Victoria Bakery and Cafe, North Beach

When my daughter finished her studies and moved back to SF, she and a friend found a small apartment on Telegraph Hill. I could not contain my merriment when I heard this good news. First, her apartment was close to picturesque sights of the bay, with steep hills planted with glorious viburnums, breathtaking bougainvilleas and jasmines. Second, her place is just a few steps from the clamor and glamour and the still-lingering beatnik literati and eccentric artistes of North Beach. Third, City Lights Bookstore, and her neighborhood caters to the original cafe culture of the city. This is where coffees actually taste divine since Italians, mostly from Northern Italy, settled the area and brought with them the true way of the espresso, the macchiato, and the cappuccino.

The fourth reason that stood out for me was Victoria Bakery. For years, this Italian establishment was situated on the edge of Chinatown, on the corner of Vallejo and Stockton. For me, they lorded it over all other baked desserts and treats if not in the city, then in that particular part of town. They then moved to Filbert St., for the better, I think, since it is right in front of Washington Square Park where families, young couples, groups of friends, dogs, and tourists alike congregate to enjoy luminous, sunny days. The beautiful cathedral, Saints Peter and Paul Church is just nearby as it faces the square, and so does an array of many quaint shops, amazing cafes like Mario's Bohemian Cafe, and the SF Italian Athletic Club.

Whenever we visited my daughter, we would eat our lunch at SF Handmade then we would trek over to Victoria's and purchase a slice of cake like opera, black and white, or almond cookies and enjoy a mini-dessert picnic under the broad-leaf maple trees.

Victoria's serves specialty cakes and coffees either for takeout or dine-in in front of their unassuming store. As you peruse their selections, you will probably notice how this quintessential San Francisco establishment looks very utilitarian in terms of the atmosphere. And yet, if you picked a slice or a whole round of a classic Princess Cake, you will be struck by the perfectly smooth, creamy almond paste and soft sponge cake with cream filling as if crafted only to satisfy your hankering for a delectable confection. Then, again, wait until you have sampled their tiramisu, cannoli, and many other incomparable cookies and pastries galore. In my opinion, most of what they bake are "real" winners that it’s practically impossible to leave the place without raising your sugar level even before you have reached your coffee table at home!

This is my family’s go-to place for special occasion cakes, mostly birthdays and graduations. My own children, tough city slickers and hardened foodies who grew up sampling sweets from different quarters, would only nod their heads and smack their lips in agreement.