Oh well, I'll worry about that after Valentine's Day. Sometimes, though, I don't feel like heading to a swank eatery to get my fix. Imagine my delight these days to discover that the quality of Boston's bakeries has increased to the point where I can indulge my passion without having to bust out my gold card. Dense, chewy pecan bars are not only delicious but also easy to transport. Competition in the world of brownies is stiff, but these nut-studded devils really get me worked up.
Cookies are a bit more variable, but the oatmeal rendition is consistently tops.
Greg and Lisa Sikora, who own this place, can cook everything. Hi-Rise, located in the historic yellow clapboard Blacksmith House, takes the cake in any season. In fact, Rene Becker's place is so popular for both lunch and takeout that the line at the counter is usually daunting. Brave it, because the array of goodies presents an irresistible challenge. Worth swooning over is a cranberry crumble tart, which has a light, flaky crust and admirably tart, jammy fruit.