Oh, yeah: bacon donuts at Baker and Banker

GUARDIAN PHOTO BY VIRGINIA MILLER

291 3rd Ave., SF. (415) 347-3733, www.prettypleasesf.com

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES. ENOUGH SAID

Opened this December in the historic MacFarlanes Candy and Ice Cream space, Sweet Bar Bakery in Oakland is the kind of bakery where just about everything ordered tastes as good as it looks. As I'm a peanut butter fanatic, chocolate dipped peanut butter cupcakes ($3.75) are more than enough reason to stop in. Lightly whipped yet intensely peanut-y PB rests inside dark chocolate coating a chocolate cupcake. Sweet Bar does right by all baked goods, from a savory bacon gorgonzola scone ($2.75) to perfect muscovado ginger cookies ($2).

2355 Broadway, Oakl. (510) 788-4997, www.sweetbarbakery.com

UPSCALE PASTRY DELIGHTS

Dining at Baker and Banker is memorable, from the tranquil space and service to husband-wife chef duo Jeff Banker and Lori Baker's finely crafted food. A chef's table and tasting menu (at $75 per person) in the active bakery is a key way to sample their range, including Lori's exquisite desserts, much of which is available at their bakery during the day. Cult classic XXX chocolate cake is merely a starting point. A restaurant dessert that stays with me? Divine candied bacon doughnuts oozing with bourbon cheesecake filling under maple glaze. Bacon doughnuts may be overdone elsewhere, but there's none quite like B&B's.

Baker and Banker, 1701 Octavia, SF. (415) 351-2500, www.bakerandbanker.com

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