Donut Friend: Customized doughnuts, so go wild with bacon, Sriracha, Nutella
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Name of restaurant: Donut Friend
Concept: Build your own or choose from pre-assembled doughnut combinations
Show me the money: The owner, Mark Trombino, used to be a producer for such bands as Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World, hence the nods to bands in doughnut names like “Fudgegazi” and “Walnut Voodoo.”
What dish represents the restaurant, and why? A customized doughnut is the way to go. We chose the traditional as the base, but options include cake, chocolate cake and nearly gluten-free. Fill it with slices of seasonal fruit, goat cheese, a compote, Nutella, coconut cream, peanut butter or a scoop of the Carmela chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Top with maple, chocolate or vanilla bean glaze. Sprinkle everything with some Siracha, coconut bacon, olive oil, nuts or crushed Oreos. The possibilities are good enough to fulfill all your crazy doughnut combination dreams.
Runners-up: Of their suggested combinations, the “Bacon 182” (a traditional doughnut with maple glaze and a generous topping of bacon) or the “Chocolate from the Crypt” (a chocolate cake doughnut topped with chocolate glaze, cinnamon, cayenne and some chocolate shavings) tickled our palates.
Who’s at the next table? Hipster dads wheel in their toddlers while locals bring in their unsuspecting out-of-town relatives.
Appropriate for: A sugar fix when a boring old doughnut from Krispy Kreme just won’t do.
Uh-oh…Seating is limited to uncomfortable metal stools along the counter against one wall of the minimalist space.
Service: Friendly but detached in that we’ll-take-your-payment-via-Square sort of way.
What are you drinking? A freshly dripped cup of house blend or single-origin coffee or a bottle of Dry soda from the cooler
Info: 5107 York Blvd, Los Angeles; (213) 995-6191; https://donutfriend.com.
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Korean barbecue great Park’s fast food Oleego in downtown L.A.
The Scouting Report is a quick look at restaurants worth a visit. Scouts were selected by restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, who may or may not agree with a single word.
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