Tartine Bakery

I have a love/hate relationship with Tartine. I love the pastries, cakes, breads, sandwiches...you get the idea. Tartine is the best bakery in San Francisco. Mark Bittman of the NY Times called Tartine, "My favorite bakery in the United States."

It's always crowded at Tartine, but I think some things are worth the wait. What I really hate is the pissy attitude of the wait staff. They may have the best croissant outside of France. But seriously dude, it's a croissant. In order to get anything, you also have to put up with some total bullshit attitude. Which is why I can only stand to go there about once a year. It seems that the wait staff turns over pretty frequently and I don't have to deal with the same disaffected wanker behind the counter again. I just have to deal with a different pissy bakery employee.

Eclairs and genoise and croque madames, oh my!

Croissants and Pain au Chocolat
Sweet, sweet, buttery sweet

Coconut Cream PieThe pie has a pate feuilletee crust lined with chocolate and caramel, then filled with coconut cream.

Tartine Bakery
600 Guerrero St.
San Francisco, CA

Bakesale Betty

Fried Chicken Sandwich...you know you want it

Now that my classes are over and my job doesn't start for another month, I really have no need to go anywhere. With the exception for Trader Joe's, I don't go outside. I've become agoraphobic.

In spite of my aversion to the great outdoors, I ventured over to the East Bay in search of the fried chicken sandwich at Bakesale Betty. The owner was the former pastry chef at Chez Panisse and she was profiled in the SF Chronicle last year. The article includes the recipe for the sandwich.

Since it was a beautiful day and I had some free time, I went off in search of the elusive sandwich. Sure, I really don't need to eat anything that has over 1,000 calories. I did walk from the BART station to Telegraph, which helped to offset the caloric intake.

The bakery was a tiny operation on the corner of Telegraph and 51st. The sidewalks were lined with old benches and ironing board that doubled for dining tables. People were lined up out the door. That gave me time to peruse the menu selection. I passed on the strawberry shortcake, but I gladly accepted a ginger cookie that was handed out to waiting customers.

I waited for my turn at the counter and I was soon seated outside on a sunny street in Oakland eating a friend chicken sandwich. The verdict: it was pretty good. It's hard to go wrong with fried chicken and cole slaw on Acme bread. I may even venture back to East Bay for another sandwich run after I overcome my agoraphobia.

Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, CA