home * sf & peninsula * south bay * east bay * east bay II * outside the bay * CRAP list * links * wish list
www.grandavenuechocolates.com
1011 Detroit Avenue, Concord 925.798.4321
Picture this: a caramel apple. Sounds good, huh? Now, picture this: that same caramel apple dipped in caramel, then dark chocolate. But wait, it doesn't stop then, it is then dipped in nuts. Think that's too far? Think again! Imagine that same caramel apple being three pounds! Need I say more?
Emporio Rulli
www.rulli.com
Union Square Plaza (Stockton Street side), San Francisco
My brother works for a very upscale hotel in the City and every year one of the residents that lives there gives him a Panettone Milanese and it is so delicious. My mom and I finish it in like two days (one if I'm major PMSing). It has different kinds of raisins and orange peel and is so wonderful.
Lawler's Desserts
www.lawlers.com
I was at a restaurant in the Berkeley-Emeryville area called "Skates" and the name made me think of a place like Chilli's for some reason, but it was a really nice (and really expensive) place. We were all splurging that night and since it was a special night, we had this huge chocolate cake... and it was only a slice. It cost like $8.00 but it was the best chocolate cake I've ever had! I asked the waiter where it came from and they actually order it them this place... like in Texas. So if you're ever at Skates, please do me a favor and order the chocolate cake... even if it's the only thing you order! It is worth it!
Cajun Specialty Meats, Inc.
www.cpostores.com/cajunspecialtymeats/
Think you've seen all the turkeys you can handle? Wait until you see this. Visit the website and just look at this picture. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Sopie's Crepes
1581 Webster Street #200, San Francisco 415.929.7732
Crepes like no other! This is where I gain sooo much weight! Most crepe places stuff the crepe and put it on a plate, but this place wraps it into a cone and you can eat it while you walk (multi-tasking... I like!). Also, it's quite a specticle... there's always a crowd of people watching to crepe making through the window. Great place!
SweetHeart Cafe
372 Barber Lane, Milpitas 408.428.0880
315 9th Street, Oakland 510.835.8136
2523 Durant Avenue, Berkeley 510.540.0707
It's all about Olvatine with tapioca peals! They have tapioca pearl drinks as well as many kinds of Chinese/Asian snacks. The best tapioca pearls I've ever had (and I've had a lot!).
Tapioca Express
740 Villa Street, Mountain View 650.965.3093
1707 Decoto Road, Union City 510.487.1887
1710 North Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas 408.946.7280
Another place that has pretty good tapioca pearl drinks and I'm dying to try their fried chicken!
Michell's Ice Cream
688 San Jose Avenue, San Francisco 415.648.2300
I grew up eating this stuff. It can be found in most Asian supermarkets (like Pacific Super or Manila Oriental). Most of the selection at these markets are Filipino flavors like ube, macapuno, halo-halo, but my absolute favorite flavor out of all the ice cream I've ever had is this Kaluha Mocha Cream.
Tucker's Ice Cream
1359 Park Street, Alameda 510.522.4960
www.tuckersicecream.com
I was once working in Alameda and was craving some ice cream real bad. I drove around and saw the bug huge sign and right when I walked in I was taken back to the old days when people would wear those little dinky white caps and served you. I ended up with a scoop of lemon custard and the chocolate fantasy... the combo sounds odd, but I was in an odd mood that day. The lemon custard was really creamy and had an hint of lemon, wasn't sour at all. Very good.
M. Coffee
522 Main Street, Half Moon Bay 650.726.6241
During my 6-month "hiatus" from auditing while I was contracted out to HMB, I won a $20 gift certificate to this place during the City's employee recognition dinner (how the hell did that happen?). I didn't want to make coffee a daily habit of mine, so I debated whether or not to use it... until I was told that they make ice cream from stratch. Flavors change almost weekly and you never know what you're gonna expect that visit. $2 gives you a really large scoop and after seeing me almost every day, they piled it on. Excellent ice cream and one of the few coffee places that serves coffee in a paper cup only when asked.
Specialty's Bakery
Various location in San Francisco, South San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago
www.specialtys.com
I've never had one of their sandwiches but their cookies are to die for. My favorite is the oatmeal wheatgerm bran chocolate chip... I know, it sound pretty gross, but it actually has the consistency of hearty oatmeal cookie with chocolate chip in it. It's places like this that makes me wish I worked in the City.