In the midst of last week’s intense heat wave, I escaped to cooler points north thanks to a timely work-related trip. As soon as I landed in San Francisco, sunny and 70 degrees, I hopped BART to my hotel, dropped off my baggage, and made a beeline for Craftsman and Wolves to indulge in avant-garde pastries (served with a side of gentrification).
The bakery’s unusual name is a nod to artisans and the “numerous challenges that one faces when pursuing their craft,” according to the website. Craftsman and Wolves’ proprietor, William Werner, was previously the pastry chef at Quince.
The bakery offers an ever-changing selection of breakfast pastries, cakes, confections, confitures, desserts, and savory lunchtime fare.
The best-seller, The Rebel Within (front center), is a savory Asiago and Parmesan cheese muffin flecked with breakfast sausage, black pepper, and chives and filled with an oozy-yolked poached egg.
Not in the mood for a runny yolk this afternoon, I started with a “Savory Tart” topped with tangy fromage blanc, snappy brined beets and turnips, and toasted pistachios ($5.50). My only complaint was that the flaky base was a bit difficult to cut through using the provided butter knife. Otherwise, this pastry was as good as expected.
Next up was the Cashew “Isle of Gold” Curry cookie ($3). While its texture was impeccable, especially the coarse sugar topping, the cookie’s curry notes were too muted for my curry-craving tastes.
And finally, a lovely little créme fraîche morning bun sugared and spiced with muscovado and grains of paradise. I enjoyed the pillowy tufts from the center of the bun most.
The Astronomer and I are returning to San Francisco next month for a wedding, and I’m already planning on stopping in for a “Chocolate Croissant Stack”. And maybe a “Cube Cake,” too! Too much intriguging stuff for just one visit at Craftsman and Wolves.
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Craftsman and Wolves
746 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: 415-913-7713
Previously in the City by the Bay…
- Dynamo Donuts and Coffee – San Francisco
- Dynamo Holiday in The Bay
- Ferry Building Marketplace – San Francisco
- Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream – San Francisco
- Magnolia Pub and Brewery – San Francisco
- Outstanding in the Field – San Francisco
- Pizzeria Delfina – San Francisco
- Tartine Bakery & Cafe – San Francisco
- Taylor’s Automatic Refresher – San Francisco
- Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen – San Francisco
Yay glad you went! Nice colors on the savory tart; I’ve had some of their stuff but can you believe I’ve never actually step foot in the bakery?
Gotta say, the interior is really something, Darin! It’s the moodiest bakery I’ve ever been in (in a good way!)
You had me at cheese muffin. Gotta make a visit up to SF soon!!