Place to eat: Tartine Bakery, San Francisco, California, United States

About this place:

Small batch pastries using local ingredients and seasonal flavors - That's what keeps people lining up around the block at the French-styled Tartine Bakery. The San Francisco favorite has been installed at the corner of 18th and Guerrero since only 2002, but you'd think it's been there much longer for the feverish loyalty it inspires. If you're on the go, get in line and choose from the ambrosial display case stacked full of delights like chocolate hazelnut tarts, delicate scones and the butter-bomb morning bun, ribboned with cinnamon and orange. If you have more time, grab a scarce sidewalk table and order a savory smoked ham and gruyere Croque Monsieur sandwich, served on Tartine's crusty artisan bread.