restaurants with EXCELLENT dessert menus?

[taylor_blair]

I'm part of the clan that is staunchly anti-Finale for desserts, but my birthday is coming up and I'd like to find a place for good desserts and wine...preferably in Cambridge, but I'd be open to other places as well.

Help me, hounds! :)

[rlh]

The desserts at Great Bay last night really knocked our socks off! The rest of the dinner was fine but not especially memorable, and the room was kind of dull and empty.

That said -- the butterscotch pudding was loved by all of us, most of whom don't care for either of the title ingredients! The chocolate banana profiteroles and the warm cookies/milk were also standouts. Don't let the unexciting menu names/descriptions dissuade you -- the desserts there are top notch!

[bbernert]

Sibling Rivalry in the South End has the best food in town, especially when it comes to the final course. It's a marvelous experience every time. I would also recommend Davio's on arlington st in the back bay for desert (or anything else), but it tends to be more expensive, and attracts the banker-types, so it's a totally different atmosphere.

[sailormouth]

I'd push you towards Troquet, great and affordable wine by the glass list and an unforgettable pain perdu

[coffee1004]

although i have not been to Casablanca for about 1 year or so, they had excellent desert menu. you can get them either at bar section or in the dining room.

[MC Slim JB]

The pastry chefs at Caffe Umbra and Union are both quite good; we often go by there just for coffee and digestivi and dessert. I also think highly of the desserts at Bricco and Sandrine's. Interesting, unusual, and generally quite good: Oleana and OM.

[limster]

The pastry chef at OM is now at Pigalle, probably started her menu this week.

[vanna f.k.a. babette]

My two favorite desserts in town:

The chocolate cake atop a gooey cloud of warm marshmellow at EVOO (I am so glad I'm going there Sat night and am already dreaming of marshmellow clouds)

Bananna bread pudding at Grotto, served warm with... cinnamon ice cream is it? and caramel sauce.

[DavisSquare]

I'll put in a word for the ice cream sandwich at West Side Lounge, especially when they make it with oatmeal cookies which soak up the melt quite nicely. Mmm, Earl Grey ice cream. They tried shortbread cookies one time and it wasn't so good.

Since it's a bar, they have all the requisite drinks including several very nice dessert wines. Their other desserts aren't too shabby either, but we don't usually get far down the list.

[CocoDan]

"The Bristol" at the Four Seasons has a wonderfull dessert buffet. A little pricey but quite good. Enjoy.
CocoDan

[holly golightly]

Profiteroles at Petit Robert will melt your face. In a good way.

[Joanie]

I'll take the pear tartin w/ ice cream there. And their white choc. bread pudding is good too.

[cheryl_h]

Another vote for Oleana - really superb desserts.

[Pegmeister]

Cafe Paradiso on Hanover Street in the North End is a wonderful place to go for desserts. They also have a nice wine selection and make a perfect expresso martini. Make sure when you're ordering to peak in the case first, often times the best selections are not listed on the menu! Have dinner at your favorite North End restaurant, get a little walk in and go to Cafe Paradiso.

[ScubaSteve]

for the north end i do like Cafe Vittoria. i think their cannolis are the best of breed, especially since Modern's facelift.

i would also throw Oleana in the mix. not the largest selection, but what is there is really good.

[BostonZest]

Petit Robert Bistro, Hamersley's Bistro, Upstairs on the Square, Rendezvous Central Square, The Blue Room and Central Kitchen all have bars where they will serve an excellent dessert with wine. I'm sure most would accommodate a Birthday with a table for dessert and wine if you ask.

I have not been to Upstairs in recent months but was one of a short list of places where I actually order dessert. Petit Robert's wine list is not quite up to the others here but the desserts are outstanding.