Hungry Like The Wolf: Craftsman and Wolves Descend On The Mission

This is not your father's patisserie

By Meesha Halm

The first of the summer’s highly anticipated sweet shops Craftsman and Wolves opens this weekend. The curiously named contemporary patisserie (which refers to the challenges an artisan faces when pursuing his/her craft), is set in a former car repair shop in the Mission, and is the first brick-and-mortar venture of pastry whiz William Werner (formerly of the Tell Tale Preserve Company).

The über-modern, refurbished space with exposed brick walls and white-subway tiles could easily be mistaken for a Bulgari store. It features 20-foot long custom-built illuminated black metal display cases,  filled with rows of his signature caramels, cubed cakes and other confections, as well as morning pastries such as croissants, scones and baked goods in off-the-wall combinations such as the zucchini-pistachio-olive oil financier and roasted white chocolate-kumquat-Spanish peanut terrine.

In addition, the kitchen will offer a small but ever-changing selection of sandwiches and savory fare to eat at a large communal table up front, as well grab-and-go offerings like a complete picnic box. High-quality teas, Sightglass Coffee and a variety of housemade sweet drinks (think hot chocolate and sipping caramel with salted butter) round out the beverage offerings for now, though they do plan on offering beer and wine as well in the coming months.

Opening Saturday; Craftsman and Wolves, 746 Valencia St., 415-913-7713; 7AM-8PM Monday-Friday, 8AM-8PM on Saturday and 8AM-5PM on Sunday.