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San Fran via Olympia

A bakery that is more than cookies and cream

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Announcer: The San Francisco Street Bakery in the Northeast neighborhood of Olympia has been serving up sweet treats made from local products to its customers for 23 years, and has just recently opened for dinner Thursday through Sunday.  Always up for trying something new, the boys made the quick trip to Olympia to try out the new dinner menu.

            Jake: The bakery staff was quick to make us feel right at home with a genuine greeting and a smile.  They've obviously embraced a neighborhood attitude when it comes to their customers by offering a casual and welcoming atmosphere that makes one feel as if they are picnicking in their own backyard when eating in the garden behind the bakery. Between the occasional squirrel running around, the birds flitting back and forth, and the water delivered in a recycled wine bottle, there is nothing pretentious about this bakery.

Jason: It carries that distinct Olympia feel; granola-like with lots of community flyers for improving neighborhood cohesion, composting and hemp clothing.

            Jake: I couldn't quite move past the plentiful desserts displayed in the case as I entered, and so while I was planning the finish to my meal, my boys ordered two pizzas before I had a chance to say "what?"  Fortunately, they have great taste as they ordered the two most popular pizzas at the San Francisco Street Bakery.  The first was the sausage and onion pizza ($18), which combines the house made fennel sausage, onions, mozzarella, basil and a sweet tomato sauce atop a house made crust.  This is a good pizza, brother; the sausage sets this pizza apart from any that I've had before.  The second pizza we enjoyed was the Carmen ($18).  The Carmen, with mozzarella, basil, sauce and pancetta is then topped with fresh arugula that has been tossed in vinaigrette which offers just the right bitterness to the sweet and hearty flavor of the sauce and pancetta.  You can also order the exact same pizza with speck prosciutto instead of pancetta if you prefer a smoky flavor . . . just ask for the Nolan.

Jason: I went for the bagel sandwich combining pesto cream cheese with salami - a good decision especially on a toasted onion bagel.  I washed it down with a decent chocolate chip cookie.

            Jake: With so many eye-catching desserts, such as assorted tarts, cookies, cake and pie, it was difficult to narrow our choice down, but we did.  We all agreed that the chocolate banana tart was worth the trip alone.  Banana on chocolate ganache and pastry, topped with whipped cream and white and dark chocolate, I'm not sure there was ever any doubt.

Jason: I stopped my second time for breakfast, going for the unmanly quiche, which was both rich and sturdy.  The crust held its own, though it could have been a little more flakey for my liking.  The cheese and cream, however, were top notch ... I could only finish half (which may have been the raspberry croissant talking).  I thought the coffee was only OK.

            Jake: The San Francisco Street Bakery is a great place to relax over a tasty meal made of local and house made products.  Come with friends, family, or alone; your taste buds will be sure to thank you.

Jason.  Nicely said, bro, but don't forget: 1320 San Francisco Avenue Northeast Olympia, (360) 753-8553.  Open Monday Through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  On a nice day, eat in the large, woody garden

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