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Dessert First

a san francisco food and travel blog | all things sweet

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Rose Raspberry Lychee Parfaits

Feb 14 by Anita 3 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! These rose raspberry lychee parfaits are inspired by my recent trip to Hong Kong, where this flavor combination seemed to pop up everywhere. I shared some of my favorite finds in my last post, but there were so many other places I didn’t get to mention that they’re spilling over into this […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Custards, Fruit, Pastry, Recipes, Travel Tagged With: chocolate, hong kong, lychee, parfait, raspberry, rose, travel, valentine's day

Hong Kong: New Takes on Old Favorites

Feb 5 by Anita 4 Comments

One of my favorite things about Hong Kong is that it never stops changing. Its restless energy vibrates throughout the city an unceasing hum of roaring trains, flickering neon, and ardent conversations,  leaving gleaming new skyscrapers, restaurants, and amusements in its glittering wake. While I love re-visiting old favorites, I also love making new discoveries, […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Travel Tagged With: afternoon tea, asia, dim sum, hong kong, ice cream, pastry, patisseries, travel

The Art of Afternoon Tea in Hong Kong

Feb 29 by Anita 10 Comments

Of all the gastronomic delights one can experience around the world, afternoon tea in Hong Kong remains one of the quintessential “must do’s”. That colonial tradition continues to flourish as a beloved afternoon ritual, at the most luxe of hotels to trendy new cafés. Hong Kong has long been a culinary melting pot, taking tastes from around […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Sweet Spots, Travel Tagged With: afternoon tea, angelina, hong kong, intercontinental, joel robuchon, mandarin oriental, teawood, travel

Happy Year of the Monkey! With Chinese Pineapple Cakes (Feng Li Su)

Feb 8 by Anita 4 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year! I’ve just returned from Hong Kong, where preparations for the Year of the Monkey were fully underway. I’m sad I couldn’t stay for the actual new year festivities, but I’ve brought back plenty of new year treats, including these traditional Chinese pineapple cakes that are a wonderfully simple baking project as well. […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Pastry, Recipes, Tarts, Travel Tagged With: cake, chinese baking, chinese new year, hong kong, pineapple, shortbread, tart, travel

Pierre Hermé Hong Kong – Macaron Heaven

Jan 15 by Anita 11 Comments

One of the highlights of my visit to Hong Kong was a long-awaited reunion with one of my favorite patisseries: Pierre Hermé. While the macaron craze seems to have leveled out in the US, it’s going strong in Hong Kong. Ladureé and La Maison du Chocolat, among others, have already opened branches in Hong Kong, […]...

Filed Under: Asia, Sweet Spots, Travel Tagged With: hong kong, macaron, pierre herme

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Mango Mousse Cake

Jan 8 by Anita

Happy 2014! I hope you all had a great holiday and are staying warm and cozy wherever you are. Now that the business of 2013 is done, I’m looking ahead to this year and a fresh set of to-dos....

Filed Under: Asia, Fruit, Pastry, Recipes, Travel Tagged With: cake, chinese baking, hong kong, mango, mousse, vacation

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best of dessert first


The Making of Macarons (Sucre Cuit Style)

Hong Kong Eggettes (Daan Jai)


Tis the Season (Chocolate Mint Macarons)

A Better Brioche


Consider the Humble Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Feast of Figs


Pure Dessert, Pure Inspiration (Chocolate Citrus Tart)

My Own Remembrance of Things Past: Daan Tats


The Slow Drip of Coffee on a Languorous Summer's Day

Still Life of Strawberry Tart

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about pastrygirl

Anita Chu, also known as pastrygirl, is a baker, writer, and photographer with a passion for pastry. She trained at Tante Marie's Cooking School and is the author of Field Guide to Cookies, Field Guide to Candy, and Lollipop Love. Anita lives in San Francisco with her husband, daughter, and dog Max. More about pastrygirl

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Please e-mail anita {at} dessertfirstgirl {dot} com with all collaboration inquiries, pastry questions, or just to say hi! I look forward to hearing from you!
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