Thanks for dropping by to read mmm-yoso!!! Kirk and Ed (from Yuma) have been posting a lot lately and even though Cathy hasn't posted, she has been eating. Today's post is one of her eating adventures.
This year is slipping by; more than 1/3 is over and I'm still referring to '2015' on some documents. Work has been busy and visiting with friends and family has occurred. The other morning, after a quick stop at San Diego International Airport, The Mister and I stuck around the Balboa Park area and stopped at a place we each had passed many times. It was a time for us to enjoy some well deserved rest.
Extraordinary Desserts has been open at this location in the Bankers Hill area of San Diego (a block West of Balboa Park) since 2005 about 1994 and has had a storefront in Little Italy since 2006. Karen Krasne, a San Diego native and Cordon Bleu trained pastry chef, was honored with multiple awards for her skills long before her storefronts were in existence (1988).
Walking into the store, though the outdoor seating area, begins the visual stimulation. There are some condiments available for purchase, as well as whole cakes. 
Walking toward the cashier, there are three main areas to choose individual servings of pastries available that day. (The third area is on a shelf behind the open counter). 
There is also a small menu of coffee and other hot beverages to choose from.
You order, pay and have a seat and the preparation of beverages and plating occurs. Then your order is brought out.
This wonderful slice of blood orange ricotta cake ($9.50) was quite filling and the plating included gold flecked orange slices, a mango-raspberry puree and edible rose petals. The ricotta cake is soaked in blood orange juice so is very moist and flavorful on its own. The whipped cream frosting is also made with blood orange juice. Cranberries and raspberries are part of the frosting that is between layers. This is so good.
This Blackberry and blueberry scone ($3.95) was warmed before the simple decorations of rose petals and powdered sugar topped it. It was a flaky layered, buttery rich pastry, not too sweet and complimented by the fresh berries. Quite large and an excellent scone.
Open late as well as early, this is great, locally owned place.
Extraordinary Desserts 2929 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 Website Open Mon-Thurs 8:30 a.m.-11:00p.m. Fri 8:30 a.m.-midnight Sat 10 a.m.-midnight Sun 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
We did also purchase a cup of house coffee ($3) 
This place holds fond memories for me. Twenty two years ago when I first started my “career” (my first “real” job so to speak), my good friends took me here to celebrate. At the time, Extraordinary Desserts was still quite new. My dessert that night is still my favorite, the Passionfruit Lemon Ricotta Torte. The price of a slice of cake back then was $7.95, which we thought was pretty pricy. Her cakes taste as beautiful as they look.
Agreed, I have fond memories here too, especially this location. It was the source of many trips with friends and the wife. We even got our wedding cakes from here which were crowd favorites. We chose our two favorite cakes and bought a bunch of them for the reception.
The blood orange ricotta cake is so good but I have to agree with CC that my favorite is the passionfruit lemon ricotta ! I haven’t been to this location is ages but I think they have nice happy hour specials?
I used to work just a couple of blocks away, and really had to make a point of NOT going to ED often (bad for waistline and wallet). It has been a long time since I’ve been here, so it’s time for a revisit. You said it’s been open since 2005, but it’s got to be much earlier than 2005 (maybe 1995?)
@Sandy, I first went there in 1994 and it was fairly new back then. It was the fanciest dessert place I’d ever been to.
Cathy,her book bio on Amazon states she opened ED in 1988.
Hi, cc. Thanks for your recount of a celebration and the recount of the history of this longstanding San Diego institution. I think I’ve corrected the history…had a hard time looking it up.
Now we must go back to try the passionfruit lemon ricotta because both you and Faye think it’s the best…and I need to confirm.
What a great place to get your wedding reception cakes, Jason. Beauty and uniqueness of flavors. This location seems conducive to such a memorable set of experiences.
Yes, Faye, I did take a photo of the Happy Hour menu. It shows daily specials after 6 p.m. (this one was dated April 25 and is blurry). Will insert at the bottom of the post.
I corrected it, Sandy. I do remember passing by many times and knew it had been many years, but didn’t research properly. It’s nice to know you also enjoyed the offerings.