Monday, March 22, 2010

My "Sweet" Love Affair with Platine Cookies + GIVEAWAY

Congratulations to Shane for winning this Platine Giveaway!

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

When it comes to food, I usually lean more towards savory than sweet. Things that taste too sugary to the point that I feel like I'm getting a cavity with every bite do not appeal on any level. When I do indulge in dessert, I like my sweet to be sweet, but not oversweet, which is why Platine Cookies is an awesome bakery that I'm always recommending to friends and family. I first experienced Platine when I had set up a dessert tasting there last year with my dining group. Chef Jamie Cantor graciously welcomed us into her kitchen where we got to sample 11 of her desserts and 1 savory item, her Gruyere Cheese Puffs.

More ...

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

Before I get talk about the tastings itself, I just wanted to give you some info on Jamie. Jamie grew up in Miami Beach, FL where as a child, she learned a love cooking from her mother and grandmother. Early on, it was clear that her passion and talent was for baking. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University, Jamie also received an Associates Degree from The Culinary Institute of America in New York. Upon being awarded the 1998 Women Chefs and Restaurants Scholarship, she continued her culinary education at the CIA Greystone Campus in Napa Valley.

Once her studies were complete and she received a a Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts, she began work at The French Laundry restaurant as Chef de Partie alongside James Beard Award recipient chef Thomas Keller, and Pastry Chef of the Year Award recipient Stephen Durfee. In late 2001 after several years at the French Laundry and a brief sojourn in Dallas, Texas, Jamie decided to follow her sweet tooth and moved to Los Angeles to begin Platine.

Now that we're caught up, let's talk sweets and in fact, let me mention my favorite dessert of our tasting, the Caramel Topped Brownies. If you are a caramel and chocolate lover, one look at the picture below is going to make you go ooooohhhhh! The caramel was thick and the brownie moist. A perfect combo!

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

My second fav were the Chocolate Gingersnaps made with fresh ginger, extra Brut cocoa and freshly ground spices. What was nice was the ginger didn't over power the chocolate flavor or vice versa. It was a nice balance.

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

On one tray there was a trio that included Chocolate Baby Cakes, Peanut Butter Chocolate Baby Cakes and her Mini Couture Cookies. I'm not much of a cupcake eater, but I really liked these smaller baby cake bites and the fact that they had a hardened chocolate top made them even more appealing. I should mention that while Jamie can bake any number of different desserts, her specialties are actually cookies. The Mini Couture Cookies can come in any shape, size or color for all kinds of special events plus they taste good. I actually just noticed that one those couture cookies had a "P" on them, probably for Pleasure Palate.

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies
Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

One of the desserts which I thought was unique was her Pineapple Upside Down Cake which had an interesting ingredient, pink peppercorns. The pink peppercorns added a little zest of flavor different from the tart-sweetness of the pineapple and I actually think it helped round out the flavors so that the cake wasn't too sweet.

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

The rest of our tasting included Carrot Coconut Cakelettes. Oatmeal Cookies, Chocolate Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies as well light and airy Gryuere Cheese Puffs.

Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies
Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies
Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies
Cookie and Dessert Tasting at Platine Cookies

Just recently, my dining group went back for another tasting event, but unfortunately, I didn't take my own photos. Shame on me! However, I did find some photos online to show you some of my favorites from that event. First up were Jamie's version of Oreo Cookies. The top cookie is her Camee, which is a vanilla cookie with fleur de sel while the bottom cookie is her Platino.


Next was her Disco Ho-Hos, a gourmet version of the Hostess Ho-Hos that some of us grew up eating. Look at the deep dark chocolate and don't tell me that her version isn't a cut or more above the rest.


Jamie also introduced us to an item from her Mixology line. It's a line where she's trying to be more experimental with her desserts. That day, we got to sample her Butterscotch Pot de Creme made with Glenlivet Scotch. The alcohol is cooked out, but what's left is the flavor of sweet cream, brown sugar and the Glenlivet Scotch. Other items that were sampled were welcome repeats from before like the Chocolate Gingersnaps and the Caramel Topped Brownies.


Overall, I just can't say enough good things about Platine. If Platine was located on the Eastside, they would be my one stop shop for all things cookies, cakes and more and if you're living in the Westside, you definitely should check them out. You won't be disappointed.

Coming Soon! Coconut macaroons in March and flourless chocolate babycakes for Passover. Platine will also be offering Rhubarb Tartelettes and what Jamie refers to as the "shortstack" (tiny stack of house made pancakes drenched in Maple OJ emulsion and topped with candied bacon and bacon candy), both in Spring.

Click here to see more pictures of Platine Desserts!

Platine Cookies
10850 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 559-9933


PRIZE GIVEAWAY!

(Open only to US Residents)

Now that you’ve learned more about Platine Cookies and have seen some of their desserts, here's your chance to WIN either a Dessert Tasting for you + 9 of your Friends (only if you're in the LA area or willing to travel to the Bakery itself) OR a Platinum Deluxe Cookie Box (includes 2 dozen cookies and 1/2 dozen brownies) shipped to you anywhere in the US.

There are multiple ways to enter, so check them all out below.

1. Leave a comment and tell me why you'd like to win either the Dessert Tasting or the Platinum Deluxe Cookie Box. (Please leave your email so that I can contact you. Spell it out like abby at pleasurepalate dot com)

2. Follow Platine Cookies on Twitter (if you aren’t already doing so)

3. Fan Platine Cookies on Facebook (if you aren’t already doing so)

4. Tweet: Win a Sweet Prize from @platinecookies via @pleasurepalate: http://bit.ly/dpitnM

You can have up to 4 total entries each; however, please note that you have to comment back and let me know which of the actions you took, so that I can keep track of them. This is especially true for 2 through 4. If you don’t let me know which actions you took, then I won’t count them as entries.

Contest ends Tuesday, March 30 at 11:59 AM, PST and a winner will be randomly chosen from all entries. Open only to US Residents. Good Luck!


Platine Cookies on Urbanspoon

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38 comments:

Aly said...

I added you on Twitter (@alyrizzo), Added you on FB (Alishia Rizzo), retweeted you on twitter.

Stephanie San Austin said...

i would LOVE to win this tasting, i absolutely love deserts, anything sweet that is, i have a major sweet tooth. I am currently 19 years of age and a full time student so as you can see i don't have that much money. I would love to treat my friends to this especially because they are as much as a sweet tooth as i am :] My friends are amazing and are always there for me, always taking me out and showing me a good time, and now it is my turn :] thank you for reading this
E-mail - Skatnstephi at yahoo dot com
(skatnstephi@yahoo.com)
Sincerely, Stephanie San Agustin

Stephanie San Austin said...

Oh, i have also tweeted the comment you posted, and followed them on twitter, as well as became a fan on FB
Sincerely, Stephanie San Agustin

Aly said...

I've been following Platine Cookies ever since it opened, but I really never had an opportunity to try out the awesome goodies before. I think I now have some foodie friends who could appreciate food as much as I do. I think food in general should be shared and enjoyed, and what better than a dessert tasting with people. :)

Aly said...

d'oh - my email is boobootrixie at gmail dot com.

Sam said...

I already follow them on twitter, I try to go every few weeks (have you tried the sweet potato cheesecake? Ridiculous!).

Id use it to invite a few blogger friends bc they are missing out

H. C. said...

Believe you already have my e-mail ;) but I took action 1 & 4. I've always been curious about trying Platine Cookies, and this would definitely give me that push to go! But the edgy cookies you've tried and posted on (esp Choc. gingersnaps) makes me wanna get there stat!

Melissa said...

I did numbers 2 and 4, and I'm crossing all 10 fingers!!!

Unknown said...

I would love to win the box and give it to satisify my wife's sweet tooth on her Birthday! I added entries on FB and twitter. My email is ecuadork at hotmail dot com (ecuadork@hotmail.com)

permanentcloud said...

fan on fb!

permanentcloud said...

i would love to win the cookies! they look sooo good!!

cindyascott{at}yahoo.com

ladypuppy said...

This is such a sweet offer, thank you and Platine for setting it up! I'd love to win the tasting because it seems like a great birthday surprise for a friend of mine. If I don't win maybe I'll just surprise her with a box of treats from Platine!

I also became a fan of Platine's FB page and started following them on twitter, adding them to my foodie list.

Thanks again for setting this up, it's really awesome! :)

ladypuppy at gmail dot com

Kristen said...

I really want to win this tasting. I always read about all the tastings you go to and wonder if I could set my own up. I wanted to do onw for my 30th birthday but never got around to it. This would be a great opportunity to try a tasting and a good way to celebrate my birthday since most of my friends were not able to make it so I owe them one. My boyfriend and I are such food critics and have a lot of friends that are yelpers so it would be a good opportunity for them to get the word out as well. I love sweets and it would just be a fun and exciting opportunity to get everyone together.
bbmakristen@yahoo.com

Kristen said...

oops i wrote my email incorrectly
kristen at bbmakristen at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Too bad I can't join the contests, but I say the dessert tasting is very tempting :D It's hard to keep on a diet if you love food as good as this!

Katy said...

Abby, this looks like it was an awesomely, deliciously, good time.

I'd love to win the tasting. I'm so over cupcakes already. And with our anniversary not too far away (and no getaway in sight), this could be a fun way to celebrate with friends.

So basically, I fanned, I tweeted, I friended and I commented. Count me in!

@kat_taf

Carrie said...

I plan to do all 4 steps right after I leave my comment! My husband and I attended the recent Platine dessert tasting and we fell in love with many of the featured desserts that day! Would love the Dessert Box. My email address is carrie at myflourgarden dot com! Thanks, Abby!

Lana said...

Why do I want to win? I just moved into a great, big house in Pasadena from a tiny apartment in Hollywood. This would be such a great way to have an unforgettable housewarming party. I can entertain my friends with style!

I also became a fan of Platine's on Facebook.

Thanks so much, Abby!

allforlana at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

With my birthday coming up either option would be a great birthday treat. I love sweets and had a great time when I went to Platine for the tasting. I really liked the chocolate gingersnap cookies but pretty much all of the desserts were delicious!

I became a facebook fan and am posting this comment so that's two entries!

Erin
EFitts8 at gmail dot com
(EFitts8@gmail.com)

Dina Pepito said...

I don't have many friends in LA but I am sure I can round up 9 of them to come try those caramel brownies with me! That picture is reason enough to enter this giveaway! dinaleigh at yahoo dot com. I just joined Platine on FB and Twitter. and tweeted @dinaleigh.

Anonymous said...

Well Abby, you may profess not to be a sweets fan, but you do appear to be a connoissoir. Myself, on the other hand, I WORSHIP cookies... but am always on the lookout for a BETTER cookie, because truly good ones are hard to find. I just finished reading /looking thru your descriptions and comments on the Palatine cookie line. Why do I feel like someone just snuck me my first taste of CRACK???!! Help!!!This place is WAY too close to my office. Danger, Will Rogers! Danger!

and a woman-owned business, to boot...

against my better judgement, I cannot fight the urge to enter your cookie-prize contest:

rollerblur at aol dot com

see? I'm serious!

con said...

I would love to indulge with my friends since we are all on Nutrisystem. email: conniehnam at yahoo dot com

Louis Wendruck said...

I'd like to win the Dessert Tasting so I can share a sweet experience with other Pleasure Palate meetup friends. Thanks, lab at grad dot com

DessertObsessed said...

I would love to win this tasting as I am DessertObsessed and I live off of desserts, so this is like winning dinner for me! I've heard so many good things about Plantine but never actually visited. The desserts all look amazing!

MARGARET said...

I don't think you know how thrilled I would be if I could do the dessert tasting. I added you on twitter ( @xocupcakecookie, follow back! :D ) and retweeted. My email is cupcakecookieevents at gmail dot com.

Thank you so much for the chance to win!!!

Cheers,
Margaret
--
http://cupcakeandcookie.typepad.com/

Cupcake Forum said...

I would like to win for the simple fact that it all looks very YUMMY.

Princess Cupcake at Cupcake Forum d.tc.m

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

Well I can comment on this post (1) and follow (2) and retweet (3) and I did..
http://twitter.com/cesg/status/11044604076

And I think I gained five pounds just doing so!! wow.. they all look so yummy!!

Lynda said...

now following platine cookies on twitter

Lynda said...

I'd love to win the Dessert Tasting!! It would be a great "excuse" to get some friends together!!

Unknown said...

I became a fan on FB and am following on Twitter. I also tweeted the comment about Platine.

I absolutely LOVE dessert, and every time I pass Platine I start to drool. In fact, I'm a bit like a Pavlovian dog--every time I get near Platine I start to salivate! I love to bake and in my wildest dreams I can make desserts like theirs. Back in reality though, I can't, so I have to make do with purchasing and drooling. I'd love to be able to share Platine goodies with my dessert-loving friends.

My email is granadilla2 at gmail dot com.

Unknown said...

I added you on Twitter (@impicola), Added you on FB (katty wong), re tweeted you on twitter. Please add me to your contest for Platine Cookies, bchm2008atgmaildotcom. P.S. My friend Robert told me a little about pleasure palate.

DonnaMarie said...

I would love to have the box of treats delived because since I was a kid, I have found delight in receiving packages in the mail. And the Platine delights look divinely luscious.

donnamarie at gmail dot com.

Unknown said...

Those photos look amazing, would love to have a tasting of my own! Live in Santa Monica

Unknown said...

ncurland at gmail dot com

ngobody said...

hi abby!

thank you for the wonderful post and the opportunity to win a tasting. i have already became a fan of platine cookies on facebook.

i would love to win this tasting because i always like to explore new experiences and would love my dearest friends and family to share this wonderful experience with me. all of have a sweet tooth, so we will be forever grateful of this present. plus, this will be the perfect opportunity to show my friends and family how much they mean to me (although i do show my appreciation to them all the time, but this particular way will special).

thank you, abby!
cathy

p.s. since i have a blogspot account, i think you can view my email account.

L said...

i have an extraordinary weakness for sweets....i cannot walk out of a bakery without buying a boatloaf. love them! =)

Exile Kiss said...

Hi Abby,

Great review of Platine. Thanks for the 411 on this place. :) It sounds and looks lovely. Is their Gruyere Puffs the only savory item on the menu? Have you enjoyed anything else savory from them? Thanks.

pleasurepalate said...

EK: The Gruyere Cheese Puffs were the only savory items I've ever had at Platine, but if you ever stop by, you should ask Jamie to see what else she can whip up. :)