37 CHRONICLE BOOKS
Packed full of mouth-watering desserts, Tartine reflects the character of the San Francisco bakery of the same name. “I wanted to capture the essence of the place,” says Vanessa Dina, an associate art director at Chronicle Books. “I was trying to keep it as classic as possible.”

She opted for a simple but elegant design that reflects Tartine’s straightforward interior and delicious wares. There’s a friendly look and feel to the book that supports the bakery’s secret to success: fresh ingredients and attention to detail. Dina chose uncoated stock because it reflects the restaurant’s authenticity and added a satin bookmark as a useful touch. The photographs capture food as it comes out of the oven while the ingredient lists are pulled out in colored boxes for ease of use. It’s a cookbook that’s as fun to look at as it would be to bake with. Tartine tastes even better than it looks—just like any good dessert. by Michelle Taute