National Dessert Day
Whether it’s cakes, cookies, ice cream, or pie, we all have a favorite dessert delicacy that our sweet tooth cannot do without! With National Dessert Day happening on Oct. 14, here are a few of our favorite San Diego places that are sure to satiate your sugar fix.
Let’s face it. Baking is hard, so why not leave it up to the professionals? Arely’s French Bakery Cafe is a prime destination for all things puffy, flaky, sweet, and delicious. This family-owned business prides itself in bringing San Diegans a taste of France; one croissant at a time. Arely’s does French pastries the right way using traditional French baking techniques, and offers customers a sweet selection of croissants, danishes, turnovers, and scones. A few of our favorites are their Almond Bars, Coconut Macarons, Raspberry Turnovers, and any flavor tart. Arely’s pastries are baked fresh daily, so feel free to enjoy these desserts any other day of the week.
If you haven’t yet enjoyed the thrill of Operacaffe’s dessert menu, then a visit to this Gaslamp Italian eatery is a must. Stop in to sample the dessert menu featuring classic indulgences like Cheesecake or a Cannoli. Or stay for dinner, save some room for dessert, and make a meal out of it! Chef Patrizia’s Limoncello Cake, with its alternating layers of sponge cake and lemon infused mascarpone cream decorated with a drizzle of limoncello sauce, is our personal favorite.
Smoked meats aren’t exactly synonymous with dessert, but don’t sleep on Smokey & The Brisket’s dessert menu offerings. This moto mechanic-themed La Mesa BBQ joint is well known for its wood-fired old-fashioned tri tip, brisket, and pulled pork selections, and they do an incredible job of incorporating them into a ton of fun menu options for lunch or dinner. But if you make it to the end of the menu, you’ll see what’s what in terms of dessert. At the finish line, you’ll see some good old fashioned dessert items like their gooey Chocolate Lava Cake, served with vanilla ice cream and topped with a raspberry sauce. Their Bread Pudding and Caramel Churro are equally as delicious and are excellent ways to celebrate Dessert Day!
DiCicco’s Italian Eatery and Pizzeria, in Escondido, takes pride in its rich family history and homestyle recipes. Their expansive restaurant is big enough to accommodate large parties, and their delicious desserts are tough to beat. For coffee lovers we recommend the Affogato, an ice cream dish doused with a shot of warm espresso, or the Tiramisu. Bring the whole family and celebrate Dessert Day at Dicicco’s!
No dessert list is complete without the mention of Mexican cuisine, and Barrio Star in Banker’s Hill, has just the thing. This Mexican soul food destination has the perfect fusion of bold Latin flavors with the occasional clever Asian touch, and their artfully crafted margaritas are almost as sweet and delicious as Barrio Star’s dessert menu. Try the Coconut Flan, Chocolate Chipotle Cake served with a side of vanilla ice cream, or try their fresh and crispy Homemade Churros with cinnamon caramel dulce de leche, strawberry sauce, vanilla bean ice cream, all topped with whipped cream and strawberries.
Inspired by exploring the history of the Islands and Latin American regions of the Caribbean, Coco Maya brings exciting flavors and a one-of-a-kind ambiance to Little Italy. This popular brunch and dinner destination is home to so many exciting flavors of smoke, ocean, and char that make their dishes truly memorable. They also feature a number of sweet options depending on the time of day. For brunch, check out the dessert Donut, filled with coconut pastry cream, drizzled in vanilla glaze, and topped with coconut chips. If dinner is the plan, try the Marquesitas, a crispy thin waffle filled with Nutella, cherry jam, edam cheese, and blackberries. Make your reservation today to skip the wait!
