The Perfect Chocolate Croissant

One of the great (slash dangerous) things about desserts is that they're available EVERYWHERE.  I do a fair share of traveling--which I love--because there are always fun, new dessert places for me to try, wherever I go.



One of my favorite French words: Pain Au Chocolat

I was recently in gorgeous San Francisco, and had a spare 30 minutes.  Hmmm. What to do with 30 minutes?  Find the best bakery in San Francisco, of course.

My friend Melanie used to live in SF so I asked for her best dessert recommendation.  She answered immediately: "Tartine! The chocolate croissants are the best I've ever had."  Then she added something very intriguing: "Even better than Paris."  Quite a bold claim so now I'm curious beyond belief.  Tartine it is.

I didn't have much time. Between landing, finding Tartine, and then making my way to my hotel--Go Speed Racer!-- I was a bit nervous about my challenging schedule. I was also extremely unconfident in my ability to find any of these places due to my legendary lack of direction.  So I requested a Garmin.  I'm not a huge fan of GPS systems--I hate being told that I'm supposed to take an exit 2 seconds before I pass it-- but I knew it was necessary.  And miraculously, it took me directly to Tartine...on my first try. Whoohoo! 

(Side note: holy cow does SF have a ton of freeways, highways and bridges.  And really charming place names.  For example, Treasure Island.  Obviously they'd have dessert.  For about 3 seconds, I seriously considered heading there.  But I digress).     



Banana Cream Tart is just one of many delightful specialities. 





I found the general area, despite some crazy construction, and then looked for a sign.  Of course, no sign.  However, from the crowd of people sitting at cute cafe tables to the snaking line inside...it was clear I had found Tartine.



Frangipane Cranberry Almond Tarts.  It's hard to tell from this photo
but this thing is larger than my hand and weighs about 100 pounds.

I was slightly concerned about parking.  Between the street construction and overall lack of street parking, I was prepared to leave, as sad as this made me, if I couldn't find a space in 10 minutes.  I shouldn't have worried.  I quickly found a generous parking space just one block away.  I took this as a sign.  Some things are just meant to be, right?

I literally jogged to the corner with giddy anticipation (excuse me, coming through, it's a chocolate croissant emergency!) 

As soon as I entered this baking haven, I was overwhelmend.  In a very good way. 


Chocolate spilling over buttery flakes

So. Many. Choices.  Banana Cream Tarts, Buttermilk Scones, Morning Buns, Bread Pudding!  I spent a good 5 minutes with the baking lady trying to figure out what to choose!  In the end, of course I had to go with the Pain Au Chocolat.  Soft, flaky and most importantly--BUTTERY! And chocolate oozing from the middle...it really was the Perfect Chocolate Croissant.  And Mel was right.  I dare say, it at least rivaled the Parisian Croissants I adore so much. 





I enjoyed my fabulous croissant and a lovely cup of coffee at a corner table bursting with lilies.  Gently pulling a small piece,  flakes flew everywhere. I burst out laughing. Within a minute, I was completely covered in decadent, buttery crumbs.  I wasn't alone.  This type of scene is perfectly acceptable in a cafe where everyone was gorging on decadent treats. 

 

It was easy to get lost in my thoughts as I imagined myself eating this little treasure at a Parisian cafe on St. Germain.  Bliss.  A quick yet delightful little discovery. And then I was off.  But not without a souvenir, of course.

 



I may have gotten something to go. 
It may or may not be a Frangipane Cranberry Almond Tart.

  

Tartine
600 Guerrero Street San Francisco, CA 94110
415 487 2600
www.tartinebakery.com