When we took our visiting family out for Valentine's Day, which this year was on February's Second Saturday, we happily landed in the Towne Crier Cafe. As promised in a glowing New York Times review, the dessert case welcomed us as we walked in, promising a selection of 13 desserts for a ravishing end of the evening. At least, 13 desserts were available that night. Their norm is 12 desserts, and every so often, they offer a special pastry.

It was from our waiter that we learned that the Towne Crier's pastry chef, Mary Ciganer, was his mother and is part of the foundation of the restaurant with her husband and founder, Phil Ciganer. He didn't mention that Mary had formerly been at New York's legendary Le Cirque, but by then, we had ordered the Apple Walnut Danish with Chocolate Chips and were totally intent on trying her dessert. It was a hard choice, as we could have ordered the Chocolate Truffle Torte, or the Sour Cream Plum Coffee Cake, or my other favorite, the simple but deadly Carrot Cake, or the friendlier Poppyseed Cake made with out dairy, sugar or eggs.

Here's how the Apple Walnut Danish with Chocolate Chips went over at our table: