Tartine Bakery & Cafe

Irresistible French Bakery in San Francisco's Mission District - Tartine is the little corner bakery that I would like to open up someday. I love Tartine so much that I will travel 51 minutes by bus (each way, with a connection) from the Marina to the Mission just to have a spoonful of their bread pudding and/or a bite of their banana cream tart. I have even been known to suggest playing tennis in nearby Dolores Park (strange, why would one want to venture so far when there are plenty of courts closeby?) just to conveniently make a Tartine pit stop before heading elsewhere. Their desserts are top-notch, flavorful and not too sweet. My favorites include the banana and coconut cream tarts (the insides of their tarts are lined with a delectable hardened chocolate layer to prevent the cream from soiling the delicate flaky crust), morning bun (so yummy warm, with a touch of cinnamon and a citrusy kick), pain au chocolate (made with Valrhona chocolate and a ton of butter but well worth the calories), and brioche bread pudding (light and custard-ish in texture topped with seasonal fruit... best when laden with fresh berries). If you're looking for something savory, they offer a decent assortment of open-faced sandwiches (the croque monsieur is pretty tasty) and quiche. They even serve their lattes in bowls (something about cupping both hands around a warm bowl is fun). A few downsides to the place: 1. The long snake-like line that often runs out the door and around the corner, for good reason. The recent James Beard accolades, which named Tartine's owners the best pastry chefs in the US (http://jbfawards.com/content/2008-nominees) will no doubt increase the number of Tartine frequenters. The line moves fairly quickly, but bringing a book or some friends with you will help to pass the time. 2. If you arrive too late in the day, you may run the risk of them running out of what you are looking for (this happened to me today with the bread pudding... sadness). However, should you find yourself there at or shortly after 5pm on weekdays (except for Mondays), don't go home without their freshly baked bread! In the simple brown bag is a delicate balance of a crispy crust and fluffy chewy interior. Pair it with some cheese from the Bi-Rite grocery store a few doors down and you are good to go. 3. Minimal seating, though this can be easily remedied by venturing a few blocks over to Dolores Park where you can have your very own Tartine picnic.