Miette Patisserie is a dainty little pastry shop, inspired by the patisseries of Paris. The pale pink walls and lovingly created cakes, cookies and pastries lined up in sparking glass display cases evoke a slice of Parisian life on the San Francisco Bay. Many of the ingredients are organic, and most are from local producers. Beautiful gift packaging is available during the holidays.

The name, "Miette," means "little crumb" in French. Some favorite items available at the Marketplace are Parisian Macaroons, Chocolate Eclairs, and exquisite Gingerbread Cupcakes. Favorite cookies include the Lavender Shortbread and Chocolate Sables. Meg Ray, a lifelong baker, founded Miette in 2001 to realize her vision of making the beautiful and delicious pastries she found on her visits to Europe. Since then, she has gained a partner, Caitlin Alissa Williams, and a whole repertoire of cakes both French and American.

(Middle photo © 2005 Frankie Frankeny, frankenyimages.com)