Plugs — Molly Donnellon

L.A. food, drink, and leisure recs from a rising pastry talent + LINKS

Plugs is The Angel’s recs column. Every week, you’ll get six picks—a restaurant, a bar, a shop, an ingredient, a person, and a treat—from someone in Los Angeles who knows what they’re talking about, plus a selection of Angel-curated links. (Plugs are for paid subscribers of The Angel only; upgrade your subscription to receive all six!)

#57 is Molly Donnellon, a pastry cook at Quarter Sheets who has her hands in many different doughs and custards across the city. On the weekends, she makes cakes and tarts and ice creams for How’s It Going To End?, and she’s also the baking wiz behind Footwork Coffee Service, which, these days, is most commonly found at Bar Bene, the resident food, wine, and music party at Garibaldina Society. Sometimes, you can even spot her helping out in the kitchen of Cafe Tropical. Molly moved from New York to L.A. three years ago (just like me!) and is now firmly cemented in the Eastside scene. Her pastries are very, very good, and she’s well-dined in the SGV and the South Bay (as you’ll see shortly). She’s one to watch! Here are her L.A. Plugs.

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Restaurant — Clearman’s North Woods Inn

Emily, I know you didn’t ask for “favorite” but I did panic nonetheless. Here’s one (of many) that I’ve been enjoying this year — Clearman’s North Woods Inn in San Gabriel. It is hopelessly devoted to its alpine theme, complete with fake pine trees and snow outside and a very-not-fake stuffed bear inside a glass case greeting you right when you walk in. Close friends of mine grew up in the SGV and sometimes I like to pretend I did too. I know for a fact I would have loved this place as a kid. Peanut shells litter the floor, glowing stained-glass lamps hang above the tables. The ceiling is low and the walls are made of logs. Just thinking about it makes you feel cozy. Notice I have not mentioned the food. The food is just the thing you have to get so that you can hang out here for a while.

Photo by Molly Donnellon.