Aurora LA

It’s normal to spend a few minutes taking in Aurora’s desert case. This modern patisserie in Mid-Wilshire specializes in ornate sweets that are molded and airbrushed to look like miniature sculptures. Glazed bonbons glisten like gemstones, Napoleons are flecked with silver leaf, and tiny St. Honorés have golden threads of caramel dripping from their edges. Although they look over-the-top, the desserts here are pleasantly not-too-sweet, whether its a pistachio choux donut dusted in powdered sugar or the chocolate apricot square that tastes of tangy, airy mousse. Order three desserts and a coffee, and you’ll be down $40, so consider Aurora a special occasion patisserie—somewhere you can have a one-on-one meeting over sweets or a place to pick up a box of fancy treats for someone’s birthday.