1. Order the hidden soft-serve at Lovely’s Fifty Fifty

As soft-serve mania spreads, Mississippi’s old-school pizzeria and ice creamery gets it right without chic or show. Order the organic chocolate-vanilla swirl with a Valrhona chocolate magic shell—a simple, creamy, and super satisfying dollop served atop a doily.

2. Go whole hog with Wurst fries at OP Wurst

This gluttonous pile, served at Olympia Provisions’ Pine Street Market stand, make Lardo’s Dirty Fries look positively PG. The basket of thick, fried spuds is tumbled with crispy caps of OP chorizo, sliced scallions, and pickled red peppers, before getting dowsed in Velveeta-style cheese sauce. It goes well with a $134 bottle of Billecart-Salmon champagne, also available at the stand. 

3. …and don’t forget a raspberry croissant from Trifecta Annex

While you’re at Pine Street, hop over to master baker Ken Forkish’s Trifecta Annex. Not everything is dialed in (the dry chocolate croissants still need some work), but the raspberry variety is to die for. Ken’s fluffy, buttery croissant comes glazed with a thick magenta sheen that melts into raspberry jam in your mouth. 

4. Nibble skewers at Bang Bang

It’s been a year and half since we last checked out Bang Bang, an Asian-inspired drinking den on NE Fremont. We’re happy to say things have improved greatly. Start with a cardamom-bittered Old Fashioned and a rich, savory, grilled pineapple bowl with fried chicken and coconut rice. Skewers make a great addition—especially that crispy, candied pork belly, which is more dessert than dinner.