Chocolate bread ($2.50) is a revelation at Thorough Bread and Pastry (248 Church), the retail bakery operated by the San Francisco Baking Institute. Thick, dark chocolate chips are scattered throughout the loaf and offer bursts of extra sweetness to something that wouldn't be supersweet without them. It tastes less decadent than cake or a brownie, but maybe that's because we didn't make a sandwich out of it (this time).
Name: Honey Pecan English Tea Scones
Brand: Sconehenge
Origin: Berkeley
Found at: Rainbow Grocery (1745 Folsom)
Cost: $4.20
Ingredients: Unbleached flour, buttermilk, butter, eggs, sugar, baking powder and salt
Calories per serving: Not listed
Why I bought it: There was virtually no coherent argument to be made in favor of leaving them on the shelf.
Tasting notes: It states on the package that these scones are made from an old(e) English monastery's recipe, and that people would line up for the treats. Small wonder why: They're buttery and addictive. I didn't even get a chance to see what one tastes like toasted because I snarfled them up quickly, right out of the bag.
Would I buy it again? Yes, and probably very soon.
What other blogs/sites thought of it: Yelpers' opinions, as always, vary drastically, from "roadkill" (as one unfortunately describes the food at Sconehenge's South Berkeley cafe at 2787 Shattuck) to "unmatched" (in a good way, and referring to the scones). I don't know about the other food, but Sconehenge has certainly mastered its namesake.
Every Thursday in March, slap down a measly $25 to partake of one of the best deals going. At Thursday's Crab Feast at Bistro Boudin (160 Jefferson at Pier 43 1/2) you'll get a freshly steamed Dungeness crab with drawn lemon butter, a classic Caesar salad with homemade sourdough croutons and shaved Reggiano, and linguine with slow-roasted tomato arrabiata -- not to mention, of course, plenty of Boudin's trademark sourdough garlic and cheese bread. Carbtastic! As the menu reminds us, in the words of infamous local newspaperman Herb Caen: "Fresh-cracked Dungeness crab with Boudin's round 'dark bake' sourdough and a well-chilled bottle of California Chardonnay is still the quintessential San Francisco meal." Make reservations online or call 351-5561. Bistro Boudin is open Thursday-Monday, 11:45 a.m.-9 p.m.
