Joan's on Third

I hate creamy sauces. I just do. But this isn't some sort indiscriminate kind of loathing-- I hate the texture, the look, and based on all the cream sauces I've tried, I hate the taste too.

So to find out that Joan's Vinaigrette is more of a creamy sauce is disappointing. It was even more disappointing finding this out after my food arrived. I ordered the Tarragon Chicken Sandwich (baby greens, tomatoes, chicken, and the vinaigrette). I could definitely taste the tarragon (which was good), and the bread was great, but the sauce? Yea... not so much. The whole meal looked to be a disappointment (in spite of the great company), but then, we discovered a little thing called dessert. And Joan's on Third knows how to do dessert.

We decided to mix it up and order three different desserts (one chocolate dessert, one fruit dessert, and one "outlier"). I went with the rustic apple pie. Once I saw it, I fell in love. It had a thick, crispy crust that enveloped the apples in the center. I looked amazing. But when I asked to get it warmed up, the workers accidentally burned it. In spite of that, the pie still tasted amazing. The apples were warm and a little sweet (maybe a little tart?), there was a perfect amount of cinammon, and the crust was perfect (when not burned).

Aegean ordered some sort of fruit tart. It had an assortment of berries, and was delicious-- just the perfect combo of sweet and tart (word of the day?). Elained ordered the old-fashioned chocolate cake. The chocolate icing was so rich and the cake was moist and perfect.

The staff there is amazing. To make up for the burnt pie, they let me get whatever dessert I wanted, then proceeded to pile on more. I picked up the Clouds cupcake, a chocolate cookie, and something I believe was called "Chocolate dream" (it basically looked like a brownie bite. The Cloud was a chocolate cupcake topped with merengue in an our chocolate shell. The merengue was so airy... like a cloud (get it?!), and the cupcake was very good (also moist!). The cookie was more like a brownie in the form of a cookie, but it was perfect in every way. The chocolate dream, however, wasn't very dreamy. The chocolate was too bitter, and the whole thing was dry. It was a let down. But it was all freeeee!

I'll give Joan's on Third a second chance in the lunch department (both Aegean and Elaine were satisfied with what they ordered, so I can't be too quick to judge). But I'll definitely go for dessert.

{Grainy cell phone pics shortly?}

Joan's on Third (Warning! Website has annoying music! Can't turn off!)
8350 West Third Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048

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