Anita Chu of San Francisco blogs about food. Photograph by Jen Siska
Expert: Anita Chu, tastemaker behind the beloved blog Dessert First and the author of Field Guide to Cookies (Quirk Books, 2008; $16)
Field of study: Sophisticated treats worth sharing, from Emeryville to Los Gatos
Current cravings: The almond milk granita at SPQR ($$; 1911 Fillmore St., San Francisco; 415/771-7779). It’s frozen but not icy, with a dollop of espresso cream on top. Garibaldis ($$$) in Oakland (5356 College Ave.; 510/595-4000) and San Francisco (347 Presidio Ave.; 415/563-8841) has perfected the chocolate budino—scattered with candied hazelnuts, in a pool of caramel sauce.
Sugar high worth a drive: The pâte de fruit, infused with California Cab or Champagne, from Charles Chocolates (6529 Hollis St., Emeryville; 888/652-4412). I’m addicted to these little French jellies.
A gift box of the pâte de fruit from Charles Chocolates. Photo courtesy of Charles Chocolates
Best pastry this side of Paris: I like a really good tart. Pâtisserie Philippe (closed Sun; 655 Townsend St.; San Francisco; 415/558-8016) is classic French. Fleur de Cocoa (39 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408/354-3574) makes almond croissants that are a balance of a flaky, buttery outside and an almondy inside.
Most surprisingly tasty treat: Fatima’s Thighs, from Crixa Cakes (closed Sun; 2748 Adeline St., Berkeley; 510/548-0421). It’s a roll of pastry wrapped around a filling of currants and almonds, and scented with rose and orange blossom water.
