I could have easily spent a day at Omnivore Books on Food, a darling shop in Noe Valley dedicated to food and drink. The shop is small, just one room, but the walls are covered with the newest titles and rare vintage books on wine, the history of cooking, and agriculture. Browsing is encouraged by a small staff passionate about the books. I picked up a 1st edition copy of Doris Muscatine’s A Cook’s Tour of San Francisco (I’m a sucker for old books, the smell draws me in), Vegan Soul Kitchen by Bryant Terry (cooking a meal from it this Friday for a visiting friend), and Baked: New Frontiers in Baking by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito (owners of the bakery Baked in Red Hook, Brooklyn where I’m now dying to go for a piece of their German Chocolate Cake and a cup of Stumptown Coffee).
Following are the remainder of my favorite places I’d recommend to anyone with a sweet tooth.
Anthony’s Cookies - A small, simply decorated and comfortable place in the Mission District. There is a good variety of cookie options, but they do sell out of the more popular flavors like peanut butter. Everything is fresh! Anthony has a big friendly personality and welcomes customers in as if they were family. He is so happy making cookies, and you can taste that seriously you can! The banana walnut cookie had a warm bread like consistency, and I love the Toffee Chip. This is a nice place to contemplate taking a break at one of the large wooden tables against the wall, with your cookies and a cup of tea or glass of organic milk.
Inside Mission Pie you immediately feel a sense of community. Located in the Mission District at a busy intersection, the interior offers ample seating in a large open cheery space with yellow walls and bright locally made artwork on the walls. After spending a day walking up and down the hills of the city my friend James and I realized we really had not eaten much since breakfast (Savor in Noe Valley, no website, hearty breakfast, though not sustainably minded). Suddenly ravenous, we beelined it to this place for pie. The mixed berry pie and walnut pie are delicious and full of local and organic ingredients. The cafe collaborates with local youth advocacy organizations to provide a positive work environment. The youths at the counter we experienced were professional and enthusiastic contrary to a couple of Yelp reviews I’d read. Check out the cool stuff they are doing with local farms, youths and their commitment to environmental sustainability on their website.
I am officially a fan of Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop in the Mission District. Their tiny space (kiosk like) offers up small-bath, artisanal ice-creams, sorbets, and confections. My friend had the Salted Caramel, which I tried and was out of this world. I enjoyed a scoop each of the sorbet (raspberry I think) and frozen yogurt (chocolate). So good!!
Tartine Bakery & Cafe is worth a visit if only to pick up a fruit tart, or I’m told a morning bun (the ones for sale when I went were burned?!). I’d heard mixed reviews from several people and in the end I’m left with this description - nice and talented owners feel the need to hire inexperienced sometimes rude hipsters to work the counter, space is cramped though attractive, and seriously who wins a James Beard Award (2008 Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef) by putting out something burned? I would not do that in my home and was appalled they did and were selling it and telling people it was burned. I’ll give them this, the fig tart I had the day after my visit was really good.
Notable mentions (for savory and sweet): Salt House in SOMA neighborhood. Great atmosphere, good service, loved the onion rings seasoned with cayenne powder, and the Pomegranate Spritzer. The Bistro at Cliff House in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area for the history and view of the Pacific Ocean. The Rooftop (Blue Bottle) Coffee Bar at SFMOMA for the coffee and treats inspired by artworks on view in the museum.
[...] is a fun and eco-friendly holiday wish list from Celia at Omnivore Books on Food in San Francisco. I spent an afternoon there earlier this year and thanks to the savvy staff picked up some gems [...]