A Side of Sweet - Beautiful Food, Travel & Design

Baked Not Fried Coffee Cake Doughnuts Recipe

Recipe for perfectly moist baked-not-fried Coffee Cake Doughnuts topped with a brown sugar crumble to start your morning off on a sweet note!

Coffee cake reminds me of my childhood in Wisconsin. Every year, there was a giant community breakfast to support local dairy farmers. All the food was made by volunteers. Hundreds of people would turn out for a classic breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon and coffee cake. My family would spend an entire day making coffee cake to contribute. Even now, a bite of coffee cake immediately brings back memories of home.

Today I’m putting my own spin on this classic breakfast recipe that has so memories attached to it. You get the same great moist and crumbly texture of coffee cake but with a fun twist – it’s doughnut-shaped!… Read More »

Al’s Deli San Francisco – New by Chef Aaron London

Check out Al’s Deli by Chef Aaron London in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco for an inexpensive, beautiful and delicious Mediterranean food in a photogenic pink and blue setting.

Al's Deli Restaurant Opening - Aaron London Chef from Al's Place, San Francisco, CA Review

Last week something notable happened in the San Francisco food scene. Al’s Deli opened on Guerrero Street in the Mission neighborhood. It features – you guessed it – beautifully done deli food in the most charming setting. It is absolutely worth a visit for lunch or dinner.

Al’s Deli is the second restaurant by Aaron London, the chef behind Al’s Place. One of my San Francisco foodie claims to fame is eating at Al’s Place before it was named Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Apetit and before it received a Michelin star.

Read on for my review of the new Al’s Deli…

Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel NYC

At the top of my New York City bucket list is Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, featuring delicious food and premium tea in a luxurious setting.

I recently spent a long weekend in New York City to celebrate my best friend from college finishing her PhD at NYU. Even though she’s been in New York for six years, she’s never had the famous Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel. I thought this would be the perfect excuse to check this fabulous experience off both of our bucket lists!

As soon as you walk up to the hostess stand at The Palm Court, you know you’re in for a truly exceptional experience.

Read on for my review of High Tea at the Plaza Hotel…

San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park

The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers is a lush jungle paradise that you MUST visit! It’s free for residents and only $9 for visitors. Golden Gate Park Conservatory of Flowers San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Park is home to the unbelievably lush Conservatory of Flowers is home to more than 2,000 species of plants and flowers. It’s one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco and something I recommend for anyone who visits my city!
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Brown Sugar Peach Galette with Brown Sugar Whipped Cream

Celebrate summer’s bounty with this fabulous brown sugar peach galette recipe topped with brown sugar whipped cream.

I’ve been craving peaches for months – basically since September. I’m over-the-moon because peaches are everywhere right now! Our goal is to gorge ourselves with peaches all summer long – as if we can somehow bank some of that satisfaction for the winter months ahead. As we think about our 4^th of July picnic plans, I can’t wait to make this brown sugar peach galette.

Read on for the Brown Sugar Peach Galette Recipe!
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Dessert Pizza Recipe with Brown Sugar Cookie Crust

A fun dessert pizza recipe is taken to the next level thanks to a brown sugar cookie crust. It makes a fun and colorful dish to pass this summer!

Summertime is here and I’m ready to celebrate! What better way to enjoy your summer fruit than in a dessert pizza? The real star though is the dark brown sugar cookie crust.

Read on for the recipe and my favorite cocktail to drink with it!
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