Extraordinary Desserts

Extraordinary Desserts is a San Diego institution specializing solely in an ever-changing menu of sweets that are baked fresh daily. The rich delicacies prepared by owner and chef Karen Krasne are hailed as some of the best desserts in San Diego and, according to its Web site, the shop has won at least one award for its cakes, pastries and other treats from local publications every year since 1992. Its national awards include “Best of Citysearch Desserts” in 2008 and “Best Restaurants Poll Award” from Gourmet Magazine in 2005.

Sweet treats like gourmet cookies, donuts, and ice cream are sprinkled into neighborhoods throughout San Diego, but there’s one shop that’s the undisputed cake czar: Extraordinary Desserts. True to its name, their beautiful, layered cakes attract a large after-dinner crowd with decadent ingredients like Valrhona French chocolate and Plugra European-style butter.

Chef Karen Krasne earned a Certificat de Patisserie from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and it has put her in good stead with area gourmets who flock here for a slice of coconut cream torte, a wedge of tangy-sweet tart, a scoop of intensely-flavored ice cream, or a handful of unbelievably awesome chocolate-tea cookies. Offerings vary from day to day, but frequently incorporate fresh fruits and flower garnishes, making them as gorgeous to look at as they are wonderful to eat. Gluten-free menu items include English muffins, baguettes, flourless banana cream cake, creme brulee, dark chocolate cookies and more delights.

Classically trained in France, this San Diego native brought back a level of elegance and drama to the culinary scene that her hometown frankly hadn’t had, ever, in the late 1980s. Her cakes towered ten layers high and were infused with real Swiss chocolate or the best imported coffee and topped with gold leaf or fresh flowers that dazzled more as centerpieces than the final course of a meal. After building a reputation catering for the city’s well-heeled clientele at special events, she opened her first bakery, Extraordinary Desserts, in a tiny space near Balboa Park.

Here, Senior Editor Archana Ram sits down with Urban Kitchen Group Principal Tracy Borkum, Barrio Star founder and The Mission Shareholder Isabel Cruz, Cafe 222 Proprietor and Bankers Hill Coproprietor Terryl Gavre, Extraordinary Desserts Owner and Executive Pastry Chef Karen Krasne, Cohn Restaurant Group Executive Chef and Partner Deborah Scott, and Saffron Thai founder Su-Mei Yu to discuss the struggles they faced to open their restaurants, what it’s like to be a woman in a male-centric industry, the new challenges they’re tackling, and how they continue to thrive.

With Karen’s reputation for creating and serving incredible cuisine and desserts, it was clear she’d need a space big enough to house the masses. Extraordinary Desserts expansive restaurant has a converted warehouse vibe with high ceilings, large floor to ceiling windows, and an open social layout that provides the perfect dining experience. Light streams in and brightens up the place during the day; at night well-crafted wall sectionals create a starry night appeal with the help of dim lighting and small table candles.

Whether you're looking for a romantic cafe, a place to treat your friends to, or an exquisite birthday cake for a family member, you won't be disappointed in Extraordinary Desserts. This 5th Avenue Bankers Hill bakery was opened by Pastry Chef Karen Krasne in 1988, and has been a local hit ever since. With mouthwatering, hand-crafted, organic and decadent cakes, pastries, danishes, cookies, and ice cream-- plus a full espresso bar to-boot-- Extraordinary Desserts is just the place to feed your sweet tooth.

Extraordinary Desserts creates decadent cakes, wedding cakes, tarts, pies, and other treats made fresh daily. You'll find two locations, one in the heart of Little Italy — a downtown San Diego neighborhood known for its Italian and Sicilian heritage and cuisine — and the other in Banker's Hill, not far from Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. This cake shop in San Diego whips up stunning desserts for all occasions and also offers vegan and gluten-free options.

Extraordinary Desserts, a renowned destination in San Diego, is celebrated for its decadent gourmet desserts and enchanting ambiance. This culinary gem offers a sumptuous array of sweet treats, including flower-topped cakes, exquisite cupcakes, and indulgent pastries. In addition to its tempting dessert selection, Extraordinary Desserts also serves a variety of savory food options and refreshing drinks, creating a complete dining experience for guests.

When you talk about San Diego desserts, this restaurant is always mentioned. In 1988, Karen Krasne opened the first Extraordinary Desserts near Balboa Park. Educated at the best pastry schools in Paris, Krasne uses organic and gluten-free ingredients in her desserts whenever possible, adorning each luxurious treat with locally-grown fresh flowers, her signature edible gold leaf, stunning seasonal trimmings, and sinfully sweet sauces.

This “must stop” spot for San Diegans and it’s wonderful visitors can be visited an either of their 2 locations in Little Italy and Banker’s Hill neighborhoods. Created by pastry chef Karen Krasne, they are known for their cakes and desserts- cookies, brownies, tarts, pies, cobblers, bread puddings, ice creams, and sorbets. For those with dietary restrictions, they also offer gluten friendly and vegan dessert options.

Owner of Extraordinary Desserts Karen Krasne is named one of the top ten pastry chefs in the country by Forbes magazine and has written the best-selling cookbook, Extraordinary Cakes: Recipes for Bold and Sophisticated Desserts. Both locations offer dining for lunch or dinner, and a wide selection of pastries or desserts curated for any occasion. And if you can’t make it in, the desserts will come to you!

Address: 1430 Union St, San Diego, CA 92101Phone:+1 (619) 294-7001Website:extraordinarydesserts.comDetails: $$, Dessert restaurant. Prepare to be enchanted by the extraordinary delights of Extraordinary Desserts, a bakery in San Diego that offers an unparalleled dessert experience. The staff takes pride in crafting mouthwatering creations that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.

This bakery is a must-visit destination for people with a sweet tooth. Extraordinary Desserts lives up to its name with a huge variety of tarts, cakes, pies, cookies, and macaroons, and their gourmet dessert designs make these treats as beautiful as they are delicious. In addition to all of their tasty desserts, the bakery offers a wide selection of coffee and teas to enjoy with your snack.

From 4th Avenue, Extraordinary Desserts is ready to rock your taste buds in this new location. Whether you’re in for a chocolate overload with the Viking or pleasant strawberry freshness of their Shangri-La cake, these sweets cannot disappoint you in any way. It’s another one of those dessert hubs that are so delicious that there will surely be a crowd lining up for the sweet feast.

You can’t go wrong at Extraordinary Desserts, because not only is every single thing they make insta-worthy, but also because it’s 100% dessert perfection. From whole cakes for your next birthday bash to small tarts to sample and even breakfast pastries, everything at Extraordinary Desserts is, well, extraordinary. Try the mini desserts so you can get a taste of it all.

Where: 2929 Fifth AvenueNeighborhood: Bankers Hill These aptly-named creations sold at Little Italy and Balboa Park locations are the kind that you don’t want to ruin by eating. But go ahead and—after snapping some “like”-magnets—dive into everything from cakes, tarts, and cobblers to candy bars. Executive chef Karen Krasne has trained with pastry masters, and it shows.

Located in Little Italy, San Diego, Extraordinary Desserts is known for its decadent and visually stunning desserts. This upscale bakery and cafe is known for its beautifully crafted and luxurious desserts that are not only delicious but also visually stunning. Founded by Karen Krasne in 1988, Extraordinary Desserts has become a beloved spot for dessert lovers.

If there were ever an accurately named restaurant, Extraordinary Desserts is it. Pastry chef Karen Krasne has created a San Diego institution with two locations that are filled with so many works of edible art, they could be museums. Bring home decadent cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and tarts, though you'll need discipline not to take a bite or two along the way.

Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday & Sunday 10:00 Am – 8:30 Pm; Friday 10:00 Am – 10:00 Pm and Saturday 10:00 Am – 11:00 Pm. With 7950 reviews and a 4-star rating, Extraordinary Desserts specializes in cakes and desserts. The target market was weddings and special events, but the production grew to a restaurant featuring savory and sweet delicacies.

Extraordinary Desserts providing long lines of eager guests with truly extraordinary dessert options daily. This San Diego favorite features a European flair and seemingly endless sweet treat options, from basic birthday cakes to coffee cakes to creme brulee. There will be so many options for your kid to choose from that you may have to sample it all!.

No San Diego dessert list would be complete without Extraordinary Desserts, which never fails its promise to offer elegant and unique sweet creations. From tartes and cobblers to handmade ice cream and cakes you cannot go wrong. Experience their luxurious desserts at their Little Italy or Banker’s Hill locations.www.extraordinarydesserts.com

Operating for 15 years, Extraordinary Desserts delivers on its name. Not only are they celebrated by the various residents of the area, but they’ve also won national awards for the ingenuity of their recipes and desserts. Their Little Italy restaurant does Italians proud; like the culture threaded in their menu, they too are artists.

As the name suggests, Extraordinary Desserts offers show-stopping sweets that are anything but ordinary. Known for their decadent cakes, floral-topped pastries, and layered desserts, this bakery is a go-to for holiday indulgence. Their tres leches cake, seasonal cheesecakes, and chocolate caramel cakes are among the best in town.

The options of tarts and pies range from gorgeous to decadent: lemon meringue, berry Devonshire and caramelized milk chocolate hazelnut, to name a few. The pies are beautifully presented, but be sure you order three days in advance. You can even conveniently order these artisan desserts from the shops’ online menu.

After dinner, stroll through the charming neighborhood to reach decadent Extraordinary Desserts. The sugar rush should get you started for a night out in the Gaslamp District club scene; if you prefer something chill, the swanky retro cocktail bar Prohibition Lounge is a great way to finish the night.

The decadent treats at this gourmet bake shop are more like works of art among the best of San Diego foods. Gleaming selections of tarts, pies, cakes and pastries shine in elegant displays like edible sculptures. There are even signature chocolate bars inspired by the shop’s beloved cake flavors.

First and foremost, the atmosphere at Extraordinary Desserts is, well, extraordinary!. As soon as I stepped through the door, I was greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance. The cozy seating arrangements and tasteful decor set the perfect stage for indulging in some serious cookie consumption.

The lively atmosphere and friendly service create a welcoming setting to enjoy carefully curated gluten-free treats. I think it's very nice that they have gluten free options here, and all of the workers seemed very polite except one. The worker checking me out had such an attitude.

IMHO, if you want something comparable to say, a Max Brenner (in the Flatiron District), the closest you'll find in the county will be Extraordinary Desserts (no chocolate fondue and no real meals here but just desserts- cakes, cookies, etc) or Heaven Sent (Northpark).

Just when you thought a croissant couldn’t get any more decadent, this popular San Diego dessert spot does something, well, extraordinary. Meet the Froissant™. Owner Karen Krasne said the inspiration came from her love of almond croissants and warm glazed donuts.

Pastry chef Karen Krasne created Extraordinary Desserts to bring showstopping cakes and desserts to San Diego. You might not be able to bring yourself to eat what you buy due to the unfailing intricate beauty. Be sure to snap a quick picture before consuming.

Extraordinary Desserts lives up to its name with decadent cakes, pastries, and desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Their creative presentation and indulgent flavors make this a must-visit spot for dessert lovers.

SAN DIEGO — Extraordinary Desserts is known for its beautiful cakes and pastries. But what you may not have known is the pastry chef behind it all is a San Diego native, and her desserts are inspired by her travels.

I NEED to come here at least once every time I visit San Diego. While the desserts are especially scrumptious, they’re just as pretty!. I always have a hard time taking the first bite!

Not only do the desserts here look great, but as far as Yelp reviews are concerned, they taste fantastic too!. Plus, they’ve been featured on the Food Network (which is pretty cool.)

Extraordinary Desserts is known for their, uh, extraordinary desserts. Pastries, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and more. Not only are they delicious, but they are show-stopping.

Extraordinary Desserts: Although primarily known for desserts and coffee, this sweet spot happens to stay open late on weekends and also serves a full restaurant menu.

I've enjoyed cakes from Extraordinary Desserts the most so far. I feel like there must be other awesome cake/dessert shops but I really haven't been able to find any.