March 31st, 2013
Every year, March 20th is dedicated to the macaron. The celebration originated in Paris by Pastry Chef Pierre Herme. I hope to one day join the festivities there as it seems to get more elaborate every year. There is a map with participating patisseries offering a free macaron and it’s a day of going from one shop to the next eating. This year aprons were created with the Macaron Day logo. In New York, Francois Payard has brought the tradition stateside with a similar macaron tour of shops in the city. Here in San Francisco, it isn’t quite as organized unfortunately but nonetheless I celebrated by getting macarons from b.patisserie.
My bag to go with one of each flavor
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February 23rd, 2013
The start of the Year of the Snake in photos
A sea of red confetti on the ground as kids set off fireworks in the middle of a deserted Chinatown. Did not know businesses actually closed that day.
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February 15th, 2013
It took two trips before I succeeded in getting some morning pastries from b.patisserie. Several pastry shops have opened in the past year but never have I seen such a demand. My first visit, silly me was mid-day and there was one scone and brioche bun left on their serving boards. The pastry counter was completely empty except for a row of chocolate-covered domes. My second trip, at 9 in the morning I was greeted with nicely stacked plates of golden flaky pastries.
Croissant and Kouign Amann
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January 20th, 2013
When I think of the Dogpatch in San Francisco I immediately name Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous, one of my favorite ice cream spots in the city and Esprit Park, a grassy area with picnic tables, idyllic on a sunny day particularly because the Dogpatch is far enough away from the bay so its always a bit warmer. Now I’ll add Chocolate Lab to the list of places to go. Near the park on the corner of a quiet street, the cafe was opened by chocolatier Michael Recchiuti. His chocolate shop in the Ferry Building has a counter of the most beautiful truffles which I have yet to try, but most certainly will after my visit to the Lab.
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January 8th, 2013
It has been a good four months since the highly anticipated pastry shop, Tout Sweet opened in Macy’s Union Square. Pastry Chef Yigit Pura won over the hearts of many, including mine during his run and eventual win on the first season of Top Chef: Just Desserts back in 2010. Excited and proud for the hometown chef, we San Franciscans had been waiting patiently for his next big move and Tout Sweet opened with a bang. Within the first few weeks of opening in September I went in for a taste 5 separate times. If you’re looking for a bit of Paris, this is the place to go.
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January 2nd, 2013
It was a warm fall day in October and I had a table reserved by the window at Craftsman & Wolves. I was out to try their new afternoon tea, launching a year after the shop opened up in the Mission. Already a fan of the rebel, I was excited for the tea experience and happily photo-documenting what I ate.
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December 9th, 2012
Time for a new blog series on afternoon tea, my new favorite activity. Not everywhere I go is has a traditional tea service but there is still a sit-down experience to enjoy a hot beverage and treat. It feels good to do that sometimes, especially when I normally eat standing in the kitchen while cooking. I’ll start my series with my visit to Blue Bottle Coffee Bar at the Museum of Modern Art.
In October I went to the MoMA on a free day. What would have been cost for admission now went towards dessert! Next to the rooftop garden, Blue Bottle Coffee has a little shop where you can get coffee, tea, hot cocoa as you would at any other location. What makes this particular spot special is the dessert menu inspired by paintings in the museum. Pastry Chef Caitlin Freeman’s creations are quirky and playful. Her most famous piece is the Mondrian Cake so I went with that.
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October 7th, 2012
A decadent chocolate sandwich cookie from Miette Patisserie in the Ferry Building. This was just the first of many sweet tastings while on my bakery tour last week with Scharffen Berger Chocolate. There are times when I really appreciate where I live and the experiences I get to have, and this was one of those days.
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