After living in San Luis Obispo and becoming the biggest fan-ever- of SLO Donut Company (http://www.slodoco.com you’ll understand), I have been ruined for donuts. Yes, some may call me a donut snob.. Anyways, after moving back home to Orange County, there has only been one donut (M&M blueberry) that I actually enjoy…. until I discovered Blue Star.
I have to admit- I had very low expectations for Blue Star after looking at the pictures and prices. Most donuts these days are like Maseratis…: nice to look at, but not at all practical to purchase. Something much cheaper can get the job done just as well. When I went for the first time a couple weeks ago on an Avital Food Tour of Venice, I nearly passed out when I took my first bite of a warm, fresh-out-of-the-fryer Strawberry Mojito donut. I am not exaggerating when I say I was screaming and crying tears of joy. Fluffy. Warm. Activating my tastebuds. Triggering all my happiness receptors at once. I could not believe the magic feeling this donut brought.
Since I didn’t really have any extra time on that first visit, I knew I had to return SOON. And that I recently did. A friend and I picked out a dozen donuts calling our name, took photos, then devoured. After tasting a bite of all twelve, I think it safe to say I demolished the raspberry buttermilk…. That was seriously one of the BEST donuts I have ever had in my life. When I bit in to it, I was not expecting the flavor explosion, and did a double-take. Woah. All of Blue Star’s donuts are such unique flavors, but they are not overpowering. All the flavors and ingredients are very subtle as to not overwhelm your taste palette. As for the donut itself- Blue Star prides themselves on their “brioche” donut (similar to a yeast donut, in my opinion). About half of their creations are brioche-based, and the other half is more cake-like. I am personally a cake donut person- when it is done right. Pretty much all of the donuts we tried were EXTREMELY fluffy, moist, light, and airy- which is what really turned me on to Blue Star.
Favorites? :
- Raspberry Buttermilk – mentioned above.
- Lemon Poppyseed Buttermilk – I honestly think Blue Star just makes an incredible buttermilk dough. Try at least one buttermilk- any flavor. The Lemon Poppyseed was really good- not too lemon-y at all.
- Mimosa Cake – At first bite, you get a quick flash of mimosa-taste, but then it tastes just like a good, light, refreshing donut. Not a bad thing at all- this was one of my favorites!
- Orange Olive Oil Cake – Do not let the words “olive oil” turn you off! This is a delicious creation. It has a bit of a different texture- I’m not exactly sure what made it this way, but super good!
Everyone I have met working at Blue Star, Venice, has been very friendly and helpful- which I appreciate! They close everyday once they sell out.
I am 100% a fan of Blue Star, and wish they would open closer to me. Looking forward to their new flavors each season! Hopefully someday I meet the two masterminds behind this magical donut Heaven!
Sauce Boss Shelby 