Ma'amCakes

You may now visit MaamCakes.com for reviews of all your favorite pancake breakfast spots! We are no longer posting to Tumblr. 

Follow us on:

• Facebook
• Twitter

See you there!

xo,

Ma’amCakes

I’ll give you a hint. It has something to do with this movie… 

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. “They have pancakes?!” Well, Sonoma Wine Garden located on top of Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, CA actually has quite the weekend brunch menu!

Having visited Sonoma Wine Garden for a friend’s birthday, I was already looking forward to the bottomless Bellinis; seeing Ma’amCakes on the menu, however, was just the syrup on the pancake!

So, this menu is pretty much the “Where’s Waldo” of pancakes, but check out the first dish “Kaiserschmarrn,” and voila! Ma’amCakes. Having never tried this “Austrian specialty” before I was a little hesitant, but also delighted, to try something new. 

Um. Where are my pancakes, and why is there a spoon on my plate - er, bowl? A Ma’amCakes first! Never in my life have I seen pancakes served this way. First bite, here we go!

Interesting… very interesting. As per the menu above, Kaiserschmarrn consisted of a caramelized Austrian pancake soufflé with raisins and roasted apples. I could definitely taste all of the ingredients. However, to my disappointment, the dish tasted much more like caramelized apples and raisins, with a hit of pancake dressing. In other words, this dish tasted more like the toppings, than the actual main course. Having never tried Kaiserschmarrn it is somewhat difficult to review, as I have nothing to compare it to; that being said, when comparing this dish to the rest of the amazing  Ma’amCakes in this city… you can’t even really call these pancakes. With the apple and raisin flavoring, this is the kind of dish you eat in the fall season, before going on a hay-ride.

On a positive note, the whipped cream in the jar was a perfect addition for this dish. The thickness of the cream perfectly balanced the pancakes, and I probably ate more of the whipped cream than that of the Kaiserschmarrn. That ain’t good news for a pancake review, people. 

Overall, I highly recommend the Sonoma Wine Garden for brunch, particularly for a special occasion on a beautiful summer weekend. That being said, the Ma’amCakes, not so much. I must say I do actually have some Austrian in me, but have never had Kaiserschmarrn in me before last weekend. I appreciate Sonoma’s attempt to host pancakes with a bit of a twist; but this is Los Angeles, people, and we want a fork on our plate, and at least want an option for more traditional pancakes - especially to soak up the bottomless Bellinis. 

This weekend I was incredibly fortunate to have actress Jodie Sweetin as my guest reviewer for Ma’amCakes!

Jodie, best known for playing the adorable and witty Stephanie Tanner on Full House, was a television icon for my generation; so you can imagine my elation when she graciously agreed to review Saturday morning Ma’amCakes! 

For our review, Jodie and I decided to check out Melrose hot-spot Blu Jam Café as, somehow, neither one of us had ever been there for pancakes! 

“I’ve been here for lunch before,” said Jodie, “and we ordered the single-Blueberry Pancake dish for my daughter, Beatrix. She loved it. I can’t wait to try the pancakes, I’ve heard good things!” As had I. 

As I decided to go with the Blueberry Pancakes, Jodie went for the Breakfast Trio, which included eggs, French Toast, and sausage; but by the end, we split everything!

Viewing these pancakes again makes my mouth water; if you look at the glisten on the blueberries, you can see just how fresh the fruit is. Upon her first bite, Jodie agreed as she stated, “These pancakes are very fluffy, and the blueberries are really fresh, not tart.” Jodie was definitely right about the fluffiness of the pancakes. Sometimes as you make your way towards the middle, pancakes can be under-cooked, or oppositely, crispy; however, these delicious pancakes stayed fluffy all-throughout.

My only critique was the pancakes were a bit dry, and I actually had to apply a hint of butter and syrup. Sorry Blu Jam, I know you’re thinking “How-Rude!” but as we all know Ma’amCakes’ motto by now: a truly delicious pancake does not need butter or syrup, and should taste amazing on its own. 

Overall, the Blueberry Pancakes at Blu Jam Café tasted like Mom’s homemade pancakes: fluffy, fresh, and refreshing. And I’m sure the “milkman and the paperboy would plug them on evening TV.”

Thank you so much Jodie, for being a part of Saturday brunch with Ma’amCakes! Be sure to follow Jodie on Twitter, and check out her memoir UnSweetined.