EVERYTHING is good here. Where do I begin? Their country bread with walnuts is some of the best I've ever had. It's very moist and flavorful. Best eaten hot right out of the bag :)

I'm usually there for breakfast goodies. My faves are the Morning Bun (flaky with a hint of orange and cinnamon), Gougère (a light, round, cheesy bun), Frangipane Croissant with brandy and almonds, Pain au Chocolat (double!), and Brioche Bread Pudding topped with fresh fruit. OK. I think that's about every breakfast item.

I've had their cakes for my last two birthdays: Dark Chocolate Devil's Food Cake (Valrhona dark-chocolate butter cake, layered with caramel and chocolate ganache) and Chocolate Souffle Cake (Scharffen Berger flourless chocolate mousse cake on a thin base layer of chocolate cake). Divine.

The Banana Cream Tart is also impressive: flaky pastry coated in dark chocolate and caramel, then filled with pastry cream and bananas and topped with lightly sweetened cream and shaved chocolate.

I haven't even gotten to the Croque Monsieur that drips cheese and the Pressed Sandwiches (who knew a sandwich with sheep cheese & almonds would taste so good?). Tartine.

Nice added touch: the disposable utensils are biodegradable, in addition to many ingredients being organic and locally produced.

One neg. note: the coffee service lags sometimes. If you like to have your coffee with your pastry, order it separately when you first arrive or bring in your own cup o' joe.

Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero Street @ 18th
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.487.2600

www.tartinebakery.com/