Category Archives: Bakeries

Half-Price Cheesecake, Steve Raichlen Visits SF & More

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The new Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Cheesecake Sale at the Cheesecake Factory

It just wouldn’t be right, would it, if National Cheesecake Day came and went without some scrumptious offering from the Cheesecake Factory?

The company will be offering “Any Slice, Half Price” on all its cheesecakes for dine-in guests on July 30.

Just for the occasion, the Cheesecake Factory also will be debuting its newest specialty: Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake. Oh yes, it’s a layer of vanilla cheesecake loaded with Oreo cookies, then layers of fudge cake, along with Oreo cookie mousse. The whole shebang is frosted in milk chocolate icing, then garnished with a large Oreo cookie wafer.

Lark Creek Blue Coming to Santana Row in August

You may have noticed that Yankee Pier at Santana Row in San Jose is no more.

But don’t worry, the space won’t be vacant for long. The Lark Creek Restaurant Group is completely remodeling the spot for its new Lark Creek Blue, which will open in August.

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Auberge du Soleil Sweets, Foie Gras News, Yigit Pura’s New Bakery & More

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Auberge du Soleil's new Gianduia confections. (Photo courtesy of the resort)

Two New Sweets From Auberge du Soleil

Rutherford’s luxe Auberge du Soleil resort offers a pampering experience that just got a little sweeter.

Its chefs have come up with two new confections sure to satisfy any posh sweet tooth.

First, “Gianduia,” dainty hazelnut-chocolate squares made with both dark and milk chocolates, as well as organic nuts. A box is $24.50.

Sticky caramels with the surprise of pistachios. (Photo courtesy of Auberge du Soleil)

Next, California pistachios star in hand-wrapped pieces of rich caramel made with organic butter and cream. Fifteen pieces of “Carmel a la Pistache” come in a decorative box for $19.50.

The treats are available for purchase at the resort or through its online store.

Presidio Social Club Exempt From California Foie Gras Ban

Yes, the new state law that took effect July 1 may have bumped foie gras off menus everywhere else in California, but not at Presidio Social Club in San Francisco.

You see, it’s on federal land, thus, making it exempt from the California ban.

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Puff Pastry Part I: Savory Sun-Dried Tomato and Onion Tart

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Mustard cream, sweet onions, Gruyere cheese and sun-dried tomatoes crown this buttery, flaky tart.

This tart is red and white, and sure to chase away any blues.

Perfect for the Fourth of July, isn’t it?

“Sun-Dried Tomato and Onion Tart” is an explosion of flavors on a crisp, buttery foundation of puff pastry. The recipe, which appeared in the Wall Street Journal in March of this year, is by that Quebecois madman, Chef Martin Picard. He’s best known for his outsized personality, his over-the-top interpretations of classic Canadian dishes (poutine with foie gras, anyone?) and for foisting a litany of rich foie dishes on Anthony Bourdain at his Au Pied de Cochon restaurant in Montreal until the “No Reservations” host practically had to cry, “uncle!”

Picard’s tart won’t cause you to do that. Instead, it’s layered with flavors: onions caramelized until they’re nearly as sweet as candy, fragrant thyme, nutty Gruyere, a dash of sharp Dijon, and sun-dried tomatoes to add just enough acid so you don’t feel too weighed down.

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BBQ Oyster Time, Golden Gate Anniversary Eats & More

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Oysters fresh off the grill at Fish Story. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)

Fish Story’s Barbecued Oysters

Fish Story in Napa has introduced a fun new “Happy Hour” on Friday and Saturday afternoons, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m,  that’s all about the barbecue.

Just in time for these warmer days ahead, the restaurant is grilling Rock Cod soft tacos ($4) and Drake’s Bay oysters with chili butter ($2) and your choice of three relishes.

Enjoy those noshes with $2.50 draft beer and $5 artisan tap wines.

The GG75 cocktail, named after the iconic bridge. (Photo courtesy of Jardiniere)

Sweets and Libations to Celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge

Restaurants are already getting in on the celebrating for the 75th anniversary of San Francisco’s landmark Golden Gate Bridge on May 27.

Head to Jardiniere restaurant in San Francisco on May 23 when cocktail writer Camper English will be behind the bar, pouring the GG75, a riff on the French 75. It’s a mix of California sparkling wine, Campari, simple syrup, orange bitters and blood orange juice to give the cocktail a hue similar to that of the iconic bridge.

The cocktail is $10. Sales will benefit Hands on the Bay Area, a non-profit that encourages San Franciscans to volunteer, learn and lead their communities.

If you plan to take in the May 27 fireworks show in San Francisco, Greens Restaurant, with its bird’s-eye-view of the festivities, is the perfect place to do so.

The vegetarian restaurant will offer two dinner seatings that night. The first, 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m., features an a la carte menu, but no viewing of the fireworks from the restaurant dining room. It’s designed more for folks who want to eat before they walk down to the Marina for an outside view.

The second seating, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m., will serve up a four-course $75 prix fixe, plus viewing of the fireworks. Reservations for this seating must be made by calling the restaurant directly at (415) 771-6222.

A Golden Gate Bridge cookie. (Photo courtesy of Greens)

For a sweet taste of the event, Greens also has designed a Golden Gate Bridge short bread cookie with royal icing. The cookies are available for $3.75 at the “Greens To Go” counter at the restaurant.

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Scrumptious Snapshots from New York, Part II

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What you get when you cross a croissant with a pretzel.

NEW YORK, NY — Yesterday, you got a glimpse of my savory adventures. Now, get a taste of the sweet side:

City Bakery

City Bakery has really fun, original baked goods, including a fabulous pretzel croissant. Yes, a flaky, slightly denser version of the traditional French pastry, only here it’s coated in seeds and a sprinkling of salt just like a pretzel. It’s addicting.

The buttery, pull-apart "baker's muffin.''

So is the “baker’s muffin,” a sort of monkey-bread in muffin form that’s showered in powdered sugar. It’s buttery and tastes like a cinnamon candied apple.

Levain Bakery

We bought three cookies (chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chocolate chip, and dark chocolate peanut butter chip) at Levain Bakery and boy, did our arms get a workout as we carried them around.

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