How sad would it be if this charming bakery was off limits to those who don’t consume gluten? Dry your eyes though, lovelies, because a few of the selections from this adorable Pac Heights cafe are indeed NOBREAD friendly, and completely worth going out of your way for. I’d been hearing about this place for months when one day, I eventually wandered in to see what the hype was all about. And when I did, I was instantly transported by its European charm, to somewhere far, far away from my usual lunch break in SoMa …
Ladies were sipping on coffees and nibbling on pastries, chatting away on this rainy afternoon. I sat at a little table by the window and sampled the following delights: first was a mini plate of French macarons, of which the flavors change weekly. This week it was balsamic vinegar, and chocolate passion fruit. Totally unique and unexpected, the balsamic macaron was tart and sweet and peculiarly delicious. The chocolate passion fruit was even better though, in my opinion, with its slightly sour passion flavor contrasted by the rich chocolate filling. The delicate texture of these cookies is indescribable, and while one macaron could often be more than enough to satisfy a sweet tooth, these managed to stay light enough not to put you over the edge. Which was a good thing, because I needed room for the almond cake that was next on my mini tasting menu. This almond cake is honestly one of the best things I’ve tasted. It’s something I’ll come back here for specifically, and will also be keeping in mind as a perfect dessert to bring to a dinner party or brunch. Amazingly moist and texturally light rather than dense, this is clearly the result of a skilled pastry chef. I would usually be inspired to try to replicate something like this at home, but in this case, I’m not even going to try. In an adorable little white box, pretty enough to give as a gift, my last dessert was boxed up for me to enjoy at home later. Equally exquisite, the chocolate caramel toffee mouse is for the chocolate lovers: bittersweet chocolate mousse, ganache with toffee chips, and garnished with a bite sized flourless chocolate biscuit (like a mini macaron!). It was so beautiful I felt guilty destroying it. All of its layers come together in harmony to create a gorgeous ball of chocolatey heaven. At this point I didn’t want to see another dessert for at least a week, but that sentiment didn’t last long of course.
B. Patisserie really is living up to the hype that surrounds it. In a city with many fabulously naughty sweets to choose from, this place wins for its sense of elegance. How very French indeed. Although the vast majority of the menu does contain gluten, these few items that didn’t were well worth paying a visit for.