Oakland (Temescal): Cafe Mariposa and Bakeshop – Mocha truffle brownie bliss and homey gluten-free lactose-free pizza

[rworange]

The website says it best “indulgent, rich, moist, no-holds-barred, decadent brownie”

Yeah

Not only are they currently my favorite brownie in the Bay Area, they are … don’t click out … gluten-free … and organic …

A friend who is a chocoholic decided these are his favorite brownies too … well, he is considering doing a back to back tasting.

Tried the following in order of preference:

- Mocha truffle brownie
- pumpkin bread
- cranberry orange nut bread
- rustic raisin biscotti
- coconut lemon squares
- gluten-free pretzels
- gluten-free pizza

The first four items I didn’t notice any difference from any other bakery. The last three, well, if you need to eat gluten or dairy free then they are tasty enough, but I don’t think people who don’t have to avoid gluten would order them a second time ... I won’t ... but I’ll be back to try the other two brownies …

PUMPKIN BREAD – Moist, spicy and the raisins up the deliciousness. This compared favorably with Crixa’s fabulous pumpkin cake … Crixa wins … but Mariposa’s was very good. A friend thought it was more spice and didn’t have pumpkin flavor which is valid. In the Crixa cake, the spicing is muted so the pumpkin flavor stars. Spicing stars at Mariposa.

CRANBERRY ORANGE NUT BREAD – Filled with cranberries, walnuts and chocolate chips, this is a nice bread. I didn’t notice any orange flavor though. While I enjoyed it, I wouldn’t buy it again.

RUSTIC RAISIN BISCOTTI – tasted like any biscotti to me. It is not has rock hard as some biscotti which is a plus in my book.

COCONUT LEMON SQUARES – These were kind of odd and had a powdery taste to them.

GLUTEN-FREE PRETZELS – Well, they were pretzel-shaped. I think they were made out of the same dough as the pizza crust

FIESTA PIZZA - topped with roasted red peppers, sweet corn, red onions, and mozzarella cheese. All I could think of was those boxes of Chef Boyardee pizza that supermarkets once sold … or some brand like that. It was ok, but it wasn’t really pizza. The sauce was being labeled out of jars at Mariposa. They should get a better canned sauce. The toppings … as far as this one … it ain’t no Cheeseboard.

On my various visits, customers who need to eat gluten free seemed very happy with the pizza. . It is served from 12 – 3 or until it is sold out. On Wednesday (or on request) they serve lactose-free pizza. Here’s the pizza menu … one type sold daily.
http://www.mariposabaking.com/cafe/pizza.html

Mariposa sells to Whole Foods, Andronico’s Dragers, Rainbow and a number of markets.
http://www.mariposabaking.com/informa...

However, there are a few items they only sell at the café … like muffins and other baked goods in the glass counter. Those are the only items that are baked fresh daily. The brownies, biscotti and seasonal breads that go to the markets are made weekly and frozen. They are thawed and like being gluten free, there’s nothing in the taste that make them seem out of the freezer.

Numi tea, Uncommon Grounds coffee and some juices and other bottled beverages are available. There are two four-top tables and a few chairs to eat at the bakery. The staff is the luck of the draw. A few are very nice and friendly. Others take your order and seem like they would like to charge you extra for answering questions.

Overall, though, I like Mariposa … and I’ll be back for the brownies and to try the coffee cake and muffins. Who knew gluten-free could taste so good?

P.S. Be sure to stop by Wine Mine, the new wine store next door to Mariposa. They have tastings on Saturday where there are over a half dozen for $1. Very nice staff and there is not only a nice selection of wines under $20, but also under $10.The staff there is very helpful. They had some interesting beers.