Cloud 9

If you live in LA and you know what's good for you, chances are you're already obsessed with a little patisserie on Melrose called Bo Nuage. This little nook of heaven specializes in the most unfathomably delicious (yet somehow healthier than cupcakes or ice cream) nuage, aka cloud cakes. Extra points for gluten free and kosher as well. If you haven't had one yet, promptly abandon your day's plans and make your way there immediately. We're talking various flavors of meringue layered with non-dairy cream (not to make them healthier but simply because soy cream made for a better tasting treat than dairy cream in this case) and rolled in chocolate shavings. Passion fruit and peanut butter are my favorites, but let's forget about the cakes for just a second. Can we take a moment... how wonderfully perfect is the design of this place? Black and white graphic contrast from floor to ceiling, accented with shiny rose gold in every unexpected corner. It has the unwavering talent of my dear friend Jessica of J. Marx Atelier all over it. It was so fun getting to see sneak peaks of her inspiration while it was in process and when I first saw the finished product the day it opened, my mind was blown. In fact, she designed this place with such perfection that she has been selected by AIA Los Angeles as a finalist for the 2014 AIA Restaurant Design Awards under the cafe/bar category, right up next to other new gorgeous hot spots around the world (eh hem, but not as gorgeous). Let's ALL make sure she wins in the people's choice category, OK? All you have to do is vote here. It takes 2 seconds, and there's only 10 days left until the awards. I mean, nothing tops her work on Bo Nuage - she really deserves this. See it for yourself, there's eye candy and heavenly cloud cakes abound. Do I even have to mention that they're served in little hat boxes? Come on!

Cloud 9 / The Life Styled / Photo by Ian Sheppard