Chef/owner Karen Krasne's first Extraordinary Desserts patisserie opened in 1989 in a cottage near Balboa Park, and in 2004 she added a sister location in a hip, high-ceilinged warehouse on Union Street in Little Italy. Both locations feature, yes, extraordinary desserts — prepared on-site and displayed in glass pastry cases. Here's just a sampling of the delicacies that may be available on any given day: lemon meringue or passion fruit tarts, black fruit cobbler, strawberry shortcake, chocolate croissant bread pudding, kiwi sorbet, and white chocolate or lemon praline ice cream. Both locations start the day by offering morning pastries such as apple Brie scones, coffee cakes and muffins, while the Union Street location also features cheese plates, panini sandwiches and salads throughout the day.
Beer and wine available. Serving during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours daily. Late-night Fri–Sat.
San Diego magazine: Most Decadent Desserts, 2011 readers' poll
San Diego City Beat: Best Dessert, 2010 readers' poll
"Dozens of divine creations are available daily, and many are garnished with edible gold or flowers. Among them: a passion-fruit ricotta torte bursting with kiwis, strawberries, and bananas, and a gianduia of chocolate cake lathered with hazelnut butter cream, chocolate mousse, and boysenberry preserves, sprinkled with shards of praline."
— Frommer's
Chef/owner Karen Krasne's first Extraordinary Desserts patisserie opened in 1989 in a cottage near Balboa Park, and in 2004 she added a sister location in a hip, high-ceilinged warehouse on Union Street in Little Italy. Both locations feature, yes, extraordinary desserts — prepared on-site and displayed in glass pastry cases. Here's just a sampling of the delicacies that may be available on any given day: lemon meringue or passion fruit tarts, black fruit cobbler, strawberry shortcake, chocolate croissant bread pudding, kiwi sorbet, and white chocolate or lemon praline ice cream. Both locations start the day by offering morning pastries such as apple Brie scones, coffee cakes and muffins, while the Union Street location also features cheese plates, panini sandwiches and salads throughout the day.
Beer and wine available. Serving during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours daily. Late-night Fri–Sat.
San Diego magazine: Most Decadent Desserts, 2011 readers' poll
San Diego City Beat: Best Dessert, 2010 readers' poll
"Dozens of divine creations are available daily, and many are garnished with edible gold or flowers. Among them: a passion-fruit ricotta torte bursting with kiwis, strawberries, and bananas, and a gianduia of chocolate cake lathered with hazelnut butter cream, chocolate mousse, and boysenberry preserves, sprinkled with shards of praline."
— Frommer's