Dessert first: Stella Pastry & Cafe

My adorable cousin Theresa is in town from upstate New York, on a field trip with several students in her graphic design department. They had a few hours to spare yesterday afternoon, so I trekked her and her friend Alex around the city for a couple of hours, showing the sites and spouting the copious amounts of tedious trivia I have stored away for just such an occasion. (I am, after all, a tour guide.) They were interested in checking out, among other things, Coit Tower and North Beach, so I obliged.

I don't make it up to North Beach often, and only can name a handful of places I like. But one place that stands out always in my mind is the fabulous Stella Pastry & Cafe right on Columbus Ave. And so I could not take them into the heart of North Beach and not tempt them (and myself) with the promise of the best cannoli in San Francisco. I mean, just look at them! (Image stolen appropriated from Stella's site.)

Purtroppo, when we arrived we discovered that there was exactly one lonesome cannolo siciliano left on its half-sheet pan, just begging to be consumed. Being a nice guy (I am, dammit!) I let Theresa have it. They also did not have any cassatine, so I had a slice of pear tart, which was also heavenly. But it wasn't a cannolo. But hey, I can go back any time I like. I'm thinking maybe breakfast tomorrow.

Stella Pastry & Cafe
446 Columbus Ave