I can't believe I have let this post go for so long before actually committing it the blog. I think I was waiting until I needed to talk about it. This morning I read a Whipped post about Caroline's experience with some amazing pastries and I realized it was time. Partially this was because she articulated a pang I was currently having: a sweets craving that had yet to form itself into what I really wanted. Then I realized it was for pain au chocolat. This made me remember the last pain au chocolat I had in San Francisco and the Pie Field Research I did while I was there.
One of my “need-tos” when I visited San Francisco last month was to visit Tartine bakery. For years I have read wonderful things on blogs about this place, so Stacey and I waited in a line out the door and around the corner for about 45 minutes so I could experience it. We chatted about urban planning and Cleveland with a stranger in front of us (this quarter it seems I can talk of nothing else but my current studies) while making the snail’s pace through the line.
Once we got inside and smelled the lovely buttery, flaky aroma of the bakery I knew the wait was worth it. I couldn't quite see what was available until we were at the counter and so I made a quick, last minute decision on the slice of coconut cream pie. Stacey ordered the bread pudding on the suggestion of our new friend, we decided to split a Panini and I also ordered a pain au chocolat for the next morning (more on that later).
Stacey told me (after we tasted our goodies) that when I ordered she almost asked me to change it, because the coconut cream pie did not sound too exciting for her. We were both glad she had not. This pie, oh, this pie was so good. Thinking about it now makes me sad, happy and hungry all at once. I joked the week I was back in Ohio afterwards that the memory of this pie would sustain me through the rest of the winter. It has, to a certain extent, and has made me want to move to San Francisco. Is it silly to want to move to a city due to a bakery?
But back to the pie. I decided to do a Pie Field Research assignment with my last-minute order. The crust was flaky and it was protected from getting soggy by a thin layer of hardened chocolate. The chocolate seemed to have a touch of liquid caramel on top before the filling. The filling was light and creamy, with lovely toasted coconut overtones, and sprinkled on top. Coconut cream pies can often be heavy and sticky in consistency. This slice was unparalleled with the coconut cream pies in my personal history. Stacey called it “a gentle coconut.”
Our score: four enthusiastic stars. You must visit Tartine when in San Francisco.
(Oh, that pain au chocolat I also ordered? I bought it with the mind that Stacey and I would split it for breakfast the next day before I left town. That morning found me devouring it over its bag, embarrassed for my uncouth behavior but unable to stop myself. I did end up giving Stacey some, but I am still embarrassed by how I acted. It was divine, though, even a day old.)
I've wanted (hell, still want) to move to San Francisco for reasons much lesser than perfect coconut cream pie, so, no, it's not silly. I'll have to check Tartine out when I go there in May.
Posted by: H. Wren | February 29, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Oh fellow pastry and sweets lover.... did you know that Coconut Cream is also at the top of my list?! I have not yet visited Tartine in SF either but it will for SURE be on my next stop.
Posted by: Caroline | March 01, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Now I'm upset--and hungry...had you written this earlier, I would have dropped by on my trip to SF. I pardon you ;-) Oh well, I'll have something to look forward to upon my return. I love this blog piece!
Posted by: Sharon | March 02, 2008 at 03:40 AM
Thank you ladies for the comments! You must all go there. It's as good as everyone says!
Sharon - I'm so sorry! I completely forgot to tell you about it! Next time you'll have to go with the Darling Daughter! (It was too long since I've done a PFR, am I right?)
Posted by: Claire | March 02, 2008 at 09:42 AM
No! It's not silly to want to move to SF for ANYthing served at Tartine!
While visiting my brother in SF last fall, we ate at a dozen different restaurants... and the Croque Monsieur was by far my favorite meal there. I thought I'd never be able to finish such a huge dish, but 10 minutes later I was licking the plate clean! Do they put crack in there or WHAT??
Glad you enjoyed you treat!!
Suzie
Posted by: Suzie | March 02, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Hell, think of the number of people you know who make irrational cross-country moves for love. Frankly, pie is a much more reliable companion. In fact, I think coconut cream pie would be a much better date than most I've been on.
The crust looks...incredible.
Hey - are you celebrating Pi day on 3/14? I think that you should. Jean and I are going to run 3.14 miles and eat pizza.
Posted by: Natasha | March 03, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Stop this! Stop it! No more pie and pastry posts! I don't come to this blog to be tortured!
Posted by: Lance Mannion | March 05, 2008 at 03:10 PM