Extraordinary Desserts has been selected as a best restaurant
by a major publication or website.
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| Beautiful, but wish they tasted better |
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Reviewed By howie |
Apr 17, 2007 |
Extraordinary Desserts probably makes the most beautiful desserts in San Diego. Their cakes are grand creations -- tall and impressive, decorated with flower petals and artfully plated on swirls of colorful sauce. But once I bite into one of these gorgeous concoctions, I can't help thinking it's more style than substance.
For instance, I recently tried their decadent sounding Viking Cake, chocolate cake layered with chocolate creme brulee, and chocolate whipped cream. With chocolate in every phrase, I expected it to taste pretty damn chocolate-y.
Instead the cake didn't taste strongly of anything in particular. If I closed my eyes, I would have been hard pressed to tell is was a chocolate flavored cake I was eating. I couldn't really taste the various components of the cake either like the creme brulee or chocolate whipped cream. It wasn't all bad; I liked the texture of the cake itself -- dense, but soft and moist, not too spongy.
On the other side of the spectrum, I've tried other desserts served with sauces that were so sweet and cloying that they masked the flavor of the cake.
One other small quibble is that the Little Italy location feels a little schizophrenic. On one hand, it's about over-the-top decadence, but their menu focuses a lot on this zen Japanese tea section. To me, it feels like an odd marriage.
It's too bad. They really know how to make a lovely piece of food art. I just wished it tasted as good as it looks.
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Listed below are links to reviews of Extraordinary Desserts from around the web.
[ more from 10best]
"Chef and proprietor Karen Krasne earned a Certificate de Patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Island touches such as macadamia nuts, ultra-fresh coconut, passion fruit and pure Kona coffee are incorporated into many desserts...."
[ more from 10best]
"You’re in the right spot — our selections serve rich roast coffees and gourmet desserts. Expect to find specialty shops as well as traditional restaurants with an expert pastry chef...."
[ more from aliceqfoodie.blogspot]
"The sandwich was very good and fairly large, but it cost 10 dollars. That's not so bad if you sit down to eat, but for takeout it's a bit much...."
[ more from biggestmenu]
[ more from dinesite]
"This place dishes up an American menu with a menu based largely on desserts...."
[ more from discoversd]
"I recommend taking any out of town guest to Extraordinary Desserts. Everything about the desserts, from the way they look to how they taste, is perfect...."
[ more from entertainment.signonsandiego]
"Choose from an assortment of scrumptious pastries which arrive at your table adorned with rose petals, gold flakes, autumn leaves and more -- each its own work of art. The cafe offers an array of coffee drinks and teas to complement the sweets, but don't..."
[ more from entertainment.signonsandiego]
"But this Extraordinary Desserts dabbles in savory treats, too, with Bread & Cie bread and fine cheeses on the menu, along with bruschetta, panini and a few dips and spreads. Complementing light snacks or desserts are selections from the wine bar...."
[ more from fodors]
"The big new branch of the original Karen Krasne's pastry shop near Balboa Park is a few blocks east of India Street, which is Little Italy's main drag. It is more than worth the walk for Paris-perfect cakes, tarts, and incredibly rich pot-de-crème..."
[ more from frommers]
"If you're a lover of sweets -- heck, if you've ever eaten a dessert at all -- you owe it to yourself to visit this unique café. Chef and proprietor Karen Krasne's talent surpasses the promise of her impressive pedigree, which includes a Certificat..."
[ more from gayot]
| "Cordon Bleu-trained pastry chef extraordinaire Karen Krasne's Extraordinary Desserts is an industrial warehouse turned airy, stylish dessert bar. Located on the outskirts of increasingly hip Little Italy, it offers the perfect stop for a sumptuous snack o..." |
1 reviews
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[ more from gourmetish.blogspot]
"One thing to remember when going to Extraordinary Desserts is to go early...."
[ more from gregsguide]
[ more from insiderpages]
| "This downtown dessert and bakery location is airy with lofted ceilings and modern furniture. You are greeted by large cases of baked goods and desserts, where you order, and then after sitting down a member of the wait staff will bring everything to you...." |
2 reviews
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[ more from insiderpages]
| "This restaurant is located near the down town area of San Diego, and judging by its appearance you may never know the quality of treats held within; that is until you see the lines gathering outside the door. Extraordinary Desserts specializes in desserts..." |
11 reviews
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[ more from latimesblogs.latimes]
"we stared at this stunning creation, a Pavlova filled with white chocolate cream, studded with fresh berries and flowers, and napped with an elaborate painting of raspberry, blackberry and strawberry sauces. I thought it looked too pretty to eat...."
[ more from local.yahoo]
| "Company Information: Formerly known as Euphoria, this coffeehouse caters to Generation Xers and has become the place to be seen in that set. Trendy, with a diverse clientele, the coffeehouse has for many become an alternative to the bar scene...." |
4 reviews
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[ more from local.yahoo]
| "Worse than Ordinary Service: My husband and I went to the Union Street location on a relatively slow Sunday afternoon (fewer than 1/3 of the tables were full). It took us 15 minutes to be acknowledged by a member of the wait staff, who then kept forgettin..." |
48 reviews
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[ more from oh-soyummy]
"It is located in Little Italy and is larger than the Hillcrest location...."
[ more from oh-soyummy]
"The Warm Nectarine Pie looked very appetizing and pleased my palete. The nectarines on the outside weren’t mushy at all, and the insides were as sweet and tasty as grandma’s pie...."
[ more from search.cityguide.aol]
| "Proprietor Karen Krasne's Little Italy patisserie -- the second location, after the original in Hillcrest -- is a dessert-lovers' dream come true. Krasne, who studied pastry making at the Cordon Bleu and returns to France regularly to train with masters a..." |
1 reviews
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[ more from tripadvisor]
"A walk up counter to order a slice of heaven - artful desserts with daily specialties...."
[ more from wcities]
"Top off an evening on the town with the lightest, most memorable sweets. The delicacies change everyday but you have not lived until you have had the Creme Brule...."
[ more from whatwedig]
"On another visit I ordered the mixed greens with a side of egg salad. The egg salad was simple and satisfying and added a nice protein boost to the greens...."
[ more from yelp]
[ more from yummies.wordpress]
"Ok so usually a dinner with Leon and Dave within a 10 mile radius of Hillcrest is not complete without Leon suggesting a trip to Extraordinary Desserts and Ernie begrudgingly consenting to paying for an outrageously priced piece of cake because he knows i..."
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