Tartine is truly a special place, and a favorite destination in the Mission. Also something to check out is Bar Tartine -- on Valencia -- imagine the satisfaction you get from eating their pastries (i.e., gougeres), and move it on up to dinner.

Tartine is truly a special place, and a favorite destination in The Mission. Something else to try is Bar Tartine, on Valencia. Imagine the same satisfaction you feel after eating their pastries (i.e., gougeres and then a few more gougeres), and then move it on up to dinner. The restaurant is beautiful, with soft lighting, dark wood, and a long marble bar.

The Gourmet Ghetto is across the bay over in Berkeley -- two blocks of paradise. Chez Panisse, Alice Water's restaurant, is perfect for a special collection. The Cheeseboard is my favorite place. Some of the best baked goods you'll find in the Bay Area -- don't leave without their focaccias, their shepherd rolls, the cheese rolls, their pizzas, or armfuls of cheese.

i saw the restaurant and it looked really good, i can imagine stepping it up for dinner is really good. i am also really pleased to have been corrected on the gourmet ghetto as i would totally have used that in my article and looked like a bigger dork than i do getting it wrong online!

We tend to stop at Tartine's when we're in the city after appointments from the East Bay home, treating ourselves to their fabulous baked goods and croques-monsieurs. The staff is friendly and efficient but, at times, the patrons themselves leave something to be desired; novels and open laptops are being read for long stretches by customers who spread out other reading materials at tables that are to be shared. Since the shop is very small, finding a place to sit is oftimes difficult. We've often just given up and packed up our baked goods and either eaten them in the car or at home. Of course that prevents you from taking off with their wonderful hot chocolate.

The line can stretch a distance down the street at times. But you can order ahead for specialties (five days for some: http://www.tartinebakery.com/menu/SpecialOrders) but our daughter ordered loaves of bread for a party and the order was produced much more quickly, again a testament to the shop's good nature!

i must say that i did notice this, there is a very selfish element to some of the customers. what i minded more than the people reading and lingering over their coffee were the ones that were holding seats for friends long enough that others could have sat down, eaten and left in the time they were guarding valuable seats - AND there were people standing holding bowls of coffee. I agree and actually think the really charming staff should put their charms to good use and dissuade this sorts of behaviour.

Hi Rita
This made me giggle - I have been trying all day to make the 'perfect' loaf...so far I have pulled some pretty impressive concrete lumps out of the Aga - Baking bread is an art, and Tartine sounds very artistic!
Do you remember Justins?
Ok...I'll give you a clue to who I am...
Who helped to decorate H Terrace?
DC
http://domestic-hiss.blogspot.com/

Helen Hunt?

Hi Rita
OOh, nearly, but not quite!
You are seriously globetrotting at the moment - hope you are having fun - say hi to Mummy!
DC

Helen Hood?!

10/10!