Sift Dessert Bar

This NorCal chain forgoes the standards for eclectic flavors like Battle Royale (almond cake with blueberry tequila filling topped with acai berry cream cheese frosting), pink champagne (raspberry cake with champagne frosting), and Samoa (coconut cake, chocolate ganache filling and caramel frosting rolled in coconut). The stools lining the white and pink-accented shop offer a break from Fillmore's crowded retail corridor. Cupcakes can be ordered a la carte or a la mode, topped with a scoop of ice cream. (The spot also sells ice cream sandwiches, whoopee cookies, and other treats.) Though cupcakeries typically skew overtly sweet, the Stud Muffin is a well-balanced alternative: brown sugar beer cake topped with salted caramel frosting and cayenne dusted bacon.