift sets.  They also had tiny pineapple shaped cookies to choose from.
I wish they had more of the tiny peppermint butter macadamia nut cookies to purchase.  They apparently only had samples to give out.  I tried a couple and just ended up buying more of the big individual cookies.
If you love these cookies and live near Las Vegas, then I would say stock up when you come for a visit.  My friend bought me the cookies with a shipping deal of 25% off and still ended up costing her $15 for shipping.  Plan a trip for Las Vegas and save the money to have more cookies!
Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian|The Palazzo 
3327 Las Vegas Blvd South 
Las Vegas, NV 89109 
702-836-9413

During my stay with Ms. Lin Guide near Universal Studios I decided to explore some tasty treats.  I happened to come across Quenelle.
They offer a variety tasty and innovative concoctions.  What really caught my eye was that they had plenty of yuzu flavored items.  I am an avid yuzu fan so whenever I see it being served, I must get some.
Ms. Lin Guide and I tried a bunch of different flavors.  He was so nice and patient with us that I really wished there was a tip jar to leave tip.  We ended up just leaving some money on the counter because he was so sweet and gave us extra service.
First we tried the different ice creams and sorbets.  There were just so many things that looked good and I was going to be very greedy and order a ton.  Luckily we just started with 2 scoops and then move onto the popsicles followed by the baked goods.  We chose to try the passion fruit kaffir lime and the jackfruit tonic.
The flavors were very vibrant and fresh.  For me, the passion fruit was quite tart.  The jackfruit complemented well as it was much sweeter and lighter.  For the topping, I chose the caramelized rice as it sounded very interesting.  They had quite a few toppings that sounded very tasty.
For the "On a Stick" flavors, I wanted to try a bunch of them but in the end we agreed upon yuzu mojito and the hibiscus watermelon.  The guy warned me that the yuzu is very tart and I thought to myself, "yuzu is always yummy."  Oh man! That was one tart popsicle! I gave it to Ms. Lin Guide as usual since she always takes the bullet for me on food I don't want.  The hibiscus watermelon was very light and not too sweet.  For me, I prefer a heavier flavor and sweeter treats.
The service there was impeccable because as I stood there eating the popsicle, he could sense I didn't like it and offered to change flavors for me.  I didn't want to be any trouble so I told him that we were good since he let us try so many flavors.  After we were done, he scooped out a generous serving on the new ice cream that he was testing.  This was also a yuzu flavor based, I believe with jasmine tea.  I really enjoyed this as it was sweet and flavorful.  This really hit the spot and it was so sweet of him to give us extra free items.
That was not the end of the friendly service.  We broke down our stay with ice cream first, then popsicles, and baked goods to finish.  After all the goodies and free goods we were offered, I was getting full but I still wanted to pick up some of the tasty baked goods they offered.  Everything looked very tasty and I wanted to get one of everything.  We debated for a long time on which items we should get because we were trying to be good about not overbuying and not finishing the treats.  There were alfajores, peanut butter and jelly cookies, brownies, blondies, red velvet cupcake, and more! I was a kid in a candy shop.  We didn't get everything but the guy was so friendly and sweet that he put a bunch of extra sweets inside for us! I felt so guilty because he was so nice and that he didn't need to.  We ended up with almost twice as much baked goods! He was just the nicest guy and wanted us to try the tasty pastries.
Man! The service here was so friendly and welcoming that we talked about the whole car ride.  I would definitely come back to try any new flavors and for the service.  It's a very small but quaint shop.  Everything was very clean and neat.

Quenelle
2214 West Magnolia Boulevard 
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 843-1035

After a great lunch at Sushi Sam's, my friend and I were looking for a great dessert place to have some drinks and munch on some tasty treats while we continue to chat.  We hit a few rough patches because the first dessert place we went to was in a high end hotel and it was past their serving time.  Then the second place we found had no place to sit for us to enjoy the dessert and chat.  The next option my friend suggested that Satura Cakes is always a solid place so we headed down that way.
This was a grueling dessert search lol.  I think this is my first time in Los Altos really.  There were a ton of places that looked very interesting to try in this neighborhood.  If I wasn't so full from lunch, then I would hop around this area to explore all the tasty places that they have to offer.
Satura Cakes' motto is "Never Another Ordinary Bite."  Now the question is do their creations really live up to their motto?  To be honest, s'alright.  I didn't think it was mind blowing but definitely solid.  The presentation looked very tantalizing and everything was nicely decorated.
I love having my coffee speak to me and especially this one is smiling at me.  The teas are also packed in an over-sized sachet.
After a long debate, I decided to try the Classic Chocolate that's a mix of Swiss milk and dark chocolate mousse. On top were toasted diced almonds that give the cake an extra crunch.  The cake was thick and rich but I don't really think that it was anything special that truly stood out or would make me drool when I think about it.
My friend chose to have their Tiramisu, a traditional Italian dessert.  They advertised that this does not have nuts for those who may be allergic.  Although I am not sure why there would be nuts in here, but it is good for those who have never had Tiramisu to know.
 All in all the cakes were decent but I didn't think they were anything different or special.  They also have French macarons here.  I think their displays look very nice but taste wise, I was just okay.  If you are looking for a place to hang out with friends and chat, then this would be a good place.  The decor is very nice and classy.  A great place for people who need to study or to relax too.
Satura Cakes
200 Main St
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 948-3300

This is a long overdue post about Platine Bakery. There are very few places that I trek far and wide just to get some sweets. The main motivation here was Groupon! They have a pretty sweet deal with Groupon for people to try this place out or people like me that is just waiting for a deal to make it worth the trip. I have seen them on Groupon for at least two times, so I am sure they will rotate around and be offered again.
What really got me hooked are the Caramel Top Brownies. Hands down, the best thing here for me. I love that it has a thick layer of flavorful caramel mixed with nuts on top a moist brownie. Will you get a cavity from eating this? OH I AM SURE, but isn't that why it is so good? After I came here the first time a long time ago, all I thought about was getting more brownies and to share this treat with Ms. Lin Guide. The caramel top is chewy, so it is like having a tasty salted caramel on top of a brownie. I have tried to find similar brownies online so that I don't have to drive or leave the comfort of my own house, but so far none are comparable.
Another tasty treat here is the Maple Bacon Cookies. I can't pass up any treats that contain bacon in the title. The cookie base is soft and light so the flavor of the bacon isn't overshadowed. Overall, the cookie is not overly sweet and easy to munch down a dozen really quickly. Although this can be an expensive habit if you don't have a Groupon for support since each cookie starts at a dollar and up.
They have Chocolate Baby Cakes with Fleur de Sel that integrate a nice combination of sweet and savory. Tiny treats to boost your energy for the day. Be sure to check out all the different treats offered in the case because it tends to rotate some new treats that are fun to have. They will have seasonal items as well as new creations.
All in all I like Platine Bakery and would recommend it but there are a few things that make me dislike this place. Normally I love these small bakeries where you can feel the heart and soul in their creations and support local small businesses. The first time, I really liked this place so I came back even without a Groupon. Of course when I saw that it was offered again, I bought some for myself. I have been there where the owner was there and was stopped from taking pictures. This did not happen on my first visit, but on my last visit and has turned my positive thoughts to sort of negative. I have only went back one time after because of the Groupon and of course she didn't remember me but talked to Ms. Lin Guide with a friendly attitude to contact her about the review... nonetheless... my positive review had already been tarnished a while back and I will have to state what happened here. Regardless of the negative experience, I do think they have good confections here that are slightly on the pricier side.
Platine Bakery
10850 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-9933

Every time I have a delicious bread in San Francisco, I often question if it came from Acme Bread Company. While I was at the Hog Island Oyster Co. in the Oxbow Public Market, I noshed on some delectable bread. The Hog Island Oyster Co. in the Ferry Building serves bread from the Acme Bread Company so I wondered if they transport their bread all the way here. To solve my curiosity, I asked and they told me that they get their bread from a local bakery called Model Bakery. Of course I had to make a trip around the corner to peruse around their shop for some baked goods.
Here they offered a variety of cakes, cookies, pastries, and breads. Definitely a great local bakery in Napa. I had been stuffing myself the entire weekend and didn't want to be too greedy that day so we only picked up cookies. The cookies were a hearty size. I enjoyed the Almond Macaroon, which was like a giant almond meringue or just the outer cookie of a macaron. The almond flavor was pretty strong. I liked the chewy texture.
All in all it was a nice stop for extra snacks. We had so many desserts left over from the trip. I just wished I had all the stomach room and the magical ability to NOT gain weight from all these indulgences. O=P

Model Bakery
1357 Main St
St Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-8192

Cookies! Cookies! Cookies! The Cookie Monster would be in Heaven here! I think I am starting to turn into a Cookie Monster after this too! This was one of the many places that I took Trekkie Monster and GF to that Saturday. Yes, I hold food tours for friends! lol In preparation for that weekend I did extensive research and I really wanted to try Anthony's Cookies. After a full trip around the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building we ventured for some delicious treats. Our first visit was filled with fun and friends. Jo and Stinky Tofu were there to enjoy the fresh baked cookies. On the second visit, I took Ms. Lin back to show her the light.
They offer many flavors that vary daily.
1) Cookies and Cream
2) Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip
3) White Chocolate Chip *No Macadamia Nuts
4) Cinnamon Sugar
5) Toffee Chip
6) Double Chocolate Chip
7) Whole Wheat Oatmeal Raisin
8) Whole Wheat Oatmeal Cranberry
9) Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
10) Walnut Chocolate Chip
11) Banana
12) Banana Walnut
13) Peanut Butter
14) German Chocolate
Needless to say I am always guilty of greed and gluttony. I wanted one of every type of cookie available that day so I could also bring them home and share with Ms. Lin. You can buy the cookies by the 1/2 dozen, dozen, dozen & a half, or 2 dozen. The first time I came I made the wrong choice of not buying some milk to go with the delicious cookies. Don't worry, on my second trip I broke down and got some yummy milk to wash it all down. The milk really helps because it tones down the sweetness and allows me to consume more! lol
My favorite cookies of the day were the Toffee Chip, Peanut Butter, and Cookies and Cream. All the cookies were good. The base dough is very flavorful and tasty. You can taste the richness and natural flavor of the dough even with other components. The toffee chip is best when it is fresh out of the oven. It's chewy, sticky, and delicious. Mmmmm good. ^_^ The cookies and cream feels like a mix of Oreo cookies crushed into cookie dough and baked. It is creamy buttery goodness fresh out of the oven. I am a big fan of peanut butter in any form. Anthony's cookie reminds me of MBA's cookie recipe so I really enjoyed the soft peanuty flavor.
Of course all the cookies are the best when they come out of the oven! ^_^ They were still good even after a few days. We were lucky to see Anthony there that day. He is super friendly and personable. Meeting him makes me want to buy more cookies, but it is not like he needs to do any selling to make me buy cookies. Everyone there is super friendly and sweet. Makes you feel right at home.
All in all a great find! The cookie craving has set in permanently and I will have to add Anthony's Cookies to my SF trip repertoire. I went two weeks in a row, so did Trekkie and now Ms. Lin! Just the other day she texted me to rub it in my face that she had a craving and went. Then she had to pour salt on my wound and add that they were all fresh from the oven! You *beep beep*, that's what I texted back! lol If you are up in SF and have a craving for something sweet then you have to stop by here at Anthony's! Even if you don't have a craving, come by and get a whiff of all the cookies coming fresh out of the oven... and you will leave with a huge box like I did! The good thing is you won't regret it! ^_^

Anthony's Cookies
1417 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 655-9834