The Mother's Day Rush

• Review
• Saturday, May 10, 2008

Did you forget that Mother's Day begins in just a few short hours? Consider yourself saved. One of the most luscious patisseries this side of Paris resides in Venice (California), and it is OPEN on Sunday. Dash on over to Jin Patisserie and pick up an assortment of delectable and visually stunning pastries that will make the lucky mother love you even more--if such a thing were possible, of course. Owner and baker extraordinaire Kristy Choo may have Singapore in her roots, but her touch with patisserie comes from out of this world (and a stint at San Francisco's California Culinary Academy polished her class act). Among Ms. Choo's celebratory creations that you can bestow upon mom are decadent cakes with names like Belgium Marquise, Chocolate Heaven, Passion, Inspiration, and Refresh. Abbot--ostensibly named for the street the shop sits on--is a honey-walnut sponge cake filled with dark chocolate mousse and topped with caramel banana. Yum! No less enticing, the cookie collection contains flavorful Peanut Butter Sesame, Mixed Peel and Nuts, and melt-in-your-mouth Ye Yek (Ms. Choo's aunt's recipe). And, of course, there are tantalizing chocolates in sets ranging from four pieces to 32 pieces, packaged in wood or silk boxes. Whatever you buy, just make sure the treats make it back to the mother who awaits.