SugarBomber: San Francisco's Most Wanted Desserts

by Matthew Allard - Citysearch Editor - 48 Reviews - 39 Lists

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Updated: June 11, 2009

Does the mere mention of something as simple as milk and cookies send you skyrocketing into sugar-coated bliss? Do you sleep at night with visions of gummy bears dancing in your head? Do you believe some ice cream sundaes are better than sex? Well, then: You. Are. Not. Alone. That's why we've created a finger-licking online lookbook called SugarBomber, the ultimate go-to guide for dessert devotees. Here is a sampling of San Francisco's finest, plus where you can go get 'em. And if you've already found a sweet spot on your own, make sure you submit it through the site! Who knows? We might feature your pick next. Bombs away!

(Photo: Jessica Zdeb)

Top SugarBomber Picks

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Cafe Madeleine
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    300 California St, San Francisco, CA 94104 (map)

    RASPBERRY TIRAMISU: "A beautifully composed red and pink valentine of a dessert. Raspberry mascarpone, raspberry glaze, and ladyfingers in precisely tiered layers reminiscent of a frilly spring dress. The combination of sweet raspberry and fluffy cake is as light and ethereal as spring as well. Cafe Madeleine's three downtown San Francisco locations make it easy to get a sweet bite in between shopping sprees." - Anita Chu, Dessert First

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Humphry Slocombe
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    2790 Harrison St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    OLIVE OIL, JALAPENO AND STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM CONE: "This ice cream cone looks fairly harmless, right? Just a double-scoop of vanilla and strawberry ice cream? WELL IT'S NOT. The flavors you see on this perversion of American dessert culture are McEvoy olive oil and strawberry-jalapeno, and they are disturbingly delicious. They also make salt-and-pepper, foie gras and pistachio-bacon flavors. Really, Humphrey Slocombe? What's next? You gonna make ice cream from an old shoe? Get back to the basics, smart guy: your unlikely ice cream flavor ideas are dangerous." - Patrick Heig, City Editor

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Lotta's Bakery
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    1720 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109 (map)

    BABA AU RHUM: "What looks like a dinner roll and tastes like a cocktail? And what sort of genius mastermind is behind this creation? I have Lotta's to thank for introducing me to the baba au rhum: a literal sugar bomb of dense, brioche-like bread soaked in sugary syrup and a generous dose of rum. The amazing guy working the counter warned I wouldn't be able to drive after--while that may be exaggerating, let's say I had more than just a sugar high when I finished." - Chelsea Lin, Citysearch

  4. 4 2 Star Rating: Below Average Mission Pie
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    2901 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    PEAR-GINGER PIE: "Even if you don't like pears, ginger or pie you'll love this pear-ginger pie for its sweet tang and buttery crust, and the dollop of fresh-made whipped cream doesn't hurt either. On top of that, the folks at Mission Pie not only bake their buns off, but teach inner-city kids to do the same. All the do-gooder stuff warms my heart, but the bottom line is I would steal this pie off of Mother Teresa's windowsill." - Patrick Heig, City Editor

  5. 5 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Tartine Bakery
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    600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110 (map)

    BANANA CREAM TART: "If I had to choose one perfect food to be stranded on the proverbial desert island with, it would definitely be these decadent banana cream tarts from my favorite non-Parisian French bakery. They are little pockets of undoubted perfection: flaky pie crust topped with thin layers of dark chocolate and caramel, sweet cream and just enough banana slices to keep you from getting scurvy or potassium deficiency or whatever it is you end up with while having to live on an uninhabited island." - Chelsea Lin, Citysearch