My tastebuds are delighted once again in the mission.  On a whim I dragged my sister, wife and kids down to Jaime Maldonado's "Sweet Corazon De La Mission" for food and live music in the mission.  Not disappointed.  I think it was only two days ago that I was raving over Roger Feely's green chorizo at Soul Cocina.  I got some more great things to say about his strawberry and orange tart. 

Now I'm a big fan of La Victoria pastries.  Although some of the the confections seem absolutely over-the-top with frosting, and jimmies and and creamy frosting seeming to explode off them.  You take a bite and it just tastes good, like pan dulce should.  When I reach for a pastry in the morning, I'm not looking for a challenge. Not so when I go out at night, I don't want comfort food.  I want to be engaged.  I got it with Roger's tart. The first note is aromatic, bitter and sharp from the browning of the paper thin citrus slices on top.  Unexpected.  Now I was interested. This tang is quickly countered by the sweetness of the rubarb infused syrup and the unbelievable sweetness and flavor of the strawberry.  The richness of the marscapone cheese and whatever the filling was (I didn't have time to ask) rounded out the complement of flavors.  Way more sophisticated than I was expecting at La Victoria and approriately adult for the Mission at night. I'm more likely to reach for a concha or cupcake in the morning, but I'm absolutely digging Soul Cocina in the evening.

(Roger delighted my kids too.  He made special princess and spaceship garnishes to his tart out of melted sugar. Forget balloon animals, sugar art is the crowd pleaser.)