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

The Magical Pumpkin Waffle and Muffins at Sarabeth's

Yay for Pumpkin Waffles with lots of fun stuff on top! 

It's time to talk about Sarabeth's.  Glorious, glorious Sarabeth's.

If you're a fellow Fan of Brunch, and you ask any New Yorker for their recommendation, you will hear Sarabeth's--East, West, South, North Pole, whatever--mentioned again and again.  And I quickly found out why. 

It's cute, it's cozy and they happen to serve super yummy brunch items like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Pumpkin Waffles topped with Pumpkin Seeds and Raisins, Almond Crusted French Toast and Cheese Blintzes, to name a few.  Carb lovers, rejoice!

Look at these ridiculous choices.
You can't go wrong here, people.

The first time I visited Sarabeth's at the Central Park South location, I met my lovely friend Mel, whom I hadn't seen in 15 years.  Catching up with her was exciting enough, but the experience became even more magical very quickly.  After reminiscing about band camp (seriously), all of a sudden, there was a flurry of excitement in the restaurant.  I looked out the front window and much to my surprise, it was SNOWING!  IN OCTOBER!

I attribute at least 100 of these footsteps to
me frolicking through this winter wonderland.

I quickly grabbed my phone and sprinted outside to capture some shocking pictures of what the pretty weather lady said would be "light rain with a chance of snow."  In actuality, it became a full-blown snowstorm. Ok, I might be slightly exaggerating.  But to a girl from Hawaii whose been living in LA for the last 10 years, it looked like a flipping blizzard.

After capturing a completely silly amount of snow pictures, I skipped back to the restaurant to partake in our fabulous fare.  Mel ordered the Pumpkin Waffles, perhaps at my suggestion.  I tend to make a lot of friendly suggestions; just a slight warning to anyone who may dine with me.

Crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside, with just a hint of pumpkin--it was a perfectly executed waffle.  The pumpkin seeds added crunch while the raisins and strawberries infused a fruity flavor burst.  And of course the maple syrup perfectly finished off this lovely little dish.

Yummy is all I have to say here. 

I decided on something eggy.  I adore carbs, but considering how much I love them, I try to fit in some protein from time to time.  I honestly can't remember exactly what the eggy thing was (a fritatta? with chives?).  What I do remember is the pumpkin muffin, topped with sunflower seeds and a delicious mixed berry jam.  YUM.

Keeping in theme (I love themes!), I ordered a pumpkin
muffin to complement our pumpkin waffle.  I may have also had
a Pumpkin Spice Latte earlier that morning.  Don't get me started
on my Pumpkin Spice Latte addiction. 

In addition to breakfast, Sarabeth's also offers lunch and dinner, but the crown jewel, and her most famous offering, is her yummy jams.  I've had the pleasure of trying a few--the Blood Orange Marmalade was magically delicious-- and it is my lofty goal to try them all when Autumn, my fantastic friend who makes really fun and unusual jams, comes to visit.  (You can see her blog at www.autumnscopperpot.blogspot.com).

Autumn, I can only imagine how you're
going out of your mind right now.
Miss you, silly.

Sarabeth's
40 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019
(212) 826-5959
www.sarabethscps.com 

http://goddessofbakedom.com/sb/sarabeth/