"Valerie is tucked away up Echo Park Avenue, into the hills and warrens of single-family homes. The pastries, chocolates, and other sweets are a highlight at this daytime cafe, but it would be remiss not to try the savory breakfast and lunch options as well. The petit fours are a standout at the bakery, available in flavors like ginger, chocolate, Champagne, and espresso. There’s limited seating on the sidewalk to enjoy pastries, frittatas, and sandwiches on-site, but luckily, Echo Park Lake and Elysian Park are just a few blocks away if the move is a picnic." - Rebecca Roland
Kate Jones