A Quick Pictorial Tour of a Few San Francisco Cakes Featuring Very Little Commentary

I spent July 4th weekend there and, though I did not have time to hit every cake shop on my list, there was no dearth of cake goodness in my days...

The first being a lovely chocolate holiday cake made by friends who threw a July 4th BBQ in Berkeley for the massive group that had descended upon the West Coast:



In Chinatown, I spotted this place:



And this cake:



Which was a simple vanilla sponge sandwiching thick cream and topped with slick, ripe slices of fresh mango. For that reason, I did not feel at all bad to be eating it for breakfast.

On the 5th, we took up two tables and the famous Chez Panisse (the café in honor of the vegetarians among us). The dessert of choice: a cake, of course. In this case, a Shortcake with Fresh Berries and Rose Cream:



Tartine was a must-see and it was love and first sight:





And rapture at first bite:



I bought thick slices of Coconut Passion Fruit Bavarian Cake and Lemon Meringue Cake as well as a small Banana Cream Tart:



And yes, I shared.

Miette Pâtisserie was the first stop once we arrived—but they were closed. So rather fittingly, they were the last place I was able to squeeze in before heading to the airport.

Though it's difficult to tell in the photographs, all of their displayed baked goods are little things. 6" cakes






and tiny breads and tarts:





Though each cake was fantastically tempting, I ended up being swayed by packaging and buying Vanilla Panna Cotta which was served in small glass jars and topped with diced strawberries:





I have a feeling this will be part one, as I plan on going back very soon. It is a terrific cake city.