Knead Patisserie [5], San Francisco CA

Knead Patisserie

Pomme d’Amour

Butter Pecan Croissant

Cream Croissant

With destination dining at Quince and Saison decorating my first two days in San Francisco it was to no less excitement that I once again entered the doors of Local Mission Eatery on Friday morning and making a bee-line to the back my smile was quickly met by a familiar face, the talented Shauna Des Voignes setting out a fresh batch of her signature pomme d’amour amidst a collection of pastries all so familiar from my previous four visits. Rarely one to revisit a restaurant unless truly enthralled and even less frequently ordering the same item twice it was after a bit of small talk (ie me gushing with praise) that my order was settled and taking my items to the front while The Ramones played overhead Knead’s song remained the same, the still-jiggling puff of crème brulee devoured first and soon followed by my fifth butter pecan croissant – its hundreds of shattering layers overlying buttery caverns still the best laminated pastry to ever grace my palate. Tempted as always by the s’mores jar, cookies, and scones it was instead to a new confection that I turned in order to complete my trio and with paper-thin pastry just as delicate as those before it the “cream croissant” left me reeling; the lightly sweetened whipped cream piped into a golden butter croissant bursting forth both literally and figuratively with textures and flavors similar but superior to Boston’s fabled Lobster Tail…a strong contender along with many of the offerings at b.patisserie for second best laminated pastry I’ve been fortunate enough to encounter on this side of the Atlantic.

RECOMMENDED: Getting there early while items are fresh and ordering anything that strikes your fancy…plus a butter pecan croissant.

AVOID: Going on Monday – they are closed.

TIP: Located on 24th Street in The Mission with Dynamo Donuts, St. Francis Fountain, Butter Love Bakeshop, and countless ethnic bakeries just steps away the savvy diner would be well served to gather a group for a decidedly sweet walking tour of the Mission – an optional lunch of burritos and tacos to follow.

http://www.kneadpatisserie.com/