Toy Boat Dessert Cafe, San Francisco

Sample Treats

• Fountain drink: black cow made with root beer and coffee ice cream
• Vegan option: cinnamon-caramel soy ice cream
• Baked good: key-lime pie

Meet the Owner: It all started with ice cream. Jesse and Roberta Fink first met when she interviewed to be a scooper at his brother’s ice-cream shop. They opened their own shop in 1982, and it quickly became a success thanks to its collection of vintage toys and Jesse’s friendly demeanor.

While You’re Waiting: Check out the mechanical horse in the middle of the restaurant. That steed, which was once every grocery store’s favorite mascot, still gallops even though it dates back to the 1950s.

Inside Tip: Even though it’s known for desserts, the café also churns out a sizeable selection of sandwiches, wraps, and omelets for breakfast and lunch.

While You’re in the Neighborhood
Before: Find a new adventure to sink your teeth into at Green Apple Books (506 Clement Street).

After: Let kids frolic in the sandbox while you admire public sculptures at Muriel Leff Mini Park (7th Avenue and Geary).